!
Your dogs are so lucky to have such a thoughtful, caring owner. : )
I've never moved out of the country with our dogs, but we did move from a suburbian house to a 10 acre farm with seven dogs! I hope I can help out some, and there is some great information out there on the internet too.
First, make sure you have the legal paperwork for the move. They may need you to have them checked by the vet and they'll want to know your dogs are up-to-date on shots, especially rabies and distemper. Because warm climates can sustain large dog populations year round, places like Asia are more prone to large feral dog populations which have been known to have rabies out-breaks and even kill people.
As far as preparing the dogs, try not to let them feel the stress or the move as it will get to them. Instead, keep things calm and on schedule. If moving furniture out of the house, don't move the dogs crates/beds/water/food/ect so that they have a familiar place to go to. Keep a routine on walks, feeding time and the like so they aren't confused.
Are any of your dogs prone to care sickness? Make sure your dogs have secure crates and are use to car travel. You can even practice a few times to see. Get them in the crates and in the car, drive around a little bit, then return home and offer them praise and a treat so they know it isn't all that bad.
For a dog that had anxiety and phobia issues, there are mild sedative/tranquilizers, anti-anxiety, and other such medications that can be offered for plane rides and work quite well. Hours of stress are bad for dogs and will make them more likely to react to the new situation badly. Also, dogs with anxiety may get upset stomachs or be extra cold. Offer a warm blanket that smells like home.
Make sure during the flight the dogs are in a temperature controlled area of the plane or that the weather is nice out during the flight. Make sure the crates are marked with your name and number, locked up so no one can steal your dog (which can happen), and that the dogs are well hydrated before the flight as well as having food available if they have blood-sugar issues. If any of your dogs are older or have arthritis or hip issues, soft blankets not only offer something comfortable to stand and lay on, but also provide grip for when the plane dips or turns.
Hint: dogs who get long walks, jogs, playing sessions, hikes, ect are far calmer and more content to sit in a crate then those who have been penned up for long periods of time. Before traveling try to exhaust your pooches enough that they don't mind taking a rest. After arriving they will also have energy, so let them get a little out with a quick walk, which they may need to use the bathroom anyways.
When you arrive at your destination things may be a little chaotic, getting off the plane, getting your supplies, getting to the vehicle. Stay calm and talk to your dogs, let them smell you, but don't get them too excited or stressed. They feel your energy and will react accordingly. Have their leashes, food, water, and familiar toys/beds/crates/dishes/ect so that when they arrive at their new home they have something they know and can return to. Walk them around your property or the house, let them get use to the scent. They may not know what is off-limits and what isn't, so you may have to lock them up in a room or crate until they learn the new house isn't to be marked like the outdoors.
If you have an outdoor yard, make sure that the fence is secure, as dogs won't learn their property for at least a few weeks and may try to escape. If they escape they won't easily know how to get back home.
As far as climate goes, make sure any dogs with long coats have water available. They may need a clipping or shave to keep them from getting too hot. A kiddie pool is a great place for a dog to cool off.
Humid, warm weather can make dogs extra hot. Make sure your dogs are in good shape, as dogs that are over-weight, even by just a little, are more prone to having issues with temperature control. Make sure any yard they have offers shade. Not all areas of Asia are always warm and moist, so make sure that if it gets cold they have a warm, dry place to retreat too.
Also, if where you move has heavy rains, mud and puddles will be more common and walks may be more difficult. Be prepared to walk dogs during rain and have a way to clean them up or dry them off before they come back inside. A yard that is on high ground will stay dry longer then one set low.
Some other things to consider: Make sure you know the dog-walking laws of your new home.
Try to find a good vet in the area who can tell you about any parasite concerns (heart worm, fleas, ect), and get proper vaccinations available.
If your new city doesn't offer your dogs brand of food make sure the switch to a new food is gradual to avoid upset stomachs.
Water in tropical areas can have heavy loads of parasites or water-born viruses as well as other diseases, because of the warmth. Make sure your dog's water stays clean, including any pool or pond they may play in.
