In the below video the heart-wrenching scene visible gives an insight into how dogs experience moving. This change can be burdensome for them as well, so it is important that as guardians we try to ease the stress that comes with the change of environment – in the following we also brought some tips for this.

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Moving can be burdensome both physically and emotionally, and the latter aspect extends also to the household pets. The flat which until then meant home and safety suddenly completely transforms, becomes empty, the familiar objects and smells disappear from it… And to the new place still one must get used. This transitional state is not simple for anyone and in every case takes time until everyone acclimatises to the new situation. The process itself, however, is not easy, especially if we go through it together with our favourite. What is more, it can have truly heart-breaking moments too. One of these is the saying goodbye, the farewell from the previous home, of which we can be witnesses by watching the following video.

Moving With A Dog

The dog appearing in the video is named Whiskey, who as for their breed is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Whiskey does not possess their guardian’s heart as the only favourite; they share it with two cats and another dog, yet on the day of saying goodbye only the two dogs accompanied the owner. Whiskey’s reaction was much more intense of the two, when they said farewell to their old home. The dog whimpered, walked uncertainly, almost searchingly in the empty house, then stopped in front of the entrance of the basement, waiting for their owner to let them down. This was their favourite place, but seeing the emptiness, Whiskey looked around confusedly, sniffing the places of the objects familiar to them.

Their owner, even despite her occupation, was taken by surprise by their dog’s intense reaction. Amber Aquart is namely a certified dog trainer and pet behaviour expert, so they are aware that certain dogs are especially affected by moving, yet they did not expect that their own favourite would also be touched by the sight of the empty house.

I did not expect that it would especially interest them, since we have always travelled with them [...]. I did not expect at all that they would react like this.

Perhaps Whiskey’s Reaction Is Not So Unexpected

Although their owner indeed was surprised by the four-legged’s reaction, if we think about it, it is not strange at all that a dog is touched so much by the sight of their previous, newly emptied home. Even if basically they are accustomed to travelling and frequent environmental change. These experiences indeed can help in that they feel comfortable sooner in the new place, but not necessarily in that they “let go easily” of their previous home. Dogs love stability, and the previous house meant a stable point, their own territory, calmness. It is quite possible that in their understanding moving also was another adventure, thus they became confused when they arrived home and their home was no longer as before. For them not the getting used to the new place is the greatest challenge, but that they will not return to the old house anymore.

Some Tips For A Successful Move

As we already promised at the very beginning, we collected some useful tips for the case when in a dog-keeping household moving comes up. One of the most important is that as much as possible, the daily routine should remain. Obviously this is not simple, since besides the packing and all-day administration even the tiredness following from these can be a hindering factor, yet for our pets it is very important that the basic daily schedule points do not change too drastically compared to the usual. Thus, some degree of stability remains in the dog’s life.

In addition, if the possibilities allow, it is worth accustoming the dog to the tools used for packing too, thus the situation perhaps will be less stressful for them. Many also recommend that – when it is safe – one involves the dog in the process of packing as well, provided that the four-legged shows interest. With this hopefully the stress coming with the packing can be reduced. Completing this it is also very important that in the midst of the commotion the dog has the possibility to withdraw to a calm place.

Besides all these, it is worth visiting the future home, or at least its surroundings – even several times – before moving, thus the dog can get acquainted with the smells and sounds there.

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