Month: January 2024

Dog Training: How to Stop a Dog From Chewing Everything

Is your new dog destroying everything? Here are four ways to stop destructive chewing.

The best way to get your dog to stop chewing will depend on the reason for the behavior—and there are several possibilities. Dogs may chew because they are bored, teething, suffering from anxiety, need more exercise, or just because it’s fun! Even if you rule out all but the last reason, the fact is that dogs like to chew. If you don’t like what they are chewing on, it’s time to redirect the chewing to something else.

Your Dog Seems to Love What You Love

It seems like your dog’s favorite things to chew are your favorite things: shoes, your furniture, your iPhone. So how can you stop this destruction? Here are a few helpful hints:

Identify the Cause

There may not always be an underlying cause for the chewing. If there is, however, identifying and resolving it will be the most effective way to deal with the issue. If your pet is just bored or needs more exercise, you can provide extra brisk walks each day or help him stay stimulated with fun, interactive toys and more playtime.

If anxiety is the cause, you’ll want to seek the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. Based on the severity of the anxiety, solutions may include the use of calming products, changing his environment, or, in moderate to severe cases, medication.

Provide Plenty of Alternatives

Make sure your dog has abundant appropriate choices when he feels like chewing. Buy lots of toys in different sizes and textures and swap them out or add to them regularly. Helpful hint: Don’t provide toys that look like objects you don’t want your pup to chew, i.e. dog toys shaped like shoes.

Protect Your Stuff

Until you figure out how to stop destructive chewing, it’s all about damage control! Spray furniture with a bitter spray and put away shoes and other small objects out of your dog’s reach.

It might seem an uphill battle, but with some work and a little patience, you’ll be able to direct your dog’s chewing away from your favorite sling backs to more appropriate objects.

What Does It Mean to Rehome a Pit Bull?

What does it mean to rehome a pit bull? It means that a pet owner found they were unable to keep their dog and are taking the time to find her a new home rather than surrendering her to a shelter. While rehoming your dog is a longer process than surrendering him, it will give your dog the best chance at a positive outcome. Resources like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com provide information and helpful tools to help pet owners find the perfect new home for their dog.

How Long Will It Take to Rehome My Pit Bull?

Pit bulls are the most common breed found in shelters. What does that mean when it comes to rehoming your pit bull? It means that adopters who want one will have plenty to choose from. If you were rehoming a Norfolk Terrier, for example, it might not take long to find an adopter, because there aren’t many of them available, but the same isn’t necessarily true for pit bulls.

The fact is that it could take a little time, but it’s worth the time and energy to find your pet a great home. While you could surrender him, there is no guarantee that he’ll be placed with a family. In spite of the shelter’s best efforts, some dogs do not do well in a shelter environment and may not find their forever home.

If you can’t keep your dog, taking the time rehome your pit bull is one of the kindest things you can do. Utilize the resources at Rehome and give your pet the chance to find his forever family. When you know he’ll be safe and happy, you’ll know it was well worth the effort! 

How Much Does It Cost to Surrender an American Staffordshire Terrier?

The answer to, “how much does it cost to surrender an American Staffordshire Terrier,” varies by location, but the typical fee is between $50 and $150. Keep in mind that some shelters charge more, so it’s a good idea to check before arriving at the shelter with your dog. The fees you pay offset the cost of caring for the animals in the shelter, but it doesn’t usually come close to covering the actual cost of care.

What Happens Once I Surrender My Dog 

As with the cost of the surrender, what happens next varies based on your location. Sadly, some municipalities have breed restrictions, and American Staffordshire Terriers can be at risk in some locations. It’s always important to carefully rehome_research shelter policies before surrendering any dog, but it’s even more important with an American Staffordshire Terrier.

Your dog will likely be given a temperament test which will determine whether or not he’ll be placed for adoption. Some dogs that would easily pass such a test in other circumstances fail because they don’t adjust well to shelter life.

How Can I Guarantee He’ll Find a Home? 

If you surrender your American Staffordshire Terrier to a shelter, you can’t. Once you surrender your dog, you no longer have a say in what happens to him. There is a way you can ensure he finds a home: Rehome your dog yourself.

