How to make a move easy on my Doodle

[Heather & Brinkley]

Hey Guys! As many of you know, my husband, Brandon got into PA school in Boston. We will be living apart for two years...him in Boston and me staying in Virginia. He leaves the third of Jan so we are packing up the house this week. Brinkley and I will be living with my parents while Brandon is gone. Brinkley has only known this house. He knows something is up as the brown boxes begin to pile high. I am going to take him to daycare a few times this week so he isnt around the craziness the entire time. Is there anything else I should do to help him with the adjustment?

And once we get to my parents house, we will have to find a new routine. Currently Brinkley has "his sunroom" where he hangs out while we are gone so I will have to find a new safe spot for him at my parent's house. He isn't crated...he never did well in it so we stopped using it when we knew he wouldn't hurt himself or eat something. Still it will be a big adjustment bc my husband was home all day with Brinkley as he worked nights. Now there will be a big chunk of time that Brinkley will be alone as my parent's and I all work during the day. My dad is normally home by 2?so that is good...and my parent's house is five minutes from my house so I can go home during lunch. But Brinkley is soon close to my husband so it will be a shock. Any suggestions on making this as easy as possible for my food?

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

Your sweet doodle like most doodles is  going to pick up on your stress and sadness at being separated from your husband.  It is impossible to separate his stress from moving from his empathy with your emotional state.  My advice is exercise as much as possible.  If you can go on an early morning walk before work and then take him out for more when you get home, it will really help.  Maybe your dad could take him for walks.  When he is alone, give him something to do like working on a kong toy.  Be sure he is confined to a comfortable area and doesn't have the run of the house.  Good luck and I applaud the two of you doing what it takes to continue his education. 

[Christy and Yoda]

I have no advice, I just want to wish you luck!  We moved last week(yes, a week before Christmas!) and it has gone remarkably well.  Our situation was a bit different though.  My in-laws live close and Yoda is over their house all the time.  So he basically lived there for the week before and two days after our move so that we could keep him away from some of the craziness.  When he did come to our new house, he was definitely confused.  He panted and jumped at every noise for the first few days, but now we have been here a week and he is doing just fine.  It also helps that I work at a school and I was off all last week and this week and have been at home with him.  I am sure that Brinkley will adjust quickly once he realizes that his Mommy is still with him and all of his old things are still around.  Good luck!!!

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks! Glad your move is going well. My DH just took Brinkley to daycare this morning to get him away from the craziness. We have packing, house showings and craigslisters coming today so it was better to get him away to play. The good thing is my parents have a fenced yard (we don't) and their neighborhood has a long walking path. And my mom's friend has a golden retriever that lives down the street and they can play after work. My mom loves to walk with dogs...and she had to put he dog down so she is looking forward to having a dog around again. He will get plenty of exercise! He has always needed it and we've never skipped it bc he is so much happier after play time...and so are we! Lol.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I feel for you! This must be hard on all of you. I think he will adjust if you stay positive!! Good luck and I hope time flies for your family!!