January, 2024 - AAP Migration Database

When My Dog Plays With Her Toys, Why Does She Often Grab Them and Shake Them Repeatedly?

Dogs have a natural inclination to chase, capture and kill prey. From the Dachsund to the Saint Bernard, dogs will exhibit this instinct when playing with toys. It’s called the prey drive.

Dog owners know this scene. The pet grabs a toy and shakes it violently. It looks like he’s having fun – and he is. On another level, it’s serious business. What the dog is doing is nothing short of killing his prey, the toy. Hide the toy and your dog might start barking excitedly trying to “flush” its prey out of hiding. Dogs also exhibit the prey drive when they chase a ball and won’t give up when it rolls out of reach. A dog with a strong prey drive will need equally strong toys and lots of play time.

When I play Tug-of-war With My Dog, he Often Tries to Hang by His Teeth? Is this Dangerous?

Dogs that love to play tug-of-war bring a lot of excitement and determination to the game. They may hold onto that tug toy so tightly that you can actually pick them up by their teeth if you’re strong enough. But experts say that’s not a good idea. Bones and teeth may become damaged in the process. Don’t even let your dog pull the toy too hard, especially a young dog that’s still growing, or a creaky older dog with orthopedic problems.

Instead, make tug-of-war more structured and goal-oriented. Use it to teach the dog to pick up the tug toy and release it on cue. Let him know it belongs to you, not him. He’ll soon learn to pay close attention and will understand that all games begin and end at your command.

Where Can I Put an American Staffordshire Terrier Up for Adoption?

You can put an American Staffordshire Terrier up for adoption through many online sites, as well as locations in your area. If you find that you are no longer able to take proper care of your pet, you are not alone. Many people go through changes in their lives that make caring for their dog difficult and sometimes impossible.

Fortunately, there are ways to put the pets up for adoption to help them find a new home. Below are some of the methods that you may want to consider when you are putting your American Staffordshire Terrier up for adoption.

Rescues and Shelters

Many people feel that the only option they have available to them is to surrender their dog to an animal shelter or a rescue. While these facilities try to do their best to care properly for the animals that are there, it can be difficult. Finding people to adopt the dog through these facilities is not guaranteed.

Additionally, some rescues specialize in the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. These could be a good option since they know how to take care of the dog properly, and it is often possible for them to find the right new owners.

Place the Pet in the Home of Someone You Know Who Wants to Adopt

If you know anyone in your life that is looking to adopt a dog, and they have the means and the space for an American Staffordshire Terrier, this could be a good option. It ensures that you will not have to relinquish the dog at a shelter. It also ensures that you will not have to worry as much about the welfare of the dog since you already know the people.

Friends and family could be a good option, but this tends to be a larger breed. You need to be sure that the dog will have the space, the attention, and the care that it needs. Always make sure that the new home is a good fit for the dog, not just convenient for you.

Using Rehome to Put Your American Staffordshire Terrier Up for Adoption

Another option that you should consider when you are putting your dog up for adoption is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. Rehome strives to make the process of putting your pet up for adoption as easy as possible.

The platform lets you create a profile for your dog. You can then add photos and videos of the dog, along with a bio. You can add stories about the dog and provide the potential adopters with the information they need to determine whether this is the right choice for them. For example, you will want to let them know about your dog’s temperament and personality. Do they get along well with kids and other pets? Should they be in a home without children?

By providing this information to the would-be adopters, it can help you find the perfect match for your dog. After all, you want to find your dog a wonderful new home where they will be happy and safe.

Who’s The #1 Internet Cat Celebrity?

Friskies-Cat-Celebrity We all know that the internet was made for cat videos, so it makes total sense that as a result, we have a new category of celebrities – the Cat Celebrity! Have you heard of Grumpy Cat, Nala Cat or Oskar The Blind Cat? What about Tara Hero Cat? Our friends over at Friskies put together the definitive guide to the most influential kitty celebrities on the web so you can keep track of who’s who and which cat will be the next big thing! The Friskies 50 is an index of the most influential cats on the Internet, based on each cat’s social reach and engagement across an array of social accounts. See the full list at www.Friskies50.com where you can see the arrows displayed beside each cat’s position which indicate upward or downward movement from the previous month and a gold star indicates a first time appearance on the Friskies 50. Also, if you know a cat that should be in the Friskies 50, you can nominate them by typing in their name! Check out the fun at www.Friskies50.com

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome an Australian Shepherd?

