Moving is always a lot of work, and can be overwhelming at times. There are a lot of components involved in the moving process: packing up your current residence, locating your new residence, arranging your rental or purchase agreement, figuring out the logistics of getting yourself and your possessions to your new residence safely… it’s a lot of work and can induce a lot of stress. If you have dogs, that’s one more element you will need to prepare for and consider. Your dogs will likely be stressed and unsure throughout the packing and moving process. There are a lot of sources that outline how prevalent fear, stress, and anxiety can be in dogs. Luckily, there are a few strategies you can employ to help ease that stress as much as possible during your move.
Stay Consistent
The first strategy is to simply stick with your dogs’ routines as much as possible. Dogs thrive on knowing what they can expect from their owners and their environment. Staying consistent with what you can control for your dogs will go a long way toward easing their stress during this time of upheaval. Feed your dogs at the same time every day, groom/bathe them at the same time, take them out at regular intervals, and generally handle them the same way.
Regular Exercise
Exercise will also be a key strategy to keep in mind. Try not to let your dog sit around too much and build up a lot of nervous energy. Take your dog out for regular walks or playtime, and make sure your dogs have chew toys to focus on while you’re busy packing. Most dogs need at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Once you arrive in your new home, finding a great new walking path or dog park can be a lot of fun for both you and your dogs!
Safe Zone
Always be sure to set up a safe zone for your dogs. Sometimes the commotion and stress can be too much for your dogs to handle. When that’s the case, they need somewhere they can get away and have a chance to calm down. If your dogs are crate-trained, the crate is often a good safe zone as many dogs prefer smaller spaces. Maybe your dogs have a comfy bed or blanket that you could set out in a quiet room of the house. The safe zone doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just comfortable and quiet.
Ask For Help
If you’re moving to a new city, you will need to establish a new network of professionals to help with your dogs. Finding a new veterinarian you can trust is huge when it comes to giving your dogs the care they deserve. You may also need to find a new groomer, a new dog-walker, and/or a new dog-sitter. Whatever your dogs’ needs may be, establishing contact with some of these professionals before you need them in an emergency situation will help alleviate stress and ensure your dogs’ health and safety.
There’s no reason why you can’t move yourself, your family, and pets safely and easily as long as you put in the forethought and consider their needs. If at any point the strain of packing and moving becomes too much, don’t forget there are resources out there, such as Bekins Van Lines Inc, that can make your life easier. Try not to let your dogs get lost in the shuffle while you’re busy organizing your move to your new home. Be consistent, commit to some exercise time, create a safe zone, and ask for help when you need it. If you make sure your dogs don’t feel left out and forgotten, you can go a long way toward easing their stress, as well as yours.
