What to do if your dog is acting strange months after moving to a new home?

Most people take a while to adapt to a new home when they move. Adapting can be tricky. However, it is not hard to find something you like about your new neighborhood. Even if it isn't evident at first, you can motivate yourself to explore and find something you will enjoy. Or perhaps you can develop new and exciting habits and hobbies that can bring some adventure into your routine. Unlike humans, our canine friends might need a little help adjusting to their new home. Sometimes it can take a bit more time than you would have expected for them to get used to the new home. Therefore, we will give you some tips on what to do if your dog is acting strange months after moving to a new home.

Preparing your dog for the move

If you haven't moved yet, you can do a few things to prepare your pet for the relocation.

Here is what you can do in the days leading up to the move:

• Talk to your vet – there might be medicine that you can give your dog to help him better cope with the anxiety and stress of moving.
• Stick to your routine – you probably feed and walk your dog at similar times each day, but this is especially important in the days leading up to the move. After the relocation, you should do your best to keep up the routine you have set up.
• Visit your future home together – if you are going to be moving locally, it will go a long way towards helping your dog adjust if it can get familiar with its new home in advance. Pay a visit or two and play in the yard together. Your four-legged friend will have some happy memories built up about your new home even before the move. On the other hand, if you are moving long-distance, be sure to avoid some common mistakes.

Moving with your pet

On the very day of the move, there are a few things you can do to make life easier for your pet. If you are moving long-distance with your pet, you should know that there is a proper way to complete this task. The basics come down to keeping your dog away from the action and the chaos to let the movers do their job. Ask a friend to look after your pet while the movers are there; it will make things go smoother and faster.

Things to do after the move

Once you have moved into your new home, you want to help your dog settle in as soon as possible. We have already mentioned sticking to the exact times for walks and meals. Also, during the first days in the new home, spend as much time as you can with your dog. Spending time together will help your dog feel loved, and it will quickly get excited about the new environment. Finally, have your pet's dishes and beds be in the same relative positions as they were in your old home.

Why animals act out

Animals can get anxious and depressed just like people. It can be even more challenging for them because pets lack the means to communicate and express themselves precisely. Empathizing with your dog isn't hard. If you have ever been homesick, you will know what they are feeling. The downside is that pets don't understand the reasons for the move. You might be excited about that promotion you got, and moving to a new city can feel like a fresh start. Unlike you, dogs don’t understand jobs or promotions or any other reason to relocate. They can only be sad or confused that things have changed.

How to treat your dog’s behavior

Preparing in advance is all well and good, but what to do if your dog is acting strange months after moving to a new home? There are a few things you can do to help your dog get accustomed to the move, even well after the relocation is over:

1. Spend time with your dog.

Time is our most valuable resource, and nothing beats quality time spent with your loved ones. Make sure you are energetic and enthusiastic, and your dog will surely pick up on it. Get into a playful mood, both inside the home, and when you go for walks, it is bound to cheer up your pet.

1. Exercise

Ask any doctor about the best natural remedy for depression, and the answer is always the same – exercise. Things aren’t much different when it comes to dogs. Go for a lot of walks with your furry companion. Firstly, it helps your pet get familiar with the neighborhood, and secondly, walks will tire him or her out. And although keeping your dog active during the pandemic might be hard to organize, there are heaps of activities you can do together.

1. Time with other dogs

Check to see if there are any doggy daycare facilities in your area. Organize play dates and time with other dogs. It will let your pet connect with other canines and get exhausted by playing with them.

1. Have unwashed items from your old home

It would be great if you didn't wash your dog's favorite toys and blankets before the move. Keeping the smell of your old home around will help your pet adapt to the new surroundings. If you have already washed everything, remember who currently lives in your old home. Perhaps they can help? If you moved out of your parents' place with your dog, ask them if they have an old T-shirt of yours or anything that carries that familiar smell.

1. Reinforce positive behavior

Your dog constantly looks at you and can sense how you are feeling. Hiding doubts and insecurities about the move from your dog will be a challenging feat. Don't forget that this works both ways too. When your dog exhibits stress and insecure behavior, your reaction will be crucial. Don't make a big deal out of it; instead, reinforce positive behavior.

Things to do if your dog is acting strange months after moving to a new home - delivered

As you can see, there are many things you can do if your dog is acting strange months after moving to a new home. Many of them are similar to how you would treat a human. Feeling homesick and anxious is something that you and your dog can overcome together.

Meta description: If your dog is acting strange months after moving to a new home, here are five things you can do to help it get back on track.

✍🏼 Natalie Taylor