If possible, introduce your dog to the new neighborhood before the move, but in our case…it was on the other side of the U.S. of A!  Once we did get there though, we drove our best buddy to our new house, let him sniff around and took on-leash walks to check the sights, sounds and smells of his new ‘hood.

Day of the Move

We stayed at a relative’s home nearby until we purchased a home leaving most everything in storage after our road trip, so when we moved in…it was us and a few bags and boxes, and our furry child came right along. We then brought a carload from the storage system daily, so the chaos was kept to a minimum. If you have a real ‘moving day’ however, it might be helpful to have your pooch stay with a friend, go to doggy day care or other such option to not be underfoot and also to lessen the chance of escape with doors left open as furniture comes in.  Once you bring your pet to the house though, make sure his things are in place (crate, beds, cat tree, feeding bowls, etc.) including blankets from his old home that you have NOT laundered!  Yes, the ones with the comforting smells of home still on them!

Reestablish Good Habits Right Away

It’s likely some things will change in the new place, especially if you’ve switched time zones, but jump right into the new schedule like nothing happened. Still go for that 7 a.m. walk on-leash in your new location, even if feels like 4 a.m. to you and your dog.  Dogs are creatures of habit and routine, so keep consistent with walks, feeding time & location, grooming and playtime.  Your calm and confidence will keep your dog happy, and creating familiarity with important resources such as food, water, and bedding is vital.  Remember to be a good new neighbor, picking up after your pet and not letting him roam.  It’s for his safety too.

Initially, we secured Haiku in our master bed & bath suite when we left him home alone for short periods of time.  It allowed him to get used to his surroundings and made us sure we were dog-proofed.  For dogs comfortable in crates, their own personal den is always a good option.  After a few weeks’ time, once he knew his way around, we allowed our buddy the run of the main floor when we’d go out and continue to do so.

Do realize that it is not uncommon for pets to get freaked out while getting used to their new surroundings.  Your dog or cat may hide or worse, dart for an open door, so besides providing excellent supervision, immediately, update ID tags and microchip info.

Pay a visit to your new veterinarian for a check-up and to get your pet on file within a week of arrival.  If stress has caused any physical symptoms, you can nip them in the bud. This will also give you the opportunity to ask questions regarding the area, learn about dangerous indigenous plants and wildlife and feel good knowing your best friend has a new 2^nd best friend!

Pay attention and notice new behaviors as well as favorite spots your pet starts gravitating towards.  You can then make those spots more inviting (if appropriate) and also know where to look when you can’t find your best buddy.

Consider attaching bells near the door to teach your dog to communicate his need to go out. It’s fun way for him to get your attention.

The best thing however, you can do for your dog when you are moving to a new home is provide quality time with his favorite human…YOU!

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Can you build a backyard fence for your dog?

My Homeowner’s Association required a written proposal with estimates, pictures and schematic of where a backyard enclosure would go within their already stringent parameters.  I wanted everything to go smoothly so that my pooch could enjoy his new plot of land along with us, so I put together a bang-up presentation and was told it was the best they ever saw!  We got approval and are enjoying outdoor time together, but some things to consider are height (not just for your pet but can other animals jump into your fence), visibility from a major roadway or can you camouflage your pet with shrubbery for privacy and safety, will the fence be shared by another dog or can other’s approach and fence fight?  Always one more thing to consider.

Seek out dog-friendly locations
What did you and your pet enjoy doing together in your former neighborhood?  Hikes, doggie day care, visiting the local coffee shop where a barista would provide him a water bowl and treat?  Look for similar options in your new location, ask neighbors, find an app.

Create a New Health & Safety Team

In addition to your veterinarian, your pet needs other 2^nd best friends (you are always number 1).  Get recommendations from neighbors, your vet, the local animal shelter for groomers, trainers and even day care, but don’t forget to find a professional pet sitter!  One who is trained in pet first-aid and is more than just someone who loves pets, someone who truly knows how to care for them, knows what to do in an emergency and asks you all the important questions.  I found one in Christina Walker, Top Dog Pet Sitter.  A great place to start looking is www.GetARealPetSitter.com.

Stay alert to your pet and notice if, in spite of trying to make a smooth transition, he is truly not himself.  Give it a little time, but if he’s not bouncing back after his initial veterinary check-up, bring him in again just to be sure it is not something physical.

I’m pleased to say that my best buddy LOVES his walks, checking his p-mail and sniffing where the locals have paw printed before him.  Exploring our community has really made me take time to be in the moment with him while appreciating the beauty and change of seasons our new environment has to offer.  He has low windows in almost every room, which we never leave open unsupervised, but in his golden years, we are grateful for them as he lays, chin on sill, enjoying his views.  I think the screened porch is his favorite!  The pure joy we see in our dog fills our hearts.  While our journey always continues, the move is complete!

For a stress-free move with pets, consider using a pet checklist to help you stay organized and ensure their safety and happiness.

Please catch my VLOG on this topic:

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For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 31,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post On the Move with Your Best Friend: Settling into Your New Home Sweet Home appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

In the months prior to relocating, do your RESEARCH!

State & City Ordinances

• Learn how many pets are allowed per household in your new destination. Los Angeles County permits 4 without a kennel license, 3 in Burbank and my new town…the sky’s the limit!
• Find out if dogs must be registered with the local Animal Services. Many cities require an annual fee and proof of Rabies vaccine.
• Determine any breed or species restrictions. Ferrets and Sugar Gliders are illegal in California as they pose a threat to native wildlife. Thirty-six cities in Michigan have dog breed bans or legislation; 62 in Wisconsin, 30 in Arkansas, 90 in Ohio and that’s only scratching the surface.  Mostly banned are Pit Bulls, but many other breeds are as well, the list might surprise you. In cities with Breed Specific Legislation, dogs can be confiscated just for riding through, never even stepping paw on a surface!

