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Post by Melanie on May 21, 2012 10:26:05 GMT -5
Well, I'm finally moving house! In just over 2 weeks we'll be moving all the way from Wolverhampton...to Oldbury.
My biggest concern (obviously other than everything falling through last minute) is how to settle Axel in and minimise the chances of his separation anxiety coming back.
This is a basic run down of how the week is planned.
Wednesday- Axel with us as we complete and take the first few boxes and bed over. Sleeping there that first night. He'll be up on the landing outside our bedroom as he is in our current home.
Thursday- We're driving back to Wolverhampton and dropping him off with the dog sitter/walker (he's stayed at her house a lot and so knows it and is relaxed there) while we do all the moving and getting everything to the house. Axel gets very stressed and restless if we're deviating from 'normal' and he can't be involved. I.E. no stress from him when we leave for work, but he seems to be able to tell when we're going somewhere at the weekend without him!
Thursday night sleeping back at the new house. I'm not planning to take Axel back to the old house after Wednesday so he's not too confused.
Friday- Back to Wolverhampton, Axel at dog sitters, and cleaning our rented house top to bottom. Picking up Axel when done and going back to new house.
Saturday- My sister and her family are coming to help us unpack and sort stuff out. We'll be keeping an eye on Axel, maybe giving him some time to settle in the garden with his crate open so he can wander around. Sleeping at new house still.
We've had something booked Saturday night since well before house move planned. Our good friends who Axel knows well and who live on the same street will be coming to dog sit while we're out but coming to our house so he will be able to continue to settle.
Sunday- First time he'll be left in the house. We have a kitchen/extension that he'll be staying in and we'll be videoing him. He'll be left while we're at church with a walk beforehand.
Monday- First day of work since moving. At the moment no dog walker sorted because the one we've got booked is on holiday the first 2 weeks. Thankfully I'm only out 3 days, still working on what to do with him.
Basically, is there anything else I've neglected to think about and should do to help him settle in his new home? We've had him 2 years this month and haven't moved in that time. He settles well with us whenever we take him to visit anyone's house but it's when we're not there I'm worried about.
Any tips/advice welcome!!!
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Post by dianneh on May 21, 2012 10:42:35 GMT -5
Brilliant news that you are finally moving house and leaving those lovely neighbours behind  You seem to have thought of everything, the only thing I could think of is that when you leave him for the first few times would he settle with something large and yummy to chew? I didn't really have any problems when we moved recently. The dogs went to stay with granny for a few days and when they arrived here they settled straight away. Hope all goes well on the day, horrible stressful experience  |
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Post by barbaranixon on May 21, 2012 11:10:37 GMT -5
From your packed things open items like curtains, throws bedding etc, so he picks up your old home's scents, as they will linger longer on fabric.
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Post by colbournes on May 21, 2012 11:11:50 GMT -5
My only suggestion might be to use a good smelly blanket/bed all the time you have left in the old house and be sure that goes with you on the first trip and then stays with him in the new house. I know the inclination might be to give everything a good wash before unpacking but I think a familiar smelling bed will be comforting.
Good luck with the move - hope everything goes to plan.
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Post by Flaperoo on May 21, 2012 13:08:17 GMT -5
As others have said a great plan and the comments about things he feels comfortable with is also good idea. In the last ten years I have moved twice and the good news is my greys have usually selltled quicker than I did ;D  I'm sure it will all go well and you have nothing to worry about, but Good luck anyway on your move to your new home. It must be very exciting  Maryxx |
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Post by mrhoads on May 21, 2012 13:40:20 GMT -5
Fingers crossed that Axel settles straight in.
You have put such a lot of thought and care into this, that I hope everything goes okay.
X Mary
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Post by Anthea on May 21, 2012 15:32:50 GMT -5
I'm down the road from Oldbury so give me a shout if I can be of any help
Anthea x
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Post by Melanie on May 23, 2012 6:49:04 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the tips and offer of help Anthea 2 weeks left! So scary! I hope all goes well and we're in soon and of course I hope the internet is up and running quickly |
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Post by Barneysmum on May 24, 2012 5:58:20 GMT -5
Does he do any better witha dap diffuser, or buy the spray and spray it on his bedding the room he is staying in. Foxy has do a little better with the dap collar but it only last for 4wks so spray looks the cheaper option.
