MAKING THE TRANSITION AS EASY AND STRESS-FREE AS POSSIBLE
My husband found us our dream home, a farmhouse in the country with just enough land to be manageable and provide endless new scents for the dogs to sniff. We knew they would love it too – when they got over the stress and confusion of the move.
New House
I grew up on a farm in the country, and now that I’m an adult, I appreciate having spent my childhood in that wide open space, surrounded by nature. It’s funny how we take things for granted when we’re little. We don’t question the choices our parents’ make, that’s just the way things are. Animals are adaptable and like children, are affected by the choices we make – good and bad.
This is Henry and Reese’s second move and the first for Jack and Goose. Jack has been with us just over a year and is still incredibly nervous and anxious. The pack knew something was happening and watched with the utmost curiosity as hubby and I packed all of our belongings into boxes. Fortunately, the time between purchase and move wasn’t long, so the process was complete within a few weeks. Unfortunately, that meant most of our ‘down time’ was spent packing and getting things organized for a hasty exit.
The following is an account of how we made things as stress-free as possible for them (and us).
Even though it was a rush to get everything packed, sold, given away or dumped, we made sure the dogs were walked, and spent time playing in the garden with them.
Exercise helps to calm them and maintaining a routine is essential!
We did not pack any toys, dog beds or other, recognizable items until the very end. In fact, the toy box was loaded directly into the truck ‘as is.’ No packing required.
During a move, household smells become unrecognizable and change dramatically; it isn’t surprising that our companions become stressed. The day of our closing, we took cleaning items, two mattresses (ours, and one for my parents), bedding and all dog items to the new house. I did not change our bedding from the beginning of the week as I wanted this to be something familiar to the dogs and Ricky. We loaded up the truck, my car, and my dad’s van and headed to the new house.
The dogs seemed content to run around the (mostly) empty space examining each room thoroughly before testing out the new digs for dinner. Again, we kept the same routine; Reese and Henry waited on their bed, and Jack sat in front of his dish-stand while I served up their dinner. Goose waited patiently for his turn.
Waiting for dinner
Waiting patiently
We had scheduled a contractor to come that very first weekend to install a fence to secure the dogs. For the first couple of days, we had to hook them up with leads and take them out to do their business. It was no different than when we go away for weekends or on holiday. In fact, it’s good practice to use leashes until you determine a new area to be safe without gaps in fences, etc. Many animals become ‘flight risks’ when relocated – this is especially true of new rescues. Take extra precautions to ensure their safety when doors are opened. The new house has a door from the house to the mudroom and another from the mudroom to the great outdoors. A rule was established: one door must be closed before the other opened.
Unlike dogs, cats need to be kept inside for several days before letting them out. This gives them time to become familiar with their new home, the location, and smells. More on transitioning cats will be provided in a follow-up post.
Secure yard
Make sure your dog is wearing some form of identification. A collar and tag with name, address and contact number should be worn at all times and microchipping your companions is recommended.
DO NOT FORGET TO INFORM YOUR MICROCHIP PROVIDER OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION!
If your dog does go missing, notify the new owners of your old home immediately and inform local animal control, police, veterinary clinics, rescue organizations and shelters, and post on community Facebook groups and Lost Pets groups.
The furries thought nothing of sleeping on a mattress on the floor of our new room. I think Reese appreciated not having to jump up to the bench and then up again, to the bed.
The next morning, John dropped the dogs off at the groomers. Yes, the dogs had a day at the spa while the rest of us finished last minute packing and assisted movers with loading. I didn’t want the dogs to see the house being emptied. Plus, the front door was open the entire time. If your dog is familiar with a kennel, you might consider boarding them for the duration of the move.
Goose was quite happy to sunbathe on his favourite rock in the garden; he was oblivious to what was going on inside his house. Another option, to prevent cats from disappearing while movers are going in and out, is to close them in a room with food, water, bed and litter box. Make sure movers know to keep the door shut and place a sign on the door as a reminder.
It was comforting to know my companions were safe and stress-free and I was able to focus on getting us moved. After their grooming, the dogs (and cat) were taken to the new house to explore until the movers arrived. At which time Granny was put in charge of the animals and took them (and her reading book) to our new bedroom where they would be safely out of the way. Yes, Granny included! Ensure the doors and windows of the room are closed and lock the door if possible. The movers were instructed to leave anything marked ‘Master Bedroom’ in the hallway and not enter the room. A sign on the door and crating your dog might also be considered.
Goose – blending comfortably into his new surroundings
Once the movers had left, and the house was safe for four-legged explorers, the cat, dogs, and Granny, were let out to explore the new environment.
The crew began to settle once they recognized the furniture, area rugs, and other items from our old house. They set about rubbing their chops on anything that had not yet been claimed. It took Reese less than five minutes to find the toy box – she was home!
Jack is quite relaxed in his new house.
Regular treats, a new chew bone, a new toy each, as well as continued daily walks and play time in the new garden, ensured this new place was a pretty cool place to be.
Do you know any pet parents on the move? Please share these tips with them.
Thank you,
This is a timely article for me, we have two dogs, one a very nervous rescue, and we are due to be moving early next year. I have already been thinking about what is the best course of action, so this was helpful and full of great tips. Thank you.
