A wandering soul

Dogs are pack animals, and so long as they're with their pack (which is you and your family), they're happy. Dogs can easily become unsettled when you move house, and the fact that their pack is with them is often not enough to calm them. There are a few things you need to know about when moving to a new house with a dog. They're part of your family, and you want to do everything you can to ensure that they experience as little moving stress as possible.

A Safe Place

Your dog wants to protect your family, and they do this by barking and often showing aggression towards strangers. You don't want your dog to go crazy each time the furniture removalists set foot inside the front door. Consider asking a friend or family member to take your dog for the afternoon or overnight, and they can then be delivered to their new home. If your dog stays with you on moving day, remove the furniture from one room first. Put your dog's bedding, a few toys and some treats in the room and close the door. The dog can then go straight from their safe place to the car when you're ready to go.

Routine

Even in the days leading up to the move (and on moving day itself), try to keep your dog's routine the same. Feed your pet and take them for a walk at the same time as usual. Dogs find comfort in the familiar, and they will already be confused enough, wondering why everything is being packed up into boxes.

New Territory

Your dog needs to learn that their new home is now their territory. Allow them to explore the backyard and mark their territory, but it can be wise to chain the dog up for a few days if the backyard is not securely fenced. While walking your dog should take place at the same time as usual, you might want to cover as much terrain as possible after you move. Your dog should know how to find their way back if they become lost, so give them a geography lesson by walking them around as many local streets as possible.

Beware of Wanderers

If your move is not a particularly far one, there's the possibility that your dog might attempt to make their way back to your old home. This possibility increases if your dog is known to be a bit of a wanderer. If you're concerned, try putting them into a boarding kennel for a week. This change of scenery will be mildly confusing to them, making them more happy to see you and stay with you once they're brought to their new home.

Update

Don't forget to register your dog if you're moving to a new home, and if your pet has been microchipped, you'll need to update your address details.

Moving is stressful enough, so it's important to ensure that your beloved pooch is calm and free of stress during the process. It's one less thing to worry about!

For more moving tips, contact a local company like U Help Removals.