We're moving and need lots of advice
 

So we are moving to a new house across town in a couple of weeks. I'm worried about Ivan and Iris adjusting to their new house, not being too stressed by the changes, and not having a setback on their potty habits. We have a potty patch on our balcony with a doggy door now so they can go whenever they want. They also go on walks at least a couple of times a day. At the new house they will have their own small yard!:D But we will be right against a green area and we won't be able to have a doggy door until we can put up something to keep away the hawks :eek: (read too many scary stories about that one so we are paranoid to give them free access to the yard). We will still go on walks and I feel fine about letting them in the yard with me right there watching out for them because the yard is pretty small. There are also stairs in the new house so we will have to adjust to that too. Does anyone have any advice for helping them through the move without too much stress, adjusting to the new house, staying on track with potty habits, adjusting to having a yard, or to protect them from the wildlife? I know that's a lot of questions. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Lock them in a room while you're taking boxes out of the house... and back in at the new place. My Yorkie freaked out and went missing for 8 hours (at night).

I would limit their access in the new house, and try to keep to the exact same schedule they're on now. Maybe set up a daytime room like the kitchen, and if they sleep with you, allow them in the bedroom at night.

Keep them on a leash when you introduce them to the yard. Pay attention to any spots that attract their attention and make sure they cannot escape. And watch them closely the first few times you turn them loose in the yard.

Good luck with the move...:D

Thanks for the reply and the advice. Sorry to hear that your baby went missing! How scary!!

We plan to take the pups to daycare the day of the move since it's a local move. They will be out of the way and safe and hopefully have fun and be all tired out like us at the end of the day.

Good idea to limit their access at first and stick to their schedule.

We took them to the empty house yesterday for the first time while we had to take care of a few things. They got to run around inside and seemed to like the new house. The stairs were no problem even for our little Iris after she got the hang of it.

We have a lot to do to make the yard safe before I feel good about letting them out there even on a leash.

When I have moved apartments, I have taken chester to the new place left him sniff the place out a couple of times and then when I moved I would have someone watch chester when Im moving and get his bed and that set up and then bring them back to your place. I would always have a few days off after I have moved and try to keep their schedule about the same if ya can.