Month: January 2024

How Do I Stop My Dog From Counter Surfing?

Preventing access and removing the temptation of food left out are two ways to stop your dog from counter surfing. A dropped dab of peanut butter, cookie crumbs, and the drippings of a piece of steak are just a few of the many delicious things your dog may associate with your kitchen counters, so it’s no mystery as to why he checks out those counters any chance he gets. While he’s hoping to get lucky and snag a treat, you just want to make the behavior stop. Keep reading for a few tips to help you do that.

Lead Him Not Into Temptation 

It’s kind of silly if you leave food out and then get mad if your dog is tempted by it. Remember that “food” to your dog can be anything from a few crumbs to an entire cake that wasn’t properly covered. When you’re done cooking or getting a snack, be diligent about putting everything away and wiping down the counters. After a while of not finding anything tempting, your dog will stop associating the counters with bonus treats.

Eliminate Access 

When you are preparing food, don’t allow the dogs in the kitchen. It’s too easy for them to slip a snack off the counter while you turn around to grab additional ingredients or stir whatever is on the stove.

Proper Training

The eventual goal is to teach your dog not to jump on the counters even if his favorite kibble is covering it from end to end. Here’s a technique that has been successful for many pet owners:

  • When he jumps on the counter, show him a treat and say “down.”
  • Once he’s firmly on the ground, say “good down” or whatever praise you choose, and give him the treat.
  • Doing this repeatedly when you see him on the counter will teach him he’ll get a treat when he’s on the floor, not the counter. 

Don’t get frustrated if it takes a while for your dog to catch on. Every dog learns differently. Plus, if your dog is already used to snagging snacks from the counter, it will take longer for him to unlearn the behavior. 

 

How Do I Rehome My Border Collie?

You can rehome your border collie a couple of different ways, including by using the Rehome platform. Although you love your dog and probably never thought that you would have to rehome her, life can throw unexpected complications at us. You might be in a position currently where it isn’t feasible to care for her any longer, at least not the way she deserves. Rehoming could be the best option. Let’s look at some of the things that you can do to ensure she goes to a great home.

Family and Friends

If you have family or friends who might be able to provide a loving home for your border collie, they should be the first people you ask. They might be looking to adopt a dog and would love to bring her into their home. This can be a great solution because you always trust these people.

When you allow someone that you know to adopt the dog, it’s a good idea to get her accustomed to the person and their home before simply dropping her off. Once they have taken her into their home, you should stay away for a while. You don’t want her to think that she’s just going for a visit. Let her become acclimated and realize that she’s in her new home.

Advertising the Adoption

Not all of us are fortunate enough to have people we know who are in a position to adopt. In those cases, rehoming is still an option. However, you’ll have to advertise that your border collie is up for adoption. There are online sites where you can do this, but you have to be careful. You need to be sure that she’s going to a good home. Some people have bad intentions toward dogs, and they’re looking for people who are giving away animals online.

You never want to give your dog away. Always charge a rehoming fee. This dissuades people with bad intentions and those who don’t have the financial means to care for her.

Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, mentioned above, is a safe way to find a great new home for your border collie. Owners can create a profile for their border collie, or other breeds, on the site. This profile can contain all of the important information about your dog, including any special needs that they might have. For example, if your dog doesn’t do well with small animals, you’ll want to put this into the bio. Be thorough and honest in the profile you write. You can also add photos and videos of her to show potential adopters what a great dog she is.

People who want to adopt can apply, and you’ll receive those applications. You can then learn more about the adopters to determine who will be the best fit for your dog. The peace of mind that you get from this rehoming process is wonderful. You’ll know for certain that your dog will be going to a forever home where she will be loved.

How Do I Give Up My Labrador Retriever?

 You’ve come to the realization that you can no longer keep your Labrador Retriever, now you may be wondering: How do I give up my Labrador Retriever? There are many ways you can give up your pet, some options include, surrendering him to a shelter, finding a private rescue with space, or rehoming your dog yourself. Obviously, the outcomes of each method can be very different, so take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each before making your decision.

Surrender to a Shelter

The first thing that comes to mind for many who need to give up their dog is surrendering him to a local shelter.

Pros:

• Dogs can usually be surrendered within a few days.

• The surrender fee is usually small (less than $100).

Cons:

• Many dogs do not to do well in a shelter environment and get stressed out. This may cause them to behave in ways that are not typical for them and may result in them being overlooked by adopters.

• While most shelters do their best to find homes for every dog, it’s not a guarantee for every dog.

Surrender to a Private Rescue

This option has some benefits over surrendering to a shelter.

