Moving with Animals
As you know, my husband and I just moved into our first home together – along with a feisty little Dachshund who likes to join in on this blog with the Trick Ponies from time to time.
So after reading a question about how to move with a dog on a blog I follow, called Who’s your Dachshund, I thought this would make the perfect time to discuss how I made my move to a new home with Ammo seamless. This may not particularly be “trick pony” related, but I think that the tactics I used in moving my Dachshund can be applied to moving any animal, even your horse.
My husband and I have had Ammo since he was 8 weeks old – and he’s only known our apartment as home for the last 9 months. We’ve never owned a Dachshund before – always had labs, I’ve since learned labs are much more adaptable to change. Dachshunds it seems are extremely smart, yet stubborn and sensitive at the same time. So I knew to be weary of the move ahead of time, my biggest fear was that he would become “un-house trained”. Dachshunds are known to be one of the hardest breeds to house train, and after house training Ammo, I totally agree.
But, with Ammo though our move actually has been quite easy (surprisingly) and here’s why I think it went so well…
First off I’ve always been big on taking Ammo to lots of new places, so that he gets used to experiencing new things. Friend’s homes, the park, pet shop, anywhere dog friendly. So that helped him become more comfortable with changing surroundings. Ammo also comes to work with me everyday so he meets my customers on a regular basis.
Relegated behind the puppy gate while we remove carpeting
Second, I taught Ammo to ring a bell when he wants to be let outside. He learned that in order to do his business he had to ring a bell to be let out. So when we would visit friend’s homes I would put a bell on the door – so he learned that where you are might change, but the bell will always be there and your way outside.
Third, Ammo has a special basket that holds all of his toys. He knows that anything in that basket is his to do with what he wants. Towels for burrowing get put there, etc. So he knows that touching throw pillows is not ok, but shredding HIS blanket is fine.
So when it came time for the big move. The first thing we did was hang his bell on the door and show him. (familiarity #1) Then he got his basket of toys brought in (familiarity #2).
Ammo trying to get away with sleeping in our bed
He has yet to have an accident in the new home (I thought for sure he would since other dogs lived there before and I’m sure the carpets must smell like other dogs). And he hasn’t destroyed a thing (that wasn’t his). I’ve left him home several times now and I give him his treat ball, which keeps him occupied. I haven’t come home to any messes or heard him crying to date.
I was actually quite shocked with how well it went. I was so sure Ammo would have accidents on the floor, or cry a whole bunch. Not only did we move to a new place, but Ammo’s sofa that he sleeps on is packed away while we re-do our hardwood floors so there has been a change in where he sleeps. Not to mention the fact that my husband and I are sleeping on the floor while Ammo is locked behind a puppy gate in the kitchen that he can see us from. Both these scenarios are out of the norm for him, and I was certain he would cry all night wanting to be in the room with us. But my little 11 month old Dachshund surprised me, maybe he’s growing up afterall. 🙂
-KD
www.ponypaintings.com
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Thats great! Ammo sounds like an awesome little dog!
“First off I’ve always been big on taking Ammo to lots of new places, so that he gets used to experiencing new things.”
I think this is one of the MOST important things an owner can do with a dog, especially a young one. We didn’t do nearly enough of this with the dog we have now (mostly because we didn’t know) and I really regretted it when we started some agility classes last spring. Ginger has a much harder time dealing with distractions and changing environment than I think she would have if we had exposed her to more places when she was younger. (She’s 4 now).
By the way, I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and just wanted to say that I love it! I really enjoy reading about all your adventures with your ponies. (and Nitro and Ammo as well!)
cheers,
Mary H.
http://stalecheerios.com/blog
Thanks! Ammo is a…learn as I go puppy. I read up on Dachshunds before I got him, so I had somewhat of a warning that they are STUBBORN. But it truly takes on a new meaning now that I’m living and training him.
I have to say though, despite his sometimes bothersome antics, he’s definitely wormed his way into my heart. There is nothing like a crazy Dachshund! haha.
And I’m glad you are enjoying my blog (I enjoy reading yours as well). I’m having great fun writing it and I love how its becoming a documentation for me of my life and training of the ponies. Really helps me gather my “training” thoughts and work on progressing with my boys.
-KD
http://www.ponypaintings.com