Moving house. How to make the transition as stress free as possible for your dog.

Dogs in general are more resilient than we often give them credit for. Most dogs will settle surprisingly quickly in a new home as long as they have the humans that they trust around them. There's no harm in making the move as easy as possible for them though. So here are my top tips.

• Set up a pet remedy in the old house before you move and transfer it to the new home before you take your dog to see the new house. This will create a familiar, calming scent.

• Pack up gradually so that it feels less chaotic in the home.

• Try as far as possible to pack around the dog's things (their bed, toys, food bowls) so that their own items stay in the same place until the day of the move.

• Take your dog to the new area and let them familiarise themselves with some of the walks around there. If you will have your keys before moving in day, take them to visit the house whilst it is empty too so that they can have a good sniff of it all.

• If you need to swap care for your dog such as walkers, kennels, daycare, groomers as part of the move, try to have settling in sessions with these before you actually move so that they are already familiar with these changes in advance of the move (not always possible if you are moving hundreds of miles of course).

• Don't have them in the house for the furniture moving part of the house move. Leave them with a trusted carer. Most dogs would find watching furniture removals very stressful.

• Set up the dogs areas first. I know if you are moving a busy household this may not feel like a priority. But it will only take you a few minutes and it will mean the world to your dog. Now is not the time to buy new dog beds or toy boxes. If the old ones no longer match your new decor, replace them once you're all settled in. I cannot stress this enough. Put their familiar items in as similar a place as possible to the old house.

• If it is practical to do so, arrange some of the furniture in a familiar pattern within the new home too.

• Remember, you may need to go back to some basic toilet training depending upon the layout as your dog will need to learn where the new external doors are.

• A new environment can trigger separation issues. Gradually check how your dog feels about being alone in your new house. Don't assume they will automatically be fine with 'business as usual'.

I hope you find these tips useful

Written by: Nicola Cook VSPDT, CSAT