Tips For Dog Owners When Buying A New House

There are many reasons why you would have to move: a new job, a better school district, or to live closer to your loved ones. No matter the reason, you need to sell your house and buy a new one in your soon-to-be hometown.

Before you start scheduling a list of open houses in the area, you need to think about your pet dog. They have no control over this, yet it’s going to be their house as well. That’s why you have to spend some time making sure this move is good for everyone in your family, including your pet. You start by knowing what to look for.

What To Look For In A New Home

You shouldn’t start by looking at floor plans because there are many rules and regulations you need to worry about first. The Balance explains that you need to check with your homeowner association or city/county officials. Many restrict what breeds or sizes of dogs you can bring with you. And if you’re thinking about ignoring those rules, don’t. It would be worse to have to choose between your new home and your dog.

As Vetstreet.com shows, there are other considerations as well:

Is the yard big and secure enough for your dog?
Are you OK with a busy street in case your dog escapes?
Where will the dog live in your new house? Where will the bowls and toys go?
If there are multiple floors, can your dog get up and down the stairs?
Is the new house near a vet, dog park, or groomers?

Packing With A Pet Dog

Once you’ve found the right house, the hard part begins: packing. While you can donate a lot of stuff to declutter, you’ll still have a lot to box up. That can be hard when your dog doesn't understand what’s going on. Not only do they want to play, they often get disturbed by the chaos of moving.

How can you make this process easier on your both? The ASPCA has a page of tips for moving with a dog. When it comes to packing, they recommend:

Pack slowly over several weeks so there isn’t a drastic change for your dog.
Keep their belongings unpacked for as long as possible.
As you pack, you can keep your dog in a familiar room.

When the moving day arrives, you’ll want to ask a friend to dog sit. With all the chaos of boxes and movers coming in and out, your dog will be better off somewhere more relaxing and fun.

Helping Your Dog Feel At Home

You did it. All the boxes are in your new home, and you just picked up your dog from a friend’s place. Remember that your dog won’t understand that this is his new home. That’s why you have to help your dog feel at home.

Redfin explains that you need to start by checking your house for health hazards. For example, are there any cords your dog might chew on? Are there any gaps in the fence out back? Did anyone leave sharp objects or cleaning supplies where your dog can find them?

You’ll also want to stick to your old routine as much as you can. With all the changes going on, your dog needs some consistency. Old times for feeding, walking, and playing will help your dog acclimate to the new house.

Buy For Both Of You

No matter why you’re moving, you need to make sure it works for you both. That’s why you need to do some research into your new hometown first. Once you find a home to buy, pack slowly and get a dog sitter for moving day. Then help your dog feel at home by sticking to your old routines. This will help your dog stay happier, which will do the same for you.