Moving with pets can turn out to be very challenging. Whether you’re moving pets across country or in another country, or just to a new place in your own town, the general sense of upheaval will feel the same to them. Animals are very territorial, and they feel stress just as much as humans do and they’re experts at reading the body language of their people, and can easily pick up on the anxiety that is typical feeling during the moving process. They’re also tied to routine, and can get confused and stressed by the sudden shift in the to-do list.
Dogs are all of these things, but on the other hand they’re also surprisingly adaptable because for them home is wherever they’re with you, not any individual four walls. So, you can be sure that the main thing is that your dog and you are together, but don,t forget that the moving process can be a little chaotic for your dog no matter what you do, so you should be extra careful with your pet even though you are in the same boat with them.
But thankfully, Intermove Bosnia has collected some tips for you so that relocation with your dogs can be much easier for the animal and for you – and maybe even a little fun.
1. Introduce your dog to moving supplies !
A couple days before you get into the process of packing, leave out a few boxes, a roll of packing tape, and other packing supplies for them to sniff and examine them because that is the best way that they can,t be afraid of those strange new thing in their safe home. When the time comes to get started, they’ll be less scared by all these weird new items taking over their territory.
2. Continue with normal routine !
Time has a way of losing meaning when you’re prepping for a move. And while a week or so of being off-schedule is fine for humans, our dogs are a bit more tied to structured routine. It helps that they know what they can anticipate from their people and their lives, in turn building trust in their environment. Because of that a recognizable routine is almost more important during a time of moving and relocation than it is during their normal day-to-day.
For that reason it is important to keep you beloved for leged friend on their same schedule in terms of meals, potty breaks, and walks. If you normally spend 15 minutes tossing a ball around in the backyard right before dinner, don’t skip it just because you’re busy with packing your items. The more you can stick to your dog’s normal routine, the better you’ll set them up to view the move with curiosity and fun, not fear.
3. Importance of exercise !
Exercise is crucial not just for your dog’s physical health, but for their mental wellbeing. Plus, you know what they say: a tired dog is a good dog. Letting your pup expend some extra energy is a great way to keep their stress levels down and help them stay calm. So add some time onto your daily walk, stick around the dog park longer, and keep that game of fetch going until they get tired of it. If you know you just won’t have the time, ask a friend or trusted dog walker to come by and help you out. Just don’t skip exercise entirely, which can result in a frustrated dog with too much energy to chill out.
4. Entertained them !
In addition to exercising your dog physically, you can also use games to exercise them mentally and keep them occupied while you’re busy with other things. Take advantage of the inevitable state of your home during a move and set up a game of “hide and seek,” placing their favorite toys or treats behind or under boxes for them to find. Or, pick up a treat puzzle and let them figuring it out. For a simple puzzle game place small treats or pieces of kibble in the cups of a muffin tin and cover each opening with a tennis ball. Your dog will love digging for treasure while you’re busy with something else.
5. Set up a safe and quiet space for retreat !
Relocation have a way of completely taking over your home. That’s why it’s important to make sure you always leave your dog a clean, quiet corner that’s all theirs, preferably in an area that doesn’t get a ton of foot traffic. This is important to do not just while packing up your old home, but while settling in to your new one as well. This area should have your pet’s bed and/or crate and some of their favorite things, be it blankets, bones, stuffed toys, and so on. All of these items carry a familiar and comforting scent that will help ease your pet into relaxation during an otherwise difficult period. Your friend will know that they can always retreat to his safe space in usually chaotic atmosphere.
6.Always use anxiety aids !
There are a number of solutions for getting rid of anxiety that is available for dogs. For example you can use CBD treats to calm her anxiety during normally stressful situations like thunderstorms, earthquakes, and, of course, relocationThese treats have calming effect that takes the edge off otherwise stressful situations. You can also ask your vet about prescription calming medications, such as Alprazolam or Diazepam. Other options include a stress-reducing Thundershirt or calming collars. Test any anxiety aid prior to moving so that you can ensure that when the time comes they will actually be effective.
7.Another place for them to be on relocation day !
One of the best things you can do for your belowed pet on moving day is to get them out of the moving process entirely. Stressed dogs have a way of always being right under your feet, which can be dangerous for both of you when you’re moving heavy objects. Even if your dog is taking the move relatively well, it’s easier to get things done if they’re not around until everything is finished. Find a friend or family member to watch them over for the day, take them to a boarding facility they’re already comfortable with, or ask a dog walking company if they have a sitter that could take your dog into their home for several hours. If you go the latter route, be sure to set it up far enough ahead of time so your dog gets a chance to meet the sitter first. In addition to making moving day safer, it will be good to not have to worry about walks and mealtimes when you’ve got so much else going on on your mind.
8. Exercise patience and compassion !
Try as you might, your dog isn’t going to get what’s happening – even if they’ve been through it before – and it’s normal for issues like barking, whining, neediness, or other bad behaviors to arise both during the moving process and in the first few weeks settling in to your new home. It is all confusing to them and full of chaos and they will react normally to that even though you introduce relocation to them step by step. Instead of letting your own stress bleed in to how you respond, remember that your dog is likely confused and anxious about what’s going on, and the best thing you can do for them is to be empathetic to their situation. Use positive enforcement techniques to eliminate negative behaviors, and never let your own stress turn into anger, it will only make matters worse. If your pet still isn’t calming after a month or two, reach out to a rewards-based trainer for assistance.
You’re never going to be able to completely remove the stress of moving for your dog, but you can do everything to make the situation easier and help them adapt to their new situation and surroundings. It’s more work on top of what you’re already doing, but it’s always going to be worth it because when you see that they are happy and playfull you will also be in that mode. From Intermove Bosnia experience we can certificate this.
Bark away our furry friends !
