Can you make your dog move less stressful and more fun? of course can. Read on and discover how stress-free moving with a dog can be.
Moving is never easy. This is often time-consuming, requires careful planning, and the investment part is anything but easy.
This problem doubles when you have pets, especially dogs.
Dogs may be big-shot lovers and crowd-pleasers, but they are animals of habit after all. What does it mean? This means that no matter how much they love you, some of them can still see moving as a stressful time.
Keeping your dog stress-free throughout the move should be your primary goal. This is easier said than done, but when you have the right guidelines, there are no barriers.
Read on to discover that moving with your dog is actually a fun and easy process.
Moving with a dog: Is it really that hard?
Moving is hard.
Planning, packing, heavy work, cleaning, then cleaning again, settling, cleaning again, repacking… To settle in, you’re going to have to repeat the same movements over and over.
Moving can be stressful and often comes with a lot of surprises, especially when you’re moving with your dog.
If you hate moving, your dog probably hates it too.
No matter how outgoing he is, moving to a new home can be stressful for you.
You must prepare your dog for the moving process and make the family transition as smooth as possible.
Fortunately, we have you covered. Read on, as these tips are specifically designed to help you and your Fido make a smooth transition to your new home.
How to move easily and quickly with a dog
Are you excited to move to your new home? Going to a bigger house? Or go to a different state? Did you finally get your dream job? Can your dog finally wake up at the beach every day?
No matter how exciting the reasons for moving, your dog can still see moving as a big deal and stressful.
You may have the best plan, keep your list organized, and have the best supplies at home—boxes, tape, and bubble wrap—and your dog may still be confused.
The dog doesn’t know what you’re doing or what’s going on. It’s up to you to keep your dog comfortable. Here is how.
preparation comes first
Preparation is an essential step. In fact, prep makes the moving process quick and easy. Yes, this is easier said than done, but being prepared will keep you and your dog calm.
Should you talk to your dog and explain to him what’s next and why you’re moving? Simply put, no.
We all know that dogs can understand some basic words, which is why they can master commands.
We all know that dogs rely primarily on body language when it comes to human-dog communication. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use your voice when walking around, packing, etc.
Show your dog that nothing too stressful is happening, using calming and baby voices that dogs love and trust so much. This tone should help you build positive emotions.
Has your Fido ever stepped into an airplane before? Think about it and get him ready for the flight.
How can you do this? Start simple – take him to the car wash, which stimulates the sound and action of flying.
There, talk to your dog in a calm voice and don’t forget to reward a good behavior. A good treat always helps.
Prepare a cheat sheet
Below you will find a list of simple steps you should perform to keep your dog calm. These steps should help you prepare for a smooth, stress-free move.
- Think about food. Just before your trip, avoid large servings of heavy meals. It would be best if you could reduce the portions by a third. This should make bouncing and rocking in a car or plane easier.
- Does your Fido have a microchip installed? You don’t want your dog to get lost. Make sure your Fido has a microchip and that he has an ID tag on it. Make sure to include your phone number and new address there.
- Are you international or moving to another state? Double-check what the law says about mandatory vaccinations, paperwork, mandatory testing, and if there are any checks.
- Use a box. Start placing boxes at home a few days before your trip. In this way, your Fido will be able to explore new items and become familiar with them.
- Do you use a carrier for shipping? If so, bring it in before moving day. Put it on a favorite blanket or tasty treat to make it a more positive experience.
Last but not least, make sure your dog’s health record is well organized.
You will need at least copies in order to give them to your new veterinarian. You must also provide a health certificate if required by a state.
keep your dog’s routine
Maintaining your dog’s routine can be tricky when the move begins. The truth is, as the move looms, your schedule can take a hit. This means your day-to-day work can become a mess.
Therefore, keeping the dog’s daily routine in order can also be tricky. This is why you should do your best to provide daily walks, potty breaks and visits to the dog park as usual.
Consistency will help your dog feel relaxed and safe.
Dogs are generally happy as long as their routines and surroundings are nearly identical. This is why they often struggle to adapt to new environments.
