Make your Move a Doggie's Treat: Top Tips for a Dog Friendly Move
Posted on 10/12/2013
A dog is for life, but the same can’t really be said for a house. Chances are that sometime in your life you’re going to have to move, and if you have to move, so do all of your pets. Dogs, being territorial mammals are very sensitive to moves, even more so than us humans. Unless you are dealing with a pup with very little experience and knowledge of your home, your dog is probably going to need some coaxing to make the move comfortable for it. Here are my top tips for making the roll over to a new home as agreeable as possible;
First, you’ll want to give your dog the attention it deserves. On the weeks running up to the move, you have to make your intentions clear; “we’re going to be moving to a new place, but I promise you’re coming with me.” Ways to do this include extra long walks, longer play sessions and more treats. By doing this, you’ve increased the chances that the dog will settle down more quickly and easily.
However even though you’ve been giving them lashings of attention on the run up to the move, on the days when you’re packing, be sure to keep your dog out of the way. No matter what their size, they’re going to cause an accident. A small dog could trip you up when you’re lifting something heavy, and a big dog could knock things over in the confusion. There’s a few things you could do in this situation;
- Keep the dog in a separate room with another member of the family.
- If it’s a nice day, let it out in the garden. Or have someone take it for a walk.
- Let it spend the day at the bets or a dog groomer.
Either of those three will lower the risk of animal anxiety.
When actually making the journey, be sure to plan ahead. Take some doggie chews alongside the other snacks (though don’t mix them up) and it’s absolutely crucial that you plan the route. Planning the route is recommended usually, but when there’s an excitable canine in the car, you really don’t want to be getting lost – they’ll get anxious, and show it the only way they know how. Though, that being said, it may be worth heading over to the vet just before the move and give your dog a sedative – just a mild one to keep it quiet and relaxed through the long car journey.
Taking steps to make your new house more familiar is also highly recommended. Dogs are territorial, remember? So bringing parts of their territory with them is a smashing idea. Their bed and a selection of their favourite toys should make their way into your packing schedule. Pack them separately, so you preserve your dog’s scent, and place them in your house. If it doesn’t make your dog feel right at home immediately, it’ll certainly help.
Though, keep in mind, while all of these tips are likely to help in some way, there’s no guarantee. Every dog has his or her own unique personality, and will require unique methods to pacify them. The main thing to take away from this article is to treat your animal with respect, and they’ll reward you with loyalty. They’ll tolerate the move just to be with their master.