Moving with Your Dog

By Megan Blake

Moving to a different home is one of life’s biggest stressors. Mix in dogs and the process can become overwhelming. Stress can be especially high for dogs because they have no way of understanding the moving process. Careful planning and simple actions can minimize stress for both of you and help make your move into a fun adventure.

TIPS FOR PACKING AND PLANNING
Start packing weeks in advance to avoid transferring stress to your dog. As you pack, keep your dog’s routine in tact by continuing regular walks and playtime. These can actually be stress relievers for you too.

If moving out of state or to a rental, or if your dog is traveling by airplane or via a pet moving service, make sure his vaccinations are up-to-date, including bordetella. Get copies of medical records and a health certificate, which in only valid for 10 days. Fill his medications to last until at least a week after you arrive, and ask your veterinarian for a vet referral. Get him a tag with your cell or new home phone number and confirm he is microchipped with updated information. Avoid surprises — learn about local pet ordinances and, if you are renting, know the rental property’s rules.

If your move includes air travel or pet movers, book his reservation ASAP, ideally a month in advance. You need your own crate, and to make sure he sees it as his safety zone, begin crate training early. Try to book a direct flight. Continental Airlines has a program called PetSafe® and has an excellent record of safely transporting pets.

THE BIG DAY
On moving day, have a “safe pet room” where your dog stays while furniture is carried out of open doors. Designate this room before the move. Bring in his toys, blankets and other belongings, and hang out in there with him beforehand. When the big day comes, he won’t feel stressed because you suddenly locked him away in an unfamiliar place. Put a sign on the door saying, “Do Not Open” and lock it if possible. Crate training can be helpful here too. He should see his crate as his personal safe space, so the crate can be used along with the dog room throughout moving day. During this day, take him for walks, play or do some quick obedience drills to keep his routine up and his stress level down.
If your dog has a doggie day care or friend he enjoys, take him there for the day. You might even consider boarding him or having his friend sleep over.

If you are traveling by car, be sure your dog is accustomed to riding. Take him for short rides to fun walking places at least a few weeks before so he will associate car travel with fun. If you are moving nearby, take him to walk in the new neighborhood regularly and bring him to home inspections or meetings so it becomes familiar. If you are moving far away and driving there, stop every hour to offer him water, let him walk and relieve himself.

To encourage him to accept this new environment as home, don’t wash his bedding to “freshen it up” before you move. Leave as many things as possible smelling “like normal,” including one of your worn T-shirts. When you arrive, show him around while on leash. For his safety, don’t let him loose in the yard until you have inspected the fencing. Lead him through the house and claim the door thresholds, by either going through first or having him wait until you give him permission to go in or out. In his mind, this will begin to establish that this is your environment; you are the leader in charge of it and in charge of him. Your pack structure is still in tact. This is the biggest stress reliever you can give him — your strong pack structure.

If you practice thoughtful planning, maintain a strong leadership role, keep his routine in tact, remember to enjoy walking him, and bring along his familiar lifestyle items, his stress will be kept to a minimum during a move, and you will have a great start in your new home together.

Checklist for Moving
» Veterinary records
» Health certificates
» Medications
» Leash and collar with ID tags
» Recent photos
» Food and water (with extra for the transition)
» Bowls and a can opener
» Poop bags
» Bedding, blanket, and toys
» Doggie seatbelts or crate

Megan Blake is a pet lifestyle specialist, columnist, author, and pet expert on Animal Attractions TV. She lives in Malibu, Calif., with her two dogs, two cats and two horses.www.MeganBlake.com