Sorry if that was really long, but once I get talking about dogs are sometimes have trouble stopping. : )
I hope this helps. Best of luck with your move! : )
I've never moved out of the country with our dogs, but we did move from a suburbian house to a 10 acre farm with seven dogs! I hope I can help out some, and there is some great information out there on the internet too.
First, make sure you have the legal paperwork for the move. They may need you to have them checked by the vet and they'll want to know your dogs are up-to-date on shots, especially rabies and distemper. Because warm climates can sustain large dog populations year round, places like Asia are more prone to large feral dog populations which have been known to have rabies out-breaks and even kill people.
As far as preparing the dogs, try not to let them feel the stress or the move as it will get to them. Instead, keep things calm and on schedule. If moving furniture out of the house, don't move the dogs crates/beds/water/food/ect so that they have a familiar place to go to. Keep a routine on walks, feeding time and the like so they aren't confused.
Are any of your dogs prone to care sickness? Make sure your dogs have secure crates and are use to car travel. You can even practice a few times to see. Get them in the crates and in the car, drive around a little bit, then return home and offer them praise and a treat so they know it isn't all that bad.
For a dog that had anxiety and phobia issues, there are mild sedative/tranquilizers, anti-anxiety, and other such medications that can be offered for plane rides and work quite well. Hours of stress are bad for dogs and will make them more likely to react to the new situation badly. Also, dogs with anxiety may get upset stomachs or be extra cold. Offer a warm blanket that smells like home.
Make sure during the flight the dogs are in a temperature controlled area of the plane or that the weather is nice out during the flight. Make sure the crates are marked with your name and number, locked up so no one can steal your dog (which can happen), and that the dogs are well hydrated before the flight as well as having food available if they have blood-sugar issues. If any of your dogs are older or have arthritis or hip issues, soft blankets not only offer something comfortable to stand and lay on, but also provide grip for when the plane dips or turns.
Hint: dogs who get long walks, jogs, playing sessions, hikes, ect are far calmer and more content to sit in a crate then those who have been penned up for long periods of time. Before traveling try to exhaust your pooches enough that they don't mind taking a rest. After arriving they will also have energy, so let them get a little out with a quick walk, which they may need to use the bathroom anyways.
When you arrive at your destination things may be a little chaotic, getting off the plane, getting your supplies, getting to the vehicle. Stay calm and talk to your dogs, let them smell you, but don't get them too excited or stressed. They feel your energy and will react accordingly. Have their leashes, food, water, and familiar toys/beds/crates/dishes/ect so that when they arrive at their new home they have something they know and can return to. Walk them around your property or the house, let them get use to the scent. They may not know what is off-limits and what isn't, so you may have to lock them up in a room or crate until they learn the new house isn't to be marked like the outdoors.
If you have an outdoor yard, make sure that the fence is secure, as dogs won't learn their property for at least a few weeks and may try to escape. If they escape they won't easily know how to get back home.
As far as climate goes, make sure any dogs with long coats have water available. They may need a clipping or shave to keep them from getting too hot. A kiddie pool is a great place for a dog to cool off.
Humid, warm weather can make dogs extra hot. Make sure your dogs are in good shape, as dogs that are over-weight, even by just a little, are more prone to having issues with temperature control. Make sure any yard they have offers shade. Not all areas of Asia are always warm and moist, so make sure that if it gets cold they have a warm, dry place to retreat too.
Also, if where you move has heavy rains, mud and puddles will be more common and walks may be more difficult. Be prepared to walk dogs during rain and have a way to clean them up or dry them off before they come back inside. A yard that is on high ground will stay dry longer then one set low.
Some other things to consider: Make sure you know the dog-walking laws of your new home.
Try to find a good vet in the area who can tell you about any parasite concerns (heart worm, fleas, ect), and get proper vaccinations available.
If your new city doesn't offer your dogs brand of food make sure the switch to a new food is gradual to avoid upset stomachs.
Water in tropical areas can have heavy loads of parasites or water-born viruses as well as other diseases, because of the warmth. Make sure your dog's water stays clean, including any pool or pond they may play in.
Sorry if that was really long, but once I get talking about dogs are sometimes have trouble stopping. : )
I hope this helps. Best of luck with your move! : )
