By Rebecca Köhnke
In my experience, dogs cope amazingly well with change as long as they’re with someone they trust.
Whenever we moved with the dogs, we tried to:
- Pack up gradually or have movers do the packing while the dogs were out to avoid a few chaotic days
- Leave their stuff in its usual place and their routine as unchanged as possible
- Take them to the new area for walks several times ahead of the move, so the area became somewhat familiar
- Get them out of the house for the actual furniture moving process. We either left them in the care of a trusted person or took them for a long walk. The first time we moved, we didn’t do this and our completely chilled and confident pup nearly had a breakdown when they took his sofa
- Take their stuff with us, so that when the dogs arrived, I could go in and prepare their most important areas before they came in
- Organise to have an Adaptil or Pet Remedy diffuser set up in both the old and new place a week or two before the move. That way, both homes had a similar, familiar, and calming scent
- Arrange all or some of the furniture in a familiar pattern
I wouldn’t get the pup a new bed to celebrate the move, or anything like that. I’d make sure that as much furniture as possible is familiar, paying particular attention to his safe and comfortable places. You can replace with new things later, of course, once you’re all settled.
Keep in mind that you may need to refresh on toilet training, because dogs don’t generalise well to other houses. They need to learn where the external doors are first.
Also, keep in mind that a new environment can trigger some separation anxiety, so try to take some time off to settle in with them. Gradually see how they feel about being left.
See: Guide 9: Separation Anxiety or Frustration
Remember to look into potential dog sitters or walkers in the new area ahead of time and introduce before the move if you can.