Moving to a new home can be stressful for dogs and cause behavioral changes like accidents, chewing, or separation anxiety. Experts recommend taking the dog to the new home beforehand, giving them a safe space with a toy or bed, and quickly unpacking to establish a new routine. Finding a new veterinarian and making sure dogs have their medical records, vaccines, and license for the new location also helps them adjust to their new home.

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A New Dog in Town
By Andrea White
oving to a new home is certainly an
exciting time, but it can also be pretty
stressful for the members of your family —
including the four-legged ones. So when the
family Fido is about to become the new dog in
town, there are some easy ways to make sure
that tail keeps on wagging.
BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
About five years ago, I saw firsthand how
being relocated could be traumatic for a
dog. My parents moved to a new home in
a retirement community, with their dog,
Brannie, in tow. I still remember how Brannie
seemed melancholy at the old house when
the boxes started to pile up. She was skittish
and jumpy, too. When the switch was finally
made, my mom says even taking Brannie for a
walk was challenging. The dog simply did not
want to go back to the new house! It seemed
as if she wanted to keep walking right back to
the old one.
Experts say, just like humans, dogs can feel
stress and anxiety during the moving process.
And these feelings can sometimes trigger
behavioral changes. Jamie McKay, a certified
M
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2. Home Sweet Home
professional dog trainer who runs a company
called McKay9 Dog Training with her husband,
says it may seem like your pet is regressing in
some areas. “Dogs that are housetrained can
have accidents. Dogs can chew up or rip items
when stressed. A dog that is anxious about
being left alone may bark or cry when their
owner leaves,” she cautions. McKay says dogs
may even lose their appetites or have loose
stools because of their worries.
Of course, not all dogs will have these kinds
of reactions to moving. Stacy Hirsch, a certified
trainer who owns Westchester K-9, says it all
comes down to “experience and exposure. If a
dog has lived in one yard, in one house its whole
life with little travel, it is sure to have a tough
time adapting to a new environment.” But that
was not the case with her own dogs, because she
moved a lot. “They would see the boxes come
out and get excited!” Hirsch recalls.
The dogs may have been mirroring her
attitude. Hirsch says she felt as if moving was
an adventure and that’s what it became for the
dogs. “How the owner feels emotionally about
the transition is absolutely going to have an
effect on the dog’s behavior about what is going
on,” she points out. McKay agrees. “Sadness
among those leaving their home can affect the
dog as well,” she says.
SOME TIPS
As we all know, it’s not easy to teach an old dog
new tricks, but there are things you can try to
make your dog more comfortable before moving
day. McKay says, if possible, take the dog to the
new home several times. “Take them on a walk in
their new neighborhood or give them the chance
to explore their new backyard,” she suggests. She
also advises to give your dog a safe space to relax
while you’re doing your packing — and to give
him something safe to chew on. Plus, make sure
the dog can’t escape through any open doors on
moving day!
Once you’re in the new house, try not to let
those boxes stay piled up for long. “Dogs are
creatures of habit, so the quicker you unpack
and set up a new normal routine, the quicker
they will adjust,” Hirsch emphasizes. Experts
also say to make sure you have your dog’s
food, usual bedding and a favorite toy easily
ADOPTING A DOG
If you arrive at your new home sans
dog and you’re thinking about adding
a new member to the family, there are
many local places that can help you
adopt a dog in need of a loving family.
The SPCA of Westchester is a no-kill
shelter located in Briarcliff Manor. All
of the animals up for adoption are
featured on their website, spca914.org.
Potential owners can go in to meet the
pets. Adopters must fill out a two-page
application and provide a veterinarian
reference and a personal reference.
Adoption counselors are on hand to help
in the process. Lisa Bonanno-Spence,
the development manager at the SPCA
of Westchester, says a veterinarian has
cleared all SPCA dogs up for adoption
and they are also temperament tested
by a trainer. “We don’t want to place
an animal in a home that may not be
the most ideal environment for them
to ensure safety for our animals and of
course the adopters!” she says. There is a
small fee to adopt, but dogs are already
spayed/neutered and micro-chipped.
Bonanno-Spence emphasizes there is
an open return policy. “Be it one day
after an adoption or 10 years later, we
will always take any animal back that we
have adopted out.”
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3. Home Sweet Home
accessible at the new place. These familiar
items can help your dog settle in. My mom
found having a pillowcase with her smell on it
was particularly comforting for Brannie.
HEALTH FIRST
Of course, your dog’s health is always a top
priority, which means finding a new veterinarian
is a must. Dr. Cheryl Gross, VMD, a veterinarian at
Central Animal Hospital in Edgemont, says word
of mouth can be very helpful. “You can get a lot
of information from neighbors or people at the
local dog park,” she advises. Gross also says to
try and make sure the veterinarians you choose
are accredited by the American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA).
Along with all of the things on your moving
checklist, make sure you also get your dog’s
records from your old vet. “Have a fax sent to
the new vet that includes vaccine history and
any pertinent blood work or medical findings,”
Gross recommends. You should also check to
see if you need to get a license for your dog
in your new community. And don’t forget to
order a new ID tag with your updated address
as well.
If you need to contain your dog in your new
yard, electronic fencing may be an option. But
experts have differing opinions on whether
or not they should be installed. Hirsch says
electronic fences can keep dogs safe from
the dangers of the street. But McKay does not
advocate electronic fences for many reasons,
including the fact that both people and
predators can still get onto your property and
harm your dog.
Whatever decision you do make, both
trainers agree it is important to spend time
with your canine and make sure he gets
plenty of exercise, in addition to running
around your yard. But ultimately, the best
bone you can throw your dog is your endless
love and affection.
Andrea White is a writer and dog lover who lives
in Edgemont. Her two kids keep begging her for
a dog, and she may have to give in sooner rather
than later.
These locations have shelters where
families can meet and adopt the animal
of their choice.
Adopt-A-Dog
23 Cox Ave.
Armonk, N.Y.
273-1674
adopt-a-dog.org
Families interested in adoption should
call and make an appointment. This
group also takes in local surrenders/
dogs that might need special placement
because of behavioral considerations.
Mount Vernon Animal Shelter
600 Garden Ave.
Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
665-2444
mtvernonanimals.org
New Rochelle Humane Society
70 Portman Rd.
New Rochelle, N.Y.
632-2925
newrochellehumanesociety.org
Putnam Humane Society
68 Old Rte. 6,
Carmel, N.Y.
845-225-7777
puthumane.org
SPCA of Westchester
590 N. State Rd.
Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
941-2896
spca914.org
Yonkers Animal Shelter
1000 Ridge Hill Blvd.
Yonkers, N.Y.
377-6730
newyonkersanimalshelter.org
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