Adjusting to a New Home: A Guide for Dogs After a Long-Distance Move

Bringing a dog into a new home after travel, especially after a long flight, can come with some challenges. Your dog may be dealing with disrupted sleep, new feeding schedules, and disorientation in their new environment – on top of the potential stress of travel itself.

Some dogs may easily adjust to their new surroundings and bounce back to normal on the day of their arrival. Others more susceptible to changes in their routine or surroundings may feel lingering stress. 

Understanding what your pet may go through before the big travel day or relocation can help you ensure a smoother transition to help even anxious dogs settle into their new environment.

Right After the Flight

How your dog behaves after a flight depends on a few different factors. The flight time matters. Whether your dog is placed in a mandatory quarantine is important. Your dog’s temperament matters, as well. Some dogs are more resilient than others following changes in their environment.

After a flight, your dog may feel anxious or overstimulated. They’ve had to deal with unfamiliar noises, cabin pressure changes, and time away from you in their travel crate. (Acclimating your dog to their crate is an essential piece of preparing your dog to fly!)

Some dogs may do the opposite, appearing lethargic, disoriented, or withdrawn. We’re not talking about sedated dogs — you should never sedate a pet for air travel — but situations where your dog may not have gotten much rest on their travel day. 

In the best-case scenario, your dog will be happy and excited to see you once you’re reunited on the ground. It’s also normal for a dog to behave with a little more caution, agitation, or nervousness upon arrival in a new place. 

You may feel stressed over this yourself, but staying calm and positive when you’re reunited with your pet to help them manage any potential discomfort is essential. Give your dog love and reassurance with a calm demeanor to start building positive associations with this new place. As soon as possible, give them some gentle exercise, a potty break, and access to water bowls to meet those physical needs, too.

Initial Adjustment

In the first day or so after arriving in their new home, curious pups will likely be interested in exploring their new environment for new smells and sounds. More nervous dogs may show signs of anxiety and uncertainty. This can look like whining, barking, or seeming overly alert. 

If you already have a Velcro dog with separation anxiety even when time away from you is brief, they may be more clingy than usual and in need of extra reassurance. Be positive, but try not to overdo it. You don’t want to reinforce the dog’s behavior if they’re acting nervous.

Some dogs may have a decreased appetite, experience mild stomach upset, or even have an accident in the home as they figure out the new rules. It’s similar to introducing a rescue dog to a new family or forever home. They need time to make new associations.

You can help ease your pet’s transition by creating a calm, safe space where they can retreat and relax. Set up a quiet area with familiar scents, like their bed, blanket, or preferred toy for your dog to cuddle. 

If they seem overwhelmed, keep interactions low-key and introduce new experiences like the local dog park slowly. Pay attention to their body language as they acclimate.

Establishing a routine right away is crucial in helping your dog feel secure in their new space. That means regular feeding times and consistent potty breaks. Short but frequent walks can help burn off nervous energy as they become familiar with their new environment.

It’s important to understand that dogs can experience a form of jet lag, too, especially when they travel across multiple time zones. A dog traveling within the U.S. will adjust more quickly than one who has spent several days flying to a new country. The restlessness you feel when you’re in a new place far from your origin point can feel the same for your dog.

Their internal clock may need some time to adjust to new sleep, eating, and potty habits. Give them some grace as they adjust if they seem restless at odd hours or show any changes in appetite in that first week.

The First Few Weeks 

In the weeks that follow, most dogs will gradually adjust to their new home. Much like with an adopted dog and when they’ll warm to you, the timeline of when this happens can vary. 

Again, some dogs may not exhibit any nervous energy at all after lengthy travel. They may just be excited to be with you, wherever that is. Others may have some lingering anxiety or unease. This is normal. 

Extremely nervous dogs may continue exhibiting behaviors like pacing and whining or have occasional potty accidents as they adapt. As we mentioned about doggie jet lag, the distance traveled matters. 

As they become more familiar with their new house, you should start seeing signs of relaxation. You may notice them settling into their routines, eating more consistently, sleeping better, and showing more confidence on walks around their immediate environment. 

A daily routine remains essential in these first few weeks as you help your dog adjust at their own pace. Keep meal times, potty breaks, and sleep schedules as consistent as possible. Continue giving your dog lots of reassurance, enrichment, and playtime with positive reinforcement. 

