Moving house can be a daunting task at times, even if you are excited to get into a new home that you love. Packing up your belongings can be a time-consuming and sometimes dull job to do, but when you are a dog owner, moving homes can be slightly more difficult. If you’re trying to get through your moving checklist, but your dog is distracting you, or you’re worried the dog is getting stressed and anxious about all this activity, here are some tips to help you cope.
Get Someone to Look After Them for the Day
If your dog is jumping up on you, getting into the boxes, or seems to be getting bored and wants your attention while you’re trying to pack, this can be frustrating for you both. Furthermore, when you are moving larger and heavier items around your home to get them ready for the move, your dog might knock them over or hurt themselves in the chaos. To keep them happier and safe, see if a friend wouldn’t mind looking after your dog for the day or you can put them in a professional doggy daycare. This will keep them entertained and out of your way so that you can get on with what you need to do.
Pack Their Toys Last
When you’re packing your belongings, it’s always a good idea to start this process sooner rather than later, beginning with the non-essential items in your home. While you might be tempted to start putting some of your dog’s toys away, it’s better to leave them out and keep them as some of the last things that you pack. Your dog can use their toys to stay entertained, and the toys may provide some comfort if they are feeling anxious about seeing everything get packed up and ready to be moved. They will not understand what is going on around them, and this can be confusing and distressing to them at times. This is why it’s important to have these comforts available to them.
Transportation
When it comes to moving day, you might plan to take your dog with you in the car to get to your new house. However, if you are moving a long distance or you’re unable to take your dog in a vehicle with you, you will need to arrange alternative transportation for them. You can find dog transport services via https://shiply.com/us/pet-transport/dog-transport. These services will be able to take your dog to your destination safely, so you will have peace of mind that your pup will be OK during your separation.
Helping Them Get Used to Their New Surroundings
It will take time for your dog to get used to their new surroundings, so it’s important to help them adjust when you arrive. One important step is to make sure they can’t get into any toxic substances, so your boxes with cleaning products should all be found and put out of reach immediately. You might also want to check the garden of your new house, as some plants can be toxic to dogs and will need to be removed before they go roaming the backyard. You might also want to create a little space for them in a quiet corner that they can retreat to if all the excitement gets a bit too much.
If you are planning to move house and you have a dog in tow, use these tips to help you make this process more manageable and keep your dog happy.