I have moved many times in my life and I have moved with pets almost as many times. Whether you are moving to a new city or you’re just moving a few houses down the road, moving with your dog can be difficult. Animals are sensitive to change and the upheaval for them can be difficult.
Your pets are territorial beings, and they’re excellent at reading body language and will anticipate changes. They can pick up on the anxiety and strain that you feel while you’re trying to coordinate your move. When we are planning to move to a new home, we do get a bit stressed.
Dogs are tied to routines, and they can get confused by the shift in their environment. Despite all of this, dogs are adaptable to their environments. Home is where you are, wherever that may be and they will follow you loyally as much as they can. Keeping your dog secure during a move is important, and you can make the whole process easy on your dogs without much difficulty. Let’s take a look at how:
Image Source
Moving With Your Dog
- Firstly, you need to condition your dog to the moving supplies before you pack. A dog will not expect the loud ripping of box tape and boxes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be upset by it. A few days before you dive into packing their pet furniture as well as your own, get them acquainted to the moving supplies. Leave out the packing wrap and the box tape and you can let them have a sniff and get used to the new items that are taking over the space.
- As much as possible, stick with your normal routines. You’ve got a lot to do, but your dog needs to stick to the same routines otherwise they get confused as to what’s happening. It can help them to realize what comes next from their human, and they need the structure to feel happy and secure. For each stage during your move, you need to make your dog okay with it all. Routine helps that happen.
- Dogs need to be exercised to stay happy and you need it to help to reduce your stress. Their mental well being is important, and your dog is going to be better when they’ve had a good run. When you’re packing, add in some time to move and get out and about for some fresh air. Don’t skip out on exercise with your dog in favor of packing; you need to add in the walks. If you haven’t got the time, bring in a dog walker to ensure that your dog still gets the leg-stretches he needs!
- Give your dog somewhere to retreat to feel safe and warm while the chaos of loading moving vans is going on. They need to have some space that will make them feel relaxed while things are changing. When you actually move into the new house, show them the space with their furniture and bowls that’s just theirs.
Make your house move easy on your pooch and you’re going to have a much easier time of it!