Pros:

• Since rescues take in fewer pets they are able to commit to either finding a great home for your dog or caring for him as a permanent resident.

• Rescues usually have stricter adoption policies to ensure pets are placed in homes that are a good match for their individual personalities.

Cons:

• It can be difficult to find a great private rescue with space for your dog.

• You may have a lengthy wait even if you are able to find a rescue to take the pet.

Rehome Your Labrador Retriever Yourself

If you want to give your dog the best chance at a happy home, rehome him yourself using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com!

Pros:

• You can take your time to find the best fit and have the final say on who adopts your dog.

• You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your dog is cared for and loved.

Cons:

• It may take some time to find the perfect home.

If you’re like most pet owners, you don’t even know where to begin when it comes to finding the perfect home for your pet, but a visit to the Rehome website can help. You’ll find tons of expert information and advice and have access to online tools that let you create a pet profile, accept applications from potential adopters, and more.

Give your Labrador Retriever the new life he deserves by investing the time to find him a perfect new home! 

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Maltese?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a Maltese can vary but can often be from $50 up to several hundred dollars or more. Many factors can change the rehoming fee that’s expected. These could include whether your dog is a pure breed, the dog’s age, health, etc. Additionally, the location of the rehoming could play a role. Some areas may have cheaper fees than others.

Why Are Rehoming Fees Important?

Some people don’t appreciate the importance of rehoming fees. They believe that the fees are charged by owners who want to make money. However, anyone who needs to give up their dog knows this isn’t the case. You love your dog and wouldn’t give him up if you didn’t have to. The rehoming fees aren’t to make money; they help to ensure the safety of your dog when they go to a new owner.

The rehoming fee shows that the person adopting your dog is serious and committed to providing a good home. They weren’t someone who just happened upon an ad for a dog and decided to adopt on a whim.

The fees also help to ensure more safety for your dog. While people may not like to think about it, the world’s a dangerous place. Some people are looking for free animals to use as training dogs and bait for fighting dogs. Others want free animals that they can then sell to labs. Rehoming fees help to prevent this.

When Don’t You Need to Charge a Rehoming Fee?

Of course, even though you should always charge rehoming fees when someone you don’t know is adopting your dog, they aren’t always needed. For example, when you know someone, such as a family member who wants to adopt, you don’t need to charge a rehoming fee. However, you do still need to be sure they’re the best option for your dog.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Rehoming Fees?

Rescues and shelters will charge adoption fees when someone wants to adopt a dog from them. Many of the same reasons for charging fees apply. However, you’ll find that these organizations will also charge for the adoptions to help make money to keep their facilities running. The money often goes right back into ensuring care for the animals housed there.

Rehoming Your Maltese with Rehome

If you worry about charging rehoming fees on your own, you could always use Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This peer-to-peer adoption platform is easy to use, and provides the resources you need to find a new home for your Maltese.

The website is free for owners to use, and lets you create a detailed profile of your dog. Adopters can then determine whether your dog will be right for them. If she is, they’ll fill out an adoption application. You review the applications and find the best new owner and home for your beloved dog. 

Are Cats Hard To Train?

Cats are not hard to train if you are trying to teach simple actions such as using a litter box. Training them to stop scratching, walk on a leash, or sleep on a schedule may be more challenging and require more time and commitment. Additionally, your cat’s personality and your training methods play a big role in how easy or hard it is to train your cat. With patience and consistency, most cat owners are able to get the desired results.

They CAN Be Taught 

Don’t buy into the myth that cats can’t be trained. While cats are not as eager to please as dogs, they can be taught. In fact, some of the methods used to train a dog can also be used for cats—although it may take a little longer for a cat to get on board. Some things to keep in mind when training a cat include:

  • Punishment Doesn’t Work: Yelling, hitting, and other behaviors that will frighten or hurt your cat will do nothing in the way of training. Such actions instill fear in your cat, which will diminish your ability to train him.
  • Bribe Him: As is the case when training any animal, finding a reward they like helps to speed things along. Get some delicious treats that are only given as part of training and dole them out for good behavior. You can even use clicker training with your cat in unison with the treats. 
  • Don’t Force It: Let your cat set the time limit on a training session. When your cat gets distracted by a shadow or a piece of fuzz, let him go. If you try to force it to continue, your cat will be less interested.
  • The Old Switcheroo: If you’re trying to eliminate bad behavior, such as scratching furniture or biting at your hands, redirect the behavior by moving him away from your furniture to a scratching post or by tossing a toy to distract him from biting at your hands. 

Make it fun, work at your cat’s pace, and be consistent. You just might be surprised at how many things your cats can learn.

