Question:How do I transition my 3-year old lab mix from a suburban ranch with a yard to an 11-th floor (spacious but so very different to her!) apartment in the city? She trembles in the new place and whines if I leave for even a moment. The elevator and the garage make her nervous, too. We haven't made the transition yet but the one time I brought her to the apartment for a "tryout" was very stressful and upsetting to both of us. HELP!!
Answers:
If she is stressed out, don't try to console her or get upset that she's unhappy. If you are upset, she will be even MORE upset. If you are calm, it will help her adjust and be calm.
To get her used to the elevator and garage, try doing obedience in them with really tasty treats. If she has to heel in circles and figure 8's through the garage and sit or lie down on the elevator ride, it will help distract her from what's going on, and if she's getting rewarded in that scary place for doing good behaviors, she will start to associate good things with those places and they won't be as scary.
Try taking her favorite toy along and play games with her (fetch, tug of war, etc.) inside the new apartment while it's still empty. Also, you probably shouldn't leave her alone there until your stuff is moved in. When all the familiar objects and smells and things are around, it will help relax her a lot.
Most dogs will be anxious when moved to a new place, but after a week or two they'll get used to it and feel at home. It will help if she can watch the goings on on moving day. Let her watch you pack and load the truck, then let her watch the first unloading at the new place, then stay inside with her and direct traffic while your friends continue bringing the stuff in.
Don't worry, she'll be fine!
Depending on the dog, she may never get used to it. The socialization window for dogs slams shut at an early age and if they have not been properly socialized to all sorts of different things by then, well, it may be too late. I knew of someone who made a move such as yours and had to leave his dog behind because he was never able to adjust to city life. Good luck.
Keep reassuring her you are with her. Let her explore, with you, several times more before you actually move. She sounds shy. Support her, and tell her it's ok. When she's there with you for permanent she'll adjust. Good luck! I hope you give her long walks when your in the city!
Have you ever heard of D.A.P? Its a natural pheremone that the mother produces for her pups and stands for Dog Appeasing Pheremone. Its a natural hormone that they have captured in this D.A.P, it comes as a diffuser and spray. I would strongly recommend the diffuser and depending on the size of you appt to get 2 of them. I worked as a Vet Nurse for 5 years and know that these work very very well. Its not one of those things that people create and never work. I use the cats version as I have just moved house recently and have 1 downstairs and 1 upstairs. You need to leave it plugged in and switched on constantly and put them in the rooms he is most likely to occupy. You cant smell or see the substance, it works like a plug in air freshner. Dead easy and can br brought from your local veterinary centre.
Also I wouldnt keep on "petting" your dog either as this will only cause more stress as it gives pets more of a reason to be scared or nervous. To them it tells them they "have" a reason to be scared or nervous.
If you have already purchased the appt take your dog there gradually before you move in, maybe start every few days and maybe bring something back from there that has the scent of the appt on it. Just take things slow with him but dont give him a reason to be scared. Keep him occupied with games and rewards (not too many).
With regards to the elevator, its like dogs in cars, takes time and they either like it or they dont. But again, if he does stress out in the elevator dont be all over him, act confident as though you have no idea he is nervy.
Hope this helps, sorry its so long.
make sure you spend extra attention on her! when you have free time take her for a walk around the area. and take her to a park. let her know that the new place can be just as fun as the old. also give her plenty of toys to play with while you are away from her. as for the elevators...try the stairs if there are any. but slowly introduce her to her new home, remember dogs are like little kids...they don't like change! but good luck and remember to treat her like a princess for awhile.
Make sure to take her for walks in the city and even though she gets scared, be patient and keep taking her for small walks. Give her treats when she goes into the apartment and just spend time with her there. She will need to get used to you leaving her so go, but don't leave her in there for a long time for the first few weeks until she gets used to her surroundings. She will have a hard time adjusting but soon she should come around and start thinking of the apartment as her home. It may take a few weeks though, so once again be patient and don't tell her thats it's okay all the time, then she will think that your making her feel better because theres a reason to be worried. Just ignore it and act like nothing is wrong. Wherever you are, will be her home. Make a nice spot that is just hers. Make it really comfy and thats where she can go to relax. The good thing about her being scared of the elevator and garage is that these are things that will always be in action, so she will have no choice but to soon become acustomed to them. Good luck!
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