Marie
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Post by nekha123 on Jun 1, 2012 14:37:58 GMT -5
Well, I'm finally moving house! In just over 2 weeks we'll be moving all the way from Wolverhampton...to Oldbury. My biggest concern (obviously other than everything falling through last minute) is how to settle Axel in and minimise the chances of his separation anxiety coming back. This is a basic run down of how the week is planned. Wednesday- Axel with us as we complete and take the first few boxes and bed over. Sleeping there that first night. He'll be up on the landing outside our bedroom as he is in our current home. Thursday- We're driving back to Wolverhampton and dropping him off with the dog sitter/walker (he's stayed at her house a lot and so knows it and is relaxed there) while we do all the moving and getting everything to the house. Axel gets very stressed and restless if we're deviating from 'normal' and he can't be involved. I.E. no stress from him when we leave for work, but he seems to be able to tell when we're going somewhere at the weekend without him! Thursday night sleeping back at the new house. I'm not planning to take Axel back to the old house after Wednesday so he's not too confused. Friday- Back to Wolverhampton, Axel at dog sitters, and cleaning our rented house top to bottom. Picking up Axel when done and going back to new house. Saturday- My sister and her family are coming to help us unpack and sort stuff out. We'll be keeping an eye on Axel, maybe giving him some time to settle in the garden with his crate open so he can wander around. Sleeping at new house still. We've had something booked Saturday night since well before house move planned. Our good friends who Axel knows well and who live on the same street will be coming to dog sit while we're out but coming to our house so he will be able to continue to settle. Sunday- First time he'll be left in the house. We have a kitchen/extension that he'll be staying in and we'll be videoing him. He'll be left while we're at church with a walk beforehand. Monday- First day of work since moving. At the moment no dog walker sorted because the one we've got booked is on holiday the first 2 weeks. Thankfully I'm only out 3 days, still working on what to do with him. Basically, is there anything else I've neglected to think about and should do to help him settle in his new home? We've had him 2 years this month and haven't moved in that time. He settles well with us whenever we take him to visit anyone's house but it's when we're not there I'm worried about. Any tips/advice welcome!!! Axel already had separation problem it seems. You've to be more careful this time. It's a good idea to take him along with you the first day. Take everything he loves to your new home and arrange it in a way that it looks same for him. It'll help him to have a connection immediately. |
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Post by Melanie on Jun 2, 2012 3:56:54 GMT -5
Axel already had separation problem it seems. You've to be more careful this time. It's a good idea to take him along with you the first day. Take everything he loves to your new home and arrange it in a way that it looks same for him. It'll help him to have a connection immediately.[/quote] Thanks for that, yes, that's my plan. I was careful last time, when he came home we didn't do anything to encourage separation anxiety, it was a stage he went through. I'm being equally careful. |
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Post by Letty's Mum on Jun 4, 2012 12:32:22 GMT -5
Mel, I'm sure you will be more careful! ;D Try not to worry. Moving house is very stressful for everyone, but Axel will have you, and all the familiar smells of your belongings around him. I'm sure he'll be fine Good luck with the move  Helen x |
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Post by Melanie on Jun 17, 2012 2:57:17 GMT -5
Thanks Helen Less than a week til we're in...hoping it goes to plan! |
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Post by redpoppy on Jun 17, 2012 6:21:18 GMT -5
Mel I think most people are really impressed with your careful plannin for Axel's house move i know i am - I'm stealing your ideas to help me move Poppy and elderly cat from Manchester to Lincolnshire at the end of next month so deep breaths drink lots of builders tea and most of all HAPPY MOVING DAY Kisses to Axel from Sally and Poppy xxxx |
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Post by Melanie on Jun 21, 2012 8:13:52 GMT -5
Aww, thank you Sally The plan has had to change a little as the move got delayed til this Saturday! We've managed to keep his stress down through the packing process by me always packing stuff in the living room, he'll sleep then On Saturday we've arranged for his dog walker to pick him up before the van arrives at 9.30 and she'll keep him until we're ready to take our last trip back to the new house, when we'll collect Axel. We'll have his beds in various locations around the new house ready for when he arrives and then we'll take him to the garden first to give him a chance to relieve himself. Then take him inside and hopefully settle down for the evening. We probably won't go to church that Sunday as he'll have only been there 1 night and we'll both be shattered...and I've lost hours at work so won't be at work until the following Wednesday. So hopefully plenty of time to settle him before he's left |
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