Okay, so my poor little puppy is going to have to experience another move :(
Anyway i shall quickly explain the situation.
My partner and I bought our border collie puppy in May when she was 8 weeks old. About 6 weeks later my partner moved interstate for work (he did not know this was going to happen when we bought her, otherwise we would have put it off), and since she is a daddy's girl she was obviously devastated, as she stayed with me (he was on his own interstate and couldn't afford to rent a house with a backyard).
Anyway, then I moved back home with my parents in July when she was 4 months old. I am currently living with my mum, dad, and two little sisters. They have all gotten very attached to her, and her to them (especially my dad).
I am moving down to the town my partner lives in next week. I know she is going to miss my family terribly! It will obviously be a change of routine -mum doesn't work much so she walks her really early in the morning, and in the early afternoon when I'm asleep and at work. She also has my sisters playing with her when they get home from school (she even gets to go for a car ride most days to pick them up).
Anyway, without going into too much detail about her routine, it will obviously change, and as I will be working 9-5 and my partner 8.30-5.30, we obviously won't be able to be with her during the day and I know she will miss the attention (and the actual people).
She's already bordering on seperation anxiety (which I am in the process of training out) as I work long hours at the moment (7am-5/6pm and am gone from 6-6/7 at least) which I hate, but we need the money for the move.
Anyway, long story short, how can I make this transition easier??
Should I put my start day off by a day so I can spend time with her and it isn't just like "here's your new home - now goodbye!!"
We are driving the 17 hours down instead of the 2 hour flight because I wouldn't trust the airlines with her, plus she would hate it. We are staying in a super pet friendly motel half way down. The trip should be okay (we have to alter her diet for the 2 day trip to kibble cause shes on raw) but I'm worried how she will be once we get there - any tips??
Answer on I am moving house soon - what considerations should I make for my dog?
For starters, this is one lucky puppy. While it would be nice for you to push your start date, I don't think it's totally necessary. Yes, it's a new place. Yes, it's going to be a transition. But she has the main constant in her life - you.
Get her into a new routine as quickly as possible once you arrive. Be consistent. Know that she may have a few slips in her housebreaking because of the new place and the longer hours at home, but she will get back on schedule. Make sure you leave things with her that smell like you, her favorite toys, her old bed - these familiar things will really help her.
I think this may be more traumatic on you than her. ;-) (just because of how much you will worry, which is natural)
