Recently we did a blog post about how to move with your cat after selling your house. So, we thought we’d do one for those who have a dog. Just like moving with a cat after selling a home is stressful for the cat, it’s also going to be stressful for your dog. But there are things that you can do to help your dog be a lot more comfortable and less anxious.
We are going to give you some tips that you can use before you move, during your move, and after your big move to help your dog. When you plan ahead and follow these steps below, you are going to find that things are much easier for you and your dog.
Get the Dog Ready Before the Move After Selling a House
Several weeks before the move, start desensitizing your pup to the things that are associated with moving, such as moving supplies and the sound that packing paper makes. Chances are that you know that your dog notices very quickly when they think that their routine is going to change. You notice it when you are packing to go on vacation.
Collect a few moving boxes, and then just put them in the corner of a room or up against one of your walls. The last thing you want to do is make a huge fuss about them and allow the dog to explore them when they want. If the dog seems like they’re really worried about the boxes, you can give them treats when they go to the boxes without you coaxing them.
As they become used to their presence, you can begin opening the boxes and then move the boxes to different places in the home. you want to make them as a positive or just a neutral thing in the mind of your dog. Not only that, but it will stop you from having to run around and try to find the boxes, build them, and pack your boxes right before you move.
Keep the Dog’s Routine When Moving After Selling a House
As the day to move comes closer, do your best to keep the routine of the dog the way it has been. Keep their regular feeding and walking times. Take the dog out for their normal potty breaks as well as their usual playtime outside. This consistency is going to help them with relaxing and feeling safe because they are going to know what they should expect. If there are too many changes really fast, they might become anxious because their day lacks structure.
Walk Around the New Neighborhood With Your Dog
Obviously, if the new neighborhood is really far, this isn’t something that you can do. however, if you are moving someplace that is simple and close to go to regularly, like down your road or across the town, you want to take advantage of this and introduce your pooch to their new neighborhood beforehand.
Take them for regular walks around their new future neighborhood, letting them explore and take all of the sounds, smells, and sights in. this is going to help them with feeling more comfortable and acclimated when they start doing regular walks in the neighborhood since they’ve checked the “pee-mail’ and left some of their own ahead of time.
To-Do List for Moving with Your Dog After Selling a Home
- Update the microchip with the dog with the new address. Also, make sure the contact information’s current.
- Check with the vet about any types of parasite preventatives or vaccines that the dog may need in the new area.
- Schedule an appointment with a vet in the new area to introduce your dog if you are moving far from your old one.
Physical Exercise – Make Sure Your Gets It
Provide Your Dog a lot of Physical Exercise
Even though the schedule might be very busy as your day for moving comes closer, be sure that you are still giving the dog enough exercise physically. Even though the regular walks will still be important, time off-leash in an area that is safely enclosed or playing with their dog friends will help your dog stay in shape and reduce stress.
Mental Exercise – Keep Their Brain Entertained
Mental enrichment and exercise is something else that is important for your dog and helps relieve stress. It also will help them with practicing appropriate behaviors rather than ripping up the cushions on the couch because they’re bored or anxious.
Give them their favorite treat and food puzzles or toys that they can interact with while you’re packing. Stuffed Kongs are a great choice, along with other ones.
Working for their food doesn’t just tire out the dog’s brain, but it also will reduce stress because they are kept busy and their attention is focused on something positive and fun.
Mental enrichment doesn’t always have to include food. If they love digging, take them somewhere that they can dig freely, like a lake or a beach. You also can take them for a long walk where you let their nose lead you (within safety guidelines) so they can smell everything without time limits.
The information they’re smelling is very stimulating and enriching for your dog’s brain. You also are going to have some time to relax and breathe outdoors too. Moving’s very stressful. When you take that time with your dog, this will help you with staying sane and your dog will feel confident and calm.
Provide Pooch with Their Own Safe Space
A space that is safe, or a confinement area for a young dog or puppy, is going to be important to help them feel much calmer when everything is going weird in the house. Having a space that is safe in your old house and then in the new one with the same items is going to help with giving them something comforting and familiar that is consistent between those two spaces.