It might sound like an overwhelming prospect, but there are resources available to guide you through the process from start to finish. The Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com website, offers expert advice and actually helps you get your American Staffordshire Terrier in front of people who are looking to adopt.

You’ll be able to handpick a family that you think best suits your pet. It’s true that it will take some time and effort, but your dog deserves the best chance at a happy future, and rehoming him yourself gives him that. 

How Can I Find a Home for My Bulldog?

You can find a home for your bulldog using the Internet or your contacts who might know someone who is looking for a dog to adopt. Finding someone to take your dog can be difficult in some cases, even when you have a friendly, fun bulldog.

Many factors can make finding a new home more difficult. The age, health issues, and temperament around children or other animals will always be important elements that potential new owners will want to know about.

Consider Why You Need a Home for Your Bulldog

Why are you going to give up your bulldog? Does she have behavior problems? Often, getting training for your dog and spending more time with her can clear up these issues. Do you not have enough time to spend with your dog during the day because of work? Consider hiring a pet sitter or someone who can come over and at least walk your dog.

Perhaps you have to move for six months for a job. Maybe you have to move permanently, or you are in the military. If you are only going to be gone for a few months or so, you might be able to find someone you know who can take care of the bulldog temporarily. If you are out of work or have less work, you may think that you can’t care for your dog any longer. Look for financial assistance that can help.

The point is that you should always take the time to see just why you need to give away your bulldog, so you can see if there might be any other solutions. However, we understand that there is not always a way to do this. Sometimes, you have no other choice and you do need to find a new home for your dog. Fortunately, there are still options.

Do You Know Someone Who Wants to Adopt?

If someone you know has been looking for a dog to adopt, you may want to speak with them about your bulldog. This is one of the easiest ways to find a new home for your pet. As long as they have the time and the finances to care for the animal, it might be the perfect solution. However, we know that not everyone will have a friend or family member who can adopt.

How Can Rehome Help?

Rehoming is a better solution than shelters and even rescues. Shelters may try to take good care of the pets, but they don’t always have the staff or the space to provide the best care. There is no guarantee of adoption either. Rehoming, on the other hand, is a great choice.

Rehome is a platform that will help to make rehoming your bulldog easier and less stressful on you. It’s a peer-to-peer adoption platform from the pet adoption experts at Adopt-a-Pet.com. Their mission is to help good people find and adopt great pets, and Rehome can help you place your pet in a loving new home. This site, which is free for the owners to create a profile of their pet, is a good option to consider. It’s easy to use, there are plenty of resources to help you, and you can view the applications of the potential adopters before you decide.

Why Is My Dog Barking For No Reason?

Your dog probably isn’t barking for no reason—it’s just not a reason that you can see. There are several potential explanations as to why your dog may bark for what seems like no reason. These include boredom, frustration, anxiety, or excitement. Some dogs do exhibit compulsive barking which is the closest to barking for no reason. This is usually accompanied by pacing. There are ways to alleviate excessive barking, and the first step is to determine the underlying cause.

How to Stop Barking for “No Reason” 

There is no question that excessive barking is annoying. You love your dogs and it’s annoying to you, so imagine how the neighbors feel! The good news is that there are steps you can take to curb the behavior. Here are a few things to try:

  • See Your Vet: If the excessive barking started suddenly, visit your vet to rule out an undetected medical condition.
  • Background Noise: Playing classical music or keeping the television on can minimize a dog’s barking. This will help to drown out background noise and also soothe your dog.
  • More Exercise: Boredom is a common cause of excessive barking, so increase your pet’s exercise by adding an extra walk or signing him up for doggy daycare.
  • More Face Time: If you leave your dog outside a lot or alone for many hours at a time, he could be barking because he’s lonely. Dogs are social creatures, so consider bringing him inside and letting him spend time with his favorite humans.

Could It Be Separation Anxiety? 

If your dog barks nonstop when you’re away, it could be separation anxiety. Ignoring this will not make it go away. In fact, separation anxiety gets worse over time when not treated. If you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist to develop a plan that will help your dog. 

If it seems your dog is barking for no reason, understand that there is likely a reason and that once you can pinpoint it, you’re one step closer to stopping it.  

How Do I Find a Good Home for American Staffordshire Terrier?

