Pack Your Bags and Your Pets
Preparing for a move? I know your to-do list is long and your free time is short. I know you're concerned about how the move will affect your pets. Here's some guidance for moving with pets.
Start a simple calming routine now.
Play Through A Dog's/Cat's Ear as often as you can. First play it during your pet's mealtimes and nap times so they associate it with calm behavior. Next, start playing it while you work, scroll through your phone, or cook. Play it while you pack. Play it in your new home as well. This music can be a comforting and familiar sound in an unfamiliar place.
Consider placing an Adaptil DAP collar on your dog or plug in a Feliway diffuser for your cat. The Adaptil DAP collar and the Feliway diffuser have the respective synthetic pheromones from nursing dogs and cats. These calming pheromones may give your pet a leg up during this stressful time.
Train Place.
Teach your pets to stay on a bed when asked. A rock solid stay on a bed makes the bed an invisible crate. This can keep pets out of way while you pack. Practice Dr. Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol while your pet stays on his/her bed. The Relaxation Protocol only takes between 5 - 8 minutes a day. It teaches your pet to remain seated with distractions. Very useful for moving!
If you have already crate-trained your pet, well done! If you are playing catch up, I recommend Susan Garrett's Crate Games Videos. A crate is a safe place to keep pets while the front door opens and closes.
Outsource Pet Sitting.
Arrange for your pets to stay at a friend's house, go to daycare, or board during your move. You don't have to bring your pet to your new home as soon as the moving truck has left. Take time to unpack and set up a room or two before bringing your pet to his/her new home. This may take a few days and that's OK!
Read last week's blog post, Welcome Home Plans for Dogs and Cats, before bringing your pet into your new home.
Need more support during this stressful time? I developed my Patriotic Pets package for folks moving into/away from the Washington DC metropolitan area. It's also suitable for other relocations as well. Welcome home!