Dogs are habitual animals. They need routine, familiar smells, and the reassuring rhythm of daily life to feel safe. If that routine is broken (e.g., house moving), it will have a disorienting and anxiety-inducing effect, particularly on rescued dogs who will have already been accustomed to uncertainty in their lives. A video making the rounds on the internet records that heartwarming instant when a rescue dog returns to his crate upon realizing things in his environment are changing.
Rescue puppy won’t come out of the crate during house move
The camera captures rescue puppy Cactus snuggled up in his crate and refusing to emerge. His ears are pinned back, and his eyes shift nervously about as the home scene changes around him. “You don’t have to hide in there,” his dad says softly, bending down beside the crate. He strokes softly under Cactus’ chin, reassuringly telling him in a calm tone.
The puppy remains there for a minute or two, as if not moving, before reluctantly stepping out. This is the prelude to a sweet second clip of Cactus being hugged by his owner and showered with nicer words of encouragement. The owner tells him that the new home offers more room to move around. Moreover, the paw parent teases the pooch with a “big surprise” in store for him.
The owner wrote in another post that Cactus has not had an easy time adjusting. Alongside a video of the pup lying down with a visibly downcast expression, he wrote, “We’re in the middle of moving and Cactus can definitely tell something is up.” He went on to describe how, ever since the packing started, the once energetic dog had become unusually quiet. Cactus spent most of his time lying near the moving boxes or inside his crate.
To transition your dog into a move, it’s critical to have as much routine as possible. Stay consistent with regular walks, eating times, and usual toys. Let them sniff in filled boxes and have their crate or bed accessible as a refuge. For the actual move, ensure they’re safely secured, hopefully by a familiar person or in a quiet room removed from the commotion.
