Greetings all,

I have a wonderful little female Shih-Tzu, Nikki, and she has the most
friendly nature and easy going temperament of any dog I've ever had. I am
moving to a different apartment soon and I've noticed, as I've been packing,
that she seems a little bewildered. I would imagine she wonders why the
apartment is all tore up and why I'm putting everything in boxes.
She is 5 years old and aside from the home she was born in and lived the
first six weeks of her life in, this has been the only home that she has
known. My relationship with her is much the same as it was when my son was
little. I sit down with her and explain what is going on and talk with her
much as I usually do. I've heard people say that dogs don't understand
what you are saying to them and that may be true but I know that they get
the intent behind the words.
I expect that once we make the move, she is going to feel out of place
at first and perhaps stressed. I've been making sure that I spend extra
time with her, I'm packing her things last, and most of all, I'm making sure
I stick to her regular schedule of walks and such. I haven't been able to
take her to the new apartment yet but I will as soon as I get the
opportunity. Does anyone have any advise on how to minimize her stress once
we move into the new apartment?

Les Hilliard wrote:

I've been making sure that I spend extra
time with her, I'm packing her things last, and most of all, I'm making sure
I stick to her regular schedule of walks and such. I haven't been able to
take her to the new apartment yet but I will as soon as I get the
opportunity. Does anyone have any advise on how to minimize her stress once
we move into the new apartment?

It sounds to me like you're doing the right things. My only
advice is to keep doing them, and when you move, try to keep her
on her routine to the extent possible and keep giving her lots of
attention, even if it's between unpacking boxes.

Our dogs survived a cross-country move (and four days on the
road, motels, etc.) with minimal trauma. They adapted to the new
place and quickly found their favorite spots in the house and
yard. Dogs are pretty flexible, IME.

FurPaw

--
Don't think of it as getting hot flashes.
Think of it as your inner child playing with matches.

To reply, unleash the dog

A DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser might help her to relax in a new
environment.
*D.A.P. helps stop or prevent fear and stress related signs in puppies and
adult dogs. D.A.P. mimics the properties of the natural appeasing pheromone
from the lactating bitch,the function of which is to reassure the
offspring.*

--
Alison
http://catinfolinks.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/
http://doginfolinks.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

"Les Hilliard" wrote in message
...
Greetings all,

I have a wonderful little female Shih-Tzu, Nikki, and she has the
most
friendly nature and easy going temperament of any dog I've ever had. I
am
moving to a different apartment soon and I've noticed, as I've been
packing,
that she seems a little bewildered. I would imagine she wonders why the
apartment is all tore up and why I'm putting everything in boxes.
She is 5 years old and aside from the home she was born in and lived
the
first six weeks of her life in, this has been the only home that she has
known. My relationship with her is much the same as it was when my son
was
little. I sit down with her and explain what is going on and talk with
her
much as I usually do. I've heard people say that dogs don't understand
what you are saying to them and that may be true but I know that they get
the intent behind the words.
I expect that once we make the move, she is going to feel out of
place
at first and perhaps stressed. I've been making sure that I spend extra
time with her, I'm packing her things last, and most of all, I'm making
sure
I stick to her regular schedule of walks and such. I haven't been able
to
take her to the new apartment yet but I will as soon as I get the
opportunity. Does anyone have any advise on how to minimize her stress
once
we move into the new apartment?

Greetings all,

Thank you to those of you who responded. It helps to know that I've
been doing the right things and I'll keep on doing them. Nikki and I had a
chance to see the new apartment this afternoon so the first thing I did was
let her off the leash so she cold sniff around and explore. She seemed to
be ok after she got to roam around only there was just a little bit of
stress panting which is to be expected. Actually she's more stressed in the
old apartment because the whole place is tore up and boxes are everywhere
but when I take some time for her she seems fine. She has always given me
the nicest hugs when I pick her up and this seems to comfort her the most so
lot's of hugs it will be If anyone would like to see Nikki, I have some
pictures of Nikki, my son, and myself posted on WebShots. Just click the
link below. Thanks again and if anyone has any other stress relieving
ideas, I'd be pleased to hear them.

http://community.webshots.com/user/bigdadd39


"Les Hilliard" wrote in message
...
Greetings all,

I have a wonderful little female Shih-Tzu, Nikki, and she has the most
friendly nature and easy going temperament of any dog I've ever had. I am
moving to a different apartment soon and I've noticed, as I've been
packing, that she seems a little bewildered. I would imagine she wonders
why the apartment is all tore up and why I'm putting everything in boxes.
She is 5 years old and aside from the home she was born in and lived
the first six weeks of her life in, this has been the only home that she
has known. My relationship with her is much the same as it was when my
son was little. I sit down with her and explain what is going on and talk
with her much as I usually do. I've heard people say that dogs don't
understand what you are saying to them and that may be true but I know
that they get the intent behind the words.
I expect that once we make the move, she is going to feel out of place
at first and perhaps stressed. I've been making sure that I spend extra
time with her, I'm packing her things last, and most of all, I'm making
sure I stick to her regular schedule of walks and such. I haven't been
able to take her to the new apartment yet but I will as soon as I get the
opportunity. Does anyone have any advise on how to minimize her stress
once we move into the new apartment?

hello I saw what you wrote but though am a new member in this group,
but I will advice you to take it much more easier with her as with time
she might get to change