Moving house is never a simple process. Even when everything goes smoothly, there’s still disruption. Furniture ends up in odd places, people come and go, the house feels unfamiliar long before you leave, and the new one rarely feels like home straight away. When you’re moving house with a dog, that unsettled feeling matters more than people often expect.
Dogs notice small changes, especially smells, sounds and routines. It’s common for dog behaviour to change after a move. Some dogs stay close, following their owners from room to room. Others pace, bark at unfamiliar noises, or struggle to settle in the evenings.
Managing this behaviour can be difficult. Read on to check out our guide to moving house with a dog.
Familiarity Matters More Than Space
For dogs, a sense of safety comes from a feeling of familiarity.
A new house smells different; the air carries new scents. Outside noises may sound sharper or closer, and even the way sound travels through rooms can feel unfamiliar. When moving house with a dog, these details matter far more than the layout or size of the property.
People are usually distracted during a move as well. There’s unpacking to do, deliveries arriving, and routines that don’t quite line up yet. From a dog’s point of view, nothing feels settled. That lack of stability is often what sits behind behaviour changes after a move.
The Value of Keeping Things Ordinary
When so much is changing, ordinary routines become important.
Feeding at roughly the same time, walking familiar routes if possible and keeping bedtime consistent are small details that help anchor dogs when everything else feels unfamiliar.
When moving house with a dog, it can help to delay other changes. New rules, new expectations, or new training plans can wait. Let the house become familiar first.
Rest is Vital
Rest plays a big role in how dogs cope with change.
In a new home, dogs benefit from having a quiet place that feels predictable. Somewhere away from busy walkways and doors. A bed set up with familiar blankets or bedding can make a surprising difference. Smell is grounding for dogs, especially when everything else feels new.
Once that space exists, leave your dog to settle themselves. Constant checking in or encouraging movement can interrupt rest without meaning to. When dogs rest properly, they process change more easily.
Exploring Without Pressure
There’s no need for a dog to inspect every room straight away.
Many dogs prefer to explore slowly. A bit of sniffing, a pause, then back to their owner, then off again. This back-and-forth is normal. It’s how dogs build confidence in new environments.
The same applies outdoors. Calm, supervised time in the garden allows dogs to take things in without feeling rushed.
When Behaviour Feels Different
When moving house with a dog, behaviour often feels unfamiliar for a while.
Barking at new sounds is common. So is following people more closely. Some dogs take longer to settle in the evenings. Others find being left alone harder than before.
These changes usually aren’t setbacks. They’re signs that the dog hasn’t quite settled yet. With time and consistency, many of these behaviours fade on their own.
Familiar Activities Can Be Reassuring
Calm, familiar activities can help dogs adjust.
Scent-based games, food searches, puzzle feeders, and slow chewing all give dogs something recognisable to focus on. These activities don’t demand much. They simply offer a sense of normality in an unfamiliar space.
A Quieter Start Often Helps
New homes often come with visitors. Friends, family, neighbours dropping by. While well meaning, this can ramp up the stress levels for your dog.
Many dogs cope better when the early days are quieter. Having the option to watch from a distance, or rest away from visitors, helps dogs feel in control while they adjust.
Final Thoughts
There’s no set timeline when it comes to settling after a move. Some dogs seem comfortable within days. Others take weeks before they truly relax. Both are normal.
When moving house with a dog, progress is often subtle. Small signs like longer naps, less pacing and less barking means the house is starting to feel familiar.
With time, routines fall back into place. Sounds become ordinary, smells lose their novelty, and the new house begins to feel like home for everyone.
If your dog is struggling to adapt to your new home, sometimes seeking professional help is the best option. Speak to Pawsitive Solutions and let us help your pooch settle in to their new surroundings.