Moving to a new place can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially when you have a furry companion. Your dog is part of your family, and their well-being is a top priority during the relocation process. At Big Apple Moving, we understand the significance of a stress-free move for both you and your beloved pet.

How To Move With A Dog

This article aims to provide valuable insights on relocating with a canine companion, ensuring a seamless transition and a joyful journey. Our tips are designed to facilitate a smooth move, taking into account the unique needs of dogs. By following our recommendations, pet owners can minimize stress and anxiety for their furry friends, and ensure their well-being throughout the moving process. From preparing for the move to settling into a new home, our expert advice will help pet owners navigate the challenges of moving with a dog, and make the experience a positive one for all involved.

Plan Ahead

Effective planning is crucial for a successful relocation, and this principle extends to your furry friend as well. Commence your preparations well in advance to circumvent any last-minute confusion. Introduce your dog to their travel crate if you intend to use one and ensure that they feel at ease inside it. Gradually increase the duration of time your dog spends in the crate to alleviate any anxiety they may associate with it.

Visit The Vet

Before embarking on your move, a visit to the veterinarian is a must for your furry friend. A comprehensive health check-up will ensure that your dog is fit for travel and up-to-date with vaccinations. Additionally, discuss any concerns you may have about your pet’s well-being during the move.

If your dog experiences anxiety or motion sickness while traveling, your vet can suggest suitable remedies or medications to ease their discomfort. Obtaining a copy of your pet’s medical records is also essential, as it will come in handy if you need veterinary care at your new location.

Remember, the well-being of your dog is paramount, and addressing any health-related issues beforehand will contribute to a smooth and stress-free moving experience for both of you.

Pack Gradually

Moving can be a chaotic time, and the last thing you want is to add unnecessary stress to your furry friend. To ensure a smooth transition for your dog, follow these tips while packing:

Create a Safe Zone: Begin by designating a specific area in your home where your dog can feel safe and relaxed during the packing process. Keep this space clutter-free and include their favorite toys, bedding, and water bowl. By providing a safe zone, your dog will have a retreat from all the commotion.

Introduce Moving Boxes Gradually: Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and the sight of moving boxes might pique their interest. Introduce the boxes gradually over a few days, allowing your dog to investigate and get used to their presence. This way, they won’t be taken aback by the sudden appearance of boxes everywhere.

Stick to Routines: While you may be tempted to spend every waking moment packing, it’s crucial to maintain your dog’s daily routines. Stick to regular mealtimes, play sessions, and walks. Dogs find comfort in familiarity, and sticking to their routine will help minimize any anxiety caused by the changes in their environment.

Spend Quality Time Together: Amidst all the packing and preparations, don’t forget to spend quality time with your dog. Engage in their favorite activities, take them for longer walks, and offer extra affection. Not only will this strengthen your bond, but it will also help your dog associate the moving process with positive experiences.

Maintain a Calm Environment: Dogs are incredibly perceptive and can pick up on your stress levels. Try to maintain a calm and composed demeanor during the packing process. Your positive energy will help reassure your dog that everything is okay, even with all the changes happening around them.

Pet-Friendly Transportation

When relocating with your canine companion, it is crucial to take into account their transportation requirements. Whether you are moving locally or to another region, it is imperative to follow these vital guidelines to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for your furry friend.

Ground Travel Options: If flying isn’t an option or doesn’t suit your dog’s needs, consider pet-friendly ground transportation. Look for services that specialize in pet relocation, ensuring that your dog travels safely and comfortably throughout the journey.

Crate Safety: Regardless of the mode of transportation, ensure your dog travels in a well-ventilated and secure crate that allows them to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Familiarize your dog with the crate before the move to reduce anxiety during travel.

Travel Essentials: Pack a travel bag for your dog containing essentials such as food, water, a portable water bowl, toys, leash, waste bags, and any necessary medications. Having these items on hand will help keep your dog comfortable and content during the trip.

Road Trips: If you’re traveling by car, plan ahead for pet-friendly accommodations along the route. Make sure to take regular breaks for your dog to stretch their legs, have a bathroom break, and enjoy some exercise.

Comfort and Safety: While traveling, prioritize your dog’s comfort and safety. Avoid leaving them alone in the car or exposed to extreme temperatures. Never let your dog roam freely in the car, as this could be dangerous for both them and you as the driver.

Stress-Relief Techniques: For dogs who experience anxiety during travel, consider using stress-relief techniques such as pheromone sprays, calming music, or natural calming remedies (consult your vet for recommendations).

Update Identification and Microchip

Maintaining current identification for your dog is imperative to enhance the likelihood of a reunion in case of loss during relocation. This measure is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of your pet.

Check your dog’s collar and ID tags to make sure they have your current contact information, including your new address and phone number. If the tags are worn out or outdated, replace them promptly with accurate details.

Verify that your dog’s microchip information is current and reflects your new contact information. Contact the microchip registry and update their records as soon as you know your new address. Microchips offer a permanent and reliable method of identification and can be instrumental in reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Take a new picture of your dog before moving. If your dog gets lost, a current photo will help make flyers and share on social media to find them. Consider creating a temporary ID tag with your new address and contact information to attach to your dog’s collar during the transition period. This extra precaution ensures your dog is easily identifiable while you settle into your new home.

Safe Space at New Home and Routine Re-establishment

Upon arrival at your new residence, it is recommended that you designate a secure and tranquil area for your canine companion. This space should be equipped with their bed, toys, and other familiar items to promote a sense of comfort and security. It is advisable to keep your dog in this designated area during the moving process to prevent any accidental escapes. Upon arrival, it is important to re-establish your dog’s routine as much as possible.

