Can moving house affect your dog?

August is the most popular month for people to move house in the UK. 

With the help of Pooch & Mutt’s Resident Vet Dr. Linda Simon, we’ve brought you all the expert tips, tricks, checklists and advice you’ll need to prepare your dog for moving day – and what to expect as you work at getting their life back on track in their new home.

Moving is an emotionally charged experience for everyone involved, but for dogs, it can be particularly disorienting and anxiety-inducing. Dr. Linda Simon explains how moving house can affect dogs:

“Moving house can be a stressful occasion for all, but particularly pets. Most dogs crave routine and like to have a structured and predictable home life. So, when we pack up their belongings and show up in a whole new place, it can be overwhelming.

In the early days, you may notice your dog seems worried as they display behaviours such as:

• Lip-licking
• Yawning
• Pacing

Your dog may also initially show their stress by acting clingy or by hiding away. Some dogs may start “acting out” and displaying more unwanted behaviours, such as barking, chewing and digging. This is why being mindful to include your dog’s wellbeing during the moving process should be a priority, especially when wanting to avoid some of these behaviours long term.”

Conducting house viewings with a dog

A crucial part of starting the moving process is making your home look as pristine as possible while you host property viewings. But having strangers coming to your house more than usual, and keeping a house looking tidy with a rambunctious pooch in the vicinity, can prove to be a little tricky. So if you’re trying to give the best impression to a potential buyer, here are a few things to consider:

1. Arrange a dog sitter at the time of viewings: It’s wise to have a professional dog sitter, partner or family member take care of your dog during viewings. It’s impossible to imagine, not everyone’s a fan of dogs! 
2. Tidy up your dog’s space: So as not to completely eradicate your dog’s presence, but to make it in-keeping with the rest of your home.
3. Garden clean up: Ensure your garden’s poop free!
4. Vacuum Regularly: Get rid of any excessive dog hair.
   

 Preparing your dog before moving day

Packing up your life is stressful, and dogs are quick to pick up on the changes in their environment. The chaos of packing can cause anxiety in dogs, but there are ways to mitigate their stress:

1. Create a calm atmosphere: Try not to fuss over your dog too much as you pack as they’ll quickly feel that something’s not right. The best thing to do is act as normal as possible; maintaining a calm and reassuring presence.
2. Lots of distraction: Keep your pooch busy! Take some time away from packing to go on a big walk, visit some family and friends, play ball in the garden or do whatever they love to do. This way they’re getting some well-deserved attention, and they’ll be too pooped to notice you collapsing the dining room table.
3. Enrichment and mental stimulation: Whip out the treat stuffers and snuffle mats to keep your pooch busy. Not only are they mentally stimulating, but they also ensure a tuckered-out pup. 
4. Leave their favourite things out: While packing, remember to keep your dog’s stuff out until the last minute. This way, whilst the rest of the house is being packed up, they can enjoy the familiarity of their belongings and most importantly, their scent. 
5. Visiting your new area: Take trips with your dog to the area around your new house. This will help introduce them to their new neighbourhood, and provide some fun enrichment to break up a day of packing. 
6. Make plans for moving day: If moving day would be easier and safer without them there, ask family or friends to watch them for a couple of hours. Alternatively, you could take your dog and their belongings to the new house first or last. This way they can explore in their own time without any distractions.

What to do with your dog on moving day

So the big day has arrived! With so much to do and people in and out of your house all day, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your dog getting lost amongst boxes or going off on an adventure through an open front door.

That said, here are a few things you can do on moving day to ensure it’s smooth sailing:

1. Get your dog sorted first: Start their day with a delicious calming treat and get them settled in their own space with their belongings (whether that’s at the new house or the old).
2. Hand them over to a friend or family member for the day: Alternatively, give them a break from the madness at a family or friends’ house, and pick them up when the chaos has settled. 
3. Make a safe zone, informing everyone helping you move of their whereabouts: Wherever you decide to set-up your pooch, be sure to create a calming, secure area away from the chaos, and full of their belongings and fun distractions. Also, make everyone aware to avoid any escape opportunities. 
4. Stick to your routine as much as possible: If you walk them every morning, walk them on the morning of your move. 
5. Let them explore at their own pace: Whether they get first looks before anyone gets there, or they run around once everyone’s gone – give your pooch time to sniff and get acquainted with their new home.

