Moving Your Dog To A New Home:
An Uncomfortable Change Or Fun New Adventure?
Eli, Hairy Hairless
Moving to a new home can be exciting, hectic and stressful all rolled into one. While you are hustling and bustling trying to get everything done, keep in mind that your pet doesn’t know what’s going on and will be picking up on your anxiety. While some dogs might adjust rather quickly to a move, others react as if their whole world has been turned upside down. So, with that said, here are some tips to make your favorite pet’s transition a little easier and some help for a few bad habits to look out for during that honeymoon period in your new home.
First of all, setting the new home up with “comfort zones” is key. If possible, go in the new house before the dog comes in and set up the dog’s main areas in the house. Set up the dog’s crate and/or dog beds, play areas, eating station, etc. and make sure the scent of your own things are prevalent around the house. Another thing I like to do is set up their new sleeping area with all the comforts you would afford bringing a puppy home for the 1st time. For instance, a radio or ticking clock close by, an old T-shirt in their crate, a favorite toy, such as a Kong to stuff goodies with and my absolute favorite, the Comfort Zone (DAP) plug-in. This plug-in releases a pheromone, such as a mother dog would release, and helps dogs with any behavioral issues that might be related to anxiety. It has been a lifesaver in my own home more times than you’ll ever know!
When you 1st bring your dog into the new home, take time to give him or her a tour of the new surroundings. Pay close attention to those “Doggie Zones” you set up and spend time playing and hanging out with your pooch at these areas so they learn to relax in them a little more quickly.
It is extremely common for dogs to regress into bad habits after a move so the rule of thumb is, “If they regress, you regress” and go back to the basics in their training routine. Some of the more common behaviors that fall off during a move are potty training, barking and many times just a general drop-off on basic commands.
If potty training is the issue, your dog might be uncomfortable going to the bathroom in this new, unfamiliar area OR he might need help learning the correct pathway out of the new house. In either case, it is best to go back to basics the 1st couple of weeks and treat potty training issues as if you are training a brand new, 8 week old puppy again. This means tight walk schedules, taking them out the same doorway so they learn the new pathway in this house, taking them out on a leash and walking with them in the yard and giving them a treat right there in the yard when they go. A little backtracking in this department can go a long way!
If barking is your issue, you first need to define the reason for the escalation in their vocalizations. For instance, are they barking at all the new sounds around the house, are they barking when they are left alone or maybe they seem to be a tad more protective in this new environment. Whichever the case may be, you must define the source of the annoyance bark before you may ever fix it. In most “new home” cases a re-socialization and familiarization with the new sights, sounds and general distractions is important. Bone up on your “Quiet” command and focus your training with relieving as much stress as possible.
And of course, a general flightiness or drop-off in basic command skills is quite common when a huge, life-altering change occurs such as a move. Help them get over the hump by having fun, basic-level practices each day and then start taking them on little trips around your new town to practice in new, distracting environments. Make these practices fun- not overwhelming, and help your pooch to understand that this move is a fun adventure, not a scary new beginning.
Of course, there are some dogs that will show symptoms of severe stress, separation anxiety and panic after a move. When this occurs, any number of extreme behavioral issues can begin. If you think your dog might fall into these categories please consult a trainer/behaviorist in your area right away so they can help you and your dog overcome these obstacles.
With a little added attention to the details, some help re-socializing your dog to his new surroundings and a few added comfort measures, your dog should be enjoying the new home with you in no time!
Best wishes,
Kim Mayes CDT, CTDI
First of all, setting the new home up with “comfort zones” is key. If possible, go in the new house before the dog comes in and set up the dog’s main areas in the house. Set up the dog’s crate and/or dog beds, play areas, eating station, etc. and make sure the scent of your own things are prevalent around the house. Another thing I like to do is set up their new sleeping area with all the comforts you would afford bringing a puppy home for the 1st time. For instance, a radio or ticking clock close by, an old T-shirt in their crate, a favorite toy, such as a Kong to stuff goodies with and my absolute favorite, the Comfort Zone (DAP) plug-in. This plug-in releases a pheromone, such as a mother dog would release, and helps dogs with any behavioral issues that might be related to anxiety. It has been a lifesaver in my own home more times than you’ll ever know!
When you 1st bring your dog into the new home, take time to give him or her a tour of the new surroundings. Pay close attention to those “Doggie Zones” you set up and spend time playing and hanging out with your pooch at these areas so they learn to relax in them a little more quickly.
It is extremely common for dogs to regress into bad habits after a move so the rule of thumb is, “If they regress, you regress” and go back to the basics in their training routine. Some of the more common behaviors that fall off during a move are potty training, barking and many times just a general drop-off on basic commands.
If potty training is the issue, your dog might be uncomfortable going to the bathroom in this new, unfamiliar area OR he might need help learning the correct pathway out of the new house. In either case, it is best to go back to basics the 1st couple of weeks and treat potty training issues as if you are training a brand new, 8 week old puppy again. This means tight walk schedules, taking them out the same doorway so they learn the new pathway in this house, taking them out on a leash and walking with them in the yard and giving them a treat right there in the yard when they go. A little backtracking in this department can go a long way!
If barking is your issue, you first need to define the reason for the escalation in their vocalizations. For instance, are they barking at all the new sounds around the house, are they barking when they are left alone or maybe they seem to be a tad more protective in this new environment. Whichever the case may be, you must define the source of the annoyance bark before you may ever fix it. In most “new home” cases a re-socialization and familiarization with the new sights, sounds and general distractions is important. Bone up on your “Quiet” command and focus your training with relieving as much stress as possible.
And of course, a general flightiness or drop-off in basic command skills is quite common when a huge, life-altering change occurs such as a move. Help them get over the hump by having fun, basic-level practices each day and then start taking them on little trips around your new town to practice in new, distracting environments. Make these practices fun- not overwhelming, and help your pooch to understand that this move is a fun adventure, not a scary new beginning.
Of course, there are some dogs that will show symptoms of severe stress, separation anxiety and panic after a move. When this occurs, any number of extreme behavioral issues can begin. If you think your dog might fall into these categories please consult a trainer/behaviorist in your area right away so they can help you and your dog overcome these obstacles.
With a little added attention to the details, some help re-socializing your dog to his new surroundings and a few added comfort measures, your dog should be enjoying the new home with you in no time!
Best wishes,
Kim Mayes CDT, CTDI
