Preparation starts days before the actual move. Dogs should be kept out of the way, preferably in a quiet room or in the garden. Start at home by giving them articles scented by you to keep near where they sleep or eat. Keep familiar toys nearby and play with your dog with these toys daily before the move. Make sure you have a bed, rug or blanket they are familiar with. Play some music in their sleeping area so that once you move you can play the same music in the new sleeping area. This will help them to become familiar.

If possible, take your pet on short visits to the new home. Before you get there make sure a few of your pet's toys are already in the home as well as some of the 'scented' articles. A familiar scent is always welcome. Spend some time just sitting on the floor and playing or cuddling with your pet.

Once you’re in your new home, if you do not have someone to care for your pet while you get settled, you should put all pets into a quiet room, keep them away from the chaos of moving in. Provide water and a little food. Put the toys and scented articles and bed or blanket in the room with them.

Generally dogs don’t usually take as long to settle in because they are not as attached to their territory. So long as dogs are with the family, they’re happy! Explore with them...let them sniff around and become comfortable. Teach them 'their areas', inside as well as outside. Show them their area to potty and reward them for doing so. Show them their sleeping area in the house and sit quietly there with them to help acclimate them to this 'relaxing' area. This is a good time to play 'their music'.

To the extent possible, try not to get stressed or overexcited yourself. Your dog is very much in tune with your emotions and will react accordingly. Spend as much time as possible with them, keeping as closely as possible to your daily routine. Even though the surroundings may be different, keeping everything else as close to 'normal' as possible will make their transition much easier.