When pet owners ask, “how do I find a good home for my American Staffordshire Terrier,” it usually means they’ve come to the sad decision they can no longer keep their pet. Options in this situation include surrendering the dog to a shelter or rescue or finding him a new home on your own. Taking the time to rehome your dog yourself gives him the best chance at a happy ending—if you choose the adoptive family carefully. Online resources, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com provide expert advice and help you find the perfect home for your pup.

What to Look for In an Adoptive Family 

If you’re going to the trouble to rehome your American Staffordshire Terrier yourself, make sure he goes to not just any home, but to the right home. Here are some things to look for:

  • Experience with Large Dogs: An adult American Staffordshire Terrier is not the dog for a novice. Find a family who will be able to commit to training and being a leader.
  • Vet References: Since you’ll ideally be adopting to someone with experience, you should also be able to check their vet references.
  • The Right Setting: The new home should have a yard with room to run and play or a new owner willing and able to provide long walks each day.  

A home check is ideal, but some pet owners are uncomfortable even asking about this. One option is to try and enlist the help of a local private rescue. Some will be willing to help with adoption by screening potential adopters and doing a home visit. In exchange, you could make a donation to their organization.

Does It Take a Long Time to Find the Right Family? 

The truth is that it might take a bit of time to find the perfect home for your dog, but the more you get the him in front of potential adopters, the better. One way to do this is by creating a pet profile on the Rehome website where it can be viewed by people looking to adopt a dog. You’ll also be able to communicate with those who are interested and even complete adoption paperwork.

It’s true that rehoming your American Staffordshire Terrier yourself takes more work and time than surrendering him to a shelter, but it’s well worth it to know he’s happy and loved. 

How Do I Give Up My Beagle?

If you have to give up your beagle, we know that it can be one of the most difficult decisions you have to make. There are several ways that you can give up your dog if you have no other choice. You will find that some of the methods are better and preferred over other options. Let’s look at the various methods of giving up your beagle, so you can find a solution that will work for you.

The Shelter

The animal shelter might be the first place you think of when you have to give up your beagle, but it should be your last resort. Many wonderful shelters try to ensure the dogs that come to them are adopted and cared for while they remain at the shelter. However, some shelters still have euthanasia policies because they don’t have enough space or resources for the animals that are being dropped off there.

The Rescue

Rescues are another option, and they are a better choice than a shelter in most cases. They will typically keep your beagle until he’s adopted. However, there is no guarantee that anyone will come along and find your beagle. Also, rescues are usually full, and they may not be able to take your beagle.

People You Know

One of the best options when you have to give up your beagle is finding someone that you and your beagle already know. Maybe your uncle has been looking for a companion dog to keep him company. Maybe you have a coworker who wants to adopt a dog that’s good with their kids. Your sweet little beagle might be the perfect fit. Ask them if they would like to adopt your dog.

Naturally, they will likely have questions about the dog, which you should always answer honestly. If you have a beagle that doesn’t get along well with other pets or children, the person who adopts him needs to know. This is true whether they are being adopted by a friend or someone you talk with online.

Rehoming with Rehome

Rehoming on your own takes longer than simply dropping the dog off at the shelter or finding someone you know to adopt. However, it can provide you with some great results when you put in the effort. The Rehome platform through Adopt-a-Pet.com is a fantastic option that’s easy to use.

The platform lets you create a bio for your beagle, along with information that will be pertinent to the would-be adopters. You can also add photos and videos of your beagle to show just how fun and adorable they can be. Once you put the profile on the platform, it will be seen by a large number of people, some of whom will be interested in adopting.

They will fill out applications, which you can then go through and determine who will be the best fit for your pet. This gives you more control over who gets your beagle, so you can be sure they are going to the best possible home.

Does Dog Daycare Help With Socialization?

Dog daycare can help with socialization and it can be a great alternative to leaving your pet home alone all day while you’re at work. Even if you can’t afford to send your dog every day, two or three days a week is enough to help him learn how to behave around other dogs and to get used to interacting with new dogs. This is especially useful if your dog is an only pet.

Is Dog Daycare Right For All Dogs? 

