Guest post: Dogs are wonderful companions, and sometimes we believe they have more humanity than some humans do. Dogs love their routine and can become spooked by certain changes. For instance, dogs can become uncomfortable when traveling to a different place. This is a normal response as human beings don’t much enjoy moving to a new place themselves. We get cranky, moody, and irritable when moving to a new location. So do pets—a dog, perhaps even more so because they can read your energy and even get more frightened. Honestly, moving is never easy, and with your dog, it could be more traumatic. However, as recommended by dog experts, we believe with our tips, moving with your dog will be less challenging.
Project Calm
Your dog is more aware than you are. They have acute senses and can pick up changes in your energy. They can be affected by these changes. We understand that traveling is something that scares you. You are likely to be more aggressive, lash out and use some choice words. Yeah, moving companies can be frustrating, and the thought of starting all over in a new environment isn’t also comforting. You have to stay calm for yourself and your doggie. You love them too much to want to spook them.
Keep your frenzy away from your dog, and don’t lash out at them or around them. You can talk to your dog about the move. It will work for both of you as your dog will read your energy and try to comfort you. Assure your dog it won’t be a bad thing. Your soothing attitude will calm your dog and keep them relaxed before the travel day.
Ensure you have your Paperwork in Order
If you are only changing neighborhoods in the same city, you don’t need to do any paperwork. You also don’t need to do any special research on traveling with animals. However, when it is interstate or international travel, you need to obtain certain documents and obtain your dog’s records. In some countries, your dog’s history must show that a veterinary has treated it before the travel, and you must add the certificate of such treatment to the dog’s records.
Mostly, planes need this certificate, and you must travel within 30 days of acquiring the certificate, or it would expire. So, contact your airline in advance to know the specific documents they need and their policy on animals on planes. We advise that you avoid air travel for your dogs, especially if it is a bulldog, a pug, or other breeds of dogs with pushed-in faces.
Also, it is necessary to add the documents that show if your dog had been microchipped or not. Note that some countries require that animals must be quarantined before they are introduced to the public. So, research and find out if where you are moving to have similar policies.
Consult your Vet
Your vet plays an important role in your travel and can make the experience more memorable. Before traveling, pay a visit to the the vet, with your dog. Request for a check-up and ask them about traveling with your dog. Your vet would help your update your dog’s health records. For instance, vaccinate your dog or update its vaccination, get its prescription and ask your vet if they know a vet in your new locality.
Keep the Routine
We can’t stress this enough, don’t change your dog’s routine. Your moving is inevitable, but you should introduce the idea to your dog slowly. Start packing bit by bit in the weeks leading to the move. Let your dog see your traveling boxes ahead of the travel. Be strict with your dog’s feeding and walking routine. When they get their walking and eating routine, they won’t mind the boxes they are seeing.
Also, this is the best time to get your dog’s carrier out and allow your dog to inspect it. Allow them to even play inside it and get used to the idea of being inside it for some time. It is not harmful to add some car drive into your dog’s routine to get them used to the idea of being in a moving car. So that if you travel by road, they won’t find the experience uncomfortable.
The Move: Keep Your Dog Calm
You have to do some coaxing when it comes to this stage, especially if your dog is acting out. If you are moving in your car, you can get a soothing item for your dog. You can hold their favorite snacks, blanket, or their chew toy. If your trip would take more than a day, you should search animal-friendly hotels ahead of time and stay there for the night.
If you are flying, it gets a little bit trickier. Human beings don’t find flights comfortable, so also do animals. For them, it’s worse as they have to stay in the cargo area where the temperature is colder or warmer than usual, depending on the season. So, if there is no other alternative and you must fly with your dog, you can make the experience please for your dog by doing the following;
- Fly directly to where you are going. Remember, your dog would be in the cargo area. It would find waiting too long in its carrier a pleasant experience. Plus, you can’t trust airline staff not to be rough when transporting your dog to your other flight.
- Travel with your pet. Use the same airline as your pet, so if the airline allows, you can be present when your dog is being transported to the new plane. You can provide your dog with comfort during this time and allow it to feel less uncomfortable.
- If you plan on moving during winter or summer, choose an airline that has planes with a comfortable cargo hold. The cargo hold must not be subject to temperature extremes. If you can’t guarantee if your airline has such cargo hold, fly in the morning or evening during summer and in the afternoon during winter.
- Don’t fly during the holidays or during busy travel times. If you fly during the holidays, your dog would be twice uncomfortable, and there is nothing you would do about it. Airline staff work harder during holidays and often handle cargo roughly during these times.
- Put your details on your dog’s collar. Prepare for a situation where the cargo could be lost. We are not saying it would, but it wouldn’t harm you to prepare. In getting a dog collar, use one that wouldn’t hook the bars in your dog carrier and choke your dog.
Use a pet transport. These are experts who would prepare your dog for travel as best as they can. However, they would be strange to you and your dog. They also don’t come on the cheap, but they would save you some stress during the moving process.
Author Bio:
Nicknamed the ninja of Ninja Essay writing service., Thomas Jackson a professional writer and a member of several writing clubs in New York. Thomas is a songwriter and enjoys going to concerts with his loved ones.