Recently move to a new home?
Like human beings, your pet dog will likely feel uneasy and nervous about their new environment. Dog anxiety after moving may become a serious matter, especially when the physical and emotional symptoms start disrupting your everyday routine.
Fortunately, there are ways to destress a dog after moving. To get a head start, here are five essential steps to follow.
Create Something Familiar
One of the most effective ways of dealing with dog anxiety after moving is to create a space similar to the one your dog lived in before.
Arrange their bed, bowl, and toys in ways that will feel familiar. This way, the dog may associate the new environment the same way they did with the old. If you can, add their dog blanket or bed among your essential moving supplies, so you don’t forget or lose them along the way.
Doing this helps the dog figure out where to eat, sleep, and play. They won’t get frustrated trying to move around the new space, looking for what should be natural locations in their home.
Take Time to Explore
After moving, take some time to go on an adventure. Go outside and explore the new neighborhood and get familiar with the people around you.
However, take it slowly.
Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell and hearing. Going too far from home means they’ll absorb too much information for one day and it can get confusing. On day one, stick with your immediate surroundings and later on, move to the next street or block.
It’s also important to explore and meet the neighbors. This will help your dog identify friendly neighbors and their pets.
Show Them Love and Attention
Spend time with your dog after the move, especially during the first few days in your new home. This will reassure him about his new surroundings. When you go out, leave for short periods of time to see how your pet reacts. Then, each time you leave, increase the length of time you are gone. This way when you need to be out for an extended period, your dog will feel more comfortable.
Spend some quality time with your dog, give them love and attention through walks and playtime. For example, get down on the floor with your pooch and play fetch with their favorite toy or just take the time to snuggle.
Avoid Unnecessary Stressors and Be Patient
Put off nail trimming, grooming, and bathing until your dog is settled in your new home. Give them a bit of time to adjust before sending your pet to the groomer or vet.
Be patient with your canine friend. There may be a few accidents due to stress or changing schedules.
Also, try to avoid correcting the dog excessively, as that will likely stress your pet out more. Praise your dog when they’re good and be sure to give them that extra love and attention.
Pet-Proof to Ease Dog Anxiety After Moving
While your dog adjusts to your new home, make sure to pet-proof every inch of the environment. Look for holes in the fences, windows, or walls where your dog could squeeze through and escape.
If there are open areas, look where you may install gates or fences. You may remove these later on once the dog understands its limitations and the rules of the new home.
Discover More Moving Tips!
Helping your pet deal with dog anxiety after moving is a challenging time, but with these tips, you will succeed. Soon enough, your dog will enjoy the new home as much as they did their previous one.
However, the challenges of moving don’t stop there.
Need assistance with your move? Not sure how much moving will cost? If you’re looking for the best assistance in long-distance moving or if you need movers to handle your furniture, don’t hesitate to contact us today.