How to Move House With a Dog

Moving house can be a busy and stressful time for all members of the family. And it’s no different for your pets.

All the rushing around, packing boxes and general anxiety that come hand in hand with moving to a new property can take its toll on your dog, so it’s important not to neglect it during this time.

At Britannia Sandersteads, we aim to make the entire removals process easy and stress-free for everyone. With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy guide that outlines how to move house with a dog, keeping it calm and relaxed at every step of the process.

Before the move

In the days and weeks leading up to your big move, it’s likely that most of your time will be spent rushing around getting everything in order, and making sure everything is packed and ready to go.

Remember, your dog is likely to pick up on your stress and will also be experiencing its own. Its daily routine will probably become somewhat disrupted and all the sights, smells and objects it has become used to will likely be changed, too. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to try and stick to your dog’s daily routine as much as possible to minimise this stress.

It’s also worth considering giving your dog to familiar family or friends as the move takes place, to prevent it from getting too worried about everything that’s happening.

During the move

If your furry friend is going to be present during the move itself, then you should put some provisions in place to alleviate any potential distress to your dog. With so many people likely to be passing in and out of your home on moving day, it’s a good idea to keep your dog out of the way in a room. This way it’s less likely to get in harm’s way as your belongings and furniture are moved.

Remember, while you may find it hard to believe, not everyone is keen on dogs. So, by keeping it in another room, and informing any removal people of its location, you’ll be making them feel more comfortable, too.

If keeping it in a dedicated room isn’t an option, then make sure it’s on a lead or in a dog crate instead.

Travelling with your dog

When it comes to transporting your dog to your new abode, you need to make the journey as comfortable as possible. Make sure your pooch is well fed prior to the journey, but make sure good time has passed before leaving so it isn’t ill en route.

Usually, the best way to transport a dog is by using a dog crate, as this will keep it safe and secure for the duration of your journey. However, if you do not own one, then the next best thing is a specialist dog seatbelt/harness that you can purchase online or in your local pet shop. You should never transport your dog in the boot or footwell of your car.

If your new home is quite far away, then you should take at least one short break to give your dog the chance to stretch its legs and have a drink. And, if it’s a hot day, ensure your car is well ventilated.

Arriving at the new home

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, the best thing you can do for your dog is to get things settled as soon as possible. You can do this by placing it in a separate room while you get everything unpacked. Place some familiar objects such as toys, their food bowl and bed in the room so your dog has some recognisable items as it gets used to the new environment.

Once you’ve got yourself settled, it’s a good idea to take your dog out for a walk, as it won’t have had much opportunity to exercise on moving day.

After the move

Some dogs will settle in their new home right away, while others may take some time to adjust to their new surroundings. Whatever the case, try and keep things as normal and stress-free as possible for your dog, sticking to as much of their original routine as you can.

Try and get out and about with your dog on a walk as soon as you can. This will help them become more accustomed to the new environment and settle quicker. When walking in areas away from roads and traffic, it might be a good idea to use a long or extendable lead so your dog can explore its new walking route.

In terms of your new home, if your dog is struggling to adjust, then you can always talk to your vet about getting some pheromone products that may help.

Also, don’t forget to update your dog’s collar details to include your new address.

At Britannia Sandersteads, we’ve spent more than 50 years helping homeowners and businesses across London, Croydon and Surrey with the removals process. Our team always puts your needs first and can quickly and efficiently help you with your move, making it as seamless and stress-free as possible for everyone. To find out more, get in touch with us today.