If you are moving house and want the best advice to make sure your dog stays as happy as possible in the process, you’ve come to the right place. Chesterfield’s premier boarding kennels Dunston lodge knows how important it is for your pet to feel at home.
Home comforts are just as important to dogs as to people, and moving house can be traumatic for your pet. Unfortunately, thousands of pets go missing a year in the process of moving house, so it’s an excellent idea to be prepared.
Preparation
It’s important to keep your dogs’ routine as normal as possible leading up to the move. Try to feed and walk your dog at the same time every day in the weeks before you move house.
We recommended that if your dog isn’t already, you should have him micro-chipped. It’s also a good idea to take a recent photo of your dog, just in case he does go missing.
Spread your packing out over a few weeks when you’re preparing to move house. As well as making the whole process easier for you, hopefully your dog will be more relaxed too.
If possible, we recommend taking your dog to visit the new house and explore the local area a few weeks before you move. This way, your dog can familiarise itself with the new sights and smells. This may also be a good time to find a new vet in the area.
If your dog doesn’t travel well, try and get him used to travelling in the car in advance.
Moving
We recommend keeping your dog in one room while all the furniture and belongings are taken out of the house.
Make sure the car is well ventilated as you travel, and if your dog suffers from travel sickness, do not feed him for 12 hours before travelling to prevent any accidents. If you are travelling a long distance to get to your new home, remember that your dog will need frequent stops for easily digestible food and water during the journey.
Also, ensure he is wearing his collar and ID tag throughout the move!
Your new home
When you first arrive, keep your dog in one room with its toys and familiar items while all your furniture and belongings arrive. Make sure you have a good look round the new house and check that there is nowhere for your dog to escape. New surroundings may make him unsettled, and to avoid him bolting for freedom in a panic, make sure he is fenced in securely.
It’s also a good idea to show your dog around the rooms that it will be allowed in. Let him have a good sniff and explore thoroughly. Surround him with his favourite blankets and toys to create an environment that is familiar and relaxing for your dog.