Vaccinations, Health Concerns & Quarantine

Titer tests aren’t accepted everywhere. Something that wasn’t a concern (disease, venomous creatures) may be present in your new surroundings.  My Chow-Akita grew up in California where core vaccines included DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza & Parvovirus), however heading to a much wetter climate, I needed to protect him from Leptospirosis.  I read up and asked for referrals of veterinarians in the area (from my vet, potential pet sitters and anyone I knew in the Southeast).  I quizzed (eh, emailed) prospective veterinarians asking about the need to get the Lepto vaccine before we moved, and it turned into a most helpful exercise in determining which offices provided prompt, complete and informative feedback.  It gave me insight and a good, or not so good, opinion of each practice by the responsiveness, friendly manner and advice provided.  My research and instincts led me to a veterinarian who is taking excellent care of my dog, and she filled me in on potential wildlife concerns.

Mode of Transport

Road trip was our choice, so harness, seat belt and bed were the main accessories, but of course food and pet first aid kit accessible.  We allotted for potty breaks and leg stretches every 4 hours, and needed to identify pet friendly hotels, keeping in mind that “pet friendly” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. Some totally lacked grassy accommodations!  We found Holiday Inn Express to be welcoming in Barstow, California while a NO PETS policy existed in other cities.  Home2Suites was fabulous in Amarillo, Texas and as a rule La Quinta and Red Roof allow dogs, but call ahead to confirm weight and breed restrictions.

Flying a pet – NOT FOR ME, but if you must…
Plan to travel when weather is best to avoid delays and/or prevent your pet from sitting on the tarmac during heat or cold spells.  Small pets may fly underneath a plane seat, but medium to larger dogs must go with the cargo. Hundreds of thousands of dogs travel this way annually, but there are risks including temperature variations, items in cargo sliding around and misdirected pets.

• A baggage cart can save your back and keep you hands-free as you scurry through the airport with a large dog, while riding on wheels will prevent your smaller pet from the swinging caused when his crate is carried by the handle.
• Attach a tag to your pet and to the carrier, along with his Health Certificate, (in a manner that he cannot chew it off).  The tag should include the pet’s name, your name and destination address, cell phone and the name and address of an alternate person to contact in case you cannot be located.

Whether you decide to drive or fly, make arrangements well in advance, confirm and re-confirm. Overseas travel (even within the U.S. such as to Hawaii) requires lengthy quarantine periods, and some countries only allow one pet per passport.  If your destination is Australia, your pet may be released in 10 days but to Hawaii, the wait can be 4 months; Japan 6 months!  There are ways around this, but not without working as a team with your veterinarian months before departure starting blood tests, vaccinations and paperwork.  Failing to plan is planning to fail your best friend, so cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i.’

BEFORE YOU DEPART

Get a Vet Check

Even though you’ve discussed the move with your veterinarian, started blood work if needed and have learned about vaccinations and boosters, two-weeks prior to leaving, take your best buddy in for a checkup.  Obtain a printed copy and/or electronic version of all medical records along with a Health Certificate that states your pet is free from disease and has all necessary shots.  Keep these documents handy. I laminated the Health Certificate and kept it up front just in case we were stopped or asked questions at a rest area or hotel.

Practice Longer Car Rides

Although many pets love being in the car, most trips are short…to the dog park, veterinarian, groomer or even the drive-thru.  It was a 2,500-mile journey for our boy, so we started doing 90-minute trips to help acclimate him for longer periods on the road.

First-Aid Kit & Life-giving Water

Have what you need to handle a cut paw, bee sting or upset stomach!  Ginger snap cookies (the human kind) are my go-to treat 20 minutes before getting in the car, but liquid antacid (check with your vet) is good to bring along.  Bottled water from your local store should be packed as even in the nicest hotels, water varies from state-to-state.  Your go-to pet food brand might not be available on the road, so bring enough to get you through the first several weeks allowing time to locate or have it shipped.  Changing diet in the middle of all the other changes can be asking for diarrhea!

ID Tags

Attach tags to properly fitting collars with your new contact information including cell phone, and be double dog sure the wire ring holding the tags is secure and not poking your pet’s neck.  Update microchip information as soon as you have an address, and bring along a clear and current photo of your pet (showing any unique markings) in the event he goes missing.  Paws crossed that won’t happen!

Stick to a Schedule
In spite of chaos, stick to a routine, and remember…a tired dog is a good dog.  Keeping up with daily walks and exercise, feeding on schedule and taking a quiet time out together will do you both good!

Control Your Own Stress Levels

Life happens and not always as planned.  Water & power get shut off a day early, something gets left behind or breaks, you can’t get a cell signal on a remote stretch of highway.  I actually had to do a radio interview one morning from the road, so we looked for a place to pull over (to avoid traffic noise) in Nowheresville on the I-40.  Whatever happens, do not lose your cool around your pet. Smile, take deep breaths and remember that petting your dog is GRReat therapy for you both!

Catch my Video VLOG on this topic:

Read Part II here:

On the Move with Your Best Friend:  Settling into Your New Home Sweet Home

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For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 30,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post On the Move with Your Best Friend: The Months Prior & EmBARKing on Your Journey appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.