Dana Gutkowski
Latest posts by Dana Gutkowski (see all)
- How can I be a good aunt? - May 19, 2021
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- End Your Silence. Support Black Lives Matter - June 29, 2020
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Are you about to move? Or have you just moved with your pet?
Moving is stressful. I should know, I’ve moved 7 times in the past 17 years and always with my dogs. It’s one thing for you to adjust to a new home and its new surroundings filled with different looks, smells, sounds, and feel. And it’s another for your dog to do it.
While it might be exciting for you to enter into a new space for you to decorate, modify and make your own, it’s not exactly the same for your dog. If fact, they probably hate you for moving them.
However, sometimes it’s just not possible for you to avoid change. Sometimes you start a new job, you rent and are forced to make a change, you’re ready to retire and sell your home, etc. Changes are inevitable in life, and sometimes that change is your living space. Take me for example, I didn’t always want to move. Sometimes I was forced to, but I would never give up my dogs in the process. So we had to make the changes together.
For dogs, moving is probably more stressful on them then it is on you. Yes, you have to box everything, pack it securely so it doesn’t break, unpack, and clean. However, your dog doesn’t want anything to change. They are creatures of habit and they want what’s familiar. They want their homeostasis.
Some Behavioral Changes You Might See In Your Dog
Your dog may become anxious by their new space which may lead them to act out. Here are some signs that your dog is anxious about moving. If they suddenly start to:
- Chew on furniture and other items in your home
- Bark or whine excessively
- Pee or poop inside
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
These are symptoms that might present themselves in your dog even before you make the move. Watch out for any behavioral changes and consider talking to your vet if they persist.
Reliving Stress Before You Move
Dogs operate on routine. They know what to expect and when to expect it. So if you start moving furniture around, throwing out items, boxing things, etc. You know, the normal things that happen when anyone makes a move, your dog is going to notice.
They may start to feel neglected since your attention will primarily be on preparing for your move. So here are some things that you should be mindful of when you begin your moving process:
Keep routines as much as possible.
- If your dog is used to getting fed at a certain hour, keep it that way.
- Should your dog be used to being walked at a specific time, don’t change that.
- Play with them as much as possible. This may seem impossible at times, but if you schedule time in your day, it’s possible to give attention to your dog. It’ll be good for you too!
- Take them out of the house with you. If you know that you have an open house scheduled, bring your dog out with you. Take them to the park, to a friend or family member’s house, or on a car ride with you. There will be chaos around them. Don’t let them be more nervous then they need to be.
During the Move
The moving process is the most chaotic and most stressful for your dog. Familiar items will now be boxed up and leaving their space! This is usually when their anxiety is at its highest.
Many people think that boarding your dog for a day is a good idea. However, this could cause more stress. Try this instead:
- Leave them with someone they know.
- Keep them with you but in an area away from the movers.
- Leave old toys and dog beds around them.
- Leave a water bowl in their area
- Make sure that their name tags and collars are on!
Your dog needs to have some sort of normalcy during this chaotic time.
Once it’s time to pack them in the car and take off to your new home, make sure that they are secure. I would recommend containing them in a pet carrier like this Sherpa Pet Carrier.
By having your pet in a pet carrier they can’t jump all over you while driving. It’ll also fit under the seat should you need to take a plane to travel to your new home.
After the Move
Once you’ve arrived in your new space, it’s time to get your dog acclimated. Their behavior may regress to puppy behavior, and show signs similar to the ones previously mentioned about anxious behavior. In order to combat that, treat them like a puppy again.
- Keep them on a leash and/or in your site. Don’t allow them to have the entire house to themselves at first.
- Take them outside frequently to get used to their new smells and environment
- Take breaks from unpacking and play with your dog.
- Immediately take out their dog bowls, beds, toys, and towels so they can have their old smells!
- Give them time to adjust. This could take a few weeks to a few months, but once you have begun to get settled, so will they!
If you’re still trying to fight anxiety and messes in the house, try using products.
Personally, I use a belly band diaper for my dog. When we move he gets anxious and likes to pee on this to make it “his own”. I use the Wegreeco Washable Male Dog Belly Wrap- Pack of 3. I find that I need to also put a maxi pad inside the diaper to prevent leakage, but I absolutely love this. I’m sorry free from pee around the house!
They also make one for female dogs, but I haven’t had to use this product. My girls were always ladies around the house. However, customers have reported great success with them.
If going to the bathroom isn’t your concern, I would suggest the Thundershirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket. My cousins have had great success with their anxious beagle who barks and whines when they go out. With this jacket, they’ve seen a noticeable reduction!
Check them out on Amazon:
Wegreeco Washable Male Dog Belly Wrap- Pack of 3.
Wegreeco Washable Female Diaper – Pack of 3
Thundershirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket
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