Is quarantine safe for my dog with separation anxiety when moving?

I get that worry! When I moved from the US to New Zealand, I took my Boxer, who was also an anxious dog. Very long flight but he made it just fine. Dogs do tend to settle pretty well on there flights. It’s important to get him used to his crate and staying in long periods of time. It will become a safe space for him, and will make the trip easier. I hope this helps Scott!

Hi, the majority of dogs suffers with different degrees of anxiety when they are separated from their owner. How much stress is he going to suffer with will also depends on the facility. Some dogs cope well with being kennelled whilst other just find the experience very distressing. In general dogs have to get used to be separated from their owners, because there will be circumstances in life where they will just have to. If it is possible a gradual approach would be better, i.e. getting to know the new place and facilities beforehand for a few hours at time and helping making this experience as positive as possible. I have a very friendly submissive medium size dog and I have taken her into a kennel for 3 days. The place was recommended by a client of mine who funnily enough has a lot of greyhounds. My dog found the experience traumatising, she did not pass feaces for 3 days and I got home to a very frightened and constipated dog. Since then I have stopped using kennels. I had to take to leave her for another couple of days because my mum fell ill in hospital and left her with her dog walker who said had always dogs staying at her house with her own dogs. My dog was walked with these dogs beforehand, and when I left her at her house as I was about to leave, she got bitten on her ear by one of the other dogs. That was also a traumatic experience. I kept searching and finally found a home boarding place where they board only a few dogs at times, and they are all around her size .. they have huge gardens to run and can be kept separated in different parts of the house, so she had lots of pampering when I had to visit a sick member of my family abroad. We take her with us all the time when we travel for holidays but sadly there are occasions when she can’t be taken and I have managed to find a suitable alternative to our family company. Hope my experience helps ! All the best.

You will need to check with the airline to see if they will allow Sam to travel in the cabin with you. Given he is 8 pounds, this may be ok but I cannot say for certain. Give the airline a call. Good luck with your move! I moved from the US to New Zealand, and I took my dogs and cats with me when I did this 12 years ago. One of my dogs had separation anxiety, and he did great. I didn't have to sedate him, but that's not recommended when a dog travels cargo because there is no one to monitor him. He was in his crate, which was his safe space and made him relax. I hope this helps!

Talk with your vet about an anti-anxiety medication which can help tremendously. I use trazodone most often but there are many options. Other helps include: crate training and the adaptyl collar (a pheromone collar that can decreased stress). Best of luck to you and Sadie!

Hi, I think if you find someone that looks after her well and loves perhaps it would be less traumatic for her to stay in the Caribbean. I am pro travelling with pets but I think Lucy suffered a lot and it’s a long journey and stay in kennel. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hello. I would start with an over the counter anxiety product like Zylkene. I would also start using a dog appeasing pheromone in the home ( room diffuser ) or it comes as a collar. The pheromone can calm an anxious dog without drugs. Adaptil is the name of this product. If this does not help over the course of a couple of weeks, you will need to talk to your vet about possible behavior modification therapy & the use of prescription medications like Trazodone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Congrats on your new dog, but it does sound like Iris has severe separation anxiety. I would have her seen by a vet for this. The vet can give you a referral to a professional behavioral expert to work on training techniques to lessen her anxiety. The vet can also discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications in Iris. I would also recommend getting a DAP diffuser. This diffuses pheromones in the room which helps dogs with anxiety. A Sentry calming collar can be used as well, which releases the calming pheromones when in contact with her skin.