A dog behaviour expert has advised home movers on how to help their dogs settle after a house move.
In May 2026, there were increased rights for dog owners regarding keeping pets in rented homes. However, Jo Hinds, COAPE-certified behaviourist and Dynamic Dog Practitioner at Years, says that dog owners should think beyond just securing rights to keep pets. Moving home can severely affect a dog’s behaviour as they adjust to unfamiliar sounds, smells, neighbours, walking routes and entrances.
Jo Hinds advises:
“The first few weeks should be about helping the dog feel safe, not expecting them to behave perfectly straight away.”
Dogs are used to routine and predictability, which, if suddenly disrupted by a house move, can cause them to feel anxious, bark more and make it harder for them to settle in one place. Fortunately, Jo Hinds has several recommendations to help dogs be less anxious.
She advises bringing items with familiar smells to the new home for your dog, including bedding, toys, and blankets that they are used to.
Keep early walks short and slow, sticking to the same route. Put the dog’s bed in a quiet part of the home that does not have a street view.
Regularly let pets out in the back garden if possible, and reward them for toilet breaks.
If you are moving with dogs, it may be a good idea to take them and their familiar belongings in a car, whilst a leading Merseyside removal company like Merseyside Movers & Storers handles the rest of your possessions.
