Moving, how will it affect our dog?

[elektrasmom]

Hello,
We have a 13 month old Lab mix and we will be moving to a new house in the next few months. What are some suggestions for a successful move? Also, is there anything that we should watch out for? Behaviors that might arise?

Also, any suggestions for going from carpet to hardwood with a dog? Should I prepare myself for lots of scratches??

Elektrasmom

 

[Sweet72947]

Our hardwood has lots of scratches on it, but you can't see them unless you get down on your hands and knees and put your face five inches from the floor.

 

[Lizmo]

We have hardwood floors in our hallway, but I've never noticed any scratches.

Are you moving to a place you can visit with your dog before you move? If so, I'd recommend you bring the dog over to the new house and take a short (or long, which ever you prefer) walk near the house then, if possible, introduce the dog to his new yard.

During the actual move, make SURE the dog is in a crate or kennel outside. That NO ONE can/would open. You're going to have many people in and out of your house along with doors being closed and opened constantly. But, also make sure that you take him out to relieve himself often and play a game of tug or ball for a few minutes to take some of the "stress" off him - with lots of new people/cars/boxes moving around, he's bound to be a bit stressed. Which can cause loose stool or throwing up.

If possible, try not to add any new foods (whether dog food or "people" food) during or after the move for a while. With moving stress you wouldn't want him to have the added "bonus" of having an upset stomach.

 

[SizzleDog]

I'm a college student, so I've done a lot of moving. My dogs usually take it in stride.

But, when I move I always set their crates up first - so they have somewhere familiar to go to if they get overwhelmed. They also get "moving gifts" - usually toys and a few new chewies, to help them keep their minds off the move itself.

I also make sure to introduce them (and myself) to the neighbors straight away, since new dogs in a community are sure to make some of the longtime residents nervous or apprehensive... might as well show everyone how well behaved my dogs are from Day One!

As for hardwood floors... are your dog's nails long? If they are, expect scratches. If they're short, I'd get used to filing or dremeling them down - blunt edges are less likely to scratch the wood. My parents have hardwood floors that are over 100 years old, and I always do a good job dremeling my dogs' nails before I visit, as a courtesy. Also, watch out for heavy toys and bones - they'll make dents in the wood if dropped.

 

[bubbatd]

My hardwoods are old--- scratches don't show ...if they are polyester finish , expect scratches . Make sure that the dog visits before the move ,,,,,marking may occur . When I moved here both my male and female marked once . Vet said that they were leaving their scent so I could find them !!

 

[Barb04]

Our front hallway has wood floors and when the dogs walked in, the scratches were there.

 

[Miss Jack]

I bought a new blanket and slept with it in my bed for a week. And resisted the temptation to wash Jacks old blanket. The 1st night in the new house I put both blankets in Jacks bed so however the rest of the house smelt to Jack his bed smelt of him and me.