Dog Trainer Tips to Help Your Pooch Adjust to Moving House

Moving to a new house is sure to be stressful for both you and your dog. Trainers say that whether you’re relocating down the street or to a different Jacksonville neighborhood, you may need to help your furry friend become fully comfortable in your new Florida home.

To help you avoid issues and set your pooch up for success, use dog gates to block off areas of your home that aren’t pet safe. Beyond that, try these tips from the experienced dog trainers at Unleash Fido.

Create a Comfortable Retreat

Before you bring your four-legged family member into your Jacksonville home, dog trainers suggest setting up a space just for them. By creating a cozy refuge, you’ll give your beloved pet a place to withdraw when they feel stressed.

But, experienced dog trainers advise against buying new pet gear when you move. Your dog will feel more at ease with their old bed, crate and toys and with rugs, blankets and pillows that smell familiar. For the same reason, refrain from getting rid of any pieces of furniture that your tail-wagger loves, at least for now. 

Continue Your Regular Routine

As any professional dog trainer will tell you, dogs tend to like predictable schedules. Sticking to your previous routine be difficult when you move, but do what you can to keep things consistent for your furry friend, as that will help reduce their stress.

To that end, aim to provide a sense of normalcy. If you used to feed your pooch when you at dinner at your former Florida home, for example, continue doing so at your new house. Dog trainers recommend keeping walks and play sessions around the same times as before, too – and now isn’t the time to try out a new collar or harness.    

Provide Plenty of Attention

You always give your dog heaps of loving attention, and you don’t expect that to change just because you’re moving to a different Florida neighborhood. Why wouldn’t you want to take walks, play, and hang out with your furry friend?

Well, when you move to a new home, you can easily become overwhelmed with the unpacking and all of the work that needs to be done. And while you may think you’d never skip your dog’s walk or forget about playtime, that could happen. To keep your tail-wagger happy, commit to spending quality time together every day.

Keep Visitors to a Minimum

Chances are, you’re going to be excited about sharing your new Jacksonville home with your loved ones. But according to experienced dog trainers, inviting lots of people over right after you move can be a stress inducer for your pooch.

Instead, start with just one or two people your dog already knows, such as your parents or a good friend. You can have others visit, too, but don’t invite the neighbors inside just yet. Adjusting to a new environment is stressful enough for your four-legged family member, and your meeting anyone new right now could be overwhelming. 

Reduce Stressful Triggers

You might not notice when you’re moving, but your new house has a plethora of different smells, sounds and sights. As such, your furry friend could become overstimulated, and anxiety could affect their ability to adjust.

Minimizing potential stressors can help your tail-wagger get acclimated to their new surroundings. Professional dog trainers suggest using a white noise machine or playing music to mask sounds, and for visual triggers, covering the windows or blocking access to certain areas can be effective. 

Explore the Neighborhood

Getting to know your new Jacksonville neighborhood can be fun for both you and your pet. However, experienced dog trainers recommend exploring the streets, parks and unfamiliar areas gradually, not all at once.

Encountering too many strange and unusual things at the same time could make your dog feel stressed – and your new neighborhood is likely to have sights and sounds they’ve never come across. And though it should go without saying, be sure to keep your dog on a leash whenever you’re out and about.

Be Patient & Understanding

After you move, your tail-wagger will need time to adjust. Best case scenario, this may take a few days or weeks – but sometimes, dogs need several months to settle in and get comfortable with their new surroundings.

Remember that your four-legged family member is likely anxious about the move, and be empathetic to their situation. Practice patience and compassion, but if you notice any troubling behavioral changes, getting in touch with a professional dog trainer may be the best way to alleviate your pooch’s stress.

Talk to a Professional Dog Trainer

While you can’t completely eliminate the stress of moving for your beloved pet, you can take steps to make the situation easier. And if your pooch doesn’t seem to be adapting to your new home, the experienced dog trainers at Unleash Fido can help.

From private lessons and dog board-and-train boot camps to basic and advanced obedience training, Unleash Fido offers a range of programs to meet the needs of pet parents in Jacksonville and the surrounding Florida area. Our dog trainers use positive reinforcement and rewards-based strategies to teach new skills and modify behaviors, and we work with all ages and breeds.

For more on what Unleash Fido has to offer – or for a free consultation to discuss your move with one of our professional Jacksonville dog trainers — contact us today.