Stress-Free Moving with Your Dog

Earl looked at me with his big brown eyes and his black droopy lips asking, what’s going on?  Where are we?  Howie has been following me from room to room for the last week.

No matter how easy you try and make it, your pet feels the confusion and stress of a move as much as you do.  Don’t take it for granted that your dog is not under stress when a household move happens.  Take as many precautions as possible to help them through this difficult and confusing time.

• First and foremost, get new ID tags BEFORE YOU MOVE and attach them to your pet's collar right away.
• Get to know the veterinarians in your new area and pick one ahead of time if you can.
• I feel it is best to board your dog at a familiar kennel, or a friend or family member's home, for a few days while the packing is underway and the house is getting torn apart.  Think about it, think about what your dog is seeing and he cannot use the human language to tell you of his confusion and fright.  Always put yourself in your dog’s paws and try to see things from his point of view it’s a real eye-opener.  What if someone came into your home started pulling things off the walls, putting your belongings into crates and boxes WITH NO EXPLANATION TO YOU? There is no doubt you would be very frightened and freaked out by the overwhelming process that was taking place. That’s how your pet can feel when they are being moved out of their familiar home into a new home.
• My next suggestion is to plan on boarding your dog on the other end of the move as well until you can get at least two rooms in some kind of order. Your pet needs to have some type of safe area in the new home one that is not full of boxes.  Keep a favorite toy or bed with them at all times.
• Remember, even the best-behaved pet may turn into a bit of a door dasher in an unfamiliar house so keep a sharp eye when going in and out until the house becomes “home” to them.  Every dog is different so adjustment time will vary with each dog.
• If there is a fenced yard you must walk the perimeter and do a fence check to make sure there are no gaps or holes where your dog could get out.  Making sure your new backyard is secure for your pet is a must. Do not take it for granted that the yard and fence are secure and safe. You must check it ahead of time.
• It is best not to leave your dog outside for extended periods of time in a strange yard unsupervised as they may try and dig or jump out.  Sometimes owners just assume a yard is a yard and if the dog stays outside at home for extended periods it's no different in the new yard.  Please don’t make that mistake. Your dog does not know where he is yet and this is not “home”. He may try and escape if he is feeling overwhelmed. As each day passes and things settle down, so will everyone in the family and soon the strange-smelling, funny-looking new place will become “home” to even your dog.