The fastest way to rehome an Australian Shepherd is to surrender your pet to a shelter. However, just because this might be a fast option does not mean it’s the best option. Although shelters work hard to provide care, and help all the animals that come to them, not every shelter pet ends up adopted. It could mean that your Australian Shepherd has to stay in the shelter for a long time, or it could even mean that he will be euthanized.

When you need to rehome your dog, you shouldn’t only ask about the fastest option. You should instead consider the best option. You’ll find that surrendering to a shelter, despite being the fastest, should be your last resort.

Look for Alternatives to Rehoming

Giving up your dog can be one of the hardest things that you have to do. Before you make this decision, you should always check to see if there could be other options that could work for you instead.

Consider why you have to give him up. Are you moving? See if you can find a location that will allow pets, and then take him with you. Do you not have enough time during the day to spend with the dog? Are you unable to provide them with enough exercise? Consider looking for doggy daycare or a sitter for him that can help. Always see if there are other options.

Sometimes, you might find a solution you hadn’t thought of before. However, there may still be times when you have no choice except to find a new home for your Australian Shepherd. In those cases, there are still options better than a shelter.

Finding the Perfect Forever Home for Your Pet

One of the first things you should do is talk with people that you know to see if they might want to adopt your dog. If you’re only going to be gone for work for a few months, they might be able to foster the dog until you return, for example. If you can no longer keep your pet, you might find someone who is able and willing to adopt your dog in your circle of family and friends.

If you still can’t find anyone, a great option is to find a free adoption site like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform makes it easy to connect owners like you with people who are looking to adopt an Australian Shepherd. It’s a free site for owners, and the adopters only have to pay a small rehoming fee, which is then used to help other animals.

Rehome allows owners to put up a bio of their dog with all of the pertinent information about the animal, along with images and videos. This information helps prospective adopters know whether it will be the right pet for them or not. They can fill out an application, which you can then examine to find the ideal new home for your Australian Shepherd.

Why Do Dogs Moan?

Dogs moan to show they are content—or disappointed, so context is important when trying to figure out why your dog is moaning. If he’s happily snuggling next to you, it’s likely a contented moan. If you’re rebuffing his attempts to play, he’s probably disappointed. Whining and moaning can also occur when a dog with separation anxiety is left alone.

It’s A Form Of Communication

Since dogs can’t say “I’m so glad you’re here,” or “I’m so disappointed you won’t take me for a walk!” moaning is a way that they express their feelings. Usually, moaning is no cause for concern, but there are some cases in which action may need to be taken such as:

You Suspect Separation Anxiety

Does your dog moan or whine when you’re gone? That could be a sign of separation anxiety, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter the level of your dog’s anxiety, you should talk to a vet or animal behaviorist. Separation anxiety won’t go away without intervention, and it often gets worse over time. The sooner you start working on ways to help your dog overcome his anxiety the better.

My Dog Moans When Trying To Get Comfortable On A Bed

Most of the time dogs suffer in silence. That’s why diseases are sometimes quite advanced before they are detected. Sometimes, however, their discomfort does lead to vocalization. If your dog moans when getting comfortable in their bed, it could be due to fluid buildup in the abdomen. To test this, try rubbing your dog’s belly. If he seems to be in pain at your touch, make a visit to your vet a priority.

Whether your dog’s moaning is a sign of contentedness or disappointment, it’s usually no cause for concern. Just pay close attention to context, and contact your vet if you suspect there may be a problem.

Why Do Dogs Tear Up Stuff When You Leave?

Many dogs get into mischief now and then, but if your dog often tears stuff up when you leave, it could be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is quite common, and it ranges from mild to severe. It won’t resolve itself if ignored, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, it’s important to take steps to address the issue before it gets worse.

Is It Anxiety Or Boredom?

Boredom is another reason that your dog may be destructive, so how do you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Here are a few hints that it’s anxiety:

Your dog only acts up when you’re not there.
The destruction is accompanied by excessive barking.
Your dog tries to escape.
Your dog goes to the bathroom in the house.

Dogs with severe anxiety are not only destructive, but they may even injure themselves trying to escape. That’s why it’s so important to find a resolution.

Work with your vet to determine if your dog is just bored and lonely or if he’s suffering from anxiety and then you can address a solution to his behavior based on that.

For Boredom:

Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise—and that means different things to different dogs. Some pets are fine with a 30-minute walk each day while others need to be much more active.
Provide interactive toys, such as treat puzzles, to keep his mind busy. Swap out the toys often to keep it interesting.
Consider investing in doggy daycare especially if you work long hours. Hiring a dog walker is another option.

