Jetpets Resident Vet Dr. Angus provides his top tips to help your dog adjust to your new home in New Zealand
One of the questions we are asked most often after a pet arrives is, “Will my dog be okay after the journey?”
After many years of helping pets travel, we’ve learnt that dogs are remarkably resilient. Our favourite part of the pet travel journey is seeing pets reunited with their family after their flight. The excitement of seeing a familiar face often outweighs everything that came before it. Once your fur-family member is back with the people they know and love, most dogs settle far more quickly than their owners expect.
That doesn’t mean the adjustment happens overnight. A new home brings unfamiliar smells, different routines and a completely new environment to explore. Just like people, every dog responds differently to change.
The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to help your dog settle in and start enjoying their new home.
Give Your Dog Time to Adjust
One thing we often notice at Jetpets is that owners are usually more worried than their dogs.
Some dogs will confidently explore every corner of their new home within minutes, while others will stay close to their family until they feel comfortable enough to venture further. Both responses are completely normal.
Rather than encouraging your dog to investigate everything at once, let them settle at their own pace. Give them time to take in the new sights, smells and sounds without feeling overwhelmed.
Remember, the biggest source of comfort for your dog isn’t the house itself. It’s being back with the people they know and trust – you!
Keep Their Routine As Familiar As Possible
While your surroundings may have changed, your dog’s daily routine doesn’t have to.
Dogs thrive on consistency, so maintaining their usual feeding times, walks, play sessions and bedtime routine can help provide reassurance during a period of change.
Familiar items such as their bed, favourite toys and blankets can also provide comfort while they adjust. These familiar scents help create a sense of security, even when everything else feels new.
At Jetpets, one of the most common pieces of advice we give families before they collect their pet is to focus on routine first. Once your dog understands that their favourite people, meals and daily activities haven’t changed, settling into a new home often becomes much easier.
Make Safety Your First Priority
There’s always plenty of excitement when your dog arrives home, but before they start exploring, it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure your property is secure.
Check that fences are intact, gates close properly and there are no gaps or areas where an adventurous dog could escape. If you’ve moved somewhere with neighbouring dogs, busy roads or larger outdoor spaces, think about how your dog will safely explore these areas over the coming days.
When pets move to a new home, there’s a chance that if they get out, they won’t be able to find their way back. A CareTag gives an extra, high-tech layer of safety as your pet transitions to their new home and is exclusive to Jetpets. Why choose a Caretag over anything else?
- Each CareTag has a unique QR code which anyone with a smartphone camera can scan (no special app required).
- Your pet’s finder will be able to see critical details about your pet, including your contact information, but also urgent health alerts that the person should know (e.g., your pet requires insulin or has a severe allergy).
- When your CareTag is scanned, you receive the finder’s GPS location and contact information.
Taking a few simple precautions now can help avoid unnecessary stress later. If you would like more information on Caretag’s please speak to your Jetpets Pet Travel Consultant.
Keep Your Dog on a Lead While They Learn
Their New Surroundings
This may sound obvious, but it’s one of the most important pieces of advice we can give.
Even if your dog has excellent recall, everything around them is unfamiliar. New smells, different walking routes and the excitement of a new environment can all be distracting.
One of the few moments that still gives our team butterflies is seeing an excited dog in an unfamiliar car park after collection. We always recommend keeping your dog safely on a lead from the moment you collect them until they’re comfortably settled into their new surroundings.
Giving your dog time to learn where “home” is before allowing them off lead is one of the simplest ways to keep them safe.
Visit Your Local Veterinarian
Once you’ve had a chance to unpack and settle into your new home, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to your local veterinarian.
Your vet can update your dog’s microchip details, recommend any preventative treatments that are appropriate for your local area and make sure vaccinations are up to date.
Even if your dog is perfectly healthy, establishing a relationship with a local clinic before you need one gives you peace of mind and ensures support is close by should you ever need it.
Remember That Every Dog Is Different
One thing we have learnt over the years is that there is no single “normal” when it comes to helping dogs settle after a move.
Some will behave as though they’ve lived there forever. Others might take a few days to relax and find their confidence.
Be patient, keep their routine consistent and give them plenty of reassurance. In most cases, you’ll soon start to see them exploring more, playing more and settling into family life just as they always have.
Helping Families Start Their Next Chapter
From helping families prepare for travel to welcoming pets on arrival and providing advice for those first few days at home, we’re here to support you throughout your relocation journey.
Seeing dogs reunited with their families is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Knowing they’re safely home and beginning to settle into their new surroundings is exactly why we love helping pets travel!
Whether you’re relocating within New Zealand or planning an international move, our experienced team is here to help make every stage of your pet’s journey as smooth, safe and stress-free as possible.
