Moving the weens to the new house.....

[Tex]

I wanted to ask if anyone has any particular advice for getting the weens comfortable in the new house. I've moved with Julie 3 times now, and the latest time we had Jax too, but most of that has been from one apartment to another in the same complex, so several things stayed the same for them (i.e. their walkies, where they go potty, etc.)

The good thing is the pups are used to their crate, which will obviously stay the same (I'll keep the same blankies and stuff in there, maybe add a t-shirt that smells like one of us....). I want to take them with us over there as many times as we may go before we actually move. Let them run in the yard a little, get familiar with smells, you know the drill.....

So I guess I'm just asking for any and all other advice from anyone who has moved pups to a completely unfamiliar environment. I want to make the transition for them as easy as possible. Thanks in advance!!!

[Alex's Mom]

I think you're absolutely on the right track,Tex. As long as they have stuff that smells familiar, and that they're used to (esp. their crates), they'll settle in fairly quickly. (When I was having my last house built, I had to live in a cottage for 3 months because my first house sold really quickly...Alex wasn't much more than a puppy, and Maxe had never moved before. Alex was OK as long as I was nearby, but Maxe was pretty stressed out, until I put her pillow on the bed we'd be sleeping in...then she just hopped up, curled up on her pillow and looked at me as if to say "Well, as long as my pillow's here and mom's here, it'll be OK". I actually lived in my new house for the last three weeks of construction cuz I had to vacate the cottage for new renters, and the dogs were fine, even with no furniture and lots of activity around them. I think the other part of the secret is to keep as close to their normal schedule as possible. It's not always easy when you're settling in and unpacking, but it keeps them happier. Oh yeah...they were also very "involved" in unpacking ... they seemed to take great comfort in seeing the usual house stuff emerging from the boxes. Most helpful too

I think you're on the right track, and it'll go fine...esp. with that great yard for them to run around in!

[Linus]

I've moved with B a couple of times, and am about to again but he still wigs out when he sees me packing. I just make sure that his toys and food are the last things out and the first things in.

Good luck! Enjoy the house! :cheer2:

[Tex]

I've moved with B a couple of times, and am about to again but he still wigs out when he sees me packing. I just make sure that his toys and food are the last things out and the first things in.

Good luck! Enjoy the house! :cheer2:

Good reminder Lins! Thanks!

Hey Paula, I can totally see the weens helping us "unpack".......not sure what they'll do with bubble wrap for the breakable stuff.....that should be interesting. I'll have to remember to get pics!

[Alex's Mom]

Good reminder Lins! Thanks!

Hey Paula, I can totally see the weens helping us "unpack".......not sure what they'll do with bubble wrap for the breakable stuff.....that should be interesting. I'll have to remember to get pics!

Well, if they're anything like my two were, they'll curl up on it and supervise in comfort

[Kasianni]

I am moving into a new house in at the end of June too...All this was decided within one week!! Very sudden, have tons to do..Do not want to stress Mika too much. I live in an apt now with not much of a yard so now Mika will have her own to run around in! :banana:

[K2]

Pack a special bag of the pup's things(last)so they'll see that they are coming, too. Have they been to see the place? If possible, bring something familiar that would be there when they see the place. A favorite toy is a good idea. And try to keep their schedule as close to the old one as possible. And on moving day, have someone watch them if possible. It just makes things easier for everyone. That way, they can come in and see all the familiar things in their new home! Good luck!!

[Tex]

See that's what I was thinkin' too......maybe have the weens stay at my friend's apartment while we do the bulk of the moving. They are comfortable there, and would have human and doggy company. They have been to the house once, Jax marked one of the front flower beds, and I want to take them out there as many times as possible before we actually move in.

[Jen]

We will take a fave toy of Tasha's the first time she sees the new place - empty. And one of us will take her out walkies while the other deals with the movers. But really most dogs are quite adaptable and once Tasha came back into the new place and saw the couch and table and bed she got used to it quite quickly. Within 2-3 days she knew the walkies routes and was marking everything in the park. She did not like the nightly packing pre-move though. It made her very nervous.

[samandissy]

I was more worried about Sam and the cats running away and being in a new neighborhood. I didn't have Isabella then. I boarded the cats just because I didn't want them stressing anymore than necessary so they stayed at a nice quiet air conditioned place. Sam was no problem at all. Loved the new place, didn't try to go exploring without me and I was just very lucky. Some great advice here. I really agree with having their stuff waiting for them when they get there. Did I tell you I was happy for you?:banana: