Tips on Moving Overseas with your Pooch

If you are moving abroad and you own a dog, one of the major dilemmas you might face is what to do with it. You may have no choice but to leave it behind or you may decide to take it with you. If you have the opportunity and the means to move overseas with your dog, you still have to know the answers to countless questions such as the pet laws of the country you are going to, how pet friendly is the place you will be living, will there be enough space for your dog in your new home, will the destination country have available dog food that your pet is accustomed to, and so on and so forth.

Here are more common factors to consider in your plans of moving overseas with your dog:

Weather conditions– find out if your dog will be comfortable with the climate conditions of your destination country. Many dogs quickly adapt to change of weather but if they have weight problems, coat issues, or sensitive skin, they might be likely to find it a challenge to transition well. For example, dogs with long and thick coats might find it difficult to live in a tropical country. You can research and ask your vet for advice on how your pet can cope with being in another country with a climate it is not accustomed to.

The country’s culture and society – many countries around the world have the similar views about their pets in terms of maintenance and bonding. For instance, in France, most dogs are loved a lot like children and are almost always allowed in public places. But in some other countries, dogs are considered a nuisance.

The vicinity of where you plan to live – the U.S. has rural and urban areas, which vary greatly in manner of lifestyle. If your country dog suddenly moves to a busy city in another country, your dog can become quickly stressed out. Extreme environmental changes can lead to anxiety for your dog, a creature of habit. Try to stick to your usual routine as much as possible; feed and exercise it regularly and provide it with toys and bedding it is familiar with.

Moving overseas will be a huge change in your dog’s life, as much as your own. Weeks before your departure, make sure your dog’s papers are all ready, that it is fit for traveling, and it has proper identification in the form of a dog tag or microchip.

Can Dogs Have Obsessive Compulsive Behavior?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests as repeated actions or thoughts, feelings, or sensations that makes one feel driven to doing something. It is a common behavior among humans and also among canines. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to developing this behavior. OCD can manifest in either one or two things that a dog will do over and over again, without changing the way they do it.

Some common canine behaviors that can be associated with OCD are dogs attacking objects, barking, pacing or running back and forth, non-stop licking, chewing, or biting themselves or objects, going around in circles, chasing their own tail, chasing shadows, or excessive digging. Do not mix up the OCD actions for just regular actions or habits. Symptoms of OCD are usually exaggerated behavior.

There are various reasons why dogs can develop OCD behavior:

• Stress – when a dog is anxious, it can start to show OCD behavior. Some root causes of stress can be related to the lack of social interaction with family members or with the dog owner, environmental changes, the addition of a new family member, separation anxiety, and loud noises such as fireworks.
• The need for more mental and physical stimulation – one of the reasons why dogs develop OCD is boredom. It can also depend on the breed’s temperament. Some may need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation for them to release pent-up energy. If these dogs are not given enough stimulation, they tend to develop obsessive behaviors. Schedule regular exercises such as daily walks and playtime, and provide them with toys that can mentally stimulate them.
• Neurological problems – it is not common but is often hereditary and manifests at a young age. A brain tumor can also cause OCD in dogs.
• Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in senior dogs – as dogs get older, like humans, they start to lose their mental capabilities. This is similar to Alzheimer’s and is how they process information in their brains. OCD is one of the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
• Allergies – if your dogs incur allergies due to dust mites, pollen, reactions to food, or insect bites, they may have irritated skin or hot spots which can be very itchy. They can start to reach for the areas bothering them and lick these spots, rub their muzzles on the grass, or lick their paws incessantly. Identify any irritated areas and ask your vet for advice on how best to treat them.

How to Address Your Dog’s OCD
If you notice any OCD behavior in your dog, determine the reason for it and ask for advice from the vet. Your vet may recommend a program or refer you to a dog behaviorist. Also, you can try some products that target OCD behavior such as the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) collar and other DAP products.