By Cindy Aldridge – ourdogfriends.org
Adjusting to a new home can be difficult for families. The layout is different, the lighting is off. You’re still not 100 percent unpacked yet, so the house feels empty. And let’s not forget the difficulties of figuring out the new area such as what streets are the best for the commute, and where’s the best place to fuel up or grab that morning coffee.
If adjusting is this hard for humans, imagine what it must be like for your dog. For many, dogs are not just pets, they’re family. Here are a few tips on helping your furry family member adjust to your new home.
How to Handle Move-In Day
Imagine a life in the paw-steps of your dog as they watch all the furniture, appliances and even the floor rug being rolled up and packed away inside a giant moving truck. This can all seem very strange to your dog, but chances are they haven’t gotten the full picture yet. They don’t know that they are saying goodbye place they’ve called home for the last few years.
Moving to a new home can cause a lot of anxiety for your dog, and as you arrive at your new place and begin the moving process, your dog could very well be freaking out. The best way to handle moving in with your dog in the home is by keeping them closed off in a single room. This will keep them from getting under you or the movers feet while your furniture is being moved into the new home. Isolating them in a small area will also lessen their nerves, as they feel like they have more control over their surroundings. Be sure to give them plenty of food, water, treats and a few toys to keep them occupied while you are working away.
Making Your Dog Feel Comfortable
Once everything is moved in, you should still keep your dog fairly isolated. Giving your dog immediate access to a new and larger home can cause a number of problems, including boosting their anxiety and confusion. Dogs may feel compelled to mark various rooms of the home, or even tuck themselves away in a small corner. These behaviors are characteristic of territorial animals trying to adjust to new surroundings. The best solution to keep your dog confident in their new domain is by gradually introducing them to your home room by room.
Another way to ease the transition is by keeping old rugs and furniture fairly consistent with the layout of your old home. The more familiar smells your dog recognizes, the more easily it will adjust to the new home.
Keeping Your Dog Safe
Finally, it is important to keep your dog safe during this transition. As you allow Fido to adjust to the new home room by room, you should also let them become acquainted with the area outside the home, including the yard, backyard, and even the neighborhood. Of course, it would probably be best to have your dog on a leash whenever you introduce them to your yard, especially if the area is not fenced in.
Some dogs will be eager to explore the strange array of scents flooding their nostrils, so keep a close hold on your dog and perhaps consider adding a fence to your property to keep them safely contained as they explore the outdoor areas of your new home. According to HomeAdvisor, it costs an average of $2,670 to install or build a fence . It’s a fair price to pay to keep your dog safe and sound.
It takes time to adjust to a new home. Your dog may act more reserved than usual, maybe sleep a little longer, or follow you like a shadow to make sure that you won’t leave them in this strange, new place. After a few weeks, your dog will begin to warm up to your new home.