Moving house is one of life’s big upheavals, and our dogs feel every wobble of it. Sidney, our resident boxer and unofficial office manager, has helped us put together this guide so your four-legged family members stay calm, safe and comfortable from the first packed box to the first snooze on the new sofa.
A few weeks before the move
- Update the microchip and ID tag. By law in the UK, your dog’s microchip details and collar tag must show your current address and phone number. Update them as soon as your completion or move-in date is confirmed — not the day after.
- Register with a new vet. If you’re moving out of the area, ask your current vet to transfer records. Keep a copy of vaccination history, flea and worm treatments and any prescriptions to hand.
- Keep routines boringly normal. Same walk times, same feeding times, same bedtime. Dogs read our stress like a book, so predictability is reassuring.
- Introduce the crate or carrier early. If you plan to use one on moving day, leave it out with a favourite blanket and the odd treat inside for a week or two beforehand.
Packing week
- Pack gradually. A house that empties overnight can be unsettling. Spread packing over several days so your dog can adjust to the changing landscape.
- Save their bed, toys and bowls for last. Familiar smells are a huge comfort. Resist the urge to wash the beloved (grubby) blanket — that’s exactly what they want to smell.
- Prepare a “dog day bag”. Lead, poo bags, water bowl, a day’s worth of food, medication, a favourite toy, an old T-shirt of yours, and a towel for muddy paws.
Moving day itself
- Consider daycare or a trusted friend. Removal vans, open doors and strangers in high-vis are a recipe for a bolted dog. If you can, have them stay somewhere calm until the heavy lifting is done.
- If they must stay with you, pick one quiet room in the old house, close the door, and put a clear sign on it: “Dog inside — please do not open.” Same trick at the new house on arrival.
- Long walk first thing. A tired dog is a calmer dog. Burn off some energy before the chaos starts.
- Feed lightly. A smaller breakfast reduces the chance of travel-sick tummies.
The journey
- Secure them properly. Rule 57 of the Highway Code requires dogs to be suitably restrained — a seat-belt harness, a crate or a boot guard. It’s also a condition of most car insurance policies.
- Never leave a dog in a parked car, even in mild weather or with a window cracked. If you’re stopping for keys or paperwork, take them with you or leave them with someone.
- Plan comfort breaks for longer journeys — a stretch, a drink and a wee every couple of hours.
Arriving at the new home
- Do a safety sweep first. Check the garden fence for gaps, latch the gate, and look for anything the previous owners may have left behind — slug pellets, rat bait, sharp bits in the borders.
- Set up a “base camp” room with their bed, water, toys and that unwashed blanket before you bring them in. One familiar corner in a strange house works wonders.
- Introduce the house slowly, one room at a time, on the lead if they’re a nervous type. Let them sniff at their own pace.
- Keep them on the lead in the garden for the first few days, even if it’s fully enclosed. New smells and new sounds can trigger surprising escape attempts.
The first week
- Stick to old routines. Same food, same walk times, same commands. Familiarity is everything.
- Explore the neighbourhood together. Short, positive walks help your dog map their new patch — and it’s a lovely way for you to meet the neighbours.
- Watch for signs of stress: off their food, clingy behaviour, toilet accidents, excessive panting or a suddenly quiet dog. It usually passes within a week or two — if it doesn’t, have a chat with your new vet.
- Update your council if a dog licence or garden waste bin is affected, and let your pet insurer know your new address.
Renting with a dog?
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants in England have a stronger right to request a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. If you’re moving into a rented home with a dog, tell us up front — we’ll help you make a sensible request, arrange any pet-related terms, and get you settled quickly. Honest conversations at the start save everyone stress later.
Sidney’s final woof
Every dog handles change differently — some take it in their stride, others need a bit more reassurance. Go at their pace, keep the routines they love, and before long the new house will smell like home. And if you spot a boxer in a pinstripe waistcoat overseeing the move, that’ll be our Sidney checking you’re getting the five-star service you deserve.