Considering taking the path of Beverly Hillbillies to become a city-slicker? Congratulations! Experiencing the lights, the sounds, new restaurants, beautiful parks, and accessible amenities makes life in the city almost as amazing as life in the country.
Bringing your furry friend along with you? Know that most dogs adjust just fine, but some pups simply seem to need a bit of time and patience to get there.
When treasured pets are used to running freely with few noises around them, they can find city life disconcerting, and they may experience canine anxiety, depression, or even other behavioral issues in response. These issues are frequently temporary, but are much more difficult to resolve if left unaddressed. Be proactive and help your dog learn to love the city with these seven sage tips.
Keep Early Experiences Laid-Back
Once you arrive, don’t rush to take your dog into the depths of the city on long walks unless he shows clear signs of being comfortable. Instead, stick around your home for a few days. Let your dog acclimatize to your new home before you introduce to him a big, bold new world – he needs to feel comfortable with his “den” before he’ll feel comfortable elsewhere.
Living in an apartment? You may still need to head outdoors for walks and toileting. If so, stick close to your apartment building or head for a natural greenspace instead of busy city streets. Avoid heading into the downtown core until your pup is more confident.
Don’t forget the importance of having a microchip. Dogs in a new environment are far more likely to become spooked and run. It’s never wise to risk off-leash play until you’re secure in your dog’s recall among city distractions!
Socialize Your Dog Before Moving
Walks in the city will almost certainly bring you into contact with other dogs – typically almost every time you head outside! If your dog isn’t socialized with other pups, or if you have concerns about how he may react, try to slot in some socialization time before you move, rather than after. Call friends with dogs, schedule in a visit to a doggy daycare, or check Meetup for doggy playdates.
If you run into issues during your dog’s first few play dates, or if you simply don’t have the time available to socialize him before you move, it may be better to schedule in a few sessions with a qualified trainer. He can teach you how to address these issues and keep moving forward with socializing without putting your dog – or other dogs – at risk.
Place Familiar Items Around
Sometimes, it isn’t the city itself that bothers dogs but the entire process of moving. Toys go missing, packed into boxes, and sometimes, pet parents get rid of treasured furniture pieces. Your dog’s entire environment, including his home, will likely change completely along the way. It’s all a little bit startling, and your dog will likely attempt to communicate that to you by pacing around anxiously once you arrive.
Reduce the impact environmental changes in your home have on your dog by keeping at least a few items available from day one. Pack a small duffel bag or crate full of his favorite toys, his dog bed, and that drool-covered old stuffed toy missing an eye he’s still dragging around. (Sorry – this is the wrong time to make it go missing!)
Furniture-wise, if he has a favorite chair, make the effort to take it along with you. You can always get rid of it later on, and it will create a familiar spot in your new home where he can feel comfortable as he adjusts.
Use Potty Pads to Aid Piddle Issues
It is used to being on the grass, moving to peeing on the pavement (or worse, pooping on it) can feel a little bit like committing a crime. Pavement is flat, and your dog may see it as flooring rather than a natural place to go to the bathroom. It isn’t that he’s trying to disobey you; it’s just that dogs think about these things in a way that’s much different than humans.
A dog who is confused by pavement when toileting will usually exhibit hesitancy – he may whine, refuse to go, or show obvious signs of anxiety when asked to toilet. If this is your experience, know that it often resolves after a few days.
In the meantime, indoor potty patches will help to fill the gap and keep your precious new carpets clean – just try not to rely on them too much. You want to keep encouraging your dog to pee outdoors, not teach him to always go inside.
One quick warning note: the stress of moving can sometimes cause urinary retention in dogs, a condition that can occasionally lead to UTI infections. If your dog demonstrates urinary hesitancy with signs of pain, fever, or other symptoms, it’s time to visit the vet.
Take Multiple Walks Every Day
After your dog becomes acclimatized to life in the city, you should start escalating the number of walks you take every single day. The average city-dwelling pet owner takes between two and four walks a day, with many making a daily excursion to a local dog park or walking area several times a week or even daily. These trips are necessary because city dogs often don’t get the same level of exercise through natural play as country dogs.
Don’t have enough time to schedule in multiple walks? Consider hiring a dog walker to come to your home a few times a day, or send your pup to doggy daycare while you work. He’ll have fun, you’ll relax knowing he’s safe, and everyone will feel more relaxed.
Provide Your Dog With Indoor Fun
Rainy city days in apartments can be a drag, but downsizing is generally stressful at first for dogs. For a few pups, any time at all cooped up indoors may make them feel a bit shack whacky. To prevent boredom and neuroses, have plenty of games on hand in your new city flat. Hide treats for your dog to hunt down, incorporate brain-stimulating activities, or have training sessions to work on new and interesting tricks.
Time spent learning and playing indoors isn’t just a fun way to pass the time. By encouraging him to exercise his brain, you can prevent restlessness while also encouraging confidence all at the same time. Additionally, it’ll help remind him that home is a very good, safe place to be – somewhere he should look forward going to after bonding and experiencing all those new, exciting adventures in the city together.