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Preparing your house for a pet

May 04, 2018
Preparing your house for a pet

When you’re preparing to leave your old home to move into your new build home, it’s important to try to be as relaxed as possible. Your dog will pick up on your emotions and you want them to be remain calm. You don’t want them feeling hyper or stressed. To help them with the transition, take a look at our top five tips:

1.Pack their area last

Whether they have a whole room in your old home or just a small corner, try to keep things as they are for as long as possible.Only pack away their bowls, toys, blankets and other belongings once everything else in your home is packed. Their bed should fit into your car easily and you may want them to have access to it during the journey. You shouldn’t try to wash their blankets before the move. The familiar scent will bring comfort to your dog in their new surroundings.

2.Ask a friend for help

On moving day, you’ll have a lot on your mind so it makes sense to ask a friend to look after them if they can.If you don’t have anyone to help, perhaps consider putting your dog in kennels or employing a dog sitter.

 

3.Stick to your routine

Dogs thrive off routine, so from day one in your new home you should try to stick to the same meal time routines, walk times and bed times. It can be a good idea to limit how many rooms they have access to, at least in the beginning, to prevent unwanted chewing or accidents that you don’t want. You can put up safety gates and shut doors to do this. A calming spray or plug-in can stop your dog from feeling anxious. Dogs can benefit from having a dog crate that they can retreat to when they want time on their own, especially when in a new environment. They might regress with their toilet training, but it’s important to keep putting them out and not get annoyed. If they do spray in the house, you’ll want to clean it up straight away and remove the odour.
 
 
Ensure your new garden is secure before you let your dog outside off the lead, and it can be a good idea to get an area fenced off for your dog to use for toileting.As you explore your new neighbourhood you should find plenty of other dog owners and their four legged friends. Why not join them on walks or ask for recommendations if you’re new to the area?

 

5.Give them extra love

If your dog is feeling insecure in their new home they might bark more than normal and seem out of sorts, so give them lots of cuddles and attention. Most people find it takes their dogs a few days to settle into a new home but every dog is different. If your dog usually sleeps downstairs, try to keep this going in your new home. If you let them sleep on your bed, they’re going to want to do this every night, so stay strong. Keeping your dog confined to one room or a crate when unsupervised, can help prevent any destructive behaviour. You don’t want your new flooring or furnishings getting damaged.
 
 
 

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