Pack Your Bags and Your Pets
Preparing for a move? I know your to-do list is long and your free time is short. I know you're concerned about how the move will affect your pets. Here's some guidance for moving with pets.
Before the Move
1. Start a Simple Calming Routine Now
Play Through A Dog's/Cat's Ear as often as you can. First play it during your pet's mealtimes and nap times so they associate it with calm behavior. Next, start playing it while you work, scroll through your phone, or cook. Play it while you pack. Play it in your new home as well. This music can be a comforting and familiar sound in an unfamiliar place.
Consider placing an Adaptil DAP collar on your dog or plug in a Feliway diffuser for your cat. The Adaptil DAP collar and the Feliway diffuser have the respective synthetic pheromones from nursing dogs and cats. These calming pheromones may give your pet a leg up during this stressful time.
2. Train Place
Teach your pets to stay on a bed when asked. A rock solid stay on a bed makes the bed an invisible crate. This can keep pets out of way while you pack. Practice Dr. Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol while your pet stays on his/her bed. The Relaxation Protocol only takes between 5 - 8 minutes a day. It teaches your pet to remain seated with distractions. Very useful for moving!
If you have already crate-trained your pet, well done! If you are playing catch up, I recommend Susan Garrett's Crate Games Videos. A crate is a safe place to keep pets while the front door opens and closes.
3. Visit and Explore
Walk through your new neighborhood with your dog. Sit on a bench outside or in an apartment lobby and feed your dog as s/he watches the world go by. Ask your dog to potty where you want your dog to potty after the move. If allowed, go into your new home before moving day for short visits.
4.. Change the Batteries
Before you bring your pets into your new home, make sure the smoke/carbon monoxide detector batteries have been changed. That beeping noise could give your pet a negative first impression of your new home.
5. Project Management
Make a management plan to set your pets up for success. If your dog barks when s/he sees things through windows, cover windows with vinyl film before bringing your dog to your new home. Do the same for your cat if s/he is likely to see outdoor cats through the window.
If letter carriers trigger your dog to bark, consider moving the mailbox farther away from your front door. Put a note on the front door for delivery folks to leave packages without knocking. If your new place has a Ring camera, set the doorbell to stay silent and only alert you on your phone. Don’t forget to play Through a Dog’s/Cat’s Ear to attentuate outside sounds from your new neighborhood.
Moving Day
1. Outsource Pet Sitting.
Arrange for your pets to stay at a friend's house, go to daycare, or board during your move. You don't have to bring your pet to your new home as soon as the moving truck has left. Take time to unpack and set up a room or two before bringing your pet to his/her new home. This may take a few days and that's OK!
2. Potty First
Make sure your dog potties before going into your new home. New places can be a bit disorienting for dogs. Make sure to give your dog extra potty breaks during this transition.
3. Slow is Smooth
Your pets may prefer to stay in one or two rooms for a few days rather than explore your entire home. Use food puzzles to keep your pets busy while you unpack. As your pets become curious about other rooms in your home, scatter food to encourage more exploration. Remember, your pet sets the pace. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
We hope this guidance sets you and your pets up for success come moving day. These same tips can also be used whenever you are travelling to vacation rentals or friend’s/familiy’s homes with your pets. A happy trails plan makes for happy tails.