By Cindy Aldridge
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Selling Your Home
First, you have to sell your house. Find a
trusted real estate agent and communicate your needs with him or her. An
important step in selling your house is to stage your home. Clean up clutter,
brighten up dark corners, get rid of personal decor, and hide all signs that
your pet lives there (as much as you can, anyway). Staging your home makes it easier for buyers
to envision themselves there, and it could help the home sell faster and for
more money.
Keep
Your Dog in Mind When Finding a New Home
While shopping for a home, keep your dog in
mind. Look for a fenced yard, or if there isn’t one, find out if you can add
one. Just keep the cost of adding one in mind when putting together your
household budget. For example, the average price of a wood fence installation in Bowie, MD, is
between $1,850 and $3,766.
A nice, big backyard is preferable, but it
isn’t necessary. It all depends on you and your four-legged friend. Check out
the flooring, too. Some flooring is better when it comes to pets. Carpet might
seem ideal, but if you’ve ever house-trained a puppy or cleaned up after an
elderly dog, you know that carpets can add complications — and hold on to
smells. It’s better to look for hard floors such as hardwood, tile, or concrete.
If you have an elderly dog, pay attention to the stairs. Sometimes it’s
difficult for older dogs to climb them, so if there are steps, consider whether
you can add ramps for your aging, arthritic pup. For example, you can pick up a
portable ramp from Amazon for around $90.
Pay
Attention to the Neighborhood
Keep an eye on the neighborhood, too. A
dog-friendly neighborhood will have lots of people out enjoying time with their
animals. You’ll see sidewalks, parks, pet supply stores, vets, and dog parks.
If you can, ask the neighbors about dogs in the area. You also want to consider
how far your home will be from work. If you can’t get home during the day, you
may have to hire a dog walker to give your pup a potty break (a half-hour
walk usually costs $18 - $22).
Moving
with Your Dog
If your move is local, take your dog to the new house along
with some of his favorite toys and treats. This way, he can sniff around and
get familiar with the home, and the treats and play will help him associate the
house with good times. If your move is long distance and an early visit isn’t
possible, take your dog for a brisk walk before you take him inside. Then
take him in on his leash and show him around the home. He’ll want to sniff
everywhere, and that’s OK. He’s learning his surroundings.
When moving day arrives, you should consider
sending your pup to a dog sitter to get him out of the way. This is also good
for your dog because seeing all his beloved belongings and furniture taken away
can be stressful. Having people coming and going from your home can result in
open doors and other dangerous situations for your pup. And if your moving date
is flexible, consider scheduling your move on a slow weekday. By doing so, you
will be less stressed, and so will your pet.
Pack his things last and unpack them first.
The sooner he is in his new spot the better, so he can be near the things that
are familiar to him and start to adjust. Don’t wash his toys, beds, or
blankets. The familiar scents will calm him. Don’t forget to take breaks from
unpacking to play with your dog. He’s under a lot of stress, so reassurance
that he isn’t losing his loving family is key. Plus, spending time with him
helps him get the idea that this is his new home.
Start his regular walking routine as soon as possible.
While walking, allow him some extra time to sniff around so he can get the lay
of the land. He’ll be experiencing all-new smells in his new home, so it’s both
exciting and scary for him.
Once you’re settled, your pooch will curl up
next to you and be just as happy as he was before the move. After all, he’s
still got you, and that’s what matters most.
Cindy Aldridge is a freelance writer and dog lover. She started Ourdogfriends.org as a fun side project for herself and to educate pet owners and potential pet owners about how dogs can enrich our lives. She enjoys writing about dogs and pet ownership.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
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