There's so much to think about & plan when getting ready to move to your new home, but make sure you don't forget about your furry family members as this can be a stressful time for them as well. My great friend Linda Lelak who is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in Bucks County, PA and owner of Pawsitive Paws Dog Training explains how you can help make your pets transition to their new home as stress free as possible.
Moving with Dogs - Dog Training in Bucks County, PA
The big day is coming. You are finally moving into your new home! How exciting, yet in some ways it can be stressful, especially for our pets.
Although some animals seem to adapt quicker than others, here are some tips for both before the move and after the move that will help the transition be smoother for your pet. Going from a familiar to a strange environment can not only be stressful and cause marking or unusual behavior, but can result in your pet seeking escape to run back ‘home'.
Although written about dogs, many of the tips here can be helpful for cats as well.
•· If you are moving out of the area, talk to your real estate agent, the current owner of the property or neighbors for a recommendation for a veterinarian. Have your pet's records transferred prior to your move date. Notify your vet if you will be travelling a great distance should your pet's ability to easily travel need to be assessed.
•· When you visit the new place, bring an item such as an old towel. Drag it on the floor of several of the rooms. Dogs learn a great deal about their environment through their highly-developed olfactory senses. Take the towel home and allow your dog to sniff it. Place it near his bed so he can begin to acclimate to the smells. Take the towel each time you visit to bring home with refreshed ‘information'. Be sure to make sniffing the towel a happy, calm experience.
•· If you don't have a dog bed, rug or towel for your dog to lie on get one and have him use it well before the move. If you're are planning to buy him a new one for the new home, wait a couple of weeks after you are settled to present him with his new bed or give him his sleeping surface to begin using before the move. The consistency of the familiar ‘bed' will help the transition when he finds it his new environment.
•· It is a good idea to take your dog over to the new place for a brief introductory visit. Keep him on leash and walk him around, allowing him to explore and sniff all the rooms as well as the yard. If you have a male, particularly unneutered, be sure to watch for any leg-lifting indicating that he is about to ‘mark the spot'.
•· If you are going to be doing work at the new place before you move in, by all means take your dog with you. For his safety do this only if you are not using dangerous chemicals or materials that can be harmful. It is wise to keep your dog in his crate or tethered to something in the house to minimize the risk of him bolting out the door when you are coming and going. Even if there is a fenced-in yard it is not recommended that you leave your dog in the yard unattended because of flight risk. Make sure each visit to the new home is a pleasant, non-stressful experience.
•· Before the move, have a name tag for your dog's collar made up with your new address and phone number. Don't wait until after the move to do this. Because of the outside chance of your dog taking flight the tag should go on his collar before you take him to live in his new home.
•· On moving day have a friend watch your pets or to kennel them. Your pets should be out of your home on moving day and not be brought to your new home until all the hubbub of the actual move has taken place. You will help your dog's transition dramatically if he can associate the new place as a positive place to be, rather than as a stressful environment.
•· The first few days/weeks after you are in, give your canine friend extra attention. Take lots of walks or have plenty of playtimes. Exercise and positive interaction with you will make a world of difference to your pet. You may want to limit his freedom to wander through the home unobserved for a week or so. Remain watchful when people come and go, particularly if your dog is showing signs of being stressed. Signs might include a smaller appetite, decreased activity, excessive shedding, pacing, lip licking, and/or frequent yawning/scratching. Taking good long walks can actually help him feel better. Some of these could be signs of illness as well, so you may want to speak with your veterinarian.
Linda Lelak, CPDT-KA is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in Bucks County, PA and owner of Pawsitive Paws Dog Training. She has been working with dogs for over 14 years and provides private, in-home training for behavioral issues as well as conducts group training classes at for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska, PA. She has a Golden Retriever and a Newfoundland at home and fosters/trains dogs for Animal Lifeline and BCSPCA. Ms. Lelak can be reached at PawsitivePaws@verizon.net, at LindasPawsitivePaws.com or by phone at 215-968-5393.
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