Tips for Moving Houses with Dogs
Moving houses can be a stressful experience for both you and your furry friend. Whether you’re relocating to a new city or just down the street, ensuring your dog feels comfortable and secure during this transition is essential. With a bit of planning, you can make the move a positive experience for both of you. Keep reading to learn practical tips to help you navigate the moving process with your dog.
Preparing Your Dog for the Move
Before you and your furry friend move, there are several steps you should take to prepare them ahead of time. First, reflect on potential changes Fido may encounter in your new home, such as a change in schedule, nearby noises, or outdoor environment. In the few weeks before your move, gradually introduce your pup to these new situations in any way you can to prepare them for the upcoming changes.
Next, get Fido accustomed to packing supplies ahead of time to reduce their anxiety or nosiness when the time comes. If you are able to, begin packing early and leave open boxes out where your pup can see them. Before long, your pup will become used to seeing packing supplies and won’t give them a second thought. Lastly, if your new home is nearby and you already have the keys, consider introducing your pup to the house ahead of time. Conducting brief, supervised visits and creating positive associations early on will make your move-in day much less stressful for your pooch.
Things to Research Before Moving
There are numerous logistics factors that you should research prior to your move to ensure nothing catches you off guard. Below are a few of the main topics and regulations to look into so that you can make adjustments as needed.
- Research pet ownership regulations if you’re moving to a different city or state
- Locate which emergency vet hospital is closest to your new home
- Research local vet clinics that are currently taking new patients
- If you’re moving into a rental home, look into the pet requirements for your lease
- Learn where nearby dog parks, pet stores, and training facilities are
- Familiarize yourself with the leash laws at your new home
- If you’re flying to your next destination, research airline policies for traveling with your pup
Pet-proofing Your New House
New homes are full of plenty of canine hazards and trouble-making opportunities. Anxious dogs who are faced with uncertain environments are especially prone to getting into trouble. Puppy-proofing your house is essential to ensure your furry friend will be safe in their new home. To prevent Fido from becoming an escape artist, confirm that all screens, windows, gates, and doors in the house are secured. You should also inspect any outdoor fences and balconies to make sure your pup can’t escape and injure themself in the process.
To prevent injury, you should also inspect any vents in your new home and ensure they all have covers. Additionally, survey the home and yard for anything that may be toxic for your pup. Certain plants can be poisonous to dogs, so check any plants the previous homeowners left behind and remove any that may be harmful. You should also check for any pest control traps or poison that were left behind in the home. The cleaner and more secure your new home is, the less likely it is that Fido will get hurt during move-in.
Introducing Your Dog to a New Home
Even with preparation ahead of time, introducing Fido to their new home may induce some anxiety for them. Although your home may be a mess for the first few weeks after move-in, it’s important to keep at least one area clear for your pup to seek shelter in. Create a designated space with familiar belongings for your pup to retreat to amidst the initial chaos and uncertainty. If your dog will be arriving at your new home at the same time as you, prioritize getting their belongings unpacked and set up before you continue. The more familiar items they have in this new space, the less scary and uncertain it will be for them.
Additionally, try to slowly introduce Fido to their new home. You may want to start by keeping them contained in a single part of their house with their designated belongings. Another option is to walk your pup through the home, which allows them to get accustomed to the new smells and surroundings with you by their side. Throughout this process, give Fido plenty of positive attention, praise, and treats. By helping your furry friend create positive associations with their new home, you can accelerate their adjustment process and set them at ease.
Helping Fido Adjust
The amount of time it takes your pup to adjust to their new home often depends on their personality and the amount of preparation they had ahead of time. However, there are ways to help your pooch adjust more quickly. Since dogs are creatures of habit, maintaining a familiar routine will greatly reduce your dog’s initial anxiety. Although the weeks following a big move are often hectic, ensure you feed your pup at the normal time, take them on regular walks, and give them some extra love and attention.
The sooner you revert back to your normal routine, the sooner your pup will adjust to their new living space. In the meantime, be patient with your dog as they cope with this change. Canines who are adjusting to an unfamiliar place may exhibit unusual behaviors, such as having accidents even if they were previously house-trained. Remember, these behaviors are temporary and will go away once your pup is comfortable in their new home.
Although moving houses can be overwhelming, following these tips will minimize the stress of moving with your dog. Now that you’ve read this guide, you should be well prepared to successfully move with your furry friend.
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