For Anxiety:

While mild anxiety can sometimes be resolved with the use of calming products, by changing the dog’s environment, or even by playing classical music, moderate to severe cases may require the help of a vet or animal behaviorist.

The good news is that destruction due to boredom and anxiety are behaviors that can be resolved with the right interventions.

Where Can I Put a Chihuahua Up for Adoption?

You can put a chihuahua up for adoption in many places both online and offline. However, you will want to make sure that you are choosing the best places to let people know your pet needs to be adopted.

Don’t Use the Typical Online Classifieds

You should stay away from certain types of websites to list your pet, including many of the online classified ads. These sites have no way to determine whether the person who wants to adopt your dog would be a good fit or not. You do not know whether they can provide your dog with everything they need, including a loving home. Naturally, you want your pet to have a great place to live, where they will be happy and taken care of properly. These sites are too much of a gamble.

Rescues Could Be an Option

You could find rescues, including those that specialize in small breed dogs like chihuahuas that could take your dog and help to get it adopted. Once you relinquish your pet to these facilities, they can try to find the right people to adopt your dog. Some shelters will do the same. You will want to examine the policies of the rescues and shelters you are considering so you can ensure they will be the right choice for your pet while they await adoption.

Consider Using Rehome for Your Pet

Another option that should be high on your list when you are putting your chihuahua up for adoption is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is one of the easiest and safest ways for you to get your pet adopted. Instead of giving your pet to a shelter or trying to find them a home through an unsafe online classified site, you can use this free service.

Pet owners who are unable to keep their dogs can create a profile for the pet on the site. They can include a bio of the pet, along with photos and videos. You can let the potential adopters know more about the personality of the pet, as well. Let them know whether the dog is good with other animals and with kids, for example. This ensures that the adopters have a better idea of whether this will be the right dog for them or not.

Rehome has a range of tools and guidance available for owners as they get everything set up on the site. They even include a thorough application with tips on what good answers might be to the application questions. This can help you to determine whether the person would be a good option for adopting your chihuahua or not.

This service is free to the pet owner, and the adopters will only need to pay a small fee that’s about the same as what they would pay at a shelter.

Whether you need to put your chihuahua up for adoption because you can’t take care of the pet financially or physically any longer, or because you have to move, you can find a perfect home for them. Let Rehome help make it possible.

Why Do Dogs Howl When Left Alone?

Some dogs howl when left alone simply because they are lonely. Dogs are very social, and they want to be around their families. In some cases, howling can be a sign of separation anxiety—a condition that must be properly treated in order to stop it from getting worse over time. If your dog only howls when left alone, it’s probably loneliness or anxiety. On the other hand, some dogs are just very vocal and will howl whether you’re there or not.

Helping My Dog With Loneliness

No good pet owner likes the idea of leaving their dog alone—and hearing them howl as you pull out of the driveway only make the guilt worse. While you may not be able to quit your job and spend the entire day pampering your pooch, there are some things you can do to help ease his loneliness.

Try doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Daycare is great for dogs who enjoy playing with other dogs to get lots of exercise and be happier and less anxious on days when they are left at home.
Leave him treat puzzles and other interactive toys. Keeping his mind occupied is a good way to ease his loneliness.
Consider a second dog to be his companion. This way, he will never have to be alone!
Check out more tips to help your dog’s loneliness in our blog article here.

Dealing With Separation Anxiety

If the howling is accompanied by destructive behavior, escape attempts, and excessive chewing, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is not something that will get better on its own. In fact, when left untreated, it often gets worse. Treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety, so talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for advice about how to help your dog if you suspect separation anxiety.

Some breeds howl more than others, but if your dog becomes vocal only when he’s alone, these tips may help to ease his loneliness.

Why do dogs chew?

Why-dogs-chew Our friends over at Purina created this simple graphic to help you understand some of the key reasons that puppies and dogs often like to chew. It’s important to give your puppy or dog appropriate chew toys and treats so they can have relieve pent up stress and energy… and have some fun! It’s also important, of course, to keep things like shoes and other chew-licious items safely out of your dog or puppy’s reach, as they can chew off chunks of material which could cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage. Even chew toys designed for dogs often say to allow your dog to chew only when supervised, in case your pup has Godzilla-like chewing power. Chewing appropriate things also can help keep teeth and gums strong, clean, and healthy. Let’s hear it for chewing!