If work schedules are an obstacle to a good routine, enlist the help of a dogwalker or dogsitter. Try to avoid sudden changes in their routine to keep things stress-free and avoid possible setbacks to their progress.

The Three Month Mark 

By the end of month three, most dogs will feel fully settled in their new home. Many dogs acclimate much quicker than this. Early anxiety should fade as their new routines and surroundings become the norm.

Quick note: This is different from the “3-3-3 rule” for new dog owners. That refers to new pets who are meeting their owners for the first time and what you should do at the three-day, three-week, and three-month marks. 

By month three, they’ll likely show more confidence, exhibit relaxed body language, and engage in play and exploration. They should be responding to your commands and understand household expectations. 

It depends on what your dog was like before their trip, though. Some dogs (and dog breeds) are more high-anxiety than others and will always exhibit nervous habits. Others seem to have a shorter attention span for stressful situations. You know your dog best as to what seems normal for them.

Consistency remains important no matter what, especially for those anxious pups. Maintain a structured schedule for meals, walks, and bedtime. 

Factors That Affect Settling In

There are a few factors that can delay your dog’s progress despite your best efforts. Let’s look at the big ones we’ve seen with our clients, along with some tips on how to navigate them:

• Age: Puppies may adapt quickly due to their natural curiosity, but they also require more dog training and structure upon arrival than an adult dog. Older or senior dogs may take longer to adjust, especially if they’ve lived in one place for a long time.
• Temperament: Some dogs come with nervous dispositions or struggle with change. They may need a slower transition to their new home, calming techniques, and added layers of positive reinforcement.
• Health issues: Dogs with underlying health conditions like digestive problems or neurological issues may feel more stress after the transition. Keep in mind that all pets need a clean bill of health ahead of travel from their vet stating they’re well enough to fly.
• New home environment: A quiet, stable environment can help a dog settle in faster. A noisy, chaotic environment, especially if new family members are being introduced, can worsen their anxiety.
• Previous experiences: Rescue dogs or pets who came to you with a history of neglect, trauma, or multiple rehoming may take a bit longer to warm up to their new environments. Use those same tools that built trust after they were adopted in their new home. 
• Other pets: Introducing a dog into a new home with new pets other than those they travel with adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Some dogs can react with tension or territorial behavior, in which case they may need some time apart to start.
• Owner behavior: Dogs take emotional cues from their owners. If you keep things calm, cool, and reassuring, they’ll respond to that and feel more secure. Stress and inconsistency can prolong their adjustment period. 

When to Seek Expert Help 

If it’s been a few months and your dog isn’t showing much progress after consistent routines, exercise, and positive reinforcement, it may be time to consult with a certified dog trainer. A trainer can help with obedience and anxiety management for dogs having a hard time adjusting.

Canine behaviorists can also help address anxiety or trauma-related behaviors. If your pet seems to be having persistent physical discomfort, don’t wait until symptoms get worse. Make an appointment with a vet.

You should plan to check in with a vet shortly after arrival anyway. They’ll be able to check on your dog’s overall health, initiate contacts for dog training classes or more support, and set you up with a pet passport if you’ve moved somewhere that issues them. 

The Bottom Line

While some dogs quickly adjust to their new home after long-distance travel, some need time to adjust. It normally takes a few days to a few weeks to establish routines. By the third month, your dog should feel at ease in their new home.

To ease the transition, start with consistency. Make sure your dog has a calm, safe space to retreat to with familiar bedding and toys, and introduce new surroundings gradually if they’re having a hard time. Positive reinforcement and patience are essential. 

Don’t be shy about asking for help if you need it. While time and structure get most dogs settled in successfully, some may benefit from time with a dog trainer or behaviorist.

Relocating Your Pet With Tailwind 

Using a professional pet shipper can ensure a safe, efficient, stress-free flight for your dog that sets them up for success upon arrival. Our experts at Tailwind handle everything from door to door, including booking your flight and ensuring your pet’s documents are in order. 

We’ve also provided pet owners with guidance on flying with anxious dogs. No matter the breed or temperament, we can help you navigate th

Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.