Tips on Moving with Your Pet

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Tips for Moving with Your Dog Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com/ (801) 910-1700 When it's time to move into your new house, whether it's across town or across the country, your moving day checklist includes packing up your four-legged family members. And while moving with pets is a stressful time for you...it's undoubtedly just as stressful for your pets. Here are some tips to make moving into your new home as stress-free as possible for everyone in your family especially your pets! First of all, start by looking at the move from your pet's point of view. Their current home is more than their home; it's their territory. Dogs tend to adjust much more easily to moves than cats. That's because new puppy owners are encouraged to socialize their puppy to get him used to new people, new smells and other dogs. So, from the time they're young, dogs are out and about. For both cats and dogs, sticking to the routine after the move is very important. Maintaining the same schedule for treats, grooming and bedtime will help your pet acclimate even more quickly. And walking your dog at the same time each day will also help him transition into his new home. Before The Move: Preparing Your Pets Consider taking your dog to your new neighborhood for walks before you move in. Walk by your new house and let your dog familiarize himself with the scents of the neighborhood. Go inside the new house if possible. Or try to bring something from the new house to your dog so he can familiarize himself with its unique smell. While you're packing, try not to isolate your dog in a dog crate. Instead, include him while you pack and move boxes, allowing him to investigate the activity. If your dog is crated or isolated in a room by himself while the rest of the family packs and prepares to move, he'll likely feel nervous which could lead to stress-related behaviors such as hyperactivity, jumping or barking. It's Moving Day: What Should I Do with My Pets? One option is to assign a responsible family member to be the dedicated dog sitter (choose someone who won't be responsible for packing or moving on moving day). But it might be less stressful for your family and your dog if you have a dog-loving friend watch your dog for the day. Planning for A Long-Distance Move with Your Pets If your move is long-distance, your pets will need to be crate-trained well before your move. On the day of your move, your pets should be wearing collars including up-to-date rabies tags and your new address and phone number. If you're driving, plan stops along the way to ensure you'll find pet friendly hotels. If your trip involves air travel, be sure to ask the airline about their pet travel requirements. You'll need to keep a copy of your pet's veterinarian records in your carry-on luggage. How Dogs Adjust to a New Home Your dog will most likely want a VIP tour of his new home. Once the movers have left and you and your dog have the house to yourself, let him make the rounds inside and outside. Walk him on a leash during this initial introduction so he feels safe and secure by your side. The sooner he gets used to the new smells of his new environment, the sooner he'll feel at home. Because a dog needs space and room to exercise, your dog might take more time to adjust if you're moving from a larger house to a smaller house or apartment. But just like cats, dogs will appreciate getting back to the established routine as soon as possible. Taking walks at your usual time and sticking to the same route for several days will help your dog adjust. If possible, allow yourself a few extra days to spend at home with your pet after the move and before returning to work. During this period of adjustment, you can begin to stay away from home for short periods of time to get your pets used to being alone in their new space. Do not leave your dog unattended outside during this adjustment period. Dogs have been known to jump fences in an attempt to return to their old, familiar territory. Veterinarian Advice and Moving with Your Pets If you've moved a long distance, now is the perfect time to ask your new neighbors to recommend a new veterinarian for your pets. Schedule a "get to know you" visit for your pets as soon as possible so you have a vet in the event of a veterinary emergency. Just like people, every pet is unique and has a personality all their own. Because you know your pet better than anyone, you can probably predict how smoothly the transition will go. If you know that your pet is extremely skittish, talk to your veterinarian well beforehand about your concerns. He or she can recommend medication to help sedate your pet during this stressful time, if it's absolutely necessary.