Moving with a Dog: 11 Tips for a Stress-Free Process

Moving can be a stressful experience for everyone, especially when moving with a dog. The unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells of a new home can be overwhelming for them as they adjust to their unfamiliar surroundings. Whether you’re settling into a home in Denver, CO, unpacking in a Scottsdale, AZ apartment, or exploring a rental in Sacramento, CA, these thoughtful steps will ensure your dog feels safe, calm, and happy during the transition.

 

Table of contents:

1. Check local laws and apartment restrictions
2. Plan ahead to ensure safety and comfort when moving with a dog
3. Stick to a routine and pack essentials
4. Visit the new neighborhood and prepare for long moves
5. Create a safe space during the move
6. Seek professional help and grooming tips
7. Pet-proof and familiarize the new home
8. Keep your dog occupied and reward positive behavior
9. Take care of yourself
10. Make exercise a priority
11. Stay patient and supportive
12. Moving with your dog and adjusting to your new home

 

To make the transition smoother and less stressful for both you and your furry friend, consider these 11 expert tips for moving with a dog.

1. Check local laws and apartment restrictions

Do you need to register your dog in your new city? Are there apartment pet policy and breed restrictions that you should be aware of? Is there a pet deposit or other fees? Knowing this ahead of time will give you one less headache to deal with during or immediately after you move.

2. Plan ahead to ensure safety and comfort when moving with a dog

“Plan ahead to keep your pets safe during a move,” advises Erica Raymond from non-profit pet shelter, Dutchess County SPCA. “Have a strategy for where they’ll be at each stage—secure them in a room during packing and moving, and transport them safely to your new home. Update their ID tags and microchip info to ensure they can be found if they get spooked and run off.” This preparation is essential to keep your dog safe and ensure their comfort during the moving process.

3. Stick to a routine and pack essentials

“Even during the chaos of packing and unpacking, sticking to regular mealtimes, walks, and play sessions helps your pup feel more secure,” shares Corey Wentz, pet product reviewer at Fur Ball Fun. Dogs thrive on routine and maintaining familiar schedules can significantly reduce their stress.

 

Wentz also suggests packing an “essentials bag” for your dog. “This includes their favorite toys, treats, food, and a blanket or bed with familiar scents. Having these comforting items on hand during the transition makes them feel at home, even in an unfamiliar place.”

4. Visit the new neighborhood and prepare for long moves

Introducing your dog to their future environment before moving day can help them adjust. “If you are within driving distance of your new home, take your dog for a couple of visits,” suggests Oliver Pet Care. “Let them sniff around the neighborhood to familiarize themselves.”

 

Volodymyr Davniuk from adoption service American Paws Club located in Malibu, CA adds, “Simply pack a dedicated travel bag with their favorite toys, familiar bedding, and a portable water bowl to provide comfort and consistency during the transition. This will ensure your dog will have a stress-free moving experience.”

 

If you’re moving internationally, extra preparation is necessary. “Make sure to check the animal import and quarantine rules,” Oliver Pet Care advises. “Choosing an airline with a good safety record and crate training well in advance will be beneficial to your dog.”

5. Create a safe space during the move

“When moving day arrives, find a calm space or room for your dog—like a spare bedroom, a bathroom, or a spot away from the main hustle,” advises Jose from West Seattle-based dog grooming service, The Seattle Canine Club. Stock this area with their bed, toys, and a familiar blanket to create a “doggy retreat.”

 

Lori Powell of certified dog training service Pawsitive K9 Solutions in Los Angeles, CA, recommends setting up a “safe space” in your new home. “Setting up a safe space with their favorite bed, toys, and familiar scents can help them adjust more quickly. Stick to their routine for stability, and consider using a calming pheromone diffuser during the transition.”

 

Washington, DC-based pet blogger, Debra of People Loving Animals emphasizes the importance of such measures: “Moving to a new home is terribly stressful for most people. But what you may not realize is how stressful moving can be for pets.” Creating a designated area can help mitigate this stress.

6. Seek professional help and grooming tips

For particularly hectic moves, boarding your dog at a friend’s house or a doggy daycare can be a lifesaver. “Having them stay at a familiar place allows them to avoid the stress of moving day and focus on adapting to a new place,” says Charles Winters of Bark Place, a pet grooming salon in Manhattan, NY.

 

Nina Anderson of Groom Haus located in Schaumburg, IL adds, “Ask your groomer if they have recommendations for your new area if you are moving farther away. Additionally, ask them to make notes of the grooming details that can be passed along to the next groomer.”

 

Emily Bloom from Groomer’s Choice in Sioux Falls, SD, emphasizes the importance of planning. “Reduce the stress of moving by researching local pet groomers ahead of time. Reach out early to secure a spot and consider scheduling an introductory session with the new groomer. This gives your dog a chance to adjust to the new environment and meet the groomer in a positive way.”

7. Pet-proof and familiarize the new home

Before letting your dog roam freely in the new home or yard, take precautions. “Supervise your dog closely during initial outdoor time, ensuring the yard is escape-proof and free of hazards like toxic plants or sharp objects,” recommends Dr. Jeremy, veterinarian and co-founder of Jope of Pets in Dartmouth, MA. He also advises introducing the neighborhood gradually with short walks to help your dog adjust.

Carlyn Montes De Oca, an award-winning author and animal-human health expert based in Albuquerque, NM, stresses safety measures: “Along with updating your dog’s collar and microchip information to reflect your new address, I highly recommend investing in a GPS tracking collar to monitor your dog’s location in real time.”

 

Christie, dog blogger of Tails of Connection, offers another perspective. “Explore your new neighborhood with your dog in mind. Take note of challenges like noisy areas or tricky corners and plan how to navigate them.” She also suggests using tools like window film or a white noise machine to reduce stimulation when moving with a dog.

8. Keep your dog occupied and reward positive behavior

Engaging toys can help distract your dog during the move. Michael Holtz, CEO of Yomp, a sustainable pet toys company suggests using a treat-dispensing toy: “Prefill it with snacks and pop it in the freezer the night before. It’ll keep your dog happy for 20-30 minutes.”

 

Doggy Daze, professional groomers in Phoenix, AZ, advises, “Maintain their daily routine as much as possible while keeping playtime common, and the move will be fun for them.” Rewarding positive behavior, like using their new potty area, helps reinforce good habits.

9. Take care of yourself

“It’s always stressful moving from one living situation to another,” notes Michael Holtz, CEO of recovery tools company, RAD Roller. “Remember to take breaks, and take care of your body throughout. Try using a RAD Roller along your spine or under your foot to work out any sore muscles or stiffness.” Taking care of yourself ensures you’re better equipped to support during a move with your dog.

10. Make exercise a priority

“Exercise your dog more than usual during the moving period,” advises Dr. Jeremy. “Tiring them out physically can reduce stress and restlessness.” Keeping your dog active and engaged will make the transition smoother and help them settle into their new environment.

11. Stay patient and supportive

Moving is a big adjustment for your dog, so patience is essential. “Your constant and reassuring presence is of the utmost importance for your dog,” Oliver Pet Care emphasizes. Providing stability and comfort can turn a potentially stressful situation into an opportunity to strengthen your bond with your dog.

Moving with your dog and adjusting to your new home

Following these expert tips can make moving with a dog a smoother experience for everyone, whether you’re relocating across town or settling into one of the best cities for dogs. Thoughtfulness and preparation are also key when introducing your dog to a new home to keep them happy during this transition. Moving can be a happy time for you both. Just remember that your dog has feelings, too.