Can I Bring My Dog on Valley Metro Rail? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Dogs on trains · Light rail
Can I bring my dog on Valley Metro Rail?
Phoenix light rail is strict on pets and detailed on service animals. Small dogs ride in a lap carrier, and Valley Metro spells out exactly how a service animal should behave.
Checked against Valley Metro Rail's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Only in an enclosed pet carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Otherwise pets and comfort animals aren't allowed.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeNo pet fare is listed.
For every train in the country in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on RTD Denver Rail, dogs on UTA TRAX and FrontRunner, dogs on New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on Valley Metro Rail?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against Valley Metro Rail's rule above.
Valley Metro Rail pet rules, line by line
- Pets and companion animals (comfort and therapy animals) aren't permitted in facilities or on light rail unless stowed in an enclosed pet carrier that fits on your lap or beneath the seat.
Popular dog breeds on Valley Metro Rail
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against Valley Metro Rail's rule, using typical adult weights and a 4 lb carrier. Your dog may be lighter or heavier, so check its real weight above.
| Breed | Typical adult weight | Can it ride? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle (Toy) | 4 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
Service dogs on Valley Metro Rail
- Service animals must be under direct physical or verbal control and sit on the floor at your feet or under your seat.
- They can't sit on seats, block aisles or exits, bark, growl, or soil or damage property.
- Operators and fare inspectors may ask whether it's a service animal and what tasks it's trained to do.
- There's no limit on the number of service animals, and other riders' allergies aren't grounds to deny service.
Emotional support dogs: Comfort and therapy animals are explicitly not service animals at Valley Metro and need a lap carrier. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding Valley Metro Rail with kids and a dog
- Summer platforms get very hot. Ventilated carriers and morning rides are kinder to small dogs.
A page from Rally's ride
In the book, Rally's favorite moment is the window: the train starts, the ocean slides by, and a white bird keeps pace with the car. A dog who rides Valley Metro Rail gets a version of that, as long as the rules above are met. The free coloring and activity pack has a coloring page of that window, if your kids want to draw their own dog in the seat.
Questions about dogs on Valley Metro Rail
Can I bring my dog on Valley Metro Rail?
Only in an enclosed pet carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Otherwise pets and comfort animals aren't allowed.
Does my dog need a carrier on Valley Metro Rail?
Yes. On Valley Metro Rail a pet has to ride in an enclosed carrier small enough for your lap or under the seat. No weight number is published, so the carrier size decides it.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on Valley Metro Rail?
Comfort and therapy animals are explicitly not service animals at Valley Metro and need a lap carrier.
Are service dogs allowed on Valley Metro Rail?
Service animals must be under direct physical or verbal control and sit on the floor at your feet or under your seat. They can't sit on seats, block aisles or exits, bark, growl, or soil or damage property.
Can I bring a poodle on Valley Metro Rail?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on Valley Metro Rail?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on Valley Metro Rail?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Valley Metro Rail Accessibility(opens in a new tab)
- Valley Metro service animals(opens in a new tab)
Rules can change without notice, and crews have the final say on board. Check the operator's page before you ride. Rally Takes the Train isn't affiliated with Valley Metro.
- Checked at the sourceEvery rule on this page comes from the railroad's own website, not a pet blog.
- Re-checked oftenPet rules change. We note the date we last checked each one at the top of the page.
- A real corgiRally is the family's actual dog, which is why we care whether he'd fit under the seat.
Bring Rally on every ride
A five-minute, hand-painted picture book about a corgi's first train trip. $13.99 on Amazon.