Helping Dogs Adjust to a New Home
Moving to a new home can bring on a lot of different emotions, from excitement to stress. Our four-legged friends experience these feelings as well! The good news is that there are things that you can do which will help transition your dog into a new home. Below are some tips on how to make it easy for everyone.
- Stay at home with your dog. Your dog may be just fine alone while you are away from the house. However, they will be in a new environment, which may cause stress. They need to be okay when left alone in their new location. We recommend that you wait as long as before leaving your dog alone at the new house. Allow them to get a feel for their new environment.
- Continue routines. It is best to maintain your routine. For example, continue to wake up at the same time, stick to regular feeding schedules, take a few walks, and exercise accordingly. You may need to adjust routines but allow your dog to get settled first.
- Give extra love and attention. This is a huge transition for your dog. You may feel overwhelmed when you move. There is a lot that needs to be done, and your dog may be neglected if a proper plan isn’t in place. Commit to spending quality time with your dog every day. This will help lessen some of your stress and make them feel loved.
- Be patient. Allow your dog to adjust to the changes on their own time. Some dogs may be comfortable in their new environment in a few days. It may take other dogs several weeks to get acclimated. Being impatient with your dog will only cause more stress.
It can be overwhelming to move, especially if you bring pets with you. However, if you stay on top of the game by abiding by your routines and spending extra time with your pup, everyone will get acquainted in no time!
