Moving to A New Home with Your Dog

by Heidi Atwood

Puppies go through a pretty big transition when we bring them into our lives. Everything is different as they get used to new people, new surroundings, new sights and smells, and being without their littermates. That’s a lot of changes in a fairly short period of time. 

I often talk with people who are preparing to move to a new home, and want to make the transition as smooth as possible for their puppy. Maybe you have a second home, or want to go on vacation with your puppy. Think of this as very similar to bringing your puppy home for the first time. This will be a new environment, with new sights and sounds, and you may see setbacks due to the transition itself. 

Whether you have a young puppy or are bringing an older dog into a new home, it’s helpful to keep them close to you to prevent wandering and potty accidents in places they don't yet consider their “living space.”

To make this move as smooth as possible, try to keep the schedule and routines as "normal" as possible. Walks may need to be shortened if the new environment is too distracting. By walking back and forth near your home, your dog can get slowly acclimated to the new environment. Increase the distance you are walking as they handle it. By staying close to home, you can end the walk easily if the puppy is struggling or overwhelmed. 

Since the puppy will be learning to go potty in a new area, take them to the potty spot a bit more frequently at first, and reward successes to signify that this is the best place to go. Be cautious of rugs and carpets, which might be tempting places to hide an accident, especially if a previous resident’s pet may have had accidents in the home. 

It's a good idea to limit freedom quite a lot initially. Help the puppy settle in one room or area before expanding their freedom. Use the crate, a pen, baby gates, or a tethered leash to prevent wandering until the puppy begins to consider the new home their living space.

If it’s convenient to visit the new home with the puppy or dog before the move, bring along favorite toys and something that smells like "home," such as a blanket or a shirt that you have worn. When introducing new rooms, make sure the puppy has recently had a successful potty break. Engage in normal and rewarding activities in the area, such as training, belly rubs, and gentle play. 

To ensure your puppy is getting the rest they need, play comforting music or white noise near the puppy to help drown out any new noises. Covering the crate can be helpful as well. Practice sound desensitization ahead of time if you anticipate unfamiliar noises. For example, if this is a more urban area, you might focus on sirens, traffic, and other city sounds if the puppy lacks experience with them. Or, if the new environment is more rural, you may want to introduce sounds of wildlife or wind blowing through the trees. Start by playing the sounds randomly at a low volume, casually rewarding the puppy for listening calmly, and gradually increase the volume as they handle it. 

On moving day, you will be busy (and possibly a bit more stressed!) so try to provide a calm area for your puppy to relax with some distracting entertainment. Perhaps the puppy could even stay with a familiar family member or friend during some of the busiest times. Pack the puppy’s items last, at least their favorite toys, bedding, crate, and so on, and plan on unpacking the puppy items when you first arrive, immediately setting up a comfort zone for them. If you are moving to a new home, don’t forget to update contact information associated with your dog’s microchip or ID tags. 

If you notice any changes in behavior or have questions about specific issues, please reach out to us for guidance. Your puppy will be with the person/family that they have bonded with, which will be a normal, positive part of the transition, but many other things will be new and different for them. Feel free to offer extra rewards and snuggles, especially since it may be helpful for you to cuddle your puppy more during this time as well!