How to retrain your dog when you move house
Most puppies are slow with their first training routine, but they soon catch on and learn a set of expected training commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘basket’.
Toilet training a puppy might have taken a ‘wee’ while longer (sorry about the pun) but as time passes an adult dog is capable of keeping to an established toileting programme. However, when a house move is on the cards, the whole business can be scary and stressful for consenting adults, for a pet dog it is worse; they pick up on their owner’s emotions and worry if they are the cause of this turmoil.
Top tips:
While you are moving your stuff into the removal van, place your pet in an empty bedroom with his favourite toy, dog bed and one of your old jumpers to give him the same smell of reassurance that you did when he was a puppy. Leave his dog bowls nearby as well.
A dog should travel with you in the back of your car to his new home. To help him to feel confident, take him for a walk around the block and give him time to relieve himself.
On reaching your new home, let him look around the house and garden while at the same time praising him in a warm lovable tone that he is used to. Do not shout, smack or rub a dog’s nose into any unwanted puddles once you have moved home, hitting him will increase his level of anxiety.
It is hard to give personal one to one time with a pet until you have placed all your possessions in position; however, a quick walk around the block will help your dog to establish the smells of his new surroundings, at the same time you will feel better for having a break from unpacking the endless number of boxes.
