Moving home can be just as traumatic for your pets. There are two companies Noosa Van Lines recommends for pet transport. Both offer excellent services and thorough knowledge of all requirements for moving animals within Australia and overseas. Visit Dogtainers and Jetpets for additional information and a proposal on the safe transport of your pet.

Locally, Meg Graham from Training with Love has these tips to offer families relocating their pets and specifically dogs to a new home.

Try not to make any great fuss on the day you move your pet – it is just a normal car ride. If your dog is travelling without you make sure they have some familiar favourite chew toys, bedding and items with them.  

• If possible visit your new home with your dog a few times prior to moving. This means the house will already hold some familiar scents and sights and will not be a complete surprise.
• On the day of the move, be sure your dog is placed in a secure, comfortable area away from the removal team for their safety as well as your pet’s. Ideally leave your dog with a familiar friend or family member on the day of the move, and introduce your pet to your new home once all strangers have left. If you are unable to relocate your dog elsewhere on moving day, then either take your the dog bed, water dishes and toys in the car or ensure they are the first things off the truck at the other end. Your dog can then be secured in a contained area (say laundry or garage) with these familiar items, while the removal team places your furniture in your new home. This will give your pet a sense of security.
• At your new home begin doing normal life things as quickly as you can. Normality as far as possible seems to be the key to successfully settling in. So if you normally walk or play with your dog at a particular time then go for that walk or have that game, even if there are boxes to unpack. You will probably need the break yourself by then.
• Ensure the new yard is securely fenced before allowing free unsupervised access by your dog.
• Do not spend all your time with your dog in these initial stages, as they will expect that their new life involves you being with them all the time. Make sure you leave the house for various lengths of time in these initial stages, so they learn you will not be with them constantly.
• Introduce yourself and your pet to your neighbours on all sides. Make sure you have some treat with you that the neighbours can give to your dog. This way your pet will not find them so much of a threat. Invite your neighbours for coffee to promote a bit of a relationship between them and your dog and ask them to let you know if there is a problem with noise, etc so you can work on resolving any challenges before they become a problem. This way the neighbours will also be more inclined to talk to you first rather than going straight to the authorities.
• If you dog needs any specific one-on-one training to adapt to its new environment or to improve behavioral issues, contact Meg directly at Training with Love on 07 5446 0018 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it