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The doghouse

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Original poster

Help dog cope with moving away

13 replies

LoveThisDog · 17/11/2023 13:39

Hi dog parents, I'm looking for advice please.

I live alone with my one dog and work at home full time. My next door neighbour also lives alone with a dog that she inherited when her brother died three years ago, and works full time out of home.
Neighbour loves the dog and very much wanted to take it in after the death of brother.

For the past three years we've had an arrangement whereby neighbour goes out to work every day (Mon-Fri) and her dog comes to my house 10am to 5pm. So the neighbour dog has been with me and my dog every week day for three years, going for walkies together, playing and sleeping.

Neighbour is now retiring and moving house, she and her dog will be moving to the other end of the country in two months time and will spend their time together happily. I foolishly but understandably am so attached to this dog. Spending so much time with it, I love it like my own and I'm sad 😞

The advice I want: How should I prepare the neighbour dog for moving away? Should I suggest now that we spend less time together? Is there anything I should or can do to help it cope with moving away? Am I stupid to think the dog will be sad/will struggle with being away from me and my dog when it's been with us every day for a few years?

OP posts:
Santaiswashinghissleigh · 17/11/2023 13:43

Week ends and holiday access? Will you keep in touch and have meet ups? We used to meet up with dd and her ddog when we moved. Worked so well we ended up with ddog full time!

Original poster
LoveThisDog · 17/11/2023 13:44

Or am I being stupid - will this dog move away and just not care if it never sees me again because it's still with its owner?

OP posts:
Original poster
LoveThisDog · 17/11/2023 13:45

We will keep in touch but where she's moving to, it's too far for regular visiting. Think for example, London to Scotland - similar distance.

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Santaiswashinghissleigh · 17/11/2023 13:51

Maybe her ddog will pine for you. Maybe it won't care. When we got dd's ddog full time it was definitely more bonded to us very quickly.. They ime love the one who loves THEM the most...

Isheabastard · 17/11/2023 13:56

Because this arrangement has worked so well, you probably haven’t got an existing network of dog buddies for your own dog.

Id start doing that. Walks with friends who have dog, going to a dog park etc.

Or find someone else who has a dog but works. There are people out there’s who pay to have someone look after their dog during the day. You’d have to do a trial run to make sure your dog gets on well.

Will your dog miss the other dog. I think so a bit, but if he has other regular dogs he meets up with and likes, then not so much.

Dogs live in the moment, so if he’s used to lots of fun with the other dog, then he needs to keep some aspect of that.

IngGenius · 17/11/2023 14:03

Sorry but the neighbours dog will not miss you or pine for you if their needs are being met. They live in the moment.

They will be pleased to see you if you visit but that does not mean they have been lying around pining for you. No need to prepare the dog that is leaving.

Your dog may miss the company of the other dog as they are in the same situation but without the dog so I would concentrate on giving lots of time and energy to your dog.

margotrose · 17/11/2023 14:49

You don't need to do anything - the dog will be moving away with its owner and will be just fine.

Limth · 17/11/2023 15:05

I'd take the dog out one day for a lovely long beach/country walk, ice cream/chips, favourite toys. The works. Then I'd sit the dog down and calmly explain what's going to happen. Tell her dog you will love it forever and think about it every day but that the dog needs to be super brave and enjoy its new life and new home. Give the dog plenty of chances to ask questions because this will be a very unsettling and possibly scary time for it.

😂😂

In all seriousness, I think its actually okay because its the dog that's moving away and not you. I think if you just left one day, the dog would be sad because everything else would remain the same - same house, same walks, same owner etc. But the dog moving away means a new place, new routines, new smells, new home and you've never been part of that. So I don't think the dog will pine too badly.

Original poster
LoveThisDog · 17/11/2023 16:44

Ok I'm glad I posted because I've been really fretting about this! I was thinking more along the lines of @Limth's first paragraph 😂 But it's good to hear neighbour's dog will not be pining for me. Perhaps it's time to get myself a second dog so my boy has a new friend!

OP posts:
Limth · 17/11/2023 17:20

I was being flippant with my first paragraph, OP, but I would 100% totally do it. I talk to my dog like she's a relatively rational 8 year-old all the time.

If you're thinking of getting another dog for your existing dog, please, please think about rescuing rather than buying.

Original poster
LoveThisDog · 17/11/2023 17:51

Oh absolutely! My boy is an adopted rescue greyhound and he is the best boy in the world. After getting him and seeing him thrive I would only ever consider another rescue. So many dogs already wanting new homes!

OP posts:
Limth · 17/11/2023 17:59

Oh that's brilliant @LoveThisDog You sound like a really lovely person, I want to be friends with you!

Original poster
LoveThisDog · 18/11/2023 11:09

@Limth That's such a lovely thing to say, thank you. You have truly made my day! 💙

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