Said It Here

How to move with a puppy without stressing them out

Moving and flying with a young puppy causes intense stress that disrupts normal eating and potty habits. Giving the pup time to decompress in a quiet space helps them adjust, even if the first night involves crying and temporary behavior changes.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

  1. 1
    Utilizing a nearby daycare for the day or an overnight stay
  2. 2
    Having a trusted friend or family member watch the puppy
  3. 3
    letting him decompress in a quiet room
  4. 4
    sitting on the floor and letting the puppy approach when ready
  5. 5
    putting a worn t-shirt in the crate for comfort
  6. 6
    establishing a routine with timely trips outside

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/puppy1012 people · September 2026

“Should I leave my puppy with someone he knows? Or should I just keep him with us as the move is happening?”source ↗

“Worried tho that the loud sounds might scare him.”source ↗

StrawberryNew5694 · r/puppy101 · 7 upvotes

“Moving is stressful, and having a young added to the mix prob won’t make it better!”source ↗

Master_G_ · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes
r/dogs2 people · October 2026

“The puppy will be flying here, it’s not a long flight but I imagine it’s going to be stressful nonetheless.”source ↗

MonthlyWeekend_ · r/dogs · 2 upvotes

“That flight is a big deal for a little pup, no matter how short. Honestly the best thing you can do is just let him decompress.”source ↗

“My dog took almost two days before she would even eat near me.”source ↗

“Also don't be surprised if he doesn't potty right away, stress does weird things to their system. The first night might be rough with crying but it gets better quick.”source ↗

Ambitious-Candy-2756 · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

Where this came up

People with this problem also raised