6 Highly Effective Tips for Helping the Family Dog Adjust to a New Home

Summer is a popular season for people to move into a new home. The warm weather makes it easier for home buyers to find the perfect place and relocate their belongings to the next abode. It’s much easier to changes addresses when tenants do not have to manage during icy, cold, snow or rain filled days.

Relocating to a new place is a hectic, emotionally charged, and chaotic time for most individuals. Packing, unpacking, purchasing new furniture, designing different rooms, and getting rid of unwanted belongings can add a lot of stress to the hustle and bustle.

But one family member that can also have a hard time coping with the sudden change is the family pet. Dog are very territorial and sensitive to change. Uprooting them to a new environment can create a lot of stress and anxiety because, unlike their human cohabitants, doggies do not understand what is going on or why. But there are ways that homeowners can help the family pet adjust to the life change.

1. Keep a Schedule

Moving can throw everyone off their regular schedule, but many poochies need the consistency of having the same timeline to feel safe and secure. It is important to try to stick to the daily routine as much as possible during the transition. Waking times, feeding regiments, play sessions, daily outings, and walking schedules should try to stay the same.

2. Leave Their Favorite Things

Many people use their move as an opportunity to get rid of their old stuff and buy new furnishing for a latest abode. Getting rid of the pup’s toys, blankets, bed, or food dishes can be too stressful for the precious pooch. To help Fido feel more at ease with the latest place, it’s important to keep their best blankets, beds, and toys so they have something familiar in the unfamiliar surroundings.

3. Plan Extra Walks and Playtime

Moving can create extra anxiety for the family canine. To help ease the stress and additional energy, plan more walks and play times. It will help burn off the added emotions and calm the four-legged friend’s nerves. It’s also a great way to spend more time together.

4. Think Safety

Packing and moving boxes from one place to another can create unsafe situations for the family mutt. Piled boxes, scattered belongings, open doors, and moving vehicles can endanger the family pet. To help keep them free of injury, close doors to different areas in the residence, crate the doggie, use pup, or baby gates to limit movement to certain areas and, use their leash and collar. If there are minimal options available, some pet owners send their Fido to a doggie daycare or kennel for the day.

5. Take Them on a Tour

Help your furry friend get familiar with the latest household by taking them for a walk inside and outside of the property. If there are opportunities to visit more than once, take advantage of the extra chances so the pup gets used to the unfamiliar scents and setup. It will be less frightening for the mutt when the actual move date arrives.

6. Give More Cuddles

Canines need love and affection from their owners, especially when they are stressed or fearful. Showing them extra TLC during and immediately following a relocation, will help ease the animal’s anxiety while they are getting used to the unfamiliar place.

Moving can be stressful for everyone, including the resident canine. Helping dogs cope with the change in the group’s pad will ease their fears during this transitional time.