Getting ready for the new house and I am Nervous ...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

The deal on my new house closes this week. I get my keys Friday and the movers are booked for the following Thursday. I can't believe it! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time.

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on getting the doodles used to their new home? I'm planning on visiting every day starting Friday until next Thursday when the movers come, and then we'll be living in the house as of next Thursday, back at work the Monday after.

I'm going to bring loads of stuff with me for each visit, and I intend to bring the doodles as much as I can and let them explore.

Has anyone had any bad experiences with moving homes? I went back and found Allyson's blog about Tacky being nervous, and I'm wondering if Winston might get a bit nervous too. How about Kitties? do they get stressed out?

One of the things I'm worried about is leaving them alone in the house for the first time. What if they think I'm leaving them there in that strange place? I have images in my head of Winnie chewing his paws off and Sophie crying and howling up a storm. I'm probably totally over reacting but still. I intend to transition them slowly and I'm sure they will respond well once they see all their and my stuff is there, but I'm a bit anxious about the move as it is and then worrying about them on top of it. I know I need to relax because they will pick up on my feelings, but that is so much easier said than done.

Do you think the official moving day will be too chaotic for them? perhaps I should find a sitter... So many questions!

[Gail and Bailey]

Congrats on the new house!  How exciting for you!  There has been lots of good advice here.  I especially agree with the sitter for the day of the move.  As long as you and their doggie stuff is in the new house, the dogs will be right at home.  We have moved many times with dogs and it has never been a problem.  Enjoy your new home and yard!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Gail!!

[Carol and Banjo]

Sherri,  It sounds like you have a good plan in place....taking them there before the big move.   We've taken Banjo many times on vacation....staying in rental houses....sometimes a week, two weeks and even a month.  As far as he's concerned we could be living there forever.  Each time we arrive I walk him around outside for a while and then bring him inside (after I go in).   He gets to explore each room and he's never had a problem.   I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well they adapt.   Moving day will no doubt be very hectic......a pet sitter might be the best thing til the actual move is complete.   Good luck in your new home!!!!!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Carol. I feel good about the slow transition plan. They have been to the outside of the house twice now. Once for the second viewing, and a walk around the neighbourhood, before I decided to go for it, and again last week-end where they sat tethered on the front stoop while I went inside to go over some final details with the agent and take some measurements. I can't wait until the go in for the first time and get to explore.

[Christine & Camus]

I've moved with a cats and dogs with no problems, having said that I understand that you are nervous. Kitty will probably take a bit longer to adapt, but that depends a lot on  her temperament.  As a kid we moved with a Siamese and she got out of the house through the one and only open window, we never found her.  But, as an adult I moved with our cat who was totally comfortable in his new home and desperately wanted out to explore.  Our vet said we should keep him inside for at least 2 weeks before allowing him to explore the out of doors, his confinement lasted only one week.  He adapted beautifully.  I never had any problems with the dogs.  Once we were all settled in I made sure to walk the dogs throughout the neighborhood, taking different walks each day.  Congratulations on your new home, enjoy.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Christine! I really can't wait. I bet Kitty will adapt in no time once moving day is over!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

i want to add, place Penelope in a carrier, leave her in a room 9 a small room, perhaps the bathroom) with her litter box. open the door of the carrier. 

Just being in the carrier freaks one of my cats out a little, and one time we moved we left her in there too long and she had an accident... she and her sister then needed baths! Once she was out the carrier in the new home she was fine 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I think the bathroom is a great idea. Thanks Kaytlin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I kept Dinah in her carrier in the bathroom. I was afraid that one of the movers would accidentally open the bathroom door, and she would dash out. She did fine. If you do keep her loose in the bathroom, make sure you tell every person who will be in the house that day not to open that door under any circumstances

Another thing someone told me to do, and this might sound gross: bag up her used litter on moving day and bring it to the new house for her litter box that first day. Supposedly, that will help her feel more at home and comfortable about using her box in the new place.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

hhhmm, well she has a covered litter box where the lid snaps on and has a handle, so I can just carry the whole thing over without cleaning it. kind of icky, but whatever works. I could put a sign on the bathroom door saying "Don't Open - Scaredy Cat Inside". :)

I'm thinking of asking one of my neighbours if I can keep them all at her place during the whole day and come back for them when it's all said and done. She loves my pets and probably won't mind one bit.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That litter box sounds perfect! Bring it over just as it is!

My cat would not have been happy going to someone else's house, it would have stressed her out more, but it also would have been a new thing for her. If Penelope has spent time at the neighbor's house before, that's different.

A sign on the bathroom door might work if all of the movers are literate and speak English, lol. That is rarely the case here in my area.  

[Christine & Camus]

How about a bilingual or trilingual sign?  Hey, go all the way and write a translation (use google translate) in multiple languages!