How Do I Stop My Dog from Shredding?

A multi-faceted approach is best to stop your dog from shredding. This includes dog-proofing your home, providing appropriate chew toys, and ensuring he gets plenty of exercise. You’ll also want to rule out medical conditions and anxiety, which can often be a cause for shredding or other destructive behaviors.

Dog-Proofing

“Ugh! Having a dog is as much work as having a baby!” Lots of pet owners have said that, and in some small ways it’s true. Sure, you don’t have to fight for a spot at the best day care, but, if your dog is engaging in destructive chewing, you do have to spend just as much time dog-proofing your home as you would baby-proofing your home. 

Keep things out of reach as much as possible and cover furniture with mats. If the chewing is out of control, you may need to crate your dog or confine him to one room with no valuables inside while you’re away.

Appropriate Chew Toys

Dogs need variety, so buy several chew toys of various sizes and textures to keep your dog interested. Anytime you see him shredding something, give a firm “No!” command and offer one of his toys as an alternative. Also, when you see him chewing on his toys, be sure to offer praise. 

Lots of Exercise

Some dogs need more exercise than others. If your dog always seems to be bursting at the seams with energy, you may have found the cause of his destructive chewing. Add more brisk walks or an extra run each day. If you can’t, it may be worth the investment to hire a daily dog walker or to send him to a doggy day care where he can get plenty of time to run around.

Ruling Out Anxiety

If the chewing only happens while you’re away or is accompanied by other signs of anxiety such as incessant barking, excessive licking to the point of creating bald spots, or constant escape attempts, talk to your vet. If the anxiety is mild, you may be able to manage it without medication. If it’s moderate to severe, medication may be needed to bring it under control.   

How Long Does It Take a Shih Tzu to Get Used to a New Home?

Although every dog is different, it’ll typically take between one and three months for a Shih Tzu to get used to a new home. Many factors are involved in how long they take to adjust. Often, puppies and younger dogs adjust faster. Older dogs who’ve been with the same owner for years can have a more difficult time. With patience and some work, though, it’s possible to help create a safe place where she feels comfortable and becomes used to her new home.

Provide Patience, Love, and Some Space

When you bring home your new Shih Tzu, you’ll want to ensure that she has some space that will be her own. Provide a nice doggie pillow and some toys in a quiet corner of the living room or another room of the house. Let her get used to the house slowly. Give her a tour of the places she’s allowed to go and use a calming, gentle voice. Don’t try to force her to get used to the new home because that’s just going to backfire.

She’ll be scared when she arrives in most cases because everything is so new. Realize that she’s not going to be ready to socialize and be a “regular” dog for a little while. You’ll also want to realize that there could be some accidents in the beginning. You don’t know her schedule and she hasn’t adapted to yours.

This is why it’s so important to create a schedule as soon as possible. She should be fed at the same times each day, and she should be going out for walks and to the bathroom at the same time. Of course, you’ll still want to watch her behavior and take her out on a leash if she gives signs of wanting to go to the bathroom.

Keep things low key for a few weeks around the house, too. Even though you’re happy and proud to have a new, lovable dog, you don’t want to invite people over. She needs space where she feels comfortable and comes to see the house as “her place”. Bringing over a bunch of new people every few days to look at her can slow down her adjustment.

If You Allow Friends and Family to Adopt

One of the best ways to rehome your dog is to find someone in your family or friend circle that’s looking to adopt. It tends to be fast and easy, and you have more peace of mind since you know the adopter. However, you have to be careful. You don’t want your dog to become confused. Once she’s been adopted, allow her plenty of time to settle into her new home and with her new family before visiting.

She’ll Feel at Home Soon Enough

It might be a few weeks, or it might be a few months, but eventually, she’ll feel right at home and will love you and your family. Just give her the time she needs and remember to be patient.

Can A Dog Be Put Down For Biting Someone?

It is possible that a dog can be put down for biting someone, but it won’t happen in most cases. When a dog is put down, it’s usually because there is a history of aggression including the dog having bitten in the past. The exact rules about how dog bites are handled vary by city, county, or state, and it’s important to fully understand the laws where you live. It’s even more important to never ignore signs of aggression and to take whatever steps you can to prevent your dog from biting.

Do The Circumstances Matter? 

The circumstances surrounding the bite do matter, but in some jurisdictions they matter more than in others. Even if you live in a jurisdiction with strict liability laws, it will be taken into account whether the victim had a lawful right to be where the bite occurred and whether the victim provoked the dog.

