Having moved house many times both with and without dogs, I can easily say it’s never a fun task – it can be stressful for both us humans and dogs. Here are some tips to make moving with dogs easier.
One thing we can say is that as much as you may try, it will never be perfect, but certainly, there are things that you can do to help eliminate some of the stress of moving house for you and your dog. All of these points are also something we have done in the past while moving house and helped us.
Well prepare for your journey
Some dogs don’t travel well and moving can be tough, especially if it’s a long journey. There are a few things you can do to prepare your travel to make it a bit easier for your dog. One of the most effective ways to do is to consult your vet to determine the cause of the issue and what can be done to make the car travel more comfortable for your dogs.
If, for example, your dog suffers from motion sickness, your vet may decide to prescribe anti-nausea medication, or if it is due to fear of travel, anti-anxiety medication may help.
Dogs can be difficult to get both in and out of cars especially SUVs. When you open the boot and expect your dog to just jump out but he just sits and looks at you, it may be time to consider a car dog ramp. These come in all shapes and sizes and nearly all of them are telescopic, which means they are easily stored without taking up much cargo space.
Consider hiring a professional removal company
We all know packing can be a nightmare, especially with dogs running around. It can be worthwhile seeking additional help from a removal company. For example, these London movers and packers will pack all your belongings, which can make the moving day so much less stressful for you and your dog. There are, of course, pros and cons to be considered, for example, if you are trying to make the moving process on a budget, this may not always be the right option for you.
Leave your dogs with someone on moving day (if possible)
Moving day can be really stressful for everyone. If at all possible, you should consider asking your family, friends or whoever you feel comfortable to look after your dogs or leave them at a dog boarding kennel on moving day. You can even ask a dog walker to look after your dog for the day. Good dog walkers will have dog walking insurance in place so that’s one thing to take into consideration when choosing the right one. Once everything is unpacked, you can introduce your dogs to their new home and show them it is a safe and relaxing place. This would also help you by making the whole unpacking and settling experience less hectic.
Adjusting to the new home
There are a few things you can do to help your dog get used to and be more comfortable with their new environment. You can, for instance, create a familiar environment for your dog by arranging their toys and beds the same way as you had previously. One another thing we did was to not wash the dogs’ bedding for a good few weeks to make sure they have their familiar smell in the new house.
What’s more, you should stick to your normal routines – these could mean go for daily walks around the same time and for the same length of time and stick to the same potty and meal schedules. By making sure they have their “normals” as much as possible, it will help your dog settle in more quickly. You should also remember to be patient if your dogs have toilet accidents in your new home. Show them where they are expected to go to the toilet, rather than telling them off.
Make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date
It is so important that your dogs’ microchip details are most up to date with your new home address. Are your other contact details still correct? You want to make sure your dog can be identified easily, should they escape by accident or get lost. You should also have a new tag for your dog’s collar made with the new contact details.
If you have any more tips to make the whole moving experience with dogs more present, please let us know in the comments below.
