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Changes: Preparing Pets For Travel

4/3/2014

30 Comments

 
Typist: Bethany
Changes can be difficult for pets. After the longest hiatus from road trips we have taken in many years, we finally got back on the road again in February. We leave again tomorrow. And again eight days after that. And again nine days after that. While this absolutely awesome itinerary gives me wanderlust goosebumps, the Cascadian Nomads canines and psittacine might not be as excited about all of this nomadic upheaval as I am. Then again, maybe they are. Our pets have always loved to travel. But Jason and I spend a lot of time getting them ready for the road.
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Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley tolerate slight disruptions in their routine because I have always purposefully made minimal alterations to their schedules. When we are on the road, it is impossible to guarantee we will always have a walk before breakfast, so even at home, we mix it up. Now this isn't to say we skip walks or meals, we just sometimes shift the order. I was shocked at how well the dogs accepted the time changes when we traveled across the country last spring. But then I remembered that sometimes we get up to go snowshoeing and feed the dogs before leaving* at 7:30AM while other times we bring breakfast and feed it at the trail head at 10:30AM. I shouldn't have been surprised that they are excellent traveling dogs!
Things are definitely more difficult with Leo. Parrots rely even more on routine than dogs. But if I am consistent with each place Leo sets his feet each day at home, even if the duration and activities might change at those locations, then he learns to trust that this will be true when we travel too. At home, Leo goes from his sleeping cage to his shower perch to his t-stand to his cage. Always in that order. But sometimes it takes eight hours to get to his cage, he gets to play on his tree or go out in hisPopemoblie. Other days the whole process takes eight minutes. When we travel, Leo goes from his travel cage to his shower perch to his t-stand to his travel cage. This again can be a routine that is slow and easy or quick because we have to hit the road.
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Slight routine changes can be healthy for pets even if long road trips aren't in their immediate future. You never know what health or other issues may come up for humans or animals and being flexible with the way life and the world work can benefit everyone. If your pets aren't being constantly groomed for travel like mine, here are some suggestions to get them ready for the inevitable routine changes of life and/or time on the road:
  • Slowly vary feeding times. Depending on your pets personality, this will need to be five minutes a day or as much as thirty minutes a day.
  • Minimally alter feeding routines. If you always walk before breakfast, take a shorter walk until maybe your pet will tolerate breakfast and then a walk.** If your dog always eats in their crate, feed them just outside their crate or near it. Then try feeding them farther away, maybe eventually in another room.
  • Slightly change play, potty and sleep time routines. When I need to set up camp before dark, I can't play with the dogs for thirty minutes like I do in the evening at home. So I get them used to playing for a few minutes here and a few minutes there. They do still deserve to play after a long drive but we all need somewhere to sleep!
  • Socialize, socialize, and continue to socialize. While research shows that puppies up to sixteen weeks benefit the most from socialization, responsible pet owners continue to socialize their dogs and all their pets throughout their lifetime. Even a homebody human needs to go out once in a while and the same is true for dogs, cats, birds and more!
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Whether you are helping your pet prepare for a six month, transcontinental road trip or just getting your pet ready for the ebb and flow of life, be sure to make all changes very gradual and according to what they will tolerate. If you make changes too quickly and your pet resists, step back, even for a few days, and then try smaller steps forward. A nomadic lifestyle isn't right for all pets. Be prepared to make other arrangements for your pets if they would rather stay home while you hit the highway. Your pets routine will be altered if they stay with a pet sitter too, so always be preparing them for changes. And happy trails! No. Tails. Wait. Both!
*The Cascadian Nomads pets do not get motion sick but some pets do. Always feed accordingly.
**Always be aware of the risks of bloat in regards to feeding and exercise times.
How do you prepare your pets for changes?
A to Z Challenge: Yesterday was B for Baby Brychwyn, tomorrow D is for Downward Facing Dog: Train Your Dog To Bow.
30 Comments
Molly The Wally link
4/2/2014 08:00:55 pm

Very true about routine. We agree that introducing gradual change makes things easier and less stressful. Good to point that out. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly

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Bethany
4/3/2014 07:22:43 am

Pets, especially dogs, are very adaptable but if you can ease into schedule changes it is much less stressful!

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Rebecca link
4/2/2014 09:16:35 pm

What a great informative post. You're so right that keeping things different (yet sorta routine) is great for a dog (and bird!) and helps them accept changes easier. We normally only do one big trip a year and Teach adjusts so well with it.

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Bethany
4/3/2014 07:24:55 am

Having dogs that trust us no matter what is another benefit of training too, Rebecca. All the work you do with Teach pays off in ribbons and titles but also a very confident collie who can roll with a little bit of upheaval.

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Cathy Bennett link
4/3/2014 12:02:29 am

That was the perfect post for me to read. My family and I hope to relocate in the next couple of months and while I've been thinking about how to make the transition a smooth one for the Boys, you've made me realize that I've really got to give the entire process much more thought and preparation so we don't upset what they've grown to know as normalcy in their lives. Great post Bethany, thanks so much - I've got lot's to think about now.

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:25:20 am

I'm glad this post got you thinking, Cathy. I think sometimes we take our pets adaptability and trust for granted- I know I do! It is the least we can do to take the time to prepare them for planned (or occasionally unplanned) major upheavals as best we can. Good luck preparing for the move!

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Danielle L. Zecher link
4/3/2014 12:25:54 am

We took our dog, Emma, on vacation for the first time last year, and it was a great experience for all of us. Hubby's schedule is beyond crazy, so our pets are used to some varitations in times and which one of us does what. I think it works out well - they just seem to go with the flow mostly.

