Moving is stressful. Let’s make it better for you and your dog. (Photo: person wearing a hoodie, covering their eyes and sitting on a couch surrounded by boxes)
Are you moving soon? If so, you’re most likely stressed out. You’re up to your eyeballs in packing peanuts and if you stub your toe on that box in the kitchen one more time…!!!
Your dog is a barometer for your stress level. They feel every ounce of your tension, frustration, and packing-deadline panic. If you’re exhausted from folding (okay, shoving) clothes into garbage bags until three in the morning, your dog will slide into the leadership role in your household in the blink of an eye.
You may not notice it at first, because you’re so tired, but here are some examples of things that happen when your dog takes over your (current) house before you even move:
-excessive barking in the home
-growling at your house guests
-charging the fence in your yard
-nipping and/or herding you or other family members
-stealing socks, shoes, and other inappropriate items
-counter surfing
-chasing your other pets
-claiming thresholds
-refusing to get off the furniture
-mouthing you
What is your dog trying to tell you about your own stress level? (Photo: a red dog with pointy ears howling)
As you’re packing everything into boxes and bustling around, you may see these changes as well:
-following you from room to room
-getting into the garbage (even if they never did that before)
-attempts to escape your home (breaking out of crates, eating drywall, scratching underneath doors, and jumping through windows)
These are signs of separation anxiety and should be addressed with a trainer immediately. Separation anxiety will not disappear when you move. In fact, the symptoms will most likely worsen when you move.
The good news is, you can help your dog overcome separation anxiety before you move and you can become your dog’s leader too!
The tricky part is learning to feel calm while simultaneously juggling work, kids, and getting ready to move. Dogs are hardwired to follow calm, balanced energy and leaders who are confident and fair. They will not follow tense, frustrated, tired, or fearful humans — and mastering your emotions is easier said than done.
So what can you do?
RUSH LESS - If you’re moving into a house and have time to pack slowly, do so. Take your time, listen to music, and of course, take walks with your dog to break up your day.
Take breaks from packing and walk with your dog. (Photo: Golden Retriever walking on leash with a person)
2. DOGGY DAYCARE - If your deadline is impossible and you really need to pack quickly, consider taking your dog to doggy daycare*.
*If they are not accustomed to doggy daycare already, this is likely not your answer, as it may stress them (and you) out even more. If they already LOVE going to doggy daycare, then this solution might help you. Be sure that the doggy daycare you select practices placework and other calm rituals with the dogs in their care.
Other options:
-if your dogs love hanging out at your mom’s house, or with your sister, see if they are available to take your dogs for part of the day so you can pack in hustle-mode.
-Have their favourite dog walker take them out for a walk or play session.
NOTE: Simply sending them out of the home for a break will not magically fix the behaviours listed above. You must provide calm and confident energy when your dog is around you.
3. TREAT YOURSELF - Allow yourself one hour first thing in the morning to walk your dog before the packing begins. Take another break halfway through the day for yourself. If we never practice being calm, then how are we supposed to remain calm on our dog walks/during day-to-day activities?! Do some yoga, practice meditation, play an instrument, pet the cat, or do a crossword puzzle — whatever helps bring you peace and joy.
Make time for calm activities (Photo: a hand petting a cat under her chin)
4. EXERCISE - Your dog needs daily exercise and so do you. Take a break from packing and go for a run (maybe you can even run with your dog.) Make time to play fetch or tug with them. Take time out of your day to go to the gym, go swimming, or play your favourite sport.
Daily exercise reduces stress (Photo: person running with a dog on leash)
5. GET HELP - If your deadline seems unreachable and you can’t figure out how you’re going to pack and still work your 9-5 job, hire professional movers. The price is worth your sanity. Another option: friends and family will often work for pizza.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help (Photo: people carrying boxes and petting two dogs)
You may be thinking, why not slap a bark collar on the dog since they’re the problem. If that’s the case, reread this post.
The problem is NOT the dog. Read that twice.
Labelling the dog is easy. “What a bad dog! You got into the garbage!” OR “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s acting nuts! Ever since we started packing up the house, she’s been so snippy.”
Mmmm. Hmmmm.
Self-reflection is one of the hardest things any of us will ever learn to do. The sooner you try this, the sooner you will develop an amazing relationship with your dog. Instead of asking “Why is my dog so stressed?” ask “Why am I so stressed?” and “What changes can I make to lower my stress level?”
Every day is a chance for you to start again. A chance for you to lead a balanced life, free from fear and anger. Let’s leave these emotions behind and embrace joy. Embrace peace. Embrace love. Quiet your mind from negative thoughts.
The ripple effect of a calmer you is so much larger than you can imagine. It begins at home with your human loved ones and your furry family. It extends out to strangers as you travel to work and school. To your coworkers, your friends, your extended family. To grocery clerks, gas station attendants, baristas, and bartenders.
It begins with YOU.
We hope this post helps to reduce your stress (Photo: a man stands with his dog beside a SOLD sign)
We hope you have a safe and joyful move. Stay tuned for next week’s post about introducing your dog to your new home so they (and you) experience less stress.
Alyssa
Photos by: Christian Erfurt (person wearing a hoodie, covering their eyes and sitting on a couch surrounded by boxes,) Andriyko Podilnyk (Golden Retriever walking on leash with a person.) Robert Gramner (a red dog with pointy ears howling,) Yerlin Matu (a hand petting a cat under her chin,) Sergio Rodriguez - Portugues del Olmo (person running with a dog on leash.) Isaac Benhesed (people carrying boxes and petting two dogs.) Alyssa Foulkes (a man stands with his dog beside a SOLD sign - yes, that’s my man and our first dog, Brooklyn.)
Updated December, 2023