Once again, the stress of moving has taken me by surprise. I thought the hard part—sorting and packing 15 years’ worth of belongings—was over. I assumed my neatly taped boxes would be loaded onto a truck by burly but polite men who would distribute them throughout our new home according to my clear, block-lettered labels. I would gracefully supervise the whole affair and within a day or two, my kitchen would be organized, my dog and puppy training studio humming and my canine agility course set up.

Two weeks and very little sleep later, I’m almost there. The ‘graceful supervision’ part never really materialized as I found myself sweatily hauling boxes from room to room, trying hard to entertain my kids and acclimate my dogs. But progress is everywhere. I’ve located the mango slicer and most of Bohdie’s action figures, so life continues apace…stressful but very exciting.

For some dogs, moving can be undeniably stressful. In a previous column, I discussed Balderdash’s gastrointestinally challenging reaction to packing and change. Now that we’re settled in a new and more expansive home, he’s ecstatic.

It’s a pleasure to watch him run, jump, swim and roll and I’ve never been happier to see a pile of nice, firm dog poop in my life. I even made Roman look at it. “Look! Look how solid it is!” I gushed. Roman, still in his suit after a long day at the office, nodded with modest enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure he would have preferred to gaze upon a cold bottle of beer but what can I say. He’s my husband and I wanted to share.

Sometimes, moving isn’t the problem. For some dogs, a new environment can trigger behavior problems.

A recent client called me in desperation after his move from New Jersey. John and his wife Sophie had lived in a roomy house on a large piece of property and their dogs, Rory (a Lab) and Chase (Collie) spent hours racing, running and sniffing the woods and yard. The day of the move, the dogs jumped into the car, anxious for a typical adventure. The beach? The mountains? When they arrived in South Salem and surveyed their limited yard – a fenced 1/8 acre parcel – they looked at John and Sophie. “OK,” they seemed to be saying. “When do we leave?”

When it began to become apparent that they were not, in fact, leaving, the dogs began to get a bit stir crazy and protective. There were unfamiliar street noises to contend with and John and Sophie, busy into their new routine, had little time to help Rory and Chase sort things out. So they started barking. And barking. John and Sophie love their new community; Rory and Chase not so much.

What can be done to help Rory and Chase? To begin with, they need more exercise. These are big, active dogs and their small world does not provide the stimulation and exercise they require. Next, they need directed socialization. Left to their own devices in a fenced enclosure, Rory and Chase are feeling defensive and unsure. Rather than a rigorous discipline or shock collars, these formerly fun-loving dogs need social inclusion, exercise, play and direction.

Our life changes affect our dogs, sometimes in unexpected ways. If your lifestyle veers off in a new and different direction, pause to consider your dog’s perspective. Recognize that change can cause emotional imbalance and consider introducing a training regime that guides—not threatens—your dog towards a greater level of tolerance and acceptance.