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While you’ve probably heard that dogs tend to settle into a new home better than any cat, it’s still a major adjustment, and they’ll require a fair amount of specialist care and handling. This is especially true if you’re moving to a smaller home or apartment. If you’re due to move to a new place with your furry friend, here are some of the best pointers for helping them settle in…

Keep your Cool

Organising and then executing a move is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever have to do, but keeping your cool can help your dog handle the transition massively. While dogs can’t grasp a language (as far as we know), they pick up on our emotions. A Calm, collected tone in your voice will reassure them that everything’s as it should be. As hard as it may be, try to give off vibes that are happy and relaxed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious, and letting it show through in your voice and behaviour, your dog will quickly start to feel overwhelmed and anxious as well.

Give Them Enough Time to Adjust

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Bringing a completely new dog home requires a gradual, careful adjustment, as you can read about in these 5 tips for your new dog’s first day. The same goes for taking a dog that you’ve had for some time to a new place. When you take them outside for the first time, keep them on a leash, and give them ample time to explore the neighbourhood. Take it slow while you’re introducing your dog to the area surrounding the new home. It’s usually a good idea to explore your new town or city one block at a time, and let them see who else lives in the neighbourhood in a calm and gradual manner. Strange dogs and scents can be interpreted as a threat, and cause your pet a lot of unnecessary stress. When you feel ready to let your dog off the leash, make sure that they have a collar and tag on the off chance that they run off. You might be used to your dog being calm and obedient when off the leash, but a strange new place can change all that. Before you take this step, make absolutely sure that they know where their new home is, and feel comfortable enough in their new environment.

Try to Be Home in the First Week

If it’s at all possible, give yourself a week off before you start your new job. This will ensure that you’ll be there to help your dog to adjust. After that first day, try spending some time away from the home, just in small increments to begin with. This will allow you to gauge how your dog will respond to your absence. Ultimately, when you have to go to work and spend the majority of the day out of the house, your dog should be nicely adjusted to the home, and comfortable enough spending long periods of time alone there.