These are great tips! We have moved, oh boy, 5 times with Boomer, 4 with Helo, 3 with Ringo and none yet with Roxie. Whew! Oh and 3 times with Jasmine, our cat, as well. We usually set them up in a spare bedroom with all of their toys and water and special treats and take turns hanging out with them while the movers load the truck. We have also boarded them, but I think they knew something was up after weeks of boxing up our belongings and they were a bit stressed. They’re pros by now and just stay home with us.
I hope you guys get settled into your new home nicely. It looks like the 4-legged family members are already a fan! Congrats on the dream home. Sounds an awful lot like what we’re looking for in our next (and hopefully final) move.
Microchip provider being informed HUGE thing. We travel a lot so Montecristo is use to new spaces on the regular for long stretches … I doubt he’d struggle. He’s at the point where as long as someone he likes is there… he’s good. Oh and Moby. Can. NOT. forget. Moby. (his toy blue whale)
Monte is at the point where as long as someone he likes is there he’s good. We travel so much and often for long stretches so…. he’s good. Can’t forget Moby though. MUST. NOT. FORGET. MOBY. (small blue stuffed whale toy)
Excellent tips, especially the one about keeping cats indoors for a few days. They are stubborn and may try to beeline for their old home. I would not have thought about keeping the bedding unwashed so that the pets would feel more comfortable, but I’m going to do that on my next move for sure!
Great tips as always, and the microchip reminder is the most important of all. I remember when I moved with Layla and only had her for about 4 months so it was scary but was fortunate to have a friend step in, she fosters a lot, and take Layla while the packers moved the stuff etc phew.
I would so love to live away from the city in the country somewhere, it sounds so peaceful
I haven’t moved with Mr. N before but he is totally fine with contractors traipsing in and out and stuff being shuffled around due to renovations and staying at new places. So I think he wouldn’t have issues adapting. New surroundings can be stressful for a lot of dogs though!
Such great information and advice about making a move with pets. I love that you brought up that cats need time IN the home to get attuned to their smells before being let outside and the advice to inform the microchip provider of the move! These are things that are easy to forget in the midst of a move!
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You move sounds similar to ours. We had to wait 4 weeks for our fence though! That was a looong 4 weeks!
Sounds like you had a smooth transition! The part about Granny made me laugh each time! I’ve moved a few times with my dog and she gets more anxiety when she sees things are different or a bunch of boxes but it took her hardly any time to get adjusted to the new places as long as there was something constant (me being there) then she was fine!
It’s incredible how adaptable animals can be. Yes, Granny was happy to hang with the hounds (and cat).
Congrats on the new house! We just moved a few months ago to a larger apartment in a new state. We also moved in with my longtime boyfriend, so it was a big change for all of us. (My) Henry was SO stressed the first week, and even started showing resource guarding tendencies that he hadn’t before. Thankfully, since everything calmed down, he’s much happier 🙂
Great suggestions and congratulations on your dream home! We have been searching for a new house with a huge yard, so I’d guess moving is in our near future. Last time we moved, I sent our dog to doggy daycare for the entire day (we don’t have family in the area). One other suggestion is to not allow your dog free roam of the new house right away. It can overwhelming for your dog, so start slow, introducing one area at a time.
Great tip! I guess it depends on how you transition. For us, the dogs came with us for a ‘pre-move’ visit. Letting them roam and sniff at that time was just a fun adventure.
Very thorough article! We just moved this fall too. Our dog took it all in stride. He’s a senior and has been more than one move. 🙂 We did however take a lot of precautions for our three cats. Moving advice is good to know.
So many people get caught up in all there is to do for the move itself and don’t realize there is so much preparation needed for moving animals.
Just move last month! In addition to the stress of moving, I basically had to jump through hoops to move my 2 dogs. Thank God, everything went smooth as a whistle.
I’m sorry it was a challenge to move your dogs – hope you are settled now.
Hey, thanks! I did the one about keeping cats indoors for a few days. They got a little bit angsty at first, but by the time I was going to move, it worked out!
Hi, Aaron. Thanks for visiting our site!
I’m glad to hear everything worked out for you (and them).
Congrats on your new place.
These are really great suggestions! I’ve moved my cat around a lot, our biggest move being from Canada to Belgium! THAT was an adjustment for sure, but she’s happier than ever now here with us. My Belgian hubby and I just bought a new house and will be moving again in a few weeks – so it’s great to refresh some of these tips for making the move easier. We now have two cats (one has never lived anywhere but here), so it should be interesting, to say the least. Our cats have already been sniffing around our boxes!
It’s a great reminder about informing the vet who chipped your pet about your new address – I honestly am a few weeks away from moving and hadn’t thought of that yet!
Hi Jaimee,
Congratulations on your new place! I’m so glad I was able to share some reminders with you.
Will you be adopting a third cat (third move)? 😉
Thanks for the tips! I moved to a new home and personally I only have an indoor dog but my girlfriend has 4 dogs and 2 cats!!! Almost went crazy with the new house and move but it worked out (painfully) in the end haha.
Wow! That’s a lot of animals! You have me beat by two dogs and one cat.
Moving is NOT fun. I’m glad it worked out – hopefully you’re all settled now.
Thanks for the advice! I am planning to move soon and I am an owner of a Great Dane. This has been very helpful.
I’m happy I was able to help. Good luck with the move, Aaron!
You have got such a lovely set of pets! They are so innocent looking and cute. I am glad you ensure a smooth transition for them as without us realizing it, the move to a different place can be quite stressful for the pets.
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