Moving homes imminent? Canine expert offers six strategies to ease your dog's transition on the day of the move
Moving house can be a stressful experience for both humans and their four-legged friends. Dr. Linda Simon, a vet from Pooch & Mutt, has provided some helpful tips to ensure a smoother transition for your dog.
First and foremost, it's essential to prepare your dog for the move. Dr. Simon recommends taking trips to the new location before moving to help your dog get familiar with the new environment. Leaving your dog's favorite things out until the last minute can provide a sense of familiarity during the move.
Maintaining a calm and reassuring presence can help reduce stress in dogs during moving. Dr. Simon suggests not fussing over your dog too much while packing, as it can make them feel something's not right. Creating a calm atmosphere can help reduce stress in dogs during moving.
Enrichment and mental stimulation can help tire out your dog and keep them occupied during moving. The Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Worker Dog Puzzle is a recommended boredom-busting toy. Providing extra attention, exercise, and reassurance can help manage anxiety associated with the change.
It's important to keep your dog busy with distractions such as walks, visits, or playtime during the moving process. Making plans for moving day is crucial. Dr. Simon suggests asking family or friends to watch your dog for a few hours on moving day, or taking your dog to the new house first or last.
Maintaining familiar routines and comfort items for your dog during the move is also essential. Gradually introducing your dog to the new environment before or shortly after moving can help with acclimatization. Monitoring signs of stress such as changes in drinking or destructive behavior and addressing them proactively is crucial.
While there are no direct search results listing Dr. Linda Simon's specific tips for helping dogs cope with a house move, general advice based on related expert guidance includes these principles. If you want advice directly from Dr. Linda Simon, you might consider seeking her publications or professional social media channels.
In conclusion, with some planning and preparation, you can help make moving house a less stressful experience for your dog. By following these tips, you can help your dog adjust to the new environment and reduce their stress levels during the moving process.
- After familiarizing your dog with the new location, leaving their favorite toys and comfort items out can provide a sense of familiarity during the move, reducing stress.
- Instead of fussing over your dog during the packing process, maintaining a calm and reassuring presence can help reduce anxiety in your four-legged friend.
- To keep your pet occupied during the moving process, enrichment and mental stimulation, such as the Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Worker Dog Puzzle, can serve as boredom-busting distractions.
- Maintaining familiar routines, like walks, visits, or playtime, can also help manage your dog's anxiety associated with the change.
- If family or friends are unable to watch your dog on moving day, take them to the new house first or last to help them adjust to the new home-and-garden lifestyle.
