Love Your Dog with Lynne Marshall: Don't neglect pets when you move

The build up to the completion date, packing everything up, arranging new schools, new doctors, paying bills – the list becomes endless and it’s rarely a smooth process.

Our dogs are almost half forgotten and moved from one house to another as a tick off the ‘to do list’. With a little planning you can make the process less traumatic for your pooch. In fact it may save you nights of unsettled sleep after you’ve moved in.

Dogs, no matter their age, can become quite traumatised with all the changes and seeing their favourite humans stressed and anxious. Moving in to a new home with unfamiliar smells is enough to really rock your dog’s boat.

Here are some things you can do to help your dog adjust:

* Take her out for a walk on the day of the move to burn off some energy.

* When you arrive at the new house lead the way in and take her to the rooms she will use. Don’t give her a tour of the house for a few days as this can be quite overwhelming. Take her outside and show her where she can toilet. Allow her to rest and settle her down in a quiet spot.

* Go out for a calm walk later and let her pick up all the new scents that mark her area. This will help her to start becoming familiar with her new territory.

* The first night will be the most difficult as she is on her own and may feel anxious. If you feel it appropriate, think about sleeping downstairs just to help her adjust to her new surroundings.

* Remember to update microchip details as more dogs run away after a house move than at any other time. 
Register with a new vet if you are moving into a new area as soon as possible.

* Keep to her old routine, don’t worry if she doesn’t have her normal appetite and needs to sleep more. She will soon bounce back and enjoy her new home just as much as you!