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Bethany
4/3/2014 07:30:22 am

The totally adaptable and happy-go-lucky nature of my pets is one of the main reasons I absolutely love to travel with them! If something goes wrong on a trip and I feel like freaking out, I realize that the dogs and Leo are fine with it so I should be too. That kind of attitude sharing can also help destress crazy work schedules. Thank you for your comment, Danielle.

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Roxy the traveling dog link
4/3/2014 12:29:35 am

These guys like routine too. Fortunately it's easy for us, because no matter where we go, we have the house. That helps a ton.

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Bethany
4/3/2014 07:32:34 am

Cheater! I'm kidding, of course. There are still things like time zone changes or long drive days to consider, but I supposed when your home during those odd changes, it's not so bad.

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Erin @ The Five Dog Blog link
4/3/2014 12:48:50 am

Most of dogs are adept at accepting change but my little Vito is a stickler for the routine. He gets very barky if things are shifted and we just work through it (after all this has been happening for 7 years!).

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:29:50 am

Every family needs a "something's out of place" alert system! We do our next to prepare for planned changes ahead of time but often you don't know what little thing will seem scary- a bouquet of flowers, a new picture frame, etc.All you can do is just work through accepting the change positively and patiently... with a lot of treats!

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Ruby link
4/3/2014 01:26:39 am

I have been so spoiled by Zu's flexibility that when we finally get another dog I'm going to have to remember these tips!

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Bethany
4/3/2014 07:36:42 am

Don't count Zuzu out, Ruby! Tynan was always so, SO adaptable (sometimes a little too much- like if he didn't remind me to feed him, it would get late!) when he was younger but as he got older and especially when he had Wilhelm to look out for, Tynan became a lot more of a stickler for his routine and a little more stressed out by changes. Only a little though. My huskies also became more schedule oriented in their senior years. It might happen to all of us!

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Kuruk link
4/3/2014 01:29:34 am

Pawesome info! Wooooowoooooo!

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:35:10 am

Thank you Kuruk. Glad to help!

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Marci Koski link
4/3/2014 01:48:21 am

Thanks for the tips! I'm trying to get one of my cats more acclimated to riding in the car, and even though your post was more dog and bird oriented, this gives me a few things to think about! marci :o)

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Bethany
4/3/2014 07:42:08 am

Thank you for your comment, Marci. My cats have all loved riding in the car but I have not yet traveled with a cat. Since I couldn't speak from experience, I did not mention felines in the post but I think pretty much all pets need the same easing into changes. I definitely want to try traveling with Amelia someday and I will use the same tips from this post to orient her to life on the road. In fact, we already do a lot of this! I woke her from her usual late afternoon nap the other day to go for a long sunset walk in her stroller!

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Rebekah link
4/3/2014 02:00:04 am

These are some great tips. We have a routine, but not necessarily a schedule here. The dogs know they can expect things, but don't have to wake me up at 530 on a Saturday for breakfast.

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:34:07 am

That is exactly how we do things too, Rebekah. Sometimes breakfast is at 9AM sometimes at 11AM but it is always shortly after a walk or a playtime. Not all dogs are so flexible- my mom has been retired for almost two years and her dogs still wake her up every morning for breakfast! I've given her subtle hints on how to gradually change their schedule but, honestly, I think she likes it!

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Meghan aka FireBonnet link
4/3/2014 03:45:03 am

It's nice to meet you! I pooped over from Zuzu's site. We've been long time friends... and we're doing the A-Z as well. I'm a combined pet and photo blog. I have had to vary my cattledog's schedule some during the day or I would be at the mercy of his herding me! This is a great post!

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:36:59 am

Thank you Meghan. Brychwyn is also a fan of herding us into what he'd like done. I know the feeling... So glad you came by. I'm looking forward to checking out your site!

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Miss Harper Lee link
4/3/2014 07:28:19 am

We have been completely spoiled by Miss Harper Lee, who adapts to anything. Traveling with her is so much fun that we have to force ourselves to plan trips that don't include her. (When we're away, she stays with friends who have three Golden Retrievers, so I know for a fact that we miss her more than she misses us.) No doubt we will pay dearly for these easy years when we add a sister for her!

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:41:11 am

I know exactly what you mean! We have to take a dog free trip this summer and I am literally dreading it. Not the trip- we are going to England for an important wedding!- but the time away from the dogs. How can I hike and enjoy the countryside without them?!?

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Jessica Shipman | Beagles and Bargains link
4/3/2014 07:59:36 am

I had no idea Leo traveled too! Love that! I made many road trips with my Betta fish when I brought him home from school and back.

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Bethany
4/3/2014 08:43:50 am

I think my only not fun travel memories with pets was with fish. I always felt so bad for them sloshing around. I suppose you could use all of the above advice to prepare them for travel too- maybe I should have stirred up my fish more before those drives!

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Jaimie Ramsey link
4/3/2014 03:55:30 pm

I don't have any pets--yet--so this is something I actually never thought about! But it makes so much sense.

My husband and I often pet-sit for some family members and friends, and now I better understand why--it's much easier for pets to stay home and keep to their normal routines. :)

Stopping by from the A to Z! :)

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Bethany
4/3/2014 05:25:55 pm

Thanks for hopping by and for your comment Jamie. It really depends on the pet; just like people, some are very set in their schedules but other like the stimulation of variety!

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Wallace & Samuel link
4/3/2014 04:35:31 pm

Hi, we're Wally & Sammy from South Africa. We just read all about you guys over at Zu'a blog...WOW you guys are just PAWSOME!! We're thrilled to have found you and can't wait to read more about you & your travels.
Wally & Sammy

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Bethany
4/3/2014 05:28:07 pm

Oh thank you! I am so glad you found us. We have some great adventures and I very much look forward to having you along on our journeys.

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