Moving house when you have a dog can be a bit tricky. If you're a dog owner, here are some steps you can take to ensure that your house move goes smoothly.

Speak to your moving company in advance

It is very important to tell your chosen moving company in advance that your dog will be in the house when their employees arrive to transport your belongings to your new property. If you fail to warn the moving company, they could end up sending employees who are either afraid of or allergic to dogs.

This could drastically affect the speed with which the moving process progresses. For example, if one of the removalists is allergic to your pet and your current home is covered in your dog's hair and dander, they could end up having an allergic reaction which is so severe that they need to leave midway through the day and seek medical treatment.

Likewise, if one of the removalists is afraid of dogs (this is a very common fear), they may find themselves unable to carry out their work as quickly and efficiently as they would usually do because they are distracted by their anxiety and are desperately trying to avoid running into your pet.

Make a conscious effort to keep your dog calm

Dogs thrive on routine and familiarity; as such, it is quite possible that the chaos and upheaval of the moving process could result in your dog becoming temporarily unpredictable, anxious and hyperactive. This is problematic for two reasons. Firstly, it could increase the chances of your dog bolting out of the open door of your current house whilst your removalists are carrying items out of it. If this should happen, you could end up having to postpone your house move until you manage to locate your lost pet.

Secondly, it could lead to your dog snapping at the removalists as they work or getting in their way and causing them to trip whilst they are holding heavy boxes. This could lead to these individuals being injured and having to leave before all of your belongings have been transported to the new property.

As such, you must make a conscious effort to keep your dog calm and safe. There are a few ways to do this. Firstly, if possible, keep them locked in a room of your current home whilst the removalists do their work. In this room, you should put some water, food and a few of your pet's favourite toys, so that they remain comfortable and distracted during this part of the moving process.

Then, when you arrive at the new house, make sure to immediately set up your dog's bed and give them any toys, blankets and other familiar objects that they enjoy. This should help them to feel more at ease in their new surroundings, which should, in turn, make it easier for you to focus on unpacking and settling into your new home.

Share