Donna,
You have moved it at the right time of the year, keep doing what you have been doing and you might have a good chance. Dwarf dates are not the easiest of Phoenix species to move but you will just have to wait and see. Did you remove any fronds from it? Doing this will reduce transpiration and water loss. They are a very hardy (and spikey) palm but you will just have to play the waiting game.
Andrew.

We took only the broken, lower fronds. These were browning anyway. Many of the other lower fronds are very brown at the tips, for a few inches or so. They were like this before be dug it out. The top ones are still green and have shown no change.
We have read that pruning any tree when you transplant it is an old gardening myth. It apparently only stresses the plant more. Has anyone else heard this? I don't notice any difference either way.

No I don't agree that it is a myth, particulary with palms. I have moved many palms and I consider that it is necessary to reduce transpiration. Many palms will loose just about all leaves when they are transplanted, leaving only the 'spear', quite often they will sit or 'sulk' like this for months before taking off again.
Andrew.

Is it a good sign that it now has seed pods growing from the top? They are getting longer, so it must be alright after all. Right?

Sounds like it is going to survive, but I would cut off any inflorescence before fruit forms so that the energy goes into the plant and not the fruit.

Hi Doona
I agree with Andrew's tips.
We had to transplant a 4 foot Dwarf date about 3 years ago, previous owners had planted it in front of the house meter box and I don't think the meter reader was too pleased. The procedure was not particularly gentle, dug around root ball then attached rope and pulled it out with the car and dragged to the hole ready about 25mts away. Watered in and removed some lower fronds. My soil is very sandy so had to keep the water up for a while. It never looked back, I rarely water it now as my bore is salty so has to rely on rain and that is pretty rare these days.
So Doona I don't think your should worry, they are HARDY.
Cheers Val

Well, our palm has been here for six months now and it looks great. We cut off only the browning fronds and those that were broken from the move (sorry, I know you said to cut them all of but I just couldn't). We've kept up the Seasol but only when we think to (like, not every fortnight). It seems to be very healthy and should be okay.
We have another one that is smaller, and possibly a different variety as the fronds are softer, longer and greener. It's suffering a bit already, but it's root base wasn't very big and needs a lot of support, so I don't have much faith in this one. Time will tell.
Thanks for all your replies.

That's good to hear it is growing, it won't look back now.

Andrew.