When introduced to a new place and environment. That’s why you should also exercise your dog as you prepare to move.
when you pack
Moving is busy, but you should still find plenty of time for your dog. Take your dog out for walks, play and exercise regularly.
If you need support, consider letting your friend walk the dog, or hire a dog walker.
As for the actual packaging, you should keep your dog away. Are there other family members around? Make a plan to share the dog’s responsibilities.
What to do on moving day
Moving days can be messy, especially if your dog is confused about what’s going on.
Nobody likes strangers messing with their stuff, especially dogs. They are usually territorial creatures, and messing with their belongings can be detrimental and can be taken by individuals.
If your dog chooses to bark at the porter or try to attack them for touching furniture, consider putting him in another room.
Make sure to bring him his favorite toy. If possible, ask a friend or dog walker to take the porter out when he is out. This way, you will minimize your dog’s stress.
When it’s finally time to leave the house, make sure you pack your dog last.
This is especially important if you’re moving during the summer – you don’t want your dog to move overheat.
Prepare for the worst
Moving with your dog can be stressful and may require a certain level of organization, but you should always plan ahead. This means that you are prepared for the worst and you are prepared for the unplanned.
It also means that you have all your medical records, microchip numbers and up-to-date photos of your dog – all in all, these steps will be a good preparation for you and your dog to be separated.
Introduce the dog to his new home
Once you’ve moved in, you can begin the second phase – adjusting your new home. The best way to do this is to stick to old conventions. This is easier said than done, but in reality, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
After moving, you’ll need to adjust to your new neighborhood, learn where the dog park is located, and how to best get from home to work.
How can you maintain your dog’s routine when you’re also adjusting? All you have to do is maintain the same general routine as before.
In practice, this means that if your dog is used to going out early in the morning and eating in the evening, you should stick to early walks and dinners.
Try to follow patterns in new places. Seems impossible or overwhelming?
Ask a colleague or see online advice from nearby safe dog walkers. This is a great way to keep as many old routines as possible.
explore new home
Expect your Fido to explore his new home from day one.
Before supporting your dog’s curiosity and showing him around, make sure there are no health hazards – make sure you stay away from healthy products, make sure there are no traces of rat poison, or a wall or indoor cabinet that he can easily hide in.
It’s always safer to leave him in the crate until you’re 100% sure the area is safe.
Once you’re sure there’s no danger around, open the crate and let him explore.
If you have a fence, keep pets out of your new home. Use the door for a period of time if needed, or until your dog adjusts to his new place.
walk on a belt
You’ve probably heard the saying – dogs always find their own home, right?
This is true as long as they know where home is. They also need some time to understand how they are at home and how they are outside of their new home. That’s why you should always have your Fido strapped on when you’re outdoors.
Once you’re sure the dog park is safe, you can let him run well.
It doesn’t hurt to keep your dog on a leash for the first day inside. This way you can be sure his quest is safe and your dog is protected. Again, once you’re sure the house is safe, let him roam freely.
keep it fun
Yes, moving can be stressful and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Having said that, provide proper toys, use toys that dispense food, hide food around the house, and use educational toys to keep his brain busy.
Be patient and understanding
Overall, the moving process is stressful and often arousing anxiety, but staying calm is crucial.
Dogs need time to learn about their new surroundings. If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior, make sure to monitor him carefully and react if it gets too weird.
If your dog starts following you more than usual, let him – it’s him battling separation anxiety.
Don’t let it last too long because separation anxiety It can cause a lot of problems later on.
You may also hear your dog bark more often than usual, or hear him growl. This is something to look forward to, as your dog is not yet familiar with new places, people and overall new surroundings.
If you feel you need extra adjustment help, consider hiring a professional dog trainer. Make sure that the training method is strongly based on positive reinforcement methods.
Another option is to hire a canine behavior specialist who has experience helping dogs adjust easily to their new environment.
All in all, try to stick to a routine, provide reward-based moments, and spend as much time with your dog as possible before and after the move.