This includes adhering to their regular meal and play times, and taking them on familiar walks to help them acclimate to their new surroundings. Providing stability amidst the chaos of moving can greatly reassure your dog and facilitate their transition to their new home. It is important to exercise patience and understanding during this adjustment period. With time, your furry friend will feel right at home in your new abode.

Conclusion

Embarking on a journey with your beloved canine companion requires meticulous planning and thoughtful consideration. However, the rewards of ensuring your furry friend’s safety and comfort during the move are immeasurable. With these invaluable tips on how to move with a dog, you can make the transition a seamless and stress-free experience for both you and your furry friend.

Stating that moving is an expensive process would be quite the understatement. Claiming that moving to New York is cheap could be considered the understatement of the year. Which is why it is so important to do your homework and calculate the NYC moving cost before sailing into moving company waters. If you look at estimates from the Census Bureau, more than 36 million Americans relocate each year, and the average person will move nearly 12 times during their lifetime, which is a lot if we’re being honest. And given the financial toll it takes on your budget, you need to cut costs on every corner. Which is why our NYC moving professionals are here to offer you an insight into NYC movers negotiation talks and realization.

NYC movers negotiation 101 tutorial

Getting the best deal on the moving services and saving on professional movers is a significant accomplishment when organizing a household move. Relocating happens to be a very expensive undertaking and negotiating for a better deal and cheaper moving costs may be beneficial for you. There are several criteria that influence the overall cost of your relocation to New York:

Use of professional movers vs. rental truck vs. friends with pickups
Moving distance covered
Need for packing supplies and extra moving services
Size/weight of the household moved
season of the year

If you want to put your negotiating skills to the test, you should know that moving companies’ rates are usually not firmly established and that difficult to influence. Besides, you have nothing to lose if you try to lower the price of moving services.

Avoid scams during NYC movers negotiation

Getting a reasonable price is great – but so is making sure that you are getting quality service. That is why you need to consider the New York mover you are looking to hire for your relocation. A good rating is formed by happy and satisfied customers which mean positive reviews. This is why you need to read some reviews first.

Stay away from extremely low moving quotes and suspicious companies. Conduct a background check on every moving company so as to identify their business goals and policy. The unusually low moving estimate should be considered as one of several warning signs of a moving scam.

Cross compare cost estimates before going through NYC movers negotiation

Hiring a top-rated relocation company in New York will help you reduce inevitable stress that comes with moving house. But what if the cost of their services is holding you back from making the right decision?

Yes, moving can be quite the expense, but the good news is that moving rates will vary from mover to mover (especially in a deep pond that is NYC) even when your moving parameters remain the same. And this basically means that before you take a stand in your NYC mover negotiation, understand what you have been offered first.

To work out the best deal for a moving service, start by getting and comparing at least 3 estimates from licensed and accredited professional moving companies. Request in-house estimates from moving experts. This is done to guarantee that the written estimate you receive will be as close to the final bill as possible. Keep in mind that the more estimates you have from movers, the larger your bargaining power is.

Understand what you are pying for before attemtping to lower it. — Consider all extra expenses before NYC movers negotiations.

Consider additional costs before getting deep into NYC movers negotiation

While you’re getting the moving estimates, address the following pointers to eliminate potential last-minute moving company fees and charges:

Determine the nature of extra services that you will need from your movers. The majority of those charges for additional services are negotiable. So go through each one with the moving company and see whether you really need to use them. Your mover will be motivated to lower their prices if you give up on any of the offered extra services. After all – less work for them.
Decide on the task of packing/unpacking – will it come to you or your movers. Best case scenario – a beneficial joint effort where you will pack up all your stuff except large furniture, heavy appliances and specialty items. This will save you money while still ensuring ultimate protection for your most prized possessions.
Discuss any additional charges that could increase the moving expenses even more. You might not believe the unplanned fees your NYC mover could charge you for. From extra fees for loading/unloading the moving truck to disassembling/re-assembling some of your furniture pieces. Make sure to negotiate these terms with the moving company you choose before the actual moving day.

Time to put your NYC movers negotiation skills to the test

Can you negotiate with moving companies? Absolutely! Once you gathered moving quotes from different reputable New York moving companies, time to take advantage of those same quotes. The goal – to get the best deal possible for yourself. Here are some tactical scenarios to help you understand and negotiate a lower price with your moving company.

The custoer is always right! — Remember that New York is a big pond, with lots of competing moving companies.

Playing the competitor card

Under normal circumstances, the majority of moving companies would rather lower the price they have quoted you than to lose your business to their competitors. Unless you’re right in the middle of the moving season, use this as bargaining leverage.

By this point,you should already have a mover that you’ve got your eye on hiring. If that professional NYC moving company has offered you the best price, then you have little to worry about. If not, contact the company to inform them that you were offered a lower price by their competitors. Give them your lowest bid and ask them if they would be willing to:

price-match or
outbid the competitors.

If they are serious about securing you as a customer, they will try to do so.

Going with the fearless “I’ve got nothing to lose attitude”

It never hurts to negotiate with movers simply because you’ve got nothing to lose. The key to a successful NYC movers negotiation is to reach an arrangement that will be beneficial to both parties. You need to be open to certain compromises and flexible about some of the relocation terms (booking early, choosing a good moving date). In that case there won’t be a single reason for the relocation company not to meet you half-way.

Taking the indecisive and insecure stand to reel them in

In case the mover is unwilling to lower its original price, try negotiating again in a day or two. The reason? You may contact another moving representative who may be more willing to accept your terms. Or maybe he might at least offer you a price discount that will be closer to your wishes.

Just remember that even when if cannot get the price down – the quality of the service is more important. Better to pay an average price for quality moving rather than get the lowest possible quote and risk having a disastrous moving experience.

Category: Moving to New York

Tips For Moving With A Dog