Do dogs stress when moving house? Absolutely, they do.
Moving house is one of the most stressful experiences for humans, and your dog will feel it too. Dogs love routines and familiar surroundings, so a huge and sudden shift can trigger anxiety, confusion, and stress.
The Junk-It team loves dogs just as much as you do, which is why we put together this guide to help you understand what your dog may be feeling, as well as different ways to make the move easier on them.
Why Do Dogs Stress When Moving House? – Advice by Moving House Rubbish Removal Glasgow Professionals
To understand why a dog feels stressed, it helps to first understand how they think and feel.
Dogs like familiarity and find comfort in familiar routines, scents, and environments. Everything changes when you move, and this can cause your furry companion to feel quite unsettled.
Dogs navigate their world primarily through smell, and a new area lacks all those familiar scents that gave them security in their old space.
This can make the move even harder for both you and your furry best friend.
Signs Your Dog May Be Stressed About Moving Day
Recognising the signs of anxiety can help you reduce stress for your dog.
All dogs are different, but common indicators to look out for include:
- More barking, whining, or howling
- Destructive behaviours such as excessive chewing
- Increased shedding
- Digestive issues such as diarrhoea or reduced interest in food
- Excessive panting or drooling
- Hiding
- Separation anxiety
Watch your dog’s behaviour closely during the moving process to help them adjust to your new place.
Before the Move: Help Your Dog Prepare
Good planning and preparation of things to do when moving makes a world of difference, especially for your pooch.
Starting your preparations early means less stress for you, and therefore less stress on your dog.
If possible, it is a great idea to take your dog to your new home before the move. This will help them get used to the new smells before the big day.
If that isn’t possible, try to take them to their new walking routes so they can become familiar with the local scents and sounds. This slow introduction helps create positive associations with their future territory and makes the eventual move less of a shock to their system.
We fully understand moving home can be stressful, but try your best to keep your dog’s routine as consistent as possible to help keep your dog calm. Maintain regular feeding times, walks, and play sessions to help a dog feel as calm as possible.
In the lead up to the move, consider crate training (if they aren’t trained already). When properly introduced, a crate becomes a safe haven, offering a familiar place for your pet. Make sure the crate is filled with comfortable bedding and favourite toys so your dog sees it as their special space.
During the Move: Keeping Your Dog Safe and Calm
Moving day typically brings the most chaos, with people coming and going, doors standing open, and furniture being shifted around. This environment can overwhelm your dog and potentially put them at risk if they escape or get in the way of heavy items being moved.
One of the most effective approaches is simply keeping your dog away from all the main activity.
If possible, try arrange for your dog to stay with someone they know and trust, like a friend or family member, or book them into a reputable boarding facility for the day. This completely removes them from the stressful situation to lower their stress levels.
If keeping your dog with you is absolutely necessary, set aside one room that will be packed last as their dedicated safe space.
Keep your dog in this room with their crate, bed, toys, water, and familiar items. Place a clear sign on the door alerting removal people that a dog is inside and ‘Do Not Open’ to prevent any accidental escapes or disturbances.
Crucially, make sure your dog’s identification and microchip details are updated with your new address before the big day arrives just in case the unexpected happens.
Settling Into Your New Home: Creating Comfort During Stressful Situations
It’s important that you let your dog adjust slowly to your new surroundings.
Comfort Your Dog with Familiarity
Stick to a Routine to Help Your Dog Settle
Patience is Key When Moving House with a Dog
Moving home is overwhelming for the best of us, just imagine how your dog feels!
Some dogs settle in quickly, while others may need a few weeks or even months to fully adjust. Be patient and understanding, your furry friend might be feeling unsure and could behave a little differently during this time.
Remember to offer plenty of praise, cuddles, and positive reinforcement whenever your dog seems relaxed or comfortable in their new house. This helps them learn that their new home is a safe and happy place.
Contact The Junk-It Team Today For Moving House Rubbish Removal
The less stressed you are for your big move, the better it is for your dog.
One of the easiest ways to reduce moving-day stress is to move fewer things! Decluttering before you go not only makes your removal process faster and cheaper but also helps you settle into your new home more easily, without unwanted items getting in the way.
For a professional, hassle-free house clearance service designed especially for people who are moving, get in touch with the friendly team at Junk-It today. We’ll make sure your moving day runs smoothly and efficiently, both for you and your four-legged friend.
For more information on our services, contact our Glasgow team today on 0141 433 4330!
