Moving requires coordinating many different details and it’s not a surprise that it can cause some stress and anxiety, especially moving with a dog. Did you know that dogs can sense change and transition to a new living space can cause stress for them? If you are planning a move, take your pets and their comfort into consideration. Here’s how.
Tip #1: Give your dog lots of extra attention.
Moving and packing will demand a lot of your time but giving your dog extra love and attention will keep them calmer. Ignoring regular walks or simply not petting them as much as normal will make your dog feel more out of sorts. Commit to spending some quality time with your dog each day.
Tip #2: Maintain the same routine.
If you can keep the daily routine that you and your dog have together, that is incredibly helpful to ease their stress. So, if your dog is used to getting up, eating breakfast and going on a walk or a run to a nearby park, keep that pattern going through the transition period. If you must change things up a little, that’s okay, just try to keep as much of the old routine in place as possible.
Tip #3: Reward.
If your dog has become familiar with your old living space, they can feel disoriented and confused when they move to a new place. When you leave them, leave treats and things for them to encourage them that things will be fine in your absence. Try to limit your trips to just short departures for the first few days, so your dog doesn’t feel completely abandoned.
No matter what, stay patient with your pup as you both navigate your way through a move. It may take a couple of weeks, or even months, to feel like you and your dog are officially settled in.