This safe space should include a secluded and quiet area for resting, owner clothing or comforting toys, water, and some calming pheromones which can be a spray or a diffuser that you plug in. you also can use a pheromone collar on your dog several days before you move and begin some calming supplements such as Composure or Solloquin treats.
If you are going to be taking a road trip during the move, you want to ease car sickness or travel anxiety during this time. You can ask your vet for suggestions.
How to Help Your Pooch on the Moving Day After Selling a House
Find Someone You can Trust to Dog Sit on Moving Day
You are going to have a lot of things that you are doing and taking care of the day that you move. So you want to have someone looking after your dog and their needs. You don’t want to worry about your dog running out the open door in your old home or in your new home.
Safe both your dog and you this hassle and arrange for someone to dog sit on that day. This can be a friend, a pet sitter, or a doggie daycare. You want them to be cared for while everything’s loaded and then unloaded.
If you are moving to a brand-new area and there’s no one that you know who can take care of them, baby gates are great for blocking off rooms. This will give them a place where they can hang out and enjoy a chew, avoiding everything that is going on.
Take a Nice, Long Walk That Ends at the New House
When you’re at the new house, give your pooch a nice, long walk that will end at your new house. This is going to help with burning off some energy. It also will create a pleasant journey for the two of you that will end at the new house. Let your dog take in all of the neighborhood’s new smells on this walk. This will help them with familiarizing themselves with the new environment.
Encourage Positive Exploration of Your Dog in Your New Place
The first time you enter the new house with the dog, allow them to explore at a pace set by them. it’s a good idea to keep them on their leash and go through your new place, going into each room and offering them a treat in each of the rooms. If they hesitate in a certain area, do not force the issue and give them some time so that they become acclimated.
Putting them on their leash is going to help a lot. It will give you the way that you can keep them from going into areas they shouldn’t go into and give them a pleasant connection which can help them with feeling more confident while you explore their new place. Be sure that your energy and voice are happy and calm and that you are praising them for their good behavior.
Set Up Their New Home’s Safe Space
It’s a good idea to set up a safe space for your dog before you brought them home. however, if it wasn’t possible, do it now. Then make sure they know where this space is, just in case there’s a time they want to go and chill out. feeding them here will give them a good association with this space and you can encourage them to relax by plugging in one of the pheromone diffusers.
After Moving: The Transition Period for Your Dog
Once you have finished moving in and unpacking, getting back into the dog’s normal routine quickly will help them with settling in more. You want to give them lots of exercise since when they are tired they won’t be as likely to do boredom behaviors or anxious behaviors such as destructive chewing.
Taking walks around your new neighborhood will give your do a chance to get some mental and physical exercise, along with letting you both meet the new neighbors.
Help Your Pooch with Transition Anxiety
A lot of dogs show anxiety symptoms after they have moved. Make sure that you’re patient with your pooch if they’re somewhat anxious about the change. If they have problems with separation anxiety, don’t leave them alone in your new house for too long. Playing calming music if you do have to leave can help with easing anxiety and mask noise outside.
It’s also a good idea to give your pooch a lot of reassurance and love when they ask for it. Make sure that you’re comforting them when they’re displaying uncertainty. They are going to look to you as their owner for some cues as to whether they should be worried. So you want to give them pets, praise, and cuddles. Remember that you want to give them comfort rather than coddle them. if you are acting anxious or nervous while you’re reassuring them, they are going to key into your actions and they also might mirror your anxiety.
Moving with your dog doesn’t always have to be really stressful for the two of you. remember that you want to take some time for planning ahead and making sure that your dog knows that you are there for them. it’s going to make a huge difference.
We hope that you found this blog about moving with your dog to be very useful. Thank you so much for reading it. But what if you have another type of stress that you have to worry about? What if you are having trouble with selling your home? If this is the case, then we can help you with that. Contact us here to find out what we can offer you for your home in cash. The quote is no obligation, and we are happy to answer any questions that you have. The process is quick and easy and no matter what kind of condition your home is in, we are ready to buy it. Contact us today and we’ll show you what we can do for you.
