Make Moving With Your Dog Stress-Free
Moving houses can be a stressful experience for everyone involved, including your furry family member. Dogs are territorial creatures of habit, and the disruption to their routine and familiar environment can cause significant anxiety. However, with proper planning and preparation, you can make the moving process more comfortable for your beloved dog. In this blog post, we’ll provide valuable tips to help ease your dog’s transition during the move.
Before The Move
- Ensure your new home is a safe place for your furry companion by taking the necessary steps to dog-proof and create a welcoming environment. Carefully inspect for any potential escape routes or areas of concern. Additionally, be mindful of eliminating any toxic plants or hazards that could pose a risk to your dog. See our blog on ‘Preparing Your Home For A Dog’.
- To ensure a smoother transition for your dog, consider acquainting them with your new home and neighbourhood before the actual move. Take them on leisurely walks around the area, allowing them to become familiar with their future surroundings. A trip to the local dog park can also be beneficial. By introducing these experiences beforehand, you’ll have fewer things to introduce them to once the move is complete.
- Gradually introduce packing essentials such as boxes, tape, and other materials a couple of weeks prior to the actual packing. This allows your dog to become familiar with these items, reducing the stress they may associate with packing. Have you ever observed your dog’s peculiar behaviour when you bring out a suitcase and begin packing personal belongings? Imagine the potential impact of packing up your entire house!
- Make sure your dog has a clear identification tag on their collar with up to date contact details. Remember to update their microchip details.
- Prepare a dedicated bag containing all the essential items for your dog to ensure their belongings are not inadvertently packed away with everything else. This thoughtful preparation ensures that you always have convenient access to their items. This will provide your dog with a comforting sense of familiarity during the moving process.
- Check the local and state rules and regulations of your new house to determine if you need to register your dog with the council.
- Consider options such as booking them into daycare or arranging for a trusted family member or friend to look after them. The chaotic nature of moving, with people constantly coming and going and doors being left open, can increase the risk of your dog escaping or feeling overwhelmed.
- Before embarking on a long-distance move, visit your current vet and request a comprehensive record of your pet’s medical history and vaccinations, to give to your new vet.
After The Move
- Allow your dog to freely sniff and explore their new home, helping them to acclimate to their surroundings at their own pace.
- Place multiple water bowls strategically throughout the house. This way, they can easily locate water until they become accustomed to the location of their designated water source.
- Create a comforting environment for your dog in their new home by strategically placing items that carry familiar scents. This can include items of your clothing or pieces of furniture from your previous house. This will help provide a sense of familiarity and reassurance for your furry friend during the transition.
- Excite them in their new home by engaging in enriching activities with them and giving them your undivided attention. See our Guide to Enriching Your Dog’s Life blog for tips.
- Stick to your dog’s normal routine, including meals, toilet breaks, and exercise.
By implementing these tips during the moving process, you can help alleviate your dog’s anxieties. Remember, dogs do not understand the disruption to their environment in the same way humans do, so it’s crucial to prioritise their well-being. The aim is to provide a sense of familiarity amidst the unfamiliarity and upheaval.
