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Moving With Dogs – How to Ease the Transition

Posted Moving Tips / July 25, 2019

While you made your decision to move to a new family home in another country, your pet didn’t. Moving with dogs can be much easier than moving with cats, but it doesn’t come without its perks and roadblocks.

It is essential not to stress your dog out. This is a huge change in your pets’ life, and you should do everything you can to ease the transition from one place to another. It is not a bad idea to take it slowly and start preparing your dog in advance. If you have some time to take him on a road trip, even once, you will make it that much easier. This will get him used to the idea of traveling long-distance, and it will allow you to take a break from all the stress and labor that comes with moving.

Moving with Dogs to a New Home

It is not so simple as to pack a lamp, put it in the box, and set it up elsewhere. Your pup is a living being that has its routine. You will not only be breaking that routine, but you will also put him in a different, unfamiliar territory. This can result in behavioral changes, changes in eating habits and food consumption, and most seriously, health problems.

So how can you avoid all that? For a start, by understanding that dogs are more than a companion and realizing all their needs. Your puppy has a feeding schedule that shouldn’t be disrupted, exercise and daily walk routine, and probably a favorite corner in your house.

Before you get rid of that old piece of furniture that your pup chewed on, consider relocating it with you and keeping it in your new family home. This way, your dog will have some familiar objects to help him connect to your new home until he finally gets used to the different surroundings.

Research Various Online Resources for Advice on Moving with Pets

You can always check out some good advice and help on pet forums from the people who already went through this whole process. Most of the dog breeds have their unique set of characteristics, and you can find out how will the relocation affect your pup, at least approximately. There you can also find a lot of tips and tricks that can help you with any step of the moving. How to prepare for transport, finding the right packing services, and how to adjust to a new home

There will be many experiences in transporting a puppy with different transportation methods, and what are the pros and cons of all of them. If you want some more expert advice, you can talk to your vet or search for expert online pet sites.

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What to Do Before Your Move and at What Time

If your canine doesn’t have an everyday routine schedule, you should make one, at least a month in advance. You should also schedule a vet appointment a month before you move.

It should also have specific feeding and sleeping areas. Dogs are creatures of habit, and if they have an established routine that you will follow every day, they won’t view the relocation as too drastic. A specific part of the day for particular actions is going to be their safe zone

A week before you move, you should let your pup get used to all the boxes and other packing material. That many foreign objects at once can make your pup feel threatened and scared.

Your Pets Need to Feel Safe

If it is possible in any way, try to keep your puppy at your side as much as possible when the relocation day comes. As dogs are ultimately connected to their owners, they will feel your absence, and they will surely feel if you are stressed. We know that this might seem impossible at times, but try to avoid your pup if you are stressed out and full of negative energy. Also, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid them the whole time. Try to calm yourself and devote some time to your four-legged friend.

How to Make Transportation Less Stressful for Your Dog

What can help your pup a lot during the move is to be near you. That way, you can cater to its needs on the road. If this is not a possibility, and your dog is traveling separately in a carrier, a useful tip is to put your pup inside on your own and try to console him. You can also put some familiar things in the carrier, like his favorite blanket and a toy. Any comfort you can give to your pup during the ride is more than welcome.

Exercise Your Dog When the Moving Day Comes

Dogs shouldn’t eat large meals the night before and on the actual relocation day. You want to make sure that your pup went outside to “do his things” just before you leave. This way, you’ll be sure that he is all set for the long ride. You should also tire your pup as much as possible since it will make the trip a lot easier if it’s tired and half asleep.

Prepare a Bag for Your Dog

While preparing a travel bag for yourself, you should prepare one for your puppy too. You should have enough food and necessary things for the road and the first few hours in your new family home.

Finally, the Settling In

This is a whole other subject on its own, but there are a few general rules that you should follow when you arrive at your new house. Dogs are curious by nature, and they will want to explore the place as soon as they enter it.

How to Introduce Your Dog to a New Home, Step by Step

First, establish a base (a place for feeding and sleeping) and take care of your dog’s basic needs, like food, water, and going out. Then you can carefully take him for a tour around the house, but try avoiding unsecured and dangerous spots. If it is possible, try to limit your pup to a single room that you know is safe, at least for the first night. Later on, you can adjust your place and turn it into a safe environment for your furry friend.

Let International Moving Company Handle the Relocation While You Take Care of Your Pet

Moving internationally takes a lot of work, that’s why for transporting your belongings and possibly shipping your car overseas, it would be wise to contact reputable professional movers to help you take care of everything and leave you more time to spend with your beloved animal. 

Blake Shaw

Bostonian and residential moving and packing expert. Blake Shaw enjoys bar-hopping, music, and writing insightful content.

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