Posted on June 16, 2011 by: WayCoolDogs

Moving is one of life’s most stressful experiences, but there are a few ways to make it more stressful. Combine it with a divorce or a death in the family. Combine it with a change of job. Or move with your pet. If there was ever a time in your life with your dog that rivaled the stress of going through an adoption, this is it.

But it doesn’t have to be that bad. Here are a few ways to reduce the stress of your move or relocation for your dog (or dogs):

• Travel by car. Dogs typically love cars. They get to travel with their owners, so there’s no separation anxiety. And then there are those delicious smells that waft in through the windows. Unless it is very impractical for you to travel by car, this is your best bet.

• Find a pet-friendly airline if you absolutely must travel by air. You’ll want to find out if it is possible for your dog to travel with you in the cabin (but that is unlikely unless your dog is very small and meets the airline’s special standards for cabin travel with a pet). Check to see if your airline has kennel facilities (often airlines have these at their hub airports) to hold pets during layovers or long delays.

1. If your airline offers a kennel facility, your dog may be able to be checked on and fed and watered during a layover — assuming that you are routed through the city where the kennel facilities are located.
2. Most importantly, make sure that the airline provides for animals to travel in a climate-controlled part of the aircraft — otherwise extreme temperatures might threaten your dog’s health.

• Prepare for travel. At the very least, you need to:

1. Make a trip to visit your vet. Be sure that your dog is up to date on any needed vaccines and is in good health. Don’t ask your vet to sedate your dog for the journey — airlines often won’t accept sedated animals for travel. It isn’t particularly safe, especially for dog breeds that have trouble breathing when they are stressed out or overexcited, such as English bulldogs and other pug nosed dogs. No animal should be sedated in a situation in which it cannot be monitored regularly for bad reactions to the sedation.
2. If your dog will travel in a travel kennel, put the kennel in your home for a few weeks before the trip so that your dog can get used to it. Put treats inside the kennel from time to time. Also, make sure that the kennel is large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around inside. Finally, plan to attach a plastic bag of food (for airline personnel to give to your dog during layovers) and a copy of your dog’s vaccination records, if possible, to the outside of the kennel.
3. Alternatively, if you will be traveling by car, start taking short car trips with your dog (if you don’t already), so that your dog is used to car travel by the time you make the trip to your new home.

• Be aware that your dog will pick up on your stress levels. Talk to your dog about what’s going on. No, your dog may not understand what you are saying, but the practice of talking to your dog about life changes that are happening will reduce your stress and that of your dog, even if the only message that comes across is the kind and loving tone in your voice.

1. This should go without saying, but of course, make sure that your dog is wearing a collar and ID tags, preferably including a tag that has your cell phone number attached.
2. To reduce your own stress — keep track of your moving expenses. You might be entitled to a tax deduction later if your job is work-related or is for a change of job.

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Guest Post writer Tim Eyre works with self storage users all over the Unites States. He helps customers store their stuff in places like Orlando self storage and Phoenix self storage. In his spare time, Tim likes to get outside for a game of basketball or a round of golf.

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