Moving to a new home can be a significant change for you and your dog. Most dogs find comfort in routine, and changes during the moving process can cause stress for some. Thoughtful preparation before, during and after the move can help your dog transition comfortably to your new home.

Looking for a dog-friendly home 

If you can accommodate how the new home will affect your dog, you may consider the following:

• The type and size of the home (e.g., apartment building vs house)
• The location (urban vs suburban vs rural)
• The neighborhood (heavy vehicular traffic, frequent construction, free-roaming dogs, feral cat colonies, etc.)
• Access to nature (fenced-in yard, proximity to trails or parks)

Dogs with the following traits may need particular attention to the type of home you seek:

• Dogs fearful of strangers or other dogs 
  • Apartment buildings may have more active hallways, elevators, or stairwells, which may be stressful for dogs with fear of strangers or dogs. 
• Dogs with noise-sensitivity 
  • The sounds of the neighbors in apartment buildings may be more prominent and stressful for noise-sensitive dogs. 
  • If your dog tends to bark at sounds or in your absence, it may not be well suited for an apartment building. 
• Older dogs with arthritis or mobility issues
  • If you have an older dog with arthritis or mobility issues, you may need to avoid buildings with many stairs. 
• Young and active or large-breed dogs
  • Consider the size of the house or apartment building if you have a young, active dog. Similarly, a large breed dog may not be suitable for a smaller studio apartment. 

Before the move 

• Ensure your dog is microchipped and has ID collar tags updated with your new home’s address. 
• Anti-anxiety medications:
  • For some dogs, anti-anxiety medications may be helpful before any potentially stressful changes in the environment or to help transition them to the new home. 
  • Talk to your veterinarian early on to discuss if medications would be helpful for your dog. Before using an event-based medication for anxiety, it is always best to perform a trial of the medication on a day when you are home with your dog and can monitor for any side effects.
• Keep your dog calm and entertained while packing up your home. 
  • Make sure to stick to your dog’s routine and spend uninterrupted time interacting with them at least three times a day (10-20 minutes)
  • If they become stressed by the bustle of packing and change, keep them in a separate room with an enrichment toy, such as a long-lasting chew, puzzle food toy, or silicone licking mat, along with two different ambient sounds, such as white noise and classical music. 
  • If they don’t seem particularly stressed, you can try some “find it” games by hiding treats under unused boxes to help keep them entertained. 
• Crate-training:
  • Early crate training can help during the moving process, especially if travel is involved. If your dog isn’t crate-trained, the sooner you can start training, the better. Be sure to introduce the crate slowly and associate it with positive things for your dog.
  • If you will be traveling for the move, requiring your dog to be in a crate, an airline-style plastic carrier is recommended.
  • Crate training may not be suitable for every dog, particularly those with a history of separation anxiety or confinement distress. 
  • Check for more information on how to crate train. 

During the move 

Depending on how far away you are moving, you may need to arrange accommodations for your dog on the day of the move. Moving may expose dogs to commotion, strangers, and noise. They may attempt to flee if scared, risking their escape through an open door. 

• Consider a dog sitter: 
  • If you are moving within driving distance, consider having your dog stay with a trusted friend at their home or a boarding facility. 
• Pick a Safe Room: 
  • If dog sitting isn’t an option or your dog may be more stressed away from you, pick a quiet room in the home and place your dog in there with two types of ambient sounds, such as a white noise machine and classical music, their toys, their favorite bed, and treats. 

Setting up the new home for success

When arriving at your new home, there will be plenty of unpacking and moving in and out of the house. There may also be loose objects out or left behind that could cause injury if ingested or stepped on, such as nails, glass, or electrical cords. For this reason, setting your dog up in a quiet, secure room while moving in can help keep them safe and stress-free as they gradually adjust to the new home. Make this quiet, separate room with their familiar bedding and toys.

• Pet-proof the new home by closing and securing all exits and picking up any loose objects.
• Leave items familiar to your dog, such as bedding, toys, and blankets. 
• Place their food and water station in a quiet, low-traffic area. 
• Maintain a routine for your dog with familiar mealtimes, outdoor time, and interactions. 
• Consider dog pheromones, such as Adaptil® diffusers, which can have a natural calming effect and cover an area of up to 750 square feet.
• Acclimate your dog to the new home before leaving them alone.
  • Start by leaving them for very short periods of time each day, then slowly increase the time alone, or have a dog sitter, neighbor, or friend check in on them. 

Consider setting up a camera to monitor the transition to the new home.