9 Best Tips for Moving a Dog to a New Home

A move to a new home can be stressful for your entire family. With everything on your to-do list, you may lose sight your canine friend and the adjustments he will need to make. Dogs thrive on routine and familiarity, making a move particularly stressful.

While every dog’s reaction will be different, be sure to keep yours in mind as you make your plans for moving day. Keep in mind that moving can be very hectic, and your focus may not always remain on your dog while you take care of the logistics. To help make moving easier, consider hiring movers to provide assistance during moving day.

We’ve put together a list of tips for moving a dog to a new home to help put your mind at ease:

1. Keep Your Routines

As you prepare for moving a dog to a new home, you will likely be preoccupied with your to-do list. As much as you are able, make sure you stick to your dog’s regular routine. Your dog likely feels your energy—whether slightly anxious or completely wound up—and may start to feel anxious herself.

The more you are able to stick to her routines, her regular walk times and play sessions, the more relaxed she will be with the changes to come.

2. Pay Attention During Packing

Before things get underway, have plenty of boxes in your home. Just as your dog can get stressed out by seeing your suitcase appear in advance of a trip, he can easily be unsettled by the appearance of boxes.

Be sure to play with your dog, close to the boxes, as well, so he learns to truly relax around them.

3. Take Care of Logistics

A move might be the perfect time to make sure your dog’s identification details are up to date. If she is not microchipped, consider having it done in advance of your move. Similarly, it’s a good idea to update her tags, in case your phone number changes.

4. Give Extra Time for International Moves

If you are moving outside of Canada, you will have many more logistics to consider. Check the local laws of the country to are moving to—you will likely need to specific paperwork regarding your dog’s health and vaccination records.

You will also need to plan for your dog’s actual move—will he fly with you? Do you need special medication for the trip? In short, if you are preparing for an international move, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to plan for your dog.

5. Arrange for a Moving-Day Vacation

Moving day is extremely stressful for dogs. The strangers in your home, the open doors, the elevated energy—it can add up to plenty of canine anxiety. If at all possible, ask a friend or family member to keep your dog for the day. She will have a better experience and you will find it less stressful to know she’s safe and away from the chaos of moving day.

6. Inspect Garden and Home

Before your dog gets to your new home, do a quick safety check. You’ll want to make sure the yard is safe for him, free of physical hazards, and that any fences are secure, without escape points. If you don’t have time to fully explore rooms that could have potential hazards, simply close the doors until you have the chance.

7. Let Them Explore

When your dog arrives at your new home for the first time, shower her with love and let her have a good sniff. Your dog’s natural instinct will be two-fold: to be with you and to explore every corner of your new space. Let her sniff, except for the areas think could be dangerous. Outside, let her smell and mark their new back yard.

8. Keep Things Consistent

In the first few days at your new place, try to keep things as consistent as possible for your dog. Keep his feeding and walk times the same, for example. Have him sleep in his usual bed or crate. Take time from your unpacking to play with your dog, just as you normally would. Having the same toys, bed and routine will help your dog adjust to his new home as quickly as possible.

9. Shower Her with The Good Stuff

It may go without saying, but part of helping your dog adjust to her new home means showering her with love and treats. You may increase your dog’s calorie intake for a few days but allowing her to make positive associations with her new space is key for a speedy adjustment.

Moving homes can be overwhelming for both people and pets. As you plan for the logistics of a move and how you will help your family adjust, remember to think about your dog’s wellbeing, too. We hope these tips for moving a dog to a new home have been helpful. Just remember that dogs, like people, will adjust at their own pace. Be patient, give them love, extra walks and lots of treats.