Moving With Your Dog

cost-pets

Dogs love a good routine. Wake up, go outside, eat breakfast, go to Canine to Five… but what happens when it is time to move? Disrupting your furry friend’s daily routine is bound to happen at some point in their life. In the midst of boxes and moving trucks, taking time to ease your pet’s transition is just as important as settling in yourself.

We know moving to a new house begins well before your actual moving day. Sorting your belongings into boxes and donating old items might seem like a boring task to you, but for some dogs, this out of the ordinary human behavior can create stress and anxiety. Exercising your dog before your moving day chores can help reduce their antsy behavior. A tired dog is usually a happy dog, but for some sensitive pups, getting out of the house completely might be a better solution. Canine to Five offers dog daycare from 6:15am – 8:00pm so you can focus on getting everything packed and labeled.

Once the big day arrives, your dog will be on full alert. Now you aren’t just packing, you’re taking everything out of the house! Moving day is typically not dog-friendly. We recommend keeping your dog secured in a bedroom, at a friend’s house, or with us at dog daycare. This is also a good time to make sure you have your dog properly fitted with a collar and identifying tags. Having your dog microchipped before the move is a great way to ensure their safe return in the event they get startled and make a run for the propped open doors.

Traveling by car to your new dream home? If you have a long drive ahead of you, make sure you give your dog the opportunity to run around before and during your trip. Only feeding them lightly before your drive is also advised, you don’t want their breakfast to come back up during your travels!  Plan ahead by staking out any dog-friendly parks along the way to let them stretch their legs, and if you plan to stop for lunch, make sure you find a dog-friendly restaurant so Fido doesn’t have to wait in the car.

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, exploring the house together with your dog on a leash will help prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. Dedicate a closed room filled with some of their favorite items to secure them in as you move in, and give them something to do while they’re waiting like a puzzle feeder, a frozen peanut butter Kong, or a cardboard box to shred. Above all, return to their normal routine as soon as possible to help them settle in.

Dogs are sensitive animals. It is our job as pet parents to make sure our friends feel as comfortable and confident as they can be. Planning a move in the near future? Here’s what you’ll need to start at Canine to Five:

  • Your pup must be at least 12 weeks old
  • They must have their DHPP, Lepto, Bordetella, and Rabies vaccines (Rabies by 18 weeks old for puppies)
  • Puppies over 9 months old must be spayed/neutered to participate in our pack-style environment; Unaltered dogs may continue to join us for Private Play

If your dog is eligible to start, click here to fill out our new client inquiry form and our Canine Concierge will get in touch with you to go over next steps!

June 8, 2019-
Last updated on July 8, 2023

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