Moving to a new state and not sure how to help my doxies adjust
Both of my doxies tend to be anxious around uncertain situations. I’ve been packing for the past few days and Jaxon has literally been on my heels nonstop. I finally made him a home-made bed in one of my packing boxes to help him realize that I would be “packing” him up and taking him with me.
I’m worried that this whole thing might be traumatic. The movers coming in and taking all our thins, the long ride in the moving truck, and the chaos of unpacking in a strange environment. I plan to have their beds, foods, toys, and bones among the first things moved into the new place and to get them as settled as possible.
Any suggestions on how to help my little guys go through this without having a nervous breakdown?
Thanks!
Pipsqueak (Jaxon and Scamper)
October 8, 2008 @ 8:53 am
For what I can gather from watching Ceasar Millan on Dog Whispher, YOU can not show nerves or scared because THEY will pick up on it (and in turn display it). Being very strong and “acting” like everything is “normal” with the boxes and everything. When you first get there, go for a walk around the block or even around the backyard exploring…but on the leash walking beside you. It’s to show them that you, as pack leader, have brought them with you. Personally, I don’t know if it will work, but it’s worth a try. When we moved to our house from a duplex, they were a bit weirded out for a few hours then running around like normal. So, you may be worried for nothing like I was. I also played with them in their new fenced in backyard with a favorite activity.
October 10, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
Hey- I moved my whole brood all the way from Chicago to New York, and then again from an apartment to a big house. They all pulled through well! I did some things to make them realize the new place was “theirs”, like unpacking things that were fixtures in their old home quickly. I brought their old ratty bed and put it in a similar location, set out their bowls immediately in a similar spot, and put out their favorite toys. They are amazingly adaptive creatures, and the less you stress, the less they will. I just arranged for their first time in the new place to be quiet - no movers, etc. And I sat on the floor and waited for them to sniff it all out. If you need more advice, let me know!