Advice needed: We are moving next week!

[delila]

I was hoping that you all could give me some advice on how to move without streesing the dogs out too much?

I think they know that something is going on. We have been packing up a lot of things, and throwing a lot of things away - and they seem to know something is going on.

My goal is to make this as easy and comfortable as posible.

We are only moving 20 minutes away - so travel really shouldn't be an issue.

We move on Thursday of next week (6/20). I rented a moving truck for the day wendsday and thursday - hoping to have everything packed the night before.

The day we move, I plan to leave the dogs crated for much of the day while we move - and bring them last.

Does that sound good? Is there anything I could be doing to make this less stressful for them? What should I expect as far as behaviour after we are in our new home?

Thanks in advance :)

[godfreyc]

delila,
I've moved with my dogs twice, they do get a little stressed but they can't help it. As long as you already have a fence that will go a long way. I find that taking them last is best, and before I bring them I throw a few of their toys around the new place. Try walking all or some of them in their new neighborhood before you make the final leap. And as always lots of attention and a few treats always makes things better. Mine always wanted to be outside a little more initially to get a feel for the place and establish themselves. They also barked a little more. With a brood the size of your's I'd keep an eye out for marking in my new house too ;) Congrats and enjoy.

[delila]

We planned on having their new room set up and ready to go for them. I plan to have their crates set up and all by the time they get there too.

I think I will stop on my way home today and pick up some marrow bones - that always seems to make them happy :)

[TrishB]

And it will help that they're already comfortable with their crates. Try to leave them out for them. They're familiar to them and you may find them spending some more time than usual in there for the first little while. Also, if you can keep as much as possible to your routine, that would be great. It tends to help them stay at ease when they know that not *everything* is changing... ;)

Good luck on your move and congrats on your new home! :D

[delila]

Thank you very much, we are very exited about the new house :)

The yard is already fenced in - so we don't have that to worry about :)

I am taking vacation time from June 19 - 28 so that I can help them adjust, plus I need some time off :)

[godfreyc]

delila,
In addition to adjusting I don't know about your house but when we move if I didn't take time off the kitchen would never get unpacked (uuuggghhh) But it's fun when your putting stuff away in the house you just bought ;)

[thoradopter]

Congratulations on your move. I remember when you were looking for a home with lots of space for your 'family'. That you have a fenced yard is great. Maybe if it's very hot next week, you might want to have a kiddie pool ready for them to cool of in- and they'll think your new digs are great fun.

We recently moved a distance of about 20 mins from one small house to a very large farmhouse with lots of land (but the dogs can only run loose in a fenced in paddock... with no horse). Our move took 2 days also and we chose to spend the first night in our old house with our 2 dogs, then moved them on day 2 with their crates. I had brought our 9 yo chocolate lab to visit before the move. Our 1 yo rottie Phoenix had not been there previously- he did choose to scent mark on the oriental carpet in the dining room. We did get marrow bones as welcome presents and spent lots of time with them the first 5 days. They, and we, are very happy in our new home.

Your plans sound fine and I hope all goes well. Please let us know how your clan did.

Linda

[delila]

I will definately let you know how it goes! I am sure we will take tons of pictures.

If you all would like to tour our house, you can find it at:

www.yhd.com

The virtual tour number id D2775 :)

[delila]

You can also see it here:
http://www.yhd.com/asp/tab/buyers/st.../yhd16319.html

[laurlitt]

What a nice house... I'm jealous!!! It's so hard to find property in Southern CA.

As for moving w/ the dogs... Our dogs have each lived in 5-6 different homes (w/ us) in their 4 years of life so they are lucky and adapt real easily (I think I take that for granted!).

The one issue I've had is that even though they are house broken they need to realize that this is their new home (not a place to potty)... I've had accidents on the first day when I noticed Blaise left me a package in my soon to be new bedroom... They need to be shown the routine of where the door to go outside is and then shown where you want them to go 'potty' if they should go in a special place. It can especially be a problem if animals lived in the house prior to you and the dogs like to 'mark'.

If your dogs are stressed out I would feed them a bit less than usually or maybe not feed them at all on the first day there so they don't get upset tummies.

Good Luck W/ the move... It's about time for us to move again... we move about once a year... We have not been in the same home for more than 1 Christmas in a row for the last 7 holidays... The one good thing is that we don't collect a lot of junk b/c we are constantly throwing stuff out!

[LORHEL]

Congratulations again, Stephanie! Can't wait to see pictures once you get settled in. I am sure all the babies will love their new home...:D

[Burnsway]

What a really nice house delila...You are going to love having a new place. Nice size lot too. We just looked in a neighborhood where they build what you want and you can take up to 2 150 X 150 lots. Can't have more then 2 lots though...lol I asked....LOL!!

You are going to love those wood floors. Now don't you wish that big screen Tv came with the house....:D

[animalhouse]

What a great house!! I'm sure you and yours will be very happy there

[Miabella]

I would second what laurlitt said about potty habits. We just moved to a new house at the beginning of April. The new place has an unfinished basement, and our previous house did not have a basement at all. My usually 100% housebroken dog decided to pee on the cement floor in the basement right in front of me on the first day. I truly believe that she thought it was not considered part of the house.

So I curbed that problem by cleaning it up with Nature's Miracle and then feeding her dinner in the basement for a few days. No more accidents!

[delila]

Originally posted by Burnsway
You are going to love those wood floors. Now don't you wish that big screen Tv came with the house....:D

Actually, my parents are giving us their big screen TV because they have a new one - movie watching will never be te same :)