Moving to another state: What's best for my Yorkies? Hello, Our family is moving from New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida. I wanted to get some advice and opinions on the best way to transport my two Yorkies. One is 12 and one is 10. They have never been on an airplane before (I should mention that we would be taking the dogs on the plane if we do this, not sending them to cargo. That's not an option I'm willing to consider.). If we were to drive down, we would stop for the night half way, so we would not do the entire 18 hour drive at once. So what do you guys and gals think is the safest and most comfortable way to do this? For some reason, I very much fear what the pressure change of an airplane and the potential nerves can do to them. They are not young pups anymore. And while they don't really like driving, for some reason I can see them eventually just falling asleep for most of the ride. On the other hand, what is 8 hours for two days in a row going to do to them? I really, really appreciate any help on this! :) |
Either route you go, if you have concerns about their nerves talk to your vet and they can prescribe something for the trip, or you can buy herbs that help to keep them calm during traveling. |
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Like most people here, I don't even care how the journey is for me. I only care about my guys being safe and comfy.:thumbup: |
Best of luck on your journey with the babies! I'm jealous I've been down near miami to see my aunt and I'll be in fort Meyers spring break! Have fun :) |
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I've made an out of state move via car with two, but just the next state over, about a 4 hour drive, nothing like your move. However, some tips I could share are use car seats if you have them. I don't have car seats, but I just use some of their beds in the seats. It's safer with the dog car seats in case of an accident. Yes after a while they fall asleep. We stop half way for a pee break and snack break for us humans. Just make sure you pack a bag for all the stuff they might need. Food, water, leash/harness, poop bags, any medication, etc. Toto is 10 and just lays down and goes to sleep almost right away. Uni doesn't calm down for like an hour. They should be fine. |
My guess if these were my babies, is that the car ride may be less stressful in the long run....unless they're used to being in a crate/travel bags...? If you go by car, I can highly recommend using the Pet Tube in the back seat of your car - we LOVE that thing for travel for our babies! Got it on Amazon. |
We have driven NJ to Hilton Head area of SC with our two (@ 9 yrs old). For a while they looked out the windows (from their car seats) and then settled down. Before we got the car seat they had had problems with car sickness.We stopped about every 3 hours to allow them out to go to the bathroom and eat. but most of the time they slept. All their supplies were in one bag and accessible. We also put an app called Bring Fido on our phones and had looked to find pet friendly hotels along the way. Laquinta is pet friendly and there are others. Make sure their ID tags are up to date with phone numbers and if they are microchipped their info is updated. |
Welcome to Florida- from a born and bred New Jersy-ian, altho actually I have lived in FL almost twice as long as NJ! Your dogs will be so happy to live here they will forget about the trip quickly! |
Thank you so much to everyone who replied! You've made my decision so much easier! :))) |
Driving will be much easier on them. Probably on you also- traveling with dogs on planes is tough, especially older dogs who have not done it before. Set up an area in back with bedding for them, stop every few hours to pee and rest and give them a bite to eat if they need. They should do okay- they may not love it, but they'll be fine. Planes are loud, heavy vibrations, high activity level (strangers, screaming kids, etc), they have to be confined in a tiny carrier under the seat, no chance to potty for long periods of time- at their age, I'd definitely go for the car. I've worked service dogs for quite a few years and flown with a working dog as well. Even for service dogs, who are trained for it and do not ride in carriers, flying is exhausting. |
I would vote for flying. I have a highly anxious pup. I travel with him often, and he seemed to accept flying much better than a long car ride. Flights are more direct and are over with quicker. I took a red eye after exhausting him with his favorite activities all day. Everyone slept, including him. VS the car rides, he gets anxious after a few hours and there isn't much chance for him to stretch his legs. On top of that, there are not many hotels that are pet friendly. We've slept in the car with him before in a pinch, or, and I know some people would disagree with what I did, but I snuck him in to places. It pays that he's so quiet. :) |
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