While the process of moving is an exciting one that offers new experiences and opportunities, the process can be pretty stressful on your dog. Your pooch may have accidents indoors, chew on things he shouldn't, or bark excessively while feeling anxious about your move. These behaviors can make the move more stressful on your entire family – minimizing your dog's stress can help keep him calm and your household on track throughout the move, which should make the experience is more pleasant for everyone involved. Following are a few stress-reduction methods you can incorporate during the move with your pooch:
Invest in a Collapsible Crate
An excellent way to ensure that your dog has a quiet and comfortable place to stay during all the commotion of your move is to invest in a collapsible crate to use. A collapsible crate can be folded up for easy storage under your bed or couch when it isn't in use, and it can be erected within just a couple of minutes when you're ready to use it. Use the crate when neighbors come by for unexpected farewell visits ,when your cable or phone service provider comes to disconnect lines, and when your movers show up to pack all your belongings and move them out of the house.
Put your dog's favorite toys and bedding in the crate, so their surroundings are familiar, and place the crate in an empty bathroom or walk-in closet where the space is quiet, calm, and relaxing. This will ensure that your dog won't have to be exposed to the commotion while in the crate, and will not be able run away or get lost due to being scared while things are being moved out of the house.
Color-Code the Dog's Belongings
It's important to make sure that all of your dog's stuff is nearby throughout the moving process so you it doesn't get lost when things are hectic at home. It will likely create stress for you and the dog if you can't quickly find a leash, bowl, or bag of favorite treats when they're needed. Pack all the dog's stuff, including their blankets and food, into color-coded boxes so they stand out from the rest of the boxes at home and you can quickly find what you need without having to dig through everything.
Keep the color-coded boxes with your dog even while traveling to the new home so the belongings can be accessed in an instant, even if you have to pull over on the side of the road during the move. This will make it easy to find stuff for the dog once you start settling into the new place too. To color-code the dog boxes, choose a color and use stickers, permanent markers, or paint to mark each box with your dog's name or a large mark that will remind you about what can be found in the box.
Visit the New Neighborhood Beforehand
It's a good idea to get your dog acclimated to the new neighborhood by visiting the area once or twice before your actual move. Once at the new neighborhood, take some time to walk around the block so you can meet other families and their dogs. It may also be helpful to spend some time at the local park so your dog can get used to the neighborhood kids and make a few new furry friends of their own. The idea is to expose your dog to the new neighborhood so they are familiar with the sights, smells, and sounds and can more easily settle in without anxiety upon your move.
These techniques should help make your dog feel safe and comfortable while facing significant changes that they don't fully understand. For more tips as you plan your move, contact a local moving company.
Share21 June 2016
When planning a move, you have so many things on your mind that it is easy for you to leave out the important things that need done, as well as the not-so-important things. Creating a checklist will help you get through the entire process without missing a beat. My blog will provide you with several elements that you need to remember to assist you with creating a checklist that will meet your personal needs. Hopefully, what I have included here will take some of the stress out of your move and make things move along without any problems arising expectantly.