Make Household Moving Easy for Your Dog
If you have a dog, and you haven’t thought about how he or she might react to your move, you should give it some consideration. Chances are the dog will have a mixture of fear and excitement. They have no idea what is happening, and it can cause quite a bit of stress for them. As their owner, it is your job to make the process of moving as easy as possible for your four-legged friend. Let’s look at some tips that can help.
Pack Early
Start packing at least a week or two before the move. This will help to make sure your dog gets used to the idea of seeing boxes around the house. Some of the last things that you pack – on the day of the move if possible – include the dog’s toys and bed. They will feel safe and comfortable if they still have their favorite things with their scent on them. Another thing that you should try to keep the same is the feeding and walking schedule. They become accustomed to routine, and you want to keep the routine as normal as possible.
The Day of the Move
On the actual day of the move, your best option is to leave the dog with a friend. This keeps the dog out of the way when the movers are in the house and removing everything. It will also give you time to set up the dog’s bedding and toys in the new home when they arrive. This is not always possible. If you are moving out of town and do not have anyone who can watch the dog, you may want to find a kennel for the day. An alternative is to remove everything from one of the rooms of the house and let the dog stay there for the day.
Your Dog’s Tags
Make sure you update your dog’s tags and license when you move to a new area. The tags should have your new address on them in case your dog gets out and runs away. Long distance moving can be hard on an animal, but even short distance moves can take their toll.
Transportation
When you are transporting your dog, do things the right way. Never put your dog in the back of a moving truck. It is dangerous, and your pet could be severely injured. Keep your pet in a car with you if you are driving to your new place. Make sure you stop every couple of hours, so your pet can go to the bathroom.
The New House
When you and your pet arrive at the new house, make sure you show your pet their favorite toys and their bedding. They can still be nervous for a few days, so it might be a good idea to spend a bit of extra time with your dog. Give your dog some time to get used to the new house before you go out on the streets for a walk.
