by Sophia Perry
Much as we’d like to convince ourselves that a wanted relocation will be a step forward in our lives, not even us can survive the moving day without getting stressed out. You can only imagine how our pets feel! Dogs tend to bond and that is why they find changing homes not only stressful but even traumatic. Naturally, some breeds are more sensitive than others. Being a proud owner of a greyhound myself, I would like to share some tips on how to prepare your greyhound for relocation.
Choosing a new home
Some may not understand, but dog-owners will probably agree that you should take your pet’s preferences into consideration when choosing a new home for your family. When you shortlist the houses you would like to move to, try to envision whether they are practical for your pet and whether they would feel comfortable there. For instance, some dogs will find it difficult to get used to apartment living, while greyhounds are surprisingly OK with it.
Being traditionally used for hunting and racing, these dogs are very fast, so people often think that they are hyperactive. But, that cannot be further from the truth since they are very calm and don’t require much space inside the home. This means that if you are moving to a home with your greyhound, it will probably have no problems adapting to the new square footage.
Extra tip – don’t forget to look into backyard safety before you let your dog run and play in it! There might be some poisonous plants and dangerous objects there.
What is it that you can do before the moving day?
After you have made the final decision about your relocation, you should start preparing your pet for it. Here are just some of the errands that you should do before the moving day comes:
- Check the law – Find out what the local law says about keeping your particular canine breed. If you are moving far away from home, the rules might be completely different there. Should your greyhound be on the leash at all places outside, or are there some areas where it can run free? Greyhounds are not aggressive, but they are big and fast dogs, which some local laws might see as a threat. While at it, check if there are some particular rules of dog-ownership in your future neighborhood.
- Find a new vet – This is a very important thing to do before you move to your new home. With all the unpacking and adaptation issues, you will not find time to do it later. How to find a good one? – don’t worry, we will get there soon!
- Decide how your beloved pet will be transported to your new address – there are many options, and your choice depends on many factors (How far away is your new home? How big is your dog? How old is it and is it in good condition to travel?)
- If you are moving locally, it might be a good idea to prepare your greyhound for relocation by taking it to the new neighborhood some time. Getting to know its future home and neighbors will help alleviate the moving stress.
How to pack up with your dog?
Nobody likes packing, so neither does your dog. Once it sees the moving boxes, bags, and suitcases, it might get annoyed. If that is an option, you should take it to a pet sitter or ask a friend to take care of hiter while you are preparing for relocation. If not, here’s what you can do.
To help your dog go through these packing days easier, you should start boxing up the things that have nothing to do with it first. Leave its bed and other belongings for the end, so that it has a safe place at all times. You will probably need some of its stuff for the road, so make sure that you pack them in your bag/box of essentials. Here are some items your greyhound cannot do without on a moving day:
- food, water, vitamins and minerals – make sure that you pack enough for the entire trip and a bit more, just in case;
- your dog’s favorite bowl, toy, blanket or whatever it is that will make it feel more comfortable;
- some towels and bedding might be necessary too – here is an extra tip for you – don’t wash anything! Even though it might sound logical to have everything cleaned and washed before moving to a new place, your pet will find it easier to adapt if its belongings still smell the same after the relocation.
How can you transport your greyhound to your new home?
As we have already mentioned, the type of transport will depend on many factors.
If your new home is over a day’s drive away, you should really consider an airplane. However, you should be prepared to put your pet in a crate for this purpose since big dogs are not allowed on board.
Should you opt for a car, make sure that you take regular breaks (every four to six hours) and find a pet-friendly place to spend the night.
Prepare your greyhound for relocation by visiting a vet
A visit to your dog’s vet is a must when you are planning a relocation. If you haven’t done that already, you should have your greyhound microchipped just in case before the moving day. The vet should give you (or mail to your new address) your dog’s health record.
Use this visit to inform yourself about all the things that you have to know before moving with your greyhound. Has your dog had all its shots? Are there any shots that your vet would recommend for it to have before the trip? What is the safest way for your dog to travel to your new home? Are there any medications that they would advise your dog to take to be comfortable with flying?
Also, ask your vet to recommend a colleague or a pet clinic you can take your dog to after the relocation.
The most important thing to do when you prepare your greyhound for relocation is to spend time with it and stick to the routine. That’s how your precious pet will feel that there is nothing to worry about and your relocation will be as smooth as possible.
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