Almost all of us have experienced the stress of a big move in our lives. And if you’re stressed out, just imagine what your canine pal is going through.
Moving can be a major cause of stress and anxiety in pets as well as humans. This can cause loss of sleep and appetite and other distressed behaviors. As a loving pet owner, of course, you don’t want to see your pooch stressed out.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips for your furry friend. Here are some of the top ways to relieve your dog’s anxiety after a move.
1. Keep their old toys around
Dogs don’t like to break from their normal schedule. They like to maintain their habits and see the people and places that they know. Needless to say, moving can be a source of stress.
One good countermeasure to this is to arrange their new space in a similar manner to their old space. Putting their toys, bed, and things the way they were is a good way to put their mind at ease.
2. Show the dog around
Once you’ve arranged everything like their old space, take them around the house and let them explore.
It may take some time to adjust so give them some space.
Allow them to sniff around the house and get a feel for the layout and familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Let them go at their own pace
Do this a few times a day for the first couple of days and your dog will make the new house their home in no time.
3. Keep your old routines
As mentioned, dogs don’t like to break from their normal schedule. They like to be fed and walked at their regular hour.
This is why it’s important to set a routine early on following the move. The closer to their old routine the better.
Walking, feeding, and playing with them at regular times can greatly reduce the stress they feel during the chaos of a move.
This may be a bit difficult to do during moving time but it’s one of the most important things for your dog.
4. Exercise patience
Moving can be a lot to put a dog through. That’s why it is important to exercise patience with your dog during the process. Perhaps even a little more than usual.
It’s not unusual for pets’ behavior to change a bit following an event like a move. Don’t be alarmed if there’s extra kibble leftover in their bowl or they seem more anxious than usual. They may even have a few accidents in the first several days of living in the new place.
Be sympathetic and patient, especially the first night. It’s probably been years since your dog slept anywhere other than your old house.
Tips for Reducing Your Dog’s Anxiety After a Move
Make sure you give your pooch some extra attention during the moving process. They can experience just as much stress as you and you’ll have to be there to help them manage it.
If you’re looking for a reliable moving company to help you and your pet’s relocation, contact us today.