5 Tips to Help Your Dog Transition from the Suburbs to the City

It’s a major adjustment to move from the suburbs into the city. You will probably have less space in your yard and spend less driving. You might walk to dinner instead of driving 20 minutes. There will be more people around you every day, on the streets and in your apartment.

Don’t forget your dog when you are weighing up the pros and cons of the change. Dogs can find transitions particularly difficult. The dogs don’t understand that the old home is gone and the new one is now their home. Give your pet the same consideration as you adjust to your new home.

Many strategies can be used by dog owners to relocate their pets successfully from suburban environments to city environments. These tips will help you and your pet make the transition from suburban to city life.

1. Keep your Mind on the Move

You have decided to move. You’ve already sold your home and have found a new place to live in the city. It’s now time to do the difficult part get there. It takes time to pack up your things. Another big task is to contact and hire movers.

It is dangerous to have your dog on the floor while people enter and exit during moving day. Moving boxes can cause movers to trip and be injured, but also your dog may escape. It’s a good idea to keep your dog in his crate while you load up the truck. You can even leave them with someone for a day, and then bring them back to your home when you arrive.

Consider hiring a service for long-distance moves to safely transport your dog to your new house. You can focus on your other moving-related tasks without having to worry about your dog. Your canine companion is able to enjoy a relaxing drive with lots of potty stops and a pet person who loves them.

2. Help Them Settle In

It can take some time for things to start feeling like home after a major move. You and your dog can feel more grounded by creating pockets of your previous home in your new house. Many people can achieve this by maintaining the same furniture. If you are starting from scratch with new furniture, hanging on to familiar throw blankets and pillows can be helpful. Whatever you decide, having something familiar to help ease the transition can be a great idea.

Be patient. Your dog won’t be able to understand the move the same as you. Be sure to keep their bed and toys with you. Set them up along with familiar food and water dishes in their new home. Once you’ve placed these items, don’t move them for a few days. It will comfort your dog and provide a safe place for them to explore the surroundings.

3. Expose them to the City Gradually

Even those familiar with city life can experience sensory overload. Consider how you feel. After living in the suburbs for a while, you’re bombarded with sights, sounds and smells. It’s possible that you feel a little overwhelmed from time to time. It’s likely that at night it is brighter and noisier than when you first moved into your subdivision.

It’s the same for your dog, and it is even worse with their enhanced senses of hearing and smell. Do not throw them in the deep end, as it were. Expose them gradually to the city’s stimuli. Open the windows to let them smell and hear city sounds. You can help them get used to the city by taking short walks through busy areas.

4. Find the Pet Services You Need

It’s vital to locate a veterinarian and other services for your pet when you move with your dog to a new location. In case of an emergency, start looking for a new vet right away. To help your dog get used to the new clinic, book a wellness test. If something happens, your dog will be more comfortable. It’s the same for a dog groomer.

It is helpful to find a new supplier of pet food, treats and toys. Even if you are looking for a doggy daycare or a reliable boarding facility near you, it is worth your time to find them. You probably had neighbors in your past who would watch over your dog while you were gone. Finding someone to board your dog could be a long process. A boarding service is a great backup. Doggy daycare in Perth allows your dog to socialize with other dogs and exercise.

5. Create New Routines

Routines are important for both humans and dogs, so create a new routine. You may not have a large backyard anymore to play in, but you can still enjoy the community space. You can park hop with your dog to find “your” place. It could be a regular dog park or even a regular one. Whatever works for you and your pet.

You may have opened the screen door in the past to let your dog go out and do its business. You will now need to take your dog on two walks per day. You should try to walk at a regular time, so that your dog is used to them. Scheduled walks can help you and your family maintain a healthy lifestyle in the midst of urban chaos.

Smoothing the Transition

Moving is a huge deal! Moving can cause stress and anxiety, as well as feelings of excitement and adventure for both people and their dogs. Controlling the things you can control will help to reduce stress for both you and your pet. Once you have safely transported your dog, slowly acclimate him to his new city and home.

Change can be frightening, but there is no reason to rush. Build your new life and home slowly and in a way that you enjoy. You will both feel at home in the city slowly but surely.