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Our Best Tips for Moving With a Dog

Posted on August 16, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Kelsey Bradshaw

Kelsey Bradshaw

A black Labrador retriever stands in the grass smiling.

I’m trying to make Malcolm as happy as he is in this photo on moving day! (Kelsey Bradshaw/ City Cast Austin)

Welcome to my dog blog! Perhaps you, like me, have a dog who is suspicious of men, the sound a newspaper makes when you open it, and the “Book of Mormon” musical soundtrack. Or maybe you don’t have a dog who was traumatized by life as a stray before living in a shelter for a year and is regularly adjusted. Either way, I’ve been thinking about what to do with my dog Malcolm when we move apartments this weekend. I went to my best resource – my friends and family – and the recommendations are great.

🐶 Stash Your Malcolm Somewhere.

The hustle and bustle of moving – strangers coming into your space and carrying out everything familiar to your animal – can be hard on a Malcolm. Drop your animal off at a friend’s house or at doggie daycare for the day.

🛁 Keep Them Somewhere Quiet on Moving Day.

Set your dog up somewhere devoid of moving traffic, like your bathroom. Make it nice and cozy with a pillow or blanket.

🧺 Give Them Dirty Laundry.

I am obsessed with this tip! Supply your dog with something that smells like you and your old place to help them settle in. Malcolm is going to get the Dolly Parton T-shirt I have on right now!

🛋️ Make Your New Place Similar to the Old Place.

This tip comes from the American Kennel Club, which is the only organization I trust to tell me what human food Malcolm can have. Lay out your furniture similar to how it was at your old home and/or try to put your dog’s food and bed in a similar area. For example, Malcolm’s bed will be right next to mine the way it is now!

Good luck moving, y’all!

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