Need advice about moving

[Bellaandhelen]

So, my husband's job will have us moving from Georgia to Cleveland Ohio in late June 2011 and I would love to have some advice about how to make the transition easiest on Bella and Baci.

Anyone have advise on moving pets to a new part of the country?

Anyone have suggestions for finding a great vet and groomer in a new city? (or specific suggestions if you live in Cleveland)

Thanks in advance!

[Deuce]

Try not to stress for one, moving can be really stressful on all parties and the less you stress the less they'll stress. I say just do your best to keep them to their schedules so the transition can be easy as possible for them. Plan where you're going to move now, sometimes it can be difficult to find places that will rent to pet owners, and so you can find out now how much pet deposits run and pet rent. Good luck, I hope all goes really smoothly for you I'm moving in Sept '11 and don't even know where to next, lol

[Bellaandhelen]

Thanks Deuce! You are so right about the stressing part- I certainly don't want to them to pick that up from me. We are going up at the end of the month to start seaching for a place to rent. I'm hoping we can rent a house so they can still have a yard to run about in.

Good luck with your move as well, and I hope you find out the location soon!

[Vinniedoggy]

I've found with Vinnie over the years (through a few moves and lots of traveling) that he's fine wherever we go so long as I keep him on his schedule (i.e., walking, eating, and going to bed at roughly the same time every day). Also, when you get to your new house, don't immediately start leaving them alone for long stretches. If you can, work your way up to leaving them alone for longer and longer periods.

The one thing I love about dogs is that they are generally happy so long as they are with their humans, so I am sure your babies will be just fine!

[ArmaniMan]

Armani has been through many moves with me and is always fine, Chloe just experienced her first move and she took it much harder- she cried and paced for two full days. I ended up setting up her crate next to my bed and having her sleep in there for the first night- she always feels safest in her crate and it was the only way I could think of to calm her down enough so she would relax and sleep. Some tips I have picked up over a few moves to try and make things easier.

1. always make sure the dogs are secured somewhere during the actual move- in a crate, at a friends house, at a boarding facility- movers will not watch your dog carefully and with everyone in and out of the house your dog may bolt, even if they usually do not, all the boxes and new scents and sounds may scare them into it.

2. Do not wash any of your dogs bedding before the move- of course you want to bring all nice clean things to your new place- but as much of the old scent as possible you can bring with you, helps the dogs.

3. Set up your dogs things as soon as possible- try to do it before you bring them in. I always make sure the crate, beds, and toys are out before the dogs are brought into the home. I see them run around and check all their stuff- its like they are saying "oh good, I recognize all this stuff".

4. Try to spend the first day or two at the new place without leaving- you want the dogs to get used to the new place as much as possible with you there.

5. Its almost like they are puppies again being left for the first time- try to leave for short periods first and work up to longer periods- you want them to realize you are coming back here too!

6. Stick to their old routine as much as possible. Dogs crave routine and this will help with the adjustment.

7. Find the closest emergency vet as soon as possible- get the phone number and place it on your fridge- drive there once, so you know where you are going- you never want to be looking for the vet when it is needed, you want to know exactly where you are going.

Good Luck with the move- the most important thing is that you are taking them with you- everything else will fall into place.

[deonk1]

I had the move from hell in September, and I only moved right down the street... so here are some things I did wrong, hopefully all can learn from me:

1- it's best to accept all help that is volunteered, I sent Harley away to a friends house for a few days to play with his friends Dexter and Newton (other yorkies) but I really should have sent him longer. he got under foot, and because of other problems he was unable to move freely into the apartment until late November.

2- plan, plan, plan.... cause even if you have the greatest plan in the world EVERYTHING can and most likely will go wrong (sorry I just had a horrid move). if you know the new place, try and decide in advanced where things should go, so that you can unpack and re-dog proof the quickest way possible.

3- Assure there are no prior issues such as bugs or mice in the new house/apartment BEFORE your baby arrives in the house. part of our reason Harley was bound in his room for 3 months was because we moved from a cockroach infested place and the new place had to be baited cause they came with us (yes... gross I know)... and Harley did get sick (we think he ingested a dead cockroach but will never know for sure) plus our new place had mice.... so we had bait and traps everywhere... it was hell.

The above post, nailed it right on the head, find the nearest emergency first, that way if something happens during the move you know right where to go.

If possible, have the place dog proofed before you let your baby out to explore, that way your baby will learn the place and it'll stay that way. Having a dog run around boxes and messy furniture, causes a hazard for something falling on them.

ArmaniMan nailed everything else on the head...

I just hope no one has to experience the type of move I went through in Sept. It was dreadfull.

Oh, and walk any planned routes for dog walks a few times first... cause I realized that there is always broken glass on one street, no matter what (we live in student areas near the school) if you take note of those, you can save your baby accidentally walking on something unpleasant, you may also make note of other dogs, that you may want to socialize with or avoid.

[Bellaandhelen]

ArmaniMan and deonk1, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

This is such great advise! I feel better already just being able to plan and try to make this go as smoothly as possible for them. I know things will go wrong, but I at least can try to make a solid plan. I like the part of having them stay with a friend while the moving is actually going on, making sure their blankets and beds still have the familiar scent on them and setting up their space before they arive in the new home. It's a while off, but I'm going to do my best to be able to take some time off from work so I don't have ot leave them too much too quickly.

Thanks again for all the good advice!

[cowgirlc]

I have never had to move with my little one, but we just spent 2 weeks in Michigan at my moms home and Giz adjusted to the new diggs just fine as long as he knew I was there. I know its not the same but the reason I am posting is because I have been to Cleveland many times and have family there. So I will be sure to ask my aunt who she uses for her little dog (not a yorkie), but at least she may be able to make a recommendation, and I shall message here once I reach her. Good luck on the move you have gotten some wonderful feedback, things I would have never thought of.

[Bellaandhelen]

Thanks cowgirlc - I'd love to hear any suggestions your aunt may have

[Yorkiedaze]

These little guys are so resilient that I'll bet they will just love new territories to explore. I find they pick up on your own energy. If your not stressed, then they won't be. Just make things fun for them and they will do just fine.

[CHRISTINAM28]

I found this thread helpful as I will be moving as well sometime late this summer but we dont know where yet waiting on Uncle sam to give us orders. Good luck to the op on your move!