Making a large move....tips?

• 11-03-2009 7:23 AM

  .stacer. Joined on 06-03-2007 Ontario, Canada Posts 481 Points 10

  Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact  Hi guys, I thought I'd ask for some advice.  FH and I are thinking about making a large move - from Ontario to New Zealand.  It wouldn't be for probably three years, at least two.   Our biggest concern in doing this is the dogs, especially Sadie.   Have any of you made a move this large that requires quarantine?  They would have to be in quarantine for a month - we could go visit them during the month, but I don't know if that would make things better or worse.   How do I get Sadie to be ok with this sort of thing.  She likes routines.  Timmy I think would be stressed obviously, but would handle it.  He is very confident and stable.  Sadie on the other hand, my biggest fear would be her being so stressed out she bites someone.  I am hoping having Timmy there with her will be a comfort, they are very bonded.   If we have confidence the dogs will be ok through all of this, then we will probably go for it.  It is really the only thing holding us back.   Stacey.

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• 11-03-2009 7:41 AM

  In reply to .stacer.

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,729 Points 1,020

  Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact I've not done that, nor would I, but I think you need to trust your instincts.  If you really think one of your dogs can't handle it, you should probably try to simulate the quarantine situation somehow using a boarding facility that is used to large breed dogs with similar issues.  If she can't handle it for a short period, a long one could be a mess.  But, if she does ok, you could repeat several times so that she gets used to being away, and yet knowing that you will always come back for her. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 11-03-2009 12:49 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  .stacer. Joined on 06-03-2007 Ontario, Canada Posts 481 Points 10	Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact I think that's a good idea spiritdogs. We have put Timmy (rottie) in a kennel before, he was lonely, but did pretty well but we usually just give Sadie (beagle) to the in laws. We have never kenneled her, so I think it would be a good experience for her. Stacey.
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• 11-03-2009 1:24 PM

  In reply to .stacer.

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 South Carolina, USA Posts 2,355 Points 235

  Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact This is going to sound a little mean, but make sure you try a kennel that is bare bones, not high end.  From what I've heard, many quarantine kennels are little more than bare concrete runs and human interaction only during feeding and cleaning or when owners come.  Better to get them used to bare minimum care so that if that's what they get they are prepared. Is there any way to find out what kind of accommodations quarantine offers? Additionally, how long a flight is it?  Are the dogs very comfortable while crated? Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, Ziva the Wonder Dog, and Kestrel the Up and Coming "Always keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go." - Louise Priscoll

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• 11-03-2009 2:06 PM

  In reply to .stacer.

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 9,468 Points 435

  Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact It's so hard to say how each dog would do with a month long quarantine. One of my dogs would probably be okay but the other would be a real mess. I'm also not sure about the pros and cons of visiting but I'd definitely want to do it just to make sure they were being taken care of. I had a friend who had to quarantine her dog when we moved to Germany and I think it was longer (3 months?) and she went to visit the dog every day and the dog made it thru just fine. ~ Cathy ~

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• 11-03-2009 4:11 PM

  In reply to cakana

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Posts 9,917 Points 655	Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact Ireland is terrible!  Six months minimum!  On the GSD board, someone moved there and her dog was quarantined that long.  They always posted pictures from their visits, and I think the quarantine kennel let them visit more than they were supposed to. http://vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net http://www.schhmi.com
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• 11-03-2009 5:32 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  fuzzy_dogs_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Davis, CA Posts 8,320 Points 325	Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact Probably a silly question, but why is the quarantine so long for some of these places?  Once you prove that the dog is vaccinated against all doggie diseases, the only thing left is fleas and I'm pretty sure dogs everywhere have those. I don't understand the necessity for keeping a dog in quarantine for six or three months. Joyce
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• 11-03-2009 6:43 PM

  In reply to fuzzy_dogs_mom

  .stacer. Joined on 06-03-2007 Ontario, Canada Posts 481 Points 10

  Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact The dogs are used to being crated.  Sadie is crated every night for sleeping, Timmy is not usually crated but we do crate him sometimes, mostly to remind him the crate is a good place.  We would obviously work intensify this for awhile prior to going.   The flight is around 22 hours.  I go from Toronto to Vancouver (I think NZ has a direct flight from there now, Australia does - that or LA) then straight to NZ.    I know for NZ, the concern is rabies.  You have to have blood tests before you go, then they stay there for 30 days and have more blood tests to prove they haven't contracted it along the way.  Rabies doesn't exist there and they'd like to keep it that way.   Stacey.

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• 11-03-2009 7:00 PM

  In reply to fuzzy_dogs_mom

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Posts 9,917 Points 655

  Re: Making a large move....tips? Reply Contact fuzzy_dogs_mom: Probably a silly question, but why is the quarantine so long for some of these places?  Once you prove that the dog is vaccinated against all doggie diseases, the only thing left is fleas and I'm pretty sure dogs everywhere have those. I don't understand the necessity for keeping a dog in quarantine for six or three months. Joyce   I believe Ireland has not had a documented case of rabies in many years.  Rabies can incubate for months so I'm assuming that is the reason for the quarantine.  You have to do quarantine unless the dog is coming from another place like Ireland with no rabies (GBR, Isle of Man, and a few other places).  Unfortunately just having a vaccination isn't 100% proof the dog does not have rabies. http://vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net http://www.schhmi.com

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