While doggy daycare is a great resource for many dogs, some pet parents should find another way to socialize their pet. Examples of situations when doggy daycare may not be right for your dog include:

Pet Has Not Yet Had Full Vaccine Series 

When kids go off to kindergarten, they are exposed to all kinds of germs from the other kids. The same is true of doggy daycare. If your pet is not fully immunized against parvo and other diseases, it’s best not to send him to doggy daycare. Talk to your doctor about whether your pet is ready for such an environment.

Dog Has Shown Signs of Aggression or Is Too Shy 

If your dog is aggressive or very shy, attending doggy daycare is not a cure. In fact, being around so many dogs and lots of strange activity could bring out the aggression or be overwhelming. It’s not fair to the other pet parents to take a chance with their pets’ safety by sending an aggressive dog into a daycare situation and it’s not kind to a very shy dog to overwhelm them in a busy dog daycare.

Dog Is Not Fixed 

Many doggy daycares will not allow pets who are not fixed to attend. If you find one that does, you run the risk that your dog will come home pregnant or get another dog pregnant. There are many reasons it’s beneficial to have your dog fixed, so if you want to send him to daycare, consider talking to your vet about the surgery.

Dog daycare can be a wonderful way to help with socialization for some dogs. Remember that not all dog daycare facilities are equal. Before signing your dog up, do a couple of pop-in visits (without calling first) to see if think the environment is the right fit for your four-legged family member. 

Do You Crate Your Dog at Night?

Some pet owners choose to crate their dogs at night, and some dogs prefer the den-like feel of their crate. Proper crate training will turn the crate into a comfortable place where your dog feels safe and enjoys napping. While crating at night is fine, it’s important to limit the amount of time your pet spends in the crate. For example, if he is crated while you’re at work all day then he shouldn’t be crated again all night. 

How Much Time In The Crate Is Too Much?

Generally speaking, dogs shouldn’t be left in their crate for more than 8 hours per day total. An average dog can go 4 to 6 hours in between potty breaks, so make sure to plan accordingly so he is comfortable. Puppies shouldn’t be crated for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time.

The crate is a useful tool when used properly. It helps immensely with potty training and, as mentioned above, provides a safe retreat for your pet. That being said, it should not be used as a way to keep the dog “out of the way” for 10+ hours a day.

Once your dog is potty trained and has been trained to not be destructive, going into the crate should be voluntarily. Leave the door open so the pet can come and go as he wishes.

But My Dog Is Destructive 

If you’re leaving your dog in the crate because he is destructive, then you need to invest in training. The truth is that excessive crating will likely only make the problem worse as he’ll probably go a little crazy when he’s finally let out of his crate.

If traditional training hasn’t worked, talk to an animal behaviorist. Whatever the reason, leaving your dog crated for 16+ hours a day is cruel.

Crating your dog at night is an option, but as you get to know your dog, decide what is the best sleeping arrangement for him so you both can get a good night’s rest. 

How Long Does the Humane Society Keep Chihuahuas?

Are you wondering “how long does the Humane Society keep Chihuahuas?” Humane society policies vary from location to location, so there isn’t one definitive answer. Many organizations don’t have limits on how long they’ll try to help your pet find a home, but there is a caveat. They will keep Chihuahuas as long as the pet is physically and emotionally well, and as long as there is space available. Unfortunately, some dogs don’t do well in a shelter environment, and this makes it much more difficult for them to be adopted.

What Are My Other Options? 

If you find that you must rehome your Chihuahua, but don’t like the idea of a shelter, what other choices do you have? Choosing to work with a private rescue is a good alternative, but finding one with space to take your dog can be a challenge.

Another option is to find a home for your dog yourself.

Benefits of rehoming your Chihuahua yourself include:

  • You’re able to take as much time as needed to find the right home.
  • Your dog won’t go through the stress of being in a shelter.
  • It means one less dog is tapping the resources of the humane society.
  • You’ll remain in control of what happens to your dog. 

Not sure where to begin? Just know you’re not alone! There are many available resources to help you match your dog to the perfect adopter.

One such resource is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. The site provides lots of advice and tips on finding the perfect home, and also offers tools to help you put those tips into action.

You’ll be able to create a profile for your Chihuahua that can be viewed by potential adopters. You can also answer adopter questions, upload medical records, and more right on the site!

Sure, it will take you longer to find a home for your Chihuahua than it would to surrender him to a humane society, but the peace of mind you’ll have is worth every second!