moving

Question
I am moving out of town with my 2 female dogs is there anything I should do to get them ready to there new home

Answer

Hi Tony,

Moving can be really stressful on pets. You didn't say how soon you'll be moving, but here are some tips on keeping your move as stress free as possible.

Take your time, stretch out your packing time over several weeks. Avoid panic in the last days, leaving moving day as relaxed as possible for you and your dogs.

If you're moving nearby, let your dogs visit your new home before moving day. Take your dogs on regular walks around the new neighborhood to introduce him to new sights and sounds.

If your move involves air travel, contact airline carriers one month in advance. Ask about their pet regulations, and make reservations. Choose a nonstop flight to avoid extra handling and climate and air-pressure changes.

A couple weeks before moving, get a copy of veterinary records, a rabies vaccination certificate, and a health certificate. Be sure your dogs are up to date with their shots. If your either of your dogs is a senior or has health problems, ask your vet whether a mild sedative would be advisable before travel. Also ask your vet if he or she can recommend new vet in your new location.

Keep your dog's routines, such as feedings and walks, as normal as possible in the week before moving. Because dogs like routines, they might exhibit behavioral changes or even become ill when stressed. Treat them with the same level of attention you would ordinarily give them.

A few days before moving, choose a small room to be the "dog room." Tape a sign to the door that says "Dogs: Do Not Open." Make the sign large enough that friends or movers can see it easily. Move food and water bowls, their crates (if they're crate trained) as well as toys, into this room. As an alternative, consider boarding your dogs, or ask a friend or family member to caretake your dogs during the last day or two.

Buy or create identification tags with your new address and phone number. Be sure your pets are wearing them during travel.

If you're traveling by car (and it's possible), keep your dogs in carriers large enough to accommodate food and water bowls. Stop about every two or three hours to give your dogs some fresh air. Be sure to use a leash during these rest stops. Maintain a comfortable car temperature for the dogs, and don't ever leave the dogs alone in a car on a hot day. Even with the windows cracked, this can be fatal.

If your dogs are not used to car travel, take them on short rides before the trip to help get them accustomed to the motion of the car. If your dogs are prone to motion sickness, contact your veterinarian about medication to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.

Do not feed or water your pet for a few hours before you leave. After you are on the road, feed only once daily.

If you anticipate overnight stops, contact several motels along your route and confirm your dogs will be admitted. No pet should be left in the car overnight.

A travel checklist:

Veterinary records, certificates, and recent photos
Medications
Your pets' usual foods
Plenty of water from the home you're leaving (changing their water source can upset their stomachs!)
Food and water bowls, a can opener, and resealable lids
Toys, chew bones, and treats
Leashes
Beds (pillows, towels, or other crate liners)
Plastic bags and scoops for dogs
Paper towels for messes in the car
Food/treats for the first day at the new home

When you arrive at your new home, again, choose a small room to be the dog's room, where they can feel secure as you move in furniture and belongings. As much as possible, have furniture, bowls, and toys in place before you let your dogs out of their room.
Don't let your dogs outdoors without a leash until they've adapted to their new surroundings, which can be several days to a week.

Continue giving your dogs water from home for the first few days, then start adding the "new" water in their bowls, so it's a gradual transition.

If your pets misbehave, consider ways to reduce their stress, such as extra exercise. Don't punish your dogs for initial misbehavior, or house training accidents. Clean up accidents immediately. Animals tend to repeat behaviors in the same areas, so remove odors as quickly as possible.

Best of luck!

Patti