When you're thinking about moving, sometimes your biggest concern can be how you'll adjust.
Will this new place be right for you? Will you meet new friends? Will it accommodate your needs the way you hope?
All of these are valid concerns, but let's not forget about your four-legged friend. Imagine what's going on in their head!
When you have a dog, or any pet, it can be a huge adjustment for them, too!
They're not usually involved in the picking process, and they probably wouldn't understand it anyway.
It's hard to prepare our dogs and puppies for a new life, but that's why some things have to remain the same. Consistency in your love and routine is key.
But there are a few not-so-obvious tricks and tips that can help them, too — all so that they fall in love with this new place, just as much as you did.
After all, a home wouldn't be a home without our furry babies, right?
Tip #1: Get Your Dog Up To Date At The Vet And Request Her Records
Making sure that your dog is healthy is a huge part of having a smooth transition. Moving somewhere new can possibly make them not want to eat or drink right away.
Making sure they're up to date will help you be assured that this is just anxiety they might be having.
Plus, if you're not up to date with your records, when you go to your new vet, it will be quite a hassle. And we all know we hate taking our dogs to the doctor as much as we hate going ourselves (if not more).
Tip #2: Update Her Collar, And Show Her The New Address
Giving your dog her new collar is almost as important as the keys to your house. If she ever got out of your sight without it, no one would know where to take her.
Making sure that she always has a proper tag could save her life, especially in a new area where people don't know her yet.
Of course, also familiarize your pup with the new address so she knows where to return if, God forbid, she wanders off on her own.
Tip #3: Prepare A ‘Safe Haven’ For Her During Moving Day
When everyone is going in and out, carrying, moving, and lifting things, your dog can easily get spooked. She'll be confused and most likely frazzled at all of the commotion.
In order to keep her calm and out of harm's way, keep her in a room where people won't need to bother her. Give her a favorite toy, and let her relax.
Tip #4: Show Her Some Lovin’
That being said, don't forget about her in there. It will be a hectic day, but even more of a scary day for her.
Make sure that you do show her some love at any chance you get. You don't want her thinking you're forgetting about her!
Tip #5: Show Her Where Her Things Are
It's so important to give your dog a tour after everything is moved in. She needs to know where things are, most importantly where her things are. Point out where her bed and bowls will be especially important.
Getting adjusted to the new setup of a house can be confusing. Just make sure she knows where her area is, and she'll pick up on the rest in time.
Which leads us to…
Tip #6: Don’t Overwhelm Her — Show Her A Few Rooms At A Time
If you give her too much space to explore, things can get messy, overexcited, and confusing.
Giving her a gated area for a time is best. She'll get to know a few rooms at a time, and she won't feel overwhelmed with too much space and not enough control of it all.
Tip #7: Be A Homebody For A While
When you move to a new place, it's common to want to explore and get out of the house at times. But in order for your dog to adjust well and feel safe, becoming a bit of a homebody is a good thing.
Not forever, of course. But if you leave her in this new home alone right away, she may start to have a negative outlook on this new place, and she can even become scared.
It's important for her to know that you're there for and with her.
Tip #8: Don’t Coddle Her
And being there for her can sometimes mean ignoring her.
When you're doing work or something you'd normally do without letting her interfere? Continue with the consistency you have had in the past.
She needs to remember the ground rules. Coddling her won't help her adjust, it will only make her become more attached to you and unfamiliar with her new surroundings.
All of these tips and tricks may differ in slight ways, depending on yourself and your dog. But they are all great ways to try to help her feel safe and happy about this new home you're moving to. Whether it's in a new city, state, or even country, we all want our dogs to feel at home wherever we do, too.
Please SHARE this with anyone you know who could use a few pointers as they venture out to their new homes!
