Moving with a dog, stress-free – how to help your dog
Moving with a dog goes smoothly when you keep your dog's routines unchanged, take care of its safety on moving day, and give it time to adjust to the new home. A dog senses its owner's emotional state, so your own calm calms your dog too. Familiar objects and smells, and your presence in the first few days, help your dog feel safe in the new environment.
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Prepare your dog for the move
In the middle of change, a dog needs continuity and a sense of security. Keep your dog's daily routines — meals, walks and giving attention — as similar as possible to before the move. This way your dog understands that even though the environment changes, its basic needs stay the same.
If you know your dog has a tendency toward separation anxiety, practise being left alone before the move. Progress gradually and place the exercises at moments when the dog is calm, for example in the evening after the day's activities.
Take care of your dog's safety on moving day
On moving day, your dog's safety is the most important thing. Tell the movers about the situation and ask them to behave calmly and neutrally near the dog, without extra commotion. This keeps the dog's state of mind steady.
When goods are being carried, make sure the dog doesn't move too close to the carriers. If needed, keep the dog in its own space so that interaction stays controlled. If possible, take the dog to care for the duration of the move — this is the best way to avoid dangerous situations.
Help your dog settle into the new home
Make sure the new environment is safe for the dog: check that the yard is fenced and that hazardous substances and items are out of the dog's reach. Arrange a calm place for the dog to rest.
Familiar smells and objects calm a dog, so keep its own bed, toys and food bowl with you in the new home. Avoid leaving the dog alone during the first few days — arrange for someone to keep the dog company. This creates positive associations with the new home and reduces the feeling of insecurity.
Separation anxiety in the new home
Adjusting to a new environment can take time, and a new home can trigger separation anxiety. Practise being left alone gradually and thoughtfully after the move too, and take the dog's individual needs into account.
Be patient and give the dog time to get used to the new home and routines. Observe the dog's behaviour and adapt your actions accordingly — every dog is an individual.
Frequently asked questions about moving with a dog
How do I prepare my dog for a move?
Keep your dog's daily routines as unchanged as possible before and after the move. If your dog has a tendency toward separation anxiety, practise being left alone gradually before the move.
Is it worth taking the dog to care for the duration of the move?
Yes, if possible. Taking the dog to care for the duration of the move is the safest option, because it keeps the dog away from the carrying routes and reduces stress amid the commotion of moving day.
How do I help my dog settle into the new home?
Keep your dog's familiar objects, such as its bed, toys and food bowl, with you, because familiar smells are calming. Avoid leaving the dog alone during the first few days and give it time to get used to the new environment.
How do I ease my dog's separation anxiety in the new home?
Practise being left alone gradually after the move too, and keep routines familiar. Be patient, because adjusting can take time, and observe your dog's behaviour individually.