dogs and moving houses

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lee,

I hope you can answer my question. We are looking to move out of the family home in the next few months. We have had our 2 cocker spaniels (now 6 & 7 yrs old) since puppies and was wondering if taking them from the only house they've ever know will give them stress? We are hoping to move to another house with a garden but will the unfamilar surroundings concern them?

Many thanks for any insight you can provide.

Kind regards,

Victoria

ANSWER: Hey, Victoria,

Yes, most dogs are usually stressed by a move to a new environment. The one thing I've found that makes it easier for them to adjust is if their prey drive has been integrated into  the way they've been trained.

One thing that will help a great deal if they haven't been trained through their prey drive is taking them to the new environment every day, for several days before the move, letting them sniff and explore, and once they've got their bearings, get them to play games like fetch and tug-of-war there.

Also, if possible, you should feed them in their new home before you move in.

I hope this helps!
LCK

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Lee, Will certainly give your advice a go. Excuse me if I sound ignorant but what is the prey drive? Many thanks again and we hope to have a stress free move for the dogs when it happens.

Kind regards
Victoria

Answer
The prey drive is basically another way of saying "hunting instincts," except that while drives are instinctive in nature, they're also a type of instinctive behavior that's capable of being sustained over time until the goal of the drive itself is satisfied.
In practical terms (for dog training purposes) it involves the use of hunting games -- like fetch, chase-me (where the dog chases you, not vice versa), and tug-of-war -- as part of the training process.

LCK