Top Tips For Moving Home With A Dog
All the paperwork is done, the move day is in the calendar and all that’s left is to get your possessions ready for the big day. It’s very easy to get caught up with everything and to forget about the single most important thing, mans best friend.
Moving home is not only stressful for us humans. Dogs also struggle to. Luckily there are some steps we can take to help make this experience as stress-free as possible. We have put together some super simple yet actionable tips that you can start today, preparing your dog for the big day!
Prepare Your Dog For Traveling
A great bit of pre-work you can start on is to get your dog comfortable with car journeys. It may be the case that the only time you put your dog in the car is when you are taking it to the vet. This can lead to the dog becoming very stressed out every time they get put in the car which is not what you want for the day of the move. Practice driving yourself and your dog to local walk spots to help your dog get settled when travelling. Showing your pet its not always bad news when that car door swings open.
Stick To Your Normal Routine
Dramatically changing your routine is only just going to confuse your furry friend. Treat the day of the move like any other normal day. If your routine involves getting up early and taking the dog for a walk, stick to this. This will help burn off plenty of the dog’s energy prior to the car journey. Hopefully, your dog will stay relaxed and sleepy all journey long. Additionally, when the removal team arrive to let them crack on with loading up the van and you can focus on collecting up all the dog essentials ready for jumping into the car.
Bring The Dog Bed And Toys Into The Car
You wouldn’t move into a lovely new apartment without bringing a comfy bed and your favourite clothes, so why would it be any different with your dog. It is essential that you bring your dog’s favourite toys and bed with you to the new home, better yet, bring them into your car. This ensures that your dog is surrounded by the smells that it feels comfortable around during the move. This may take up an extra bit of room within your a car but it will be worth it when your dog is calm and settled throughout the entire journey.
Regular Breaks Throughout The Journey
For those who may be travelling across the country to their new home, it’s important that you stop for regular breaks to give you pet a rest from all the travelling. Like us humans, dogs also need to get out the car to stretch their legs and go for a little walkabout. Not only will this helo to keep your dog relaxed during the journey but it will also provide the opportunity for them to nip to the loo. Nobody wants a smelly accident lingering in the car.
Love And Attention Is Key
This is definitely the most important tip out there, not just during a home move. Giving your dog the constant love and attention will help your dog feel relaxed and happy. Throughout the car, journey gives your pet the occasional stoke and keep all conversation to a quiet and gentle tone. Some dogs are so close with their owners that going a long period of time without any contact can leave them feeling very stressed. Keep your pet happy and give them love throughout the journey.
Kian is the content writer for Quicksilver and updates our blog every month. He enjoys helping out our customers with moving tips and advice.