As a Pet Lover who has also recently moved into a new Home, here is some useful tips to make the move easier for everyone.

What to do before the Move: 

Dogs or cats may become distressed or anxious during the upheaval of packing, so confine them to a quiet room where they can rest and be safe. The kitchen is often a good place as this will be the room the moving team will probably empty last, and where you'll find yourself doing some last minute packing.  Be sure you have current tags on your Dog or Cat.

Be sure to leave packing his/her toys, bedding and other equipment to the last moment so that he/she is comforted by the presence of familiar things. Do not wash bedding until a couple of weeks after the move, so that they will have something familiar smelling in the new house.

If possible speak to your vet about obtaining a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) plug-in device to use before, during and after moving. The DAP emits a scent into the home which mimics the calming scent released by a mother to her puppies. The DAP will relax your dog and make them able to cope more easily with the changes that come with moving house.  This can be purchased at a minimal cost.

When traveling a long way prevent travel sickness by not feeding your dog or cat for approximately 12 hours before the journey. If you know your pet suffers from travel sickness, ask your veterinary surgeon about anti-sickness pills. Yes you can get these for animals!

Make sure that your dog or cat is safely secured in the car or vehicle that they are being transported in to the new house with a dog guard, travel crate or car harness on the back seat. If it is a long journey, make sure that they get regular toilet and water breaks. **Remember the temperature in a parked car can rise rapidly and your pets could die from the heat**.

Once you are in your new Home: 
Check your boundary fencing to make sure that it is secure, and sufficient height and 'hole-free' before letting your dog run free in the garden. If your dog is able to escape then take him out on a lead until you are able to do the necessary improvements.

Try to unpack the essentials before introducing your dog to the new house so that he can see familiar items within the unfamiliar house. If possible place furniture and items in similar places to those in the old house.

Continue to use the DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) in your new home, particularly in the room that your dog will spend most of his or her time in.

If your dog is micro-chipped, call the Agency he is registered with so you may update the information they have on file.

Always be patient with your beloved pet in their new home and make allowances for 'Accidents' on the carpet if they should happen. Don't make a fuss or punish your pet as this may make the problem worse. Quietly just pick up the mess and clean the area with a biological solution, or special cleaner from your vet or local pet shop to properly remove the smell. Once your dog has settled in,  this should stop. Always praise him when he goes outside.

Make sure that you stick to your usual routine, and feed him  and walk him at the usual times. Don't give him more or less attention than he is used to having from you, this may cause him to become anxious or over dependent on you and lead to behavior problems.

For more helpful information regarding Real Estate, Call Kathy Hyatt @ ERA Ace Realty 954-347-0244 and be sure to check out my website of:            http://www.kathyhyatt.com