We've been a bit quiet online lately, as we've made a couple major moves in the past year. As many of my readers know, most of my dogs are deaf or blind/deaf. Moving has been a major transition for all of us. I often get questions about moving - especially questions about how to help blind dogs adjust to a new environment. I hope some of these tips will help to make a move easier for you and your dogs.
Keep your dog used to change. If you always keep everything the same, it will be harder for your dog to adjust to something different. Take your dog to new safe environments and allow it to explore. Go with your dog and help it to map out and explore new spaces. Help to minimize hard bumps and stumbles. This increases a dog's confidence and trust in you to keep it safe.
If you are moving a distance away, try to choose a new veterinarian before the move and have your dog's records transferred. This way, if there is an emergency, or you need to schedule a vet visit soon after moving, all your dog's records will already be there. You may also want to refill any prescriptions prior to moving so you won't have to worry about doing that right after the move.
Some dogs may do better drinking water from their old home. Take some jugs of the water your dog
is used to to help transition it to the water in the new home. This will help minimize stomach upsets.
Take important landmark items with you to have in the new space from the start. These are items that have a familiar smell and feel to your dog - its bed, crate, bowls, and certain rugs that may have been by the door. Having these in the new home right away can give your dog clues about its new environment. Unpack and place these items first before bringing your dog into the new space.
Be sure to show your dog to its water bowl several times a day at first. Your dog needs to stay hydrated for good health. Hydration also aides in scenting and your dog will be doing a lot more smelling and exploring than usual. Make certain your dog knows its way to the water bowl by taking it there often. Expect that during the transition your dog may drink more water than usual.
Each dog is individual in how long it will take to map out a new space and feel comfortable. This is a transition and will take some time. If your dog is not practiced with mapping out new environments, this process may take up to several weeks.
Try to arrange your schedule so you are home for at least several days in the new space if you can. Spend time focused on getting your dog settled and comfortable, and helping it create a mental map of its new space. Keep your dog's routine as close to what is normal as possible. This will help with keeping stress levels low and with maintaining house training.
It may be helpful to restrict your dog's access to all of the new home at first. Many dogs feel more secure in a smaller area, so you can set up a pen with his things - bed, toys, bowls - or use gates to create a smaller area for him to map out first.
If you've used padding on furniture and corners, you may want to go back to using padding for a little while until your dog has mapped out the new set up. You may also wish to use a halo harness - if this is a tool your dog is familiar with.
Take the time to gently guide your dog so it will learn paths to and from doors, its bed, toys, water bowl, etc. This will take repetition, but you will notice with practice that your dog will begin to anticipate the path. Then you can guide less and less. Jump in to help if needed so your dog won't get frustrated, hurt or scared.
Things to consider
Expect to make more trips outside for business breaks. The routine and the path to the door are different now for your dog, plus drinking more water and possible sensitive stomachs will mean needing to go more frequently.
Remember that moving is stressful. Use various tools and techniques to keep stress levels as low as possible. (There are other posts on this blog about these!) Expect to see some behaviors related to stress - more barking, spinning, being clingy, chewing, pacing, etc. Your dog may seem restless, or may even seem very tired and sleep a lot.
Some dogs may seem to become startled more easily. This may be due to noises or vibrations that are unfamiliar in the new home. Stress can also cause dogs to be short-tempered with people and other pets. Often this is due to the dog being on edge and overly aware of everything in the new environment. It isn't yet sure what to expect and what is normal for the new environment. These behaviors should subside as your dog is once again feeling safe and comfortable in the new home.
Preparing for the move
Keep your dog used to change. If you always keep everything the same, it will be harder for your dog to adjust to something different. Take your dog to new safe environments and allow it to explore. Go with your dog and help it to map out and explore new spaces. Help to minimize hard bumps and stumbles. This increases a dog's confidence and trust in you to keep it safe.
If you are moving a distance away, try to choose a new veterinarian before the move and have your dog's records transferred. This way, if there is an emergency, or you need to schedule a vet visit soon after moving, all your dog's records will already be there. You may also want to refill any prescriptions prior to moving so you won't have to worry about doing that right after the move.
Some dogs may do better drinking water from their old home. Take some jugs of the water your dog is used to to help transition it to the water in the new home. This will help minimize stomach upsets.
Take important landmark items with you to have in the new space from the start. These are items that have a familiar smell and feel to your dog - its bed, crate, bowls, and certain rugs that may have been by the door. Having these in the new home right away can give your dog clues about its new environment. Unpack and place these items first before bringing your dog into the new space.
In your new home
Be sure to show your dog to its water bowl several times a day at first. Your dog needs to stay hydrated for good health. Hydration also aides in scenting and your dog will be doing a lot more smelling and exploring than usual. Make certain your dog knows its way to the water bowl by taking it there often. Expect that during the transition your dog may drink more water than usual.
Each dog is individual in how long it will take to map out a new space and feel comfortable. This is a transition and will take some time. If your dog is not practiced with mapping out new environments, this process may take up to several weeks.
Try to arrange your schedule so you are home for at least several days in the new space if you can. Spend time focused on getting your dog settled and comfortable, and helping it create a mental map of its new space. Keep your dog's routine as close to what is normal as possible. This will help with keeping stress levels low and with maintaining house training.It may be helpful to restrict your dog's access to all of the new home at first. Many dogs feel more secure in a smaller area, so you can set up a pen with his things - bed, toys, bowls - or use gates to create a smaller area for him to map out first.
If you've used padding on furniture and corners, you may want to go back to using padding for a little while until your dog has mapped out the new set up. You may also wish to use a halo harness - if this is a tool your dog is familiar with.
Take the time to gently guide your dog so it will learn paths to and from doors, its bed, toys, water bowl, etc. This will take repetition, but you will notice with practice that your dog will begin to anticipate the path. Then you can guide less and less. Jump in to help if needed so your dog won't get frustrated, hurt or scared.
Things to consider
Expect to make more trips outside for business breaks. The routine and the path to the door are different now for your dog, plus drinking more water and possible sensitive stomachs will mean needing to go more frequently.
Remember that moving is stressful. Use various tools and techniques to keep stress levels as low as possible. (There are other posts on this blog about these!) Expect to see some behaviors related to stress - more barking, spinning, being clingy, chewing, pacing, etc. Your dog may seem restless, or may even seem very tired and sleep a lot.
Some dogs may seem to become startled more easily. This may be due to noises or vibrations that are unfamiliar in the new home. Stress can also cause dogs to be short-tempered with people and other pets. Often this is due to the dog being on edge and overly aware of everything in the new environment. It isn't yet sure what to expect and what is normal for the new environment. These behaviors should subside as your dog is once again feeling safe and comfortable in the new home.
**For more information about blind and/or deaf dogs, visit my website at www.yourinnerdog.com You will find articles, books, online classes and resources there to assist you! To subscribe to this blog and receive emails as each new post is published, please scroll to the blog header above and add your email address!**
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