How to Help Your Dog Adapt When Moving to a New Home 🐶

They say change is inevitable, and so is moving to new places. The experience of moving to a new house is a good one most times, but it may not be so pleasant at other times. It is not always a stress-free process, regardless of why, where, or when you choose to move. However, you can make your move exciting and less problematic by going about it the right way.

The stress and discomfort of changing apartments often gets to everyone in the home, including your pet dog. Studies have shown that dogs dread moving to a new space and feel uncomfortable about the entire process. But since we may not be able to change our plans of moving most times, the best thing to do for your four-legged friend is to make the transit as comfortable as you can for them. You can do this by helping them settle in quickly to your new apartment.

Helping your dog get comfortable with moving requires several tasks that are divided into three sections.

• Before your move
• During the move
• After moving into your new house

If you go about each step correctly, your dog will not have difficulties settling in and adjusting to life in your new home.

Before moving

The activities in this section help you get ready for your move. They incorporate the things you need for successful packing and the items your dog will need during the move.

• Get all the moving essentials that you’ll need ready long before the moving day. Moving essentials include; packing boxes, tapes, wraps, and other items that facilitate a decent movie.
• Get your dog acquainted with these items by using them to play. This way, it will develop a positive feeling about the items and become less worried about moving.
• Keep a close watch on your dog as it plays with these items, so it doesn’t damage them or get injured in the process.

During the moving process

Well, this is usually the most demanding time of the entire process. This period can see your emotions go extreme as the busy schedule can easily weigh you down. As much as you try to overcome the stress and avoid being affected by it, remember that your dog is probably going through the same and needs you to get through it.

Try to make out windows of time to play with your buddy so that it doesn’t become saddened by the process. It is true that the moving process has affected your schedule and limited the time you have to walk your dog and play with it. But it doesn’t mean you cannot relate to them at all if you don’t have as much time as you used to. You can still walk your dog or play with it a little in the limited time that you have.

Also, keep your dog away from the piles in the actual parking site for as much as possible and avoid getting them entangled in the mess. Most pets, including dogs, are generally attracted to action. So your dog is bound to be attracted to the parking space, which may be dangerous to it. It is up to you to stay focused and remember to check on them from time to time.

If you find that the workload won’t let you have time to check on your dog, you can get them to stay with a neighbor or a close friend. This will help keep it away from dangerous objects in the house, and you can ask a friend to help you walk the dog in their free time.

How to help your dog adapt to their new surroundings after moving house

After moving into your new house, you can settle in almost immediately, but the transition may not be so smooth for your dog. It is, therefore, up to you to help them ease in and adapt to the new environment. Here are some expert tips to help you get your dog settled in.

1) Don’t change old routines

The whole transition to a new house will cause stress for your dog, and the new environment may seem so strange too. It is bound to upset them since dogs communicate so well with the environment. Now, you will want to familiarize them with the new environment, and the best way to achieve this is by sticking to familiar routines. The more your dog practice these old routines, the more comfortable it will feel in your new house.

2) Don’t rush into buying your dog new accessories

One mistake that many dog owners often make when moving to a new apartment is getting new gears for their dogs. Of course, your intentions may be noble, but the outcome isn’t always as you expect. Why? Well, your dog is already struggling to cope with the change of surroundings. So introducing more strange items may be overwhelming.

3) Give them all your attention

One way to get your dog comfortable in your new environment is to attend to it as much as possible. Ensure that you show your dog much love, care, and attention in the period before it fully adapts to the change of environment. The more you play with it, the quicker it will adapt to the new house.

4) Make sure your dog is not alone in the house

Even dogs already very comfortable in their home do not take it very well when left alone in the house. It gets worse for dogs that are not yet familiar with their environment. There have been cases of dogs taken off when left alone in an unfamiliar place, and the reasons are not far-fetched. Try to wait till you are confident that your dog is okay with his new environment before attempting to leave it alone in the house.

Bottom Line

Getting used to a new environment can prove to be a massive challenge for dogs, considering how attached they get to their surroundings. But you can help ease the process for your dog by making it as comfortable as possible during this transition period. Lastly, be patient and give your dog enough time to settle in properly before introducing any other significant change.

To ensure a more enjoyable move for you and your beloved pet dog, be sure to enlist the services of a trusted furniture removalist.