You made it. New house, new yard, new smells everywhere. Here's what your dog needs from you in the first week.
Match Routines to the Old Place
If the water bowl was under the kitchen table before, put it under the kitchen table now. If they slept next to the TV, same thing. Their physical world changed; their daily pattern doesn't have to.
Feed them at the same times. Walk at the same times. Same bedtime. Predictable rhythms in a chaotic environment help them re-center.
Check the Yard Before You Let Them Out
Walk the yard yourself first. Look for:
- Gaps in the fence or loose boards
- Rusted edges or sharp debris
- Gates that don't latch properly
- Plants that are on the AKC's list of poisonous plants for dogs (sago palm, foxglove, lily of the valley, tulip and hyacinth bulbs are the common landscape ones)
Do this before they meet the yard, not after they've found the escape route.
What's on the First-Week Checklist?
- Update the microchip registrywith your new address and current phone number. This is the one most people forget, and it's the most important one if your dog gets out.
- Check if the new area needs different vaccines or parasite prevention. Heartworm, tick, and Lyme coverage varies by region.
- Find a new vet and book an intro visit.Don't wait until you need one in an emergency.
And for your own sanity, Unpack Less, Feel Settled Faster.