*Flashback to 1980 ....Nicole decides to help with the move by "packing" the family cat in to the back of the moving truck with all the furniture.  Said cat was very unhappy when we finally arrived at our new home...in fact, he never was the same.  Just rearranging the furniture would send him in to hiding for days.  Live, learn, and never let the 10 year old be in charge of moving the pets!

Make the move smooth for Fido!  

Moving into your new home is very exciting, for your entire family! But, moving your dog into a new home can be extremely stressful for them. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to make this transition easier on them, which in the end makes it easier on you!

When moving, if possible, it would be a good idea to leave the dog with a friend they know. This will keep the dog out of your way while you're moving furniture, and decrease the chance that any accidents happen. If you don't have that option, and your yard isn't fully fenced, then the ‘least worst’ scenario is to crate your dog while moving the furniture into the home. Make sure the crate is large enough that they can stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably, and be sure to give them access to water and let them outside to every few hours. Doors will be left open, items will be dropped, there will be a lot of commotion, and the best way to keep your pet safe during this time is to keep them out of the way!

Even the packing process can induce stress in your pet, so if you can, plan to pack over a longer period of time (slow change is good, Fido says!)  Besides, packing slower will probably reduce your stress level too!  Make sure that you pack their water and food bowls, toys, and blankets/beds in a separate box that will be easily accessible once you're at your new home. Dogs do not like change, so the more familiar the setting, the better! One easy trick is to make sure that they have belongings that smell like you, their people! Having a familiar scent in a strange place can make the transition easier. All you need to do is put their toys in your laundry hamper for a few days, and they'll smell just like you!! And don’t feel embarrassed, this is like the sweet smell of roses for your dog. These are as important to your dog as your child’s teddy bear is to them.

For more great tips on a successful move with your pet, please visit The Humane Society of the United States.

Housetraining is always a big issue, and even well-trained dogs may not know where to ‘go’ in a new home. When you bring them to your new house, make sure that they are taken into their designated potty area. It may sound silly, but it's always a good idea to reward them with praise, so that they know they did something good!  You'll want to keep en eye on them to make sure that they are able to find the back door (or front door depending on the home) whenever necessary.

For puppies, you'll want to be extra diligent. You still want to show them where the door is, and give them lots of praise (and maybe a treat!) when they go where they should. Be sure to let them outside as often as possible, especially immediately after they eat, wake up, and every 10-15 minutes during playtime! There will be accidents, no puppy is perfect (adorable yes, perfect no!), so be patient and keep it positive!

Another point to keep in mind is that a puppy can ‘hold it’ for approximately 1 hour for every month they are old. For example, a puppy that is only 2 months old, can generally ‘hold it’ for approximately 2 hours at a time! This may not apply to every puppy, as they are just as different from each other as we are from other people, but it does give you an idea of what to expect.

For other great tips on housetraining your pet, please visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  or The Humane Society of the United States.