How long does it take for a dog to adjust to a move?
Dave Leannon
2025-06-24 00:29:57
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For dogs, moving can be stressful, so it will take time to adjust to their new home and environment. According to the RSPCA, it will take your pup about three weeks to fully adjust to their home and act how they’ve always acted. Stress is something that can stay in the body for some time. Dogs can get stressed very easily when experiencing new surroundings. The best thing to do is be patient while they adjust.
Emma Tromp
2025-06-11 11:02:43
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Adjusting a dog to a new home can vary in how long it takes, based on their age, temperament, and past experiences. For some dogs, it might take just a few days to feel at home, while others may need weeks or even months. You can help by being patient and observant, providing the support your pet needs throughout this transition period. Try not to worry as these are all typical behaviours during the adjustment period. It is quite natural for a dog to be stressed in a new environment. Your doggo just needs a bit of love and patience from you to get through it. Moving can be a stressful experience for dogs, but with patience, understanding, and a few proactive steps, you can help make the transition smoother for your pup. Once you create a familiar and supportive environment, allowing them to explore at their own pace in the time and space they need, your dog will be adjusting to a new home before you know it.
Meggie Upton
2025-06-11 10:56:36
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Preparation is absolutely key, says professional animal behaviourist at So Help Me Dog, Emma Barnett, who has offered this advice on how to help your pet cope with the packing process. From moving day to settling into the new home. If you’re going to be moving furniture around, try moving a couple of pieces into different rooms – perhaps a chair or a small table – then moving them back a few hours or maybe days later. This starts to desensitise them to familiar items being in strange places. I really recommend using plug-in pheromones like Pet Remedy, they can take a couple of weeks to kick in, so it's worth getting one or two plugged into the areas where your dog spends most of their time before you start packing up. Don’t change their sleeping spot, to help your dog settle in their new home, it’s essential to keep things as similar to your previous routine as possible. If the dog’s bed was previously in the living room where all the activity was going on and that’s where they used to settle down, don’t go ‘Oh this is great now we’ve got a utility room, we can shut the dog in there,’ just until they’ve settled in, keep it as similar to the old set up as possible.
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