Generally, dogs are more emotionally involved with their people than their surroundings, which makes relocating them an easier transition for them than it is for certain other pets (a cat, for example, or a teenager). Still, it is a massive disruption in their routine, and the experts at Jay’s, your Calgary moving company have some suggestions to help your dog deal with the move and settle in happily at your new home. Moving your dog shouldn’t be stressful for either of you, if you take care and employ some of these tips.
Tips for moving your dog:
- If at all possible, separate your dog from the disruption of packing and removing items from your house so that he doesn’t become agitated before you leave. Isolate him in a quiet room with his bed, food and water dishes and some toys to keep him occupied. Visit as frequently as you can to pet and reassure him; he will hear the commotion in the rest of the house and wonder what’s going on;
- If your dog isn’t one of the many that enjoy a car ride, take him in the car for short drives several times in the weeks prior to the move to desensitize him to the sensation, especially if your move involves a long drive. This will also allow you to assess whether you need to invest in some doggy gravol. You certainly don’t want to discover that your dog gets carsick on moving day, you’ll have enough things that require cleaning besides the inside of your car;
- Use an approved pet carrier when travelling by car for the dog’s safety as well as your own. If Fido is excitable and jumping around inside the vehicle, it could cause an accident;
- When you arrive at your new home the first thing to do is take your dog on leash directly to the place where you want him to relieve himself, and praise him when he does so. Establishing the location of his toilet immediately will help prevent accidents in your new home and facilitate the settling-in process (for both of you!);
- Accompany your dog inside the house (on leash at first) and allow him to explore the space. Take it slowly, especially if he is used to carpeted floors and the new home has hardwood, tile or other slippery surfaces;
- Be careful about letting your dog off-leash for the first few days, even if your new home has a fenced yard, there could be insecure areas that you aren’t yet aware of. Your dog might even exhibit out-of-character behaviour. For example, a previously unathletic stressed-out dog could suddenly find the strength to leap tall fences in an effort to escape and find their way back “home”.
- Ensure that your dog is wearing an id tag with your updated address and phone number just in case he somehow escapes and disappears.
These tips about moving your dog, from the experts at a reliable moving company, can help make sure your relocation is as stress free as possible, even for the furry members of your family!
Moving Pets - Moving your Dog