Moving house requires a lot of preparation and can be a stressful experience for you and your family. However, don't forget that your animal companions will feel the same way during the hectic pace of the move. Just as you have to find your way around your new home, animals also have to settle in. With patience and planning, the change can go smoothly for your pet.
Before you move
Preparations before you move can make your life easier when you arrive at your new home. Make enquiries in advance in the new region about the places you will need to go for your dog: Veterinarians, emergency clinics, pet supply shops, pet salons, dog-friendly parks, boarding and daycare facilities, and possibly dog trainers. Also find out about municipal ordinances and regulations regarding the keeping of pets, including leash and castration requirements and whether you need to register your pet in the registry of the respective federal state. The breed lists and regulations for fighting dogs can vary from state to state. In the event that your pet gets lost during or after the move, you should also have the dog licence updated with the new contact information. Or you could consider having your pet chipped if you haven't already done so. These precautions will help ensure that your pet is returned to you quickly and safely if it does run away.
Packing
For many pets, the stress begins when they see their owner packing the boxes for the move. Much of the excitement can be attributed to their normal routine being replaced by unusual, new household activities. To reduce your pet's anxiety, try to stick to your pet's usual daily routine as much as possible. For example, if your dog keeps himself busy while you are at work, you take him for a walk during your lunch break and then spend the evening together, you should continue to stick to this schedule with him. As many animals are habit-orientated, changes to their normal routines can be unsettling.
Even in the stress of moving house, don't forget to spend some time with your pet every day that they enjoy, even if it's only for a short time. With your dog, this could be a walk or a short game of fetch. These and other activities not only burn off excess energy, but also help to reduce stress. If it's not possible for you to spend time with your pet, you can provide them with an interactive toy to prevent boredom and distract them from the move. Be careful about over-caring for your pet when it shows signs of stress. This will only reinforce the behaviour so that it becomes a regular attention seeking behaviour.
Just like you, your pet will need all the essentials straight away when you arrive at your new home. Items such as food, bowls, a lead and vet records should be packed in an easily accessible way so that you can easily find and unpack them. If possible, get a small food bag or a training bag for walking the dog, in which you have everything you need within easy reach, and keep it ready at all times during the move. Also think about how you want to transport your dog to the new home and make sure it is safe.
Your new home
Preparations in your new home can make the transition there smoother and contribute to your pet's safety. Just like children, pets can't always judge what they can play with safely or what is edible for them. It is therefore your responsibility to prevent accidents. Pet-proofing your home is not only important to protect your possessions, but also to prevent your pet from coming to any harm. Knowing your pet's habits will help you to assess your new home and judge what needs to be secured. Some protective measures are generally important habits in households with animals. These include hiding or wrapping electrical cords, closing toilet lids (especially if you use strong detergents or toilet blocks), as well as closing bin lids and putting away cleaning products or other substances that could be harmful or toxic to your pet.
Think about what about the new furniture could be a problem for your pet and choose furniture that is easy to clean when you buy it. If your pet is able to open cupboard doors, consider installing locks to prevent them from getting inside. The same applies to rooms you don't want your pet to get into. Areas without a door can be fitted with a protective grille. Food supplies should not only be out of reach of hungry four-legged friends, but should also be protected from pests. Food can be stored in a food box for this purpose. If there are stairs in your new home, you can provide the bottom landing with a gate. This is especially important if your dog is not used to stairs to prevent falls.
Garages can also harbour various dangers, such as engine fluids or the vehicles themselves. Engine fluids can be toxic or fatal if ingested, and small, curious pets can climb under the vehicle without you realising until it's too late. If you have a backyard or garden, this should also be checked for safety before you let your pet in. Check fences for stability and loose boards and look for holes that a previous animal resident may have dug under the fence so that your pet doesn't discover them before you do. If there is a pool, secure it so that your dog can't fall in or get in if you can't supervise him. Check your garden to see if there are any plants that could be poisonous or deadly to animals. Your garden should be a safe, pleasant place where you and your pets enjoy spending time. Provide a shady, covered spot with plenty of drinking water so that your pet has everything it needs, even on hot days.
If your new home is much larger than your previous one, you can consider demarcating a small area of it first. This will help your pet to gradually acclimatise to the new environment. Once your pet is more comfortable and familiar with the new environment, you can gradually give them access to more areas.
The house rules
When you bring your pet into the new home for the first time, this is the opportunity to introduce new habits and house rules. One of the most important lessons your pet needs to learn is where to do its business. Most pets that are already house-trained will take little time to learn the new rules, while pets that have had problems with this before may take a little longer. You need to be very careful with dogs that can go anywhere in the house. Take your dog outside to the area where he is allowed to do his business regularly throughout the day - especially when he wakes up and after eating. Reward him with a treat when he does his business in the designated area. If your dog is used to being in a dog crate or a dog-safe area of the house during the day, house-training is usually easy to establish as your dog will not want to use the place where he sleeps as a toilet. Always take your dog outside just before you put him in the crate and immediately after you let him out. When he relieves himself there, you should reward him again to show him that this behaviour is desired.
If you set new rules that did not apply in your previous home, it is important that you start showing them to your dog as soon as you enter the house. For example, if your dog is not allowed to sit on the sofa, you should make sure that everyone in the house knows this and abides by it. A rule should always be followed, not just when certain people are present. Allowing the pet to sit on the sofa sometimes and not on other days will only cause confusion.
It doesn't matter whether you move a few streets away or to another state: Moving with a pet requires a lot of preparation and it can take time for everyone to settle in. If you take your time and have a little patience, you and your pet can explore your new home with as little stress as possible.
