Moving out: Dog Moving Troubles?

Question

I'm finally moving out of the house and into a place I'm renting with my sister and her best friend (who has a 2yr old child). I have a 10 year old border-collie/lab mix. She's still got a lot of spunk for her age, but its become quite the family disagreement on where the dog should stay. 
The new place I'm moving to is an entire house with a nice big yard. Plenty of places for her to run around and have a good time. However, my mom and grandma have been giving me a hard time, saying she's too old to move away from her home and that I should leave her with my mother. 
Now, the dog is mine. My name is on her license papers and I pay for all the vet bills and dog food. (which I would continue to pay for even if I left her at  home). I had always planned to take her with me when I leave home. Its always been something I've discussed but now that my move-out date approaches, my mom has been pushing me to my limits about leaving the dog here. 
Her reasoning is that the dog will not be happy in the new place, even going so far to say that my dog will die under my care (which is entirely unfounded, mind you) and that she's just too old to move away. She also thinks the stress of a bigger city and living with a child will be too much.
BUT if I leave her here, my dog will never go on another walk. I haven't seen my mom get physical exercise in maybe 15 years. She will leave her best friend, my cat, and will probably rarely see her. The new place has plenty of room for everyone, and I have repeatedly stated that if my dog is unhappy in her new surroundings I will bring her back home.

Now they're calling me selfish for taking the dog with me, and I should keep her best interests in mind. So, am I really being selfish? Is it that hard on a dog to move to a new place?

Shawn · Accepted Answer

Totally depends on the specifics.
Is the child good around dogs?
Will there be someone there with your dog much of the time at the new place?
Will the others be bringing in new pets?

It sounds like your mom really does have your dog's best interest at heart.  I know your family is torn over it.  I vote you get to try it out and see.  Just assure her that you will take the utmost care with your dog.

After the age of 7, change is hard on dogs.  But the change of being without you and without exercise could be just as bad as the changes you are looking forward to.  Just promise everyone concerned that you won't be selfish about it, and that it is totally for your dog's benefit however it ends up.

If she stays put, then your mother needs to commit to a daily walk.  That would be healthy for them both.  Grandmother, too.

Shilance · Answer

Okay, I would keep both ideas in mind. And think about the dog. If she's not too old, and you think she can. Move her. Or at least take her one day to visit the new house and see how she reacts. 
That's a good and fast way to find out if she gets comfortable or not.

Otherwise, she could stay. But I think if you keep her healthy and walk her at least 1-2 twice a day. She'll be a lot stronger.

Just test it!:)

Anonymous · Answer

How do the dog and the 2 year old kid get along?  That would be my main concern. Toddlers can be MEAN to a dog--hit it, kick it, yank its tail, fall on it, chase after it squealing--because they're simply too young to understand.   And even a beautifully-tempered dog can snap if teased or abused.

If the dog and kid get along well, then take your dog.  She belongs with you.  If the dog and the kid have an "iffy" relationship, leave the dog with your mother.

BTW, I'm assuming that your sister and her friend are both okay with having your dog live there--no hang-ups about barking, shedding hair, muddy paws?

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Moving out: Dog Moving Troubles?

3 Answers