Moving Home with your Dog: Some Tips

Moving house is stressful for your dog.  It can cause behavioural problems and your dog may even go missing. This is what happened to one of Fidos' dogs.
You are essentially moving the den. It is a challenging time and threatens their view of survival as they do not understand what is happening. The familiar smells are changing, the sounds are different, your house will be full of people lifting and straining, filled with raised voices, alarming noises and doors are left open. To help your dog move with as little stress as possible the simplest way is to:

• book your dog in with its favourite pet sitter, friend, family member, or neighbour for the duration of the packing and the move.  This is the least stressful and the most fun!
• If this is not possible keep your dog in a separate part of the house with their bed and toys and water.

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​Moving Day

• Make sure your dog is microchipped and take a photo, dogs can panic in a new surrounding and run off in search of their old home or 'den'.

• Accustom your dog to traveling by car if it is not used to it
• If your dog suffers from car sickness, do it a favour and do not feed it at least 12 hours prior to traveling
• While traveling in the car take lots of potty breaks, water for drinking and time for a little exercise
• On arrival keep your dog separated, from the hubub of unpacking, in a separat area with its familiar bed and toys
• Check your new environment is dog proof, and once you are sure, allow your dog off lead to sniff and explore on its own. I have known one dog to jump from an upstairs window.  Be aware and give your dog time to adjust to its new surroundings. If you are not sure, keep your dog on the leash.
• Keep your dog as quiet as possible. Don't overstimulate it with attention.
• Provide a mini den where they feel safe eg a crate.  If they are not used to a crate before the move, then take the time to accustom them to one using positive reinforcement.
• It is best not to leave the dog unattended in the early stages. Practice some gesture leaving.
• Keep your dog on the same food it is used to.
• Decide on your new house rules, and from the very beginning, implement them.
• Positive reinforcement and play is more important than exercise at this time.
• Try and plan a move when your dog is not on heat.

​Some Signs of Anxiety

• quietness or moroseness
• chewing 
• hyperactivity

• aggressiveness
• scavenging
• neediness

• nervousness
• toileting in the house
• barking or howling