Moving home with your dog

By Gordon Banks, Behaviourist at Dogtown South Africa

So you’ve decided to relocate and are going to take your furkids with you – well done, moving home with your dog is a very good decision. 

Relocating is said to be one of the most stressful events that one may experience. Well, the same applies to our furkids, any environmental change for dogs or cats can be enormously stressful and if not handled correctly may result in a rise of unwanted behaviours.

Moving with your dog can be very stressful. With good pre-planning, the whole ordeal can be made match easier for all concerned.

Here are some tips to help the move go as smoothly as possible:

Moving home with your dog. Rex from Dogtown models here.
Model: Rex from Dogtown SA

Preparing to move home with your dog

  • Just as you’ve investigated and made sure the new location is suitable for your needs, so should you make sure they suit the needs of your pets. e.g. If you have a large dog that has been living on a huge property and you are now moving to a very much smaller property you’ll have to make sure you are able to give him enough daily physical and mental stimulation to compensate for the lack of space he is used too.
  • If your pets are used to going to boarding kennels it may be worth considering booking them in for a few days before and after the move. This would be less stressful for them than all the activity that goes on around a move, it would also give you one less thing to have to deal with while getting everything packed up. (Best Friends Pet Lodge can assist you with this.)
  • If however, you choose to keep them with you, do not exclude them from the packing process. Let them experience all the hustle and bustle going on while you prepare and pack up your belongings. If they are getting in the way try distracting them with a tasty chewing to concentrate on. Avoid putting the in a create if possible, quite often one gets involved with all the tasks at hand and the dog is left unintentionally in the crate for an extended period causing a lot of unnecessary stress.
  • Make sure to pack your pet’s “stuff”. Favourite toys, beds, blankets and all the things they are familiar with will help them settle more readily into their new home. Also, check all their vaccinations are up to date and having them microchipped (if they are not already chipped) would be a good idea. This will help if they go wondering in the new location.
Moving home with your dog. Honey the senior from Dogtown models here.
Model: Honey a senior dog from Dogtown

Moving Day with your dog

  • The day of the move can be extremely stressful for your pets. Movers (strangers to your pets) coming and going, and furniture and other familiar objects being removed from the house all add to the pet’s confusion and stress levels can rise substantially. It is important to try and keep their daily routine as regular as possible at this time – feed them at the regular time, walk them if a morning walk is customary and try to keep everything routine.  Keeping your pets in a small room with an enjoyable chewy toy or something similar may be helpful in diverting their attention from all the activity and preventing them from slipping out through any open doors. 
  •  If you are relocating locally then transporting the pets with you in your car is probably the best option. However, if the move is somewhere further afield then it may be beneficial to use a reputable pet travel company. If you choose this option, make sure to thoroughly research and check the credentials of the company you plan to use.

At the new home

  • Give your pets time to settle in. Remember the whole ordeal is very confusing and stressful for them and they are bound to feel a little down for a number of days. Avoid replacing all the bedding etc. with a new kit – the familiar smells of their old stuff will help to reassure them. Again try to stick to the same routine you had at the previous home – feeding times, walks etc. and general daily activities with them should be kept the same if possible.  Allow them time to explore the new environment without placing undue pressure on them.
  • If your dog is microchipped make sure to update all the relative information with the microchip registry company. 
  • Talk to your new neighbours and ask them for recommendations for a veterinarian in the area and any safe parks or areas where you can walk the dogs.

About Dogtown SA

Dogtown SA is a non-profit sanctuary for dogs, situated in the mountains near the Hennops River. The dedicated team of behaviourists and caregivers provide care for dogs who have lost their families or been rescued from dire situations. The dogs are given individual care and attention whilst they wait for their forever homes. There are many wonderful dogs at Dogtown who through no fault of their own have found themselves homeless and often in need of care and rehabilitation.

Website: www.dogtownsa.org
Email: info@dogtownsa.org
Telephone: 076 044 1979
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogtownsa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogtownsa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/barkingmad4dogs
LinkedIn: ://www.linkedin.com/company/dogtown-sa/

Click here for information about our moving process.

Posted in Seniors Moving, Speciality Moves