Travelling with your dog

Moving with a dog inevitably means travelling with them too – whether that’s in the moving van or the car. Travelling with your pooch also takes some preparation, especially if they’re not used to it. That said, here’s how you can tackle travelling with your dog:

1. Make sure you have the right accessories: This includes their seat belt harness, car seat, blanket and seat cover. Dogs have to be suitably restrained in a car by law, to ensure no distractions and everyone’s safety.
2. Make the car a positive space: If your dog only gets in the car to go to the vet, start taking some fun trips on the build-up to moving day, to lessen the stress on the day. 
3. Tackle nausea: Car sickness is common in dogs, so be prepared. Ask your vet about nausea medication to be taken before the journey, as well as making sure you’re equipped with cleaning supplies. 
4. Tire them out before the journey: Take them out for a walk or get in some playtime to tucker them out, so they’ll hopefully sleep during the journey.

Helping your dog settle into their new home

Whether it’s new smells, a new sleeping space, a new garden or a new walking route, there’s SO much for your dog to take in. So, after the chaos of moving is settling down, consider the following when helping your dog adjust to their new surroundings:

1. Stick to your usual routine as much as possible: Whether that’s walks, feeding times or playtime. 
2. Arranging to stay home as much as possible: Stay at home with your dog for the initial settling period to avoid separation anxiety. 
3. Allow for behaviour that’s out of character: This could include whining through the night or having little accidents around the house. With the right approach, they should revert to normal once settled. 
4. Prepare for some retraining: Some retraining may need to take place, especially at night. 
5. Rebuild their own area/sleeping quarters: This can be with their belongings that smell like your previous house.

Managing your dog’s first night in their new home

The first night in a new home can be tough, as your dog may experience separation anxiety. They might whine, bark, howl or display destructive behaviour when alone. Here’s how to manage:

1. Warn the Neighbors: Consider getting off on the right foot with your new neighbours – warning them of potential (but temporary) excessive noise.
2. Revisit Training: Approach crate training or sleep training as you did the first time around. As they settle into their new environment, they should pick it back up in no time.

Your checklist for moving house with a dog

At this point, your post-moving checklist is probably looking pretty chocka! So, it’s easy to leave some crucial bits of admin off, especially regarding your pooch.

Here are a few things you should be checking off your list once you and your dog are moved in:

1. Update Microchip Information: Change your address on your dog’s microchip and at the vet.
2. Update ID Tags: Ensure your dog’s collar reflects your new contact information.
3. Find a New Vet: If you’ve moved far, register with a new vet practice.
4. Scout Walking Spots: Discover new walks and parks in your area.
5. Check the Garden: Make sure it’s safe from any pooch-shaped holes in the fence and free from toxic plants/flowers.

How long does it take for a dog to adjust to a move?

The amount of time it takes for them to settle and adjust will be different for every dog. For some it may take a week, for others, it may take a month, or even longer.

It also depends on how you’ve approached the move with your dog, and what you do to help them adjust. Helping your pooch to gradually get acquainted with their new space, whilst sticking to their routine as closely as you can, AND creating positive experiences should help speed up the settling process.

Do dogs get homesick?

Those who move with cats may have stories about their homesick cat trying to make their way back to their old house. Whilst it’s less common in dogs, there have been instances of dogs attempting an escape not long after moving to their new home. More commonly, dogs who’ve recently moved house usually kick up more of a fuss than they once did when left alone.

However, this is most likely due to stress and separation anxiety caused by the move, and a change of routine and environment. When moving with your dog, you should prepare as much as you can to make the move as stress-free as possible. This can be done using scent swaps, gradual exposure and positive reinforcement.