Transitioning Your Dog and Keeping Him
Safe in His Home
Congratulations on your new home!
If your family includes a canine (or three), planning ahead helps them to transition through the move to the new home and reduces their stress—and yours. Some dogs are completely chill and roll with any new adventure, bouncing back to their regular selves in no time. Other dogs require a little more TLC and encouragement to settle into their new environment and feel comfortable. Regardless of whether your dog’s a seasoned traveler or moved with you across the country or just around the block, planning ahead to ensure that you accommodate your pet’s worries and needs will make keep him calmer, less stressed, and safe. Ease the transition.
The following are some tips for easing your dog’s transition into your new home:
● If you’re moving to a neighborhood that’s close to your old home, take your dog to the new
‘hood to walk around and get used to the new scents.
● Be consistent with feeding times, exercise, playtime, and bedtime. If your old home had a
pet door, install one at your new place.
● Until it’s time to move, keep your dog’s routine as close to normal as possible, and once
you’ve moved to your new home, establish that new routine quickly.
● Have your pup’s favorite toys available at the new place right away. If your dog’s used to
eating in the kitchen, set up her bowls in the new kitchen.
● Stash treats throughout the house (where you don’t mind if your pup explores) to help him
learn the new layout and get used to the new home.
● If your dog’s not already crate trained, introducing a crate well in advance of your move is
a good idea. A crate provides a “den” or safe space for your dog to hang out when she’s
feeling stressed, needs some alone time, or just wants to chill. Cesar’s Way offers other helpful suggestions on moving with your dog, as does this article, which
includes tips from dog professionals on how to reduce your dog’s stress, especially if your move
takes you far away from the familiar. Pet proofing the new pad. If your home doesn’t have a fence, and your pooch is used to roaming around outside, think about
his security. HomeAdvisor says that the average price to install a chain link fence ranges between
$1,800 and $4,000. If your home does have a fence, conduct a thorough inspection to make sure
that it’s safe. Does the yard have vegetation? Make sure that you’ve verified there aren’t any plants that are
unsafe for pets to consume. The Pet Poison Helpline includes a list of the top 10 plants poisonous
to pets. Also, if the home’s original owners used mulch, verify that it’s not a toxic type. Cocoa
mulch, for example, contains chemicals that tempt dogs to give it a lick, but it’s quite poisonous. If
your pet has ingested something that you think might be poisonous, call the Animal Poison
Control Center at 888-426-4435. Conduct a room-by-room audit to identify and mitigate other potential pet dangers in your new
home.
● Bathroom/laundry room: Make sure you’ve locked away all detergents, dryer sheets, or
other chemicals from curious hounds.
● Living room: Does the new house have a fireplace you can’t wait to use? Make sure it’s
got some kind of screen to protect your pup from an unexpected singeing. Secure the
cords to drapes or curtains so your pet doesn’t accidently entangle and possibly strangle
himself.
● Kitchens: Think about how you’ll store garbage—under the sink or in a can with a lid that
closes? How will you store food (like chocolate, onions, raisins) that are toxic to dogs?
● Bedrooms: If your pooch likes to look out the window, make sure the screens are secure
and can’t be pushed out—no matter how much your pup really wants to see that squirrel
up close and in person!
● Garages and basements: Store all toxins, chemicals, and small parts (like screws and
other hardware) out of reach. Unplug any electrical equipment or tools when you’re not
using them. Dogs really are creatures of habit. New routines can cause your canine’s behaviour to change
because of her anxiety. By planning ahead, you’ll make sure your dog is both safe and less
stressed.
Cesar’s Way offers other helpful suggestions as does this article, average price to install top 10 plants poisonous to pets. Conduct a room-by-room audit
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