What to Consider When Buying a Dog-Friendly Home

By Cindy Aldridge of https://ourdogfriends.org

Searching for a dream home for you — and your dog? When you have a furry family member, finding the perfect home and planning a stress-free move can feel like a bigger challenge. However, with a few pet savvy tips, you can snag a home that will make you and your dog happy and make moving and settling in a breeze for you both.

If You’re Moving for Your Dog, You’re in Good Company

 Thinking about moving to a new home so your pup will have a bigger yard to play in? Or, maybe you just want to be closer to your favorite nature trails? If giving your dog a better life is one of the reasons for your move, you’re definitely not alone and you’re definitely not weird. In 2018, almost 32.5 million people made a move to a different home, and you can bet that many of those movers decided to relocate to better accommodate the needs of their dog. Of course, you will want to think about your own needs too, but it never hurts to shop around for neighborhoods close to dog parks, dog-friendly restaurants, and highly reviewed vet offices. Doing so means more quality time spent with your dog and less stressing over whether your adorable fur kid is happy in the new area.

Planning a Move with Pets Takes a Little More Effort

 Whether you have a dog or not, moving is a stressful life event. Coordinating packing, transportation, and all the little moving details can get hectic very quickly. So, come up with a solid and detailed plan, and make sure that includes getting keeping your dog calm and safe. You may want to look into boarding your pup when the movers arrive to prevent your dog from getting anxious or even escaping. If you are boarding your dog in a new town, take a tour of the facility and ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable leaving your dog there. For those same long-distance moves, you may also want to look up dog-friendly hotels along the way and bring your dog’s bed along to give some comfort during the move and trip.

How to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy in a New Home

 Take Steps to Make Sure Your Dog Will Not Run Away

 When you first move into your home, don’t be surprised if your dog does not seem completely comfortable. Your dog may explore and whine, but sometimes pets will attempt to wander or escape from a new home. To prevent this from happening, you should consider having a fence installed around your backyard, and make sure it is high enough to prevent your pup from jumping over. Another step you should take to keep your dog from wandering is to consider spaying or neutering your pet. In addition to lessening the problem of pet overpopulation, neutering also keeps male dogs from wandering when females are in heat, while spaying keeps female dogs from going into heat and attracting strange male dogs.

Set Up a Safe Environment Inside Your New Home As Well

Having a secure fence can keep your dog from wandering away from your new place, but there are other hidden pet dangers that could be lurking inside your new home. As you unpack your boxes, make sure that any medications, small toys, and cleaners are put away in a spot your dog cannot reach. Your dog could get nervous and chew on these potentially deadly items during your move, so definitely keep your unpacking organized and tidy. If you want to give yourself some added peace of mind, you can also pick up a new dog crate to keep your pet secure while you unpack. Crates can easily be integrated into the style of your new home and may even help your dog to feel comfortable and safe in the new house.

Your dog is like family, so it only makes sense to make your new home and moving decisions as dog-friendly as possible. Hopefully, the tips above will help but above all, remember to be patient through this potentially stressful process.

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