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Seven Ways To Help Your Dog Adjust To A New Home

Seven Ways To Help Your Dog Adjust To A New Home

Moving into a new home is a process that can be described as tedious and anxiety-ridden, but did you know that your dog indeed feels the exact same way about it? Moving into a new house with a pet can be an uncertain, drawn-out process that can cause them a great deal of stress. After all, dogs tend to crave familiarity, and moving from their familiar setting to a new home can take quite some time for them to adjust to.

 

So, what are the best ways to help your dog adjust to this big change in their lives? Here are seven methods to consider.

 

Maintain Their Schedules and Routines

Dogs function best when they have regular schedules and routines that are repeated every day. It's safe to say that before moving, your dog had a set schedule to go by, and it's important that you don't change or alter it. Keeping your dog on the same schedule after moving will help them adjust to their new setting. This is especially the case for your dog's sleep and eating schedules. After all, forcing them to move out of their usual habitat is one thing, but going on to change their routine will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

 

Try To Keep Your New Home Clean

As you’re moving your things into your new home, you may realize that it becomes incredibly easy for messes to pile up.  From moving boxes to plastic wrap, you don’t want to continue leaving all these things lying around. Mess in the presence of a new environment will make your dog less inclined to be able to easily adapt to it.

After all, in most cases, your previous home most likely wasn’t messy. So, naturally, this chaotic environment will look undesirable and abnormal to your dog.

Another reason for keeping your new home clean and clear of debris is to keep your dog safe. Things could go south if he/she gets into or eats something they shouldn’t.

 

Immediately Set-up Your Dog’s Space

Your dog needs to have a setup or safe place in your new home to sleep in and retreat to. If your dog likes laying in the bedroom or living room, you should try to find a similar room in the new home. Once you find an area, fill that space with familiar things such as their bed or blankets and toys with their scent to provide them with some relief and familiarity. You never want to move into a new house and immediately get rid of all of your dog’s old things. Something familiar to help adjust them to their new home will be crucial to them being able to relax.

 

Look Into Anti-Anxiety Aid

Suppose you have a dog that you already know is predisposed to having anxiety. In that case, you should expect the new move to further exacerbate this problem. If this is your dog, your best option for helping them adjust is to meet with a vet before the move to talk to them about your best course of action to help ease your dog's anxiety. There are a couple of aids to help your dogs adjust to the move and their new environment. The most common ones include prescribed anxiety medication, music, zen collars, and music.

 

Explore The Area With Your Dog

One way dogs adjust to new environments is by exploring them in detail. This includes both the interior and exterior. Walk with them throughout the home as they explore the nooks and crannies of each individual room. Once the inside has been explored, take them on a walk around the premises of your new home so they can get a good feel of the environment.

Being there with them to calmly talk to and show them around as they explore the inside and outside of the home will help them feel safe and at ease in their unfamiliar environment.If you have a dog with anxiety, give them some time before exploring with them. They’ll slowly begin attempting to once they feel ready.

 

Give Them Attention and Remain Calm

Even though a big move can be extremely stressful and tedious, you must refrain from openly displaying those feelings in front of your dogs. Dogs are social animals and usually adopt their social circle’s feelings. Therefore, if you’re calm and content, your dog will most likely feel that way too. However, if you’re stressed and agitated, expect your dog to feel the same. Instead of letting the negative emotions take the reins, remain calm and give your dog affection and love throughout the process to let them know there’s nothing to worry about.

 

Be Patient

Last but certainly not least, patience and understanding will be key to helping your dog adjust to the new home. Similar to how it will take you a while to adjust, it will take your dog a while to do the same. Some dogs will adjust faster than others. However, you should never rush the process. Trust and know that they will adjust eventually on their own time.

 

Moving with your dog will be stressful and taxing on them, and there's no way around that. However, patience, anxiety aid and maintaining their schedules, to name a few, can help them adjust to their new home faster. Take these seven ways to help your dog adjust into consideration to help your dog get used to their new familial home.

Guest Blog written by R Thomas