Four Tips for Moving into Your New Home with Your Dog
Think moving into a new home is stressful? Imagine what it must seem like for your dog. Perhaps Spot grew up in your previous home, and he sees it as his domain. He knows all the smells, and his favorite spots to hide his treats. Now everything is boxed up and suddenly he’s in a crate in the back of your vehicle watching his home disappear over the horizon.
Whether or not he’s verbalizing his concern, chances are your dog is a little freaked out at this point. Moving into a new home can take its toll on a dog’s anxiety. To help Spot make the transition, here are four tips you should know.
Make Sure Your Home is Dog-Safe
You’ve probably already scouted out your new home top to bottom as you’ve prepared for moving day. Maybe you’ve noticed some problem spots in your home that could pose a potential hazard for your dog. Keeping in mind that your dog will be a little out of sorts in his new surroundings, it is important to take care of these trouble spots before you bring your dog into the new home. Cover up any floor ventilation holes with grating, watch out for nails or other sharp objects sticking out of the floor, and be careful not to leave out any hazardous materials such as paint and cleaners as you move in.
If your new home comes with a yard, you should also comb it over for any potential hazards, including adding a fence to your yard. Not all homeowners own pets, therefore you might end up with a home without a proper fence. In the chaos of moving into a home, it’s easier than you think to lose track of your dog. If he somehow gets outside, and your yard isn’t fenced, he could get lost or hurt. If you decide that having your yard fenced in is the best path forward, you should get this taken care of before you and your dog move in.
Keep Your Dog Contained
To help prevent your dog getting in the way of the moving process, it’s easier to keep them contained in a single room. Confining your dog to only one room also helps calm their nerves. Dogs feel a natural instinct to patrol new territory and check, and recheck that everything is OK. If you leave a dog alone to freely roam your home while you’re busily unpacking, your dog will pace back and forth anxiously patrolling the new house. To ease Spot’s anxiety, give him a small manageable space to call his own, a bed, some toys, food, and water. This way you will know where your dog is, and he will less anxious being left in charge of a smaller space.
Save Some Old Smells
A lot of times, when people move into a new home, they want to do a complete makeover as well. This means ditching old furniture, carpet, rugs, and bedding in order to start fresh with a new look. While a new rug or pillow may not seem like such a big deal to us humans, many of these items contain associative scents that help cue and comfort your dog. By saving some of your old household items, your dog will more easily associate this new location as home and feel more comfortable.
Be Patient with Your Dog
All dogs react differently to certain situations. As you transition to your house, you may notice that your typically peppy dog is acting solemn and reserved, or that your quiet good-boy is suddenly barking at every small noise the refrigerator makes. It will take some time for your dog to adjust to being in a new place. Just remember to be patient with your dog, and give them lots of attention, love, and of course, treats.
dog’s anxiety. - https://canna-pet.com/signs-symptoms-anxiety-dogs/
hazardous materials - https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm186940.htm
some toys, - https://www.rover.com/blog/best-puzzle-toys-for-dogs-in/
associative scents - https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/7_11/features/Canine-Sense-of-Smell_15668-1.html
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com - https://pixabay.com/en/dog-floor-pet-animal-boards-933059/
Article written and donated by: Cindy Aldridge