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?

[Adina P]

I think that he'll be confused for a bit, but dogs are usually remarkably adaptable and will learn the new routine in a couple of weeks.  I think the hardest part will probably be feeling the loss of your husband while he's away at school.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Hi Heather, I have no advice except give Brinkley a good 3 months to settle in, you may have some mishaps but he is a good dog, he will fine.When we moved to our new house with the old dog it was horrible, but he was 12 and he had a hard time adjusting, he actually pooped on our new bedspread. It took at least 1 month before he stopped panting. Once he discovered the slider and he could see everything he finally started behaving like himself.

Also, I would like to commend you on your quest for advice, some people would just move and hope for the best without researching, that would be me (see above) in my life before DK, :o)

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks guys. My husband not being around is going to be hard on both of us. At least my parent's will be there so he will have three people loving on him...still, nothing is quite like playtime with my husband. They are rough, and tumble around with one another. I almost can't believe moving time is upon us already.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I agree with what the others have said! I also want to mention that Brinkley will take his cues from you. So staying calm and confident and making sure that he understands your expectations of him are all important. When Tara gets into a situation that confuses her or causes her uncertainty she looks to me for guidance so being there for Brinkley in that way should help ease the transition for him too.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

One thought is to get one or two of those lightweight throws that are so popular.  Tuck it into your bed while you and dh sleep to get your scents on it.  Put it in a ziploc to hold the scent in, then place it in Brinkley's new safe spot.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

What a fantastic idea Nancy....Heather today a Walmart they had Christmas throws marked down to $2.00

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks guys, I will do that!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Great idea Nancy!!!

[Ron Carnes]

We moved the end of last June. It took Zack a couple of weeks to adjust to his new surrounding. Our situation is different since our routine didn't change. He is afraid of everything so if he can make it you will do fine.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

When I moved I did not have doodles at the time but had a blind 14 year old Shih Tzu named Calla Lilly.  I closed on my house a month before I moved in.  I had lots of cleaning, painting, etc. etc.  Every chance I got I brought Calli with me so she could get use to the new house and get a layout of the floor plan since she was blind.  She did exceptionally well which I believe was due to the fact that I eased her into the new house.  My girlfriend that just brought a house and she also took her dog there every time as well before they moved in..... I really think it helps with the transition.  Good luck with your move I know it is a extremely stressful time for everyone including the pets.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Having your Mom and Dad there I think is going to help him alot because there will be lots of people and lots of distractions.  My guess with leaving him alone more than normal is that you are going to have to make sure he is getting lots of exercise because otherwise he is going to have lots of time to get into trouble while you all are gone.  If he is tired, he will just sleep.  He is used to rough housing etc., as you say with DH, so just make sure he gets lots of exercise.  Any chance he could go to day care for a morning or two each week.  You could pick him up at lunch and bring him home then he would only have an hour or so till your dad got home.  (That is of course if he likes playing with other dogs).  Congrats to your DH on getting into school. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yes, he loves other dogs! He can't get enough play time! Our daycare will now be 30 minutes away but I will make the drive!