Moving With a Dog: 7 Tips to De-Stress Your Move

7 Tips for Moving to Naples With a Dog - AJ Naples Realty Luxury Homes

If you’re like many pet parents moving with a dog – particularly if you’re buying a home for sale in Naples and moving from a significant distance away – you already know that it’s going to be stressful on everyone involved. But the good news is that you can make the whole process easier with these seven tips to de-stress your move.

Moving With a Dog: 7 Tips to De-Stress Your Move

Moving probably isn’t on your “Top 10 Things to Do” list – and it’s not on your dog’s, either. However, the following seven tips can make things easier on all of you:

Stick to your pup’s routine
Take walks in your new neighborhood before you move in
Make sure your dog gets extra exercise leading up to the big day
Provide mental stimulation for your dog
Create safe spaces for your pooch at both homes
Consider hiring a dog sitter on moving day
Take a long walk before you go into your new home

Here’s a closer look at each.

Tip #1 for Moving With a Dog: Stick to your pup’s routine

Your dog’s routine is very important to him, so it’s a good idea to stick to it as best you can leading up to your move. You’ll be able to minimize your pup’s stress if you keep to regular feeding times, play times and walks.

Tip #2 for Moving With a Dog: Take walks in your new neighborhood before you move in

It’s a good idea to let your dog get familiar with your new neighborhood before you move in. Try to take long walks in the area whenever you can before moving day; that way, she’ll become familiar with the territory, and slipping into a new routine will be easier on both of you.

Tip #3 for Moving With a Dog: Make sure your dog gets extra exercise leading up to the big day

Just like humans, dogs drop stress with exercise. That means leading up to moving day, it’s important that your pooch gets plenty of workout time in. Seeing boxes, watching you rush around and even sensing your stress can make your dog freak out a little bit – so that extra exercise will put him back on even footing and burn off energy that could otherwise turn into pre-moving jitters.

Tip #4 for Moving With a Dog: Provide mental stimulation for your dog

Mental enrichment is so important for dogs, and like exercise, it helps relieve stress. Bring your four-legged family member to the pet store to pick out a few new puzzles and interactive toys to keep her mind engaged in the weeks and days leading up to your move. Besides, mental stimulation is great for her short- and long-term mental health!

Tip #5 for Moving With a Dog: Create safe spaces for your pooch at both homes

Create a space for your pup to hang out while the movers are in both your current home and your new one. There will be movers coming in and out, and your dog definitely needs a place to chill and relax. If he has a kennel, make sure it’s available to him in both spaces.

Pro Tip: Make sure your dog is used to his kennel long before moving day. That way, getting in it to make the move won’t be tough on either of you.

Tip #6 for Moving With a Dog: Consider hiring a dog sitter on moving day

If you can, hire a dog sitter on moving day. There will be movers coming in and out, and the front door will most likely be open for most of the day. That can be a recipe for disaster with a stressed-out dog! You can pick up your dog on your way to your new home.

Tip #7 for Moving With a Dog: Take a long walk before you go into your new home

Let your pup stretch her legs with a long walk around your new neighborhood before you bring her in the house. The exercise will calm her and help her burn off excess energy, so she’ll be more open to encountering a new space calmly.

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