Relocating can be stressful for anyone, especially for people with families. A big move can be problematic for children, particularly if you are doing this in the middle of a school year.

The four-legged members of your family can find moving stressful, as well. Dogs can easily feel anxious and even scared when there are plenty of unexpected activities and noises in their home. You are also likely to encounter a few problems once you introduce your pet to a new environment.

Dealing with an anxious dog is the last thing you want to do while preparing for and during a move. Here are some tips that can make the experience less stressful and even fun for your furry pet:

Create a moving checklist for your dog.

Your pet may also have amassed plenty of possessions in your current home. Making sure you bring these or at least the most important ones is crucial in helping your dog transition to his new home faster.

Making a checklist ensures you won’t forget to pack all your pup’s items or the things that you need to bring.

Since creating a checklist means doing an inventory, this process can also help you identify which accessories or supplies you need to buy or top up.

If your pet’s portable kennel is damaged beyond repair or looks really worn, you need to buy a new dog crate in Dubai to ensure your pup will be comfortable and secure during travel.

If your dog food supplies are running low, you may want to get one or two bags to avoid running out of these on your first few days in your new home.

Try to stick to your routine with your dog.

Most dogs thrive on routines. They know they have to eat and go for a walk at particular times, and they expect to do these on the dot.

Preparing for a move can affect your pet’s regular schedule, which can make him feel anxious and that there is something awry.

Although you have plenty of things to do, try to stick to your dog care routine. Follow the usual schedule for feeding and taking him for his walks and his potty breaks. If you play fetch before dinner, do so even if it means taking a break from packing for half an hour or so.

Keep in mind that the more you stick to your pup’s routine, the better you will encourage them to view the move with curiosity and not anxiety.

Let your dog get plenty of exercise.

Another part of your pet’s routine that you should never skip on is helping him to get plenty of exercise.

Exercise is crucial for your pup’s physical and mental health. Additionally, a tired dog is a good dog, which means you will spend less time running after him.

More importantly, allowing your pet to expend some extra energy is a great way to keep his stress levels down and help him stay calm.

As such, try to add more minutes to the time you spend playing with or walking your pup. You can also ask a friend, relative, or neighbour to take him to a nearby park whenever you’re busy packing.

Familiarise your dog with moving supplies.

If your dog has separation anxiety and shows symptoms easily, any sign that you are going somewhere, such as a suitcase or clothes on the bed, can send him reeling quickly.

You can help your pet overcome his worries and stay calm before and during the move by helping him get used to the different moving supplies and activities.

Put the empty moving boxes around your home. Let your dog explore them at his own pace. You can place one or more of his favourite treats in the containers so he can associate these supplies and all related activities with rewards and fun.

Once your pet gets used to these boxes, start opening and moving them around the home. You can also begin packing to have more time completing this part of the pre-relocation process.

Set up a quiet place for your pet.

Messes are part of the pre-move process. There will be plenty of instances where you will leave boxes, packing tape, scissors, and other supplies are strewn over the place.

This mess can make it uncomfortable for your pet to move around. He will also make the cluttered room messier.

Additionally, the noise you make while working with packing paper and tape can also be uncomfortable for your pet.

Reduce the anxiety your pet is feeling by setting a quiet place far from where all the work is happening, where he can sleep and rest while you are busy.

Make sure this area has your pet’s bed or crate and some of his favourite things. These include his blanket, stuffed toys, chewing bone, and other items from your Dubai pet supplies store.

Take your pet away from all the action on moving day.

Lastly, moving day will be stressful not only for you but also for your pet. Anxious dogs tend to move around more and even get under your feet, which can be dangerous for him, you, and the movers, especially if you’re carrying heavy objects.

To avoid dealing with more problems on this important day, you will do well to get your pup away from all the hustle and bustle, even if he seems unfazed by all the action.

Ask your neighbour if you can leave your pet with them while the movers are going in and out of your house. You can also have a friend or relative take your pup to the park or in their home during moving day.

Another option would be to bring your pet to a boarding facility where he has been to and is comfortable staying.

You can also put your dog inside an empty room for a few hours. However, make sure he has a companion and his favourite toys and a few treats to keep him preoccupied and, at the same time, far away from the busy areas of your home.

Since you have plenty of things to do and worry about before and during your move, follow these tips to have a dog that behaves and is less troublesome during this important time of your life.

AUTHOR BIO:

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.