Being Declared a Dangerous Dog 

In some jurisdictions, animal control or the victim of the bite can petition to have your dog declared dangerous. If this goes through, you’ll need to muzzle your dog in rehome_legacy and follow other guidelines. You may also have to place signage in your yard warning of a vicious dog. Some locations even require you to move the dog out of the jurisdiction where the bite occurred.

Depending on the severity and circumstances of the incident, your dog may be placed on a bite hold. He’ll be seized by animal control and held until a determination is made about what will happen to the dog. At this point, you should hire a lawyer who can help guide you through the process and, if appropriate, fight a dangerous dog determination and/or fight a ruling to euthanize.

Most dogs who bite will not need to be euthanized, but each situation is different and the decision is made on a case-by-case basis. If you’ve noticed signs of aggression, NOW is the time to work with a qualified animal behaviorist to give you the best chance of avoiding a tragic incident.   

Where Can I Take A Cat I Found?

It’s not easy to know where you can take a cat you found – in fact, it can be quite flustering! The first place you should go is to your veterinarian to get the cat checked for a microchip.

Make An Appointment With Your Vet

Most cats, if they were adopted at a shelter, through a rescue organization, or from a breeder, will have a microchip. This chip, when scanned, will show the cat owner’s name and contact information. If the cat you found is microchipped, you can obtain the contact information from the veterinarian and reach out to the owner. If the cat does not have a microchip, it’s time to take further action.

Post Signage Around Your Neighborhood

You should post signs for a lost cat in your neighborhood in case the cat’s owner is looking for her or him. You can also post signs at your veterinarian’s office and at your local animal shelter. The signs should have a photo of the cat, a description of where you found her or him, and your contact information. To learn more about the do’s and don’ts of creating lost pet signage, check out this blog post on our website.

Post On Rehome

If no one claims the cat you found and you do not have the ability to keep her or him, there’s still hope! The next step you should take is using Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Rehome program. Through Rehome, you can post the cat you found for millions of potential adopters to view! The process of posting a pet is easy and free!

The Rehome Process

Upon creating a Rehome account for your found cat, you will be asked to answer questions such as if the cat is spayed or neutered, their medical history, and what their personality is like. If you don’t have all these answers, it’s okay! You will fill in all the information that you can and share the cat’s story with any potential adopters so they know why there is limited information. Then, you’ll take clear, bright photos of the cat to post along with a bio that describes the cat as best as you can. Once you take these steps, you’ll be able to post the cat and you will begin receiving applications from people who would like to adopt her or him. For more information about Rehome or to get started, go here.

How Do I Find a Good Home for My Great Pyrenees?

You can find a good home for your Great Pyrenees when you know what your dog needs and take the time to find the right new owner. Although you probably never thought that you’d have to give up your dog, now that you do, you need to find her a wonderful new home. Keep the below tips in mind.

Know What Your Dog Needs

You know your dog better than anyone else, which means you know what she needs from a new home. You know her quirks and all of the good and potentially troublesome qualities that she might have. Before you start to think about who should get your dog, you need to write down all of the needs she has.

Does she like to get out and go hiking? Does she have a lot of energy that she needs to burn, or does she like to have lazy days most of the time? Does she hate cats? Does she have any medical issues?

All of this information will be important when you’re choosing an owner for your dog. After all, you don’t want to give her to someone who can’t provide what she needs.

Does the New Owner Have Everything Your Dog Requires?

You need to make sure that the owner has enough space for her, and that they’ll be capable of providing her with plenty of exercise. If she doesn’t do well with small animals, you won’t want her to go to a house that has rabbits and cats, for example. Learn as much as you can about the people who want to adopt before you make your choice.

Charge a Rehoming Fee

If you’re going to be letting someone you don’t know adopt your dog, it’s important to charge a rehoming fee. This money isn’t used to line your pockets, of course. Instead, it’s used to help deter the wrong people from getting your dog. It can help to keep your dog safe from people who might be looking for free dogs they can sell to labs or who have other nefarious purposes in mind.

Even shelters and rescues charge these fees, although they typically call them adoption fees. The only time you don’t need to charge a rehoming fee is when you’re giving your dog to someone you know.

Use a Quality Rehoming Service

If you’ll be giving your dog to someone you don’t know, be sure to use a service like Rehome. This can connect with you to people looking to adopt. Fill out your dog’s profile, add photos, and then wait for applications to start coming in from potential adopters. It’s easy to use and free for owners. Rehome will charge the new owner a rehoming fee, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Consider People You Know

Of course, you might have a family member or a friend that’s looking to adopt. If you feel they’ll be a good fit for your Great Pyrenees, let them adopt her. You’ll like knowing that your dog is going to a great home where she’ll be loved.