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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.

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.   

When your dog barks at you, it means he is try to tell you something. What that something is will vary. He could be demanding food, asking for attention, being protective, telling you he is in pain, or alerting you to what he perceives as danger.

Should I Feel Threatened When My Dog Barks at Me? 

Dogs bark for many different reasons, so the fact that he is barking at you is usually no cause for concern. If the bark is low-pitched and accompanied by growling, that can be a sign of aggression. Keep in mind, however, that aggression is often caused by pain or an illness—especially if it comes on suddenly and isn’t normal for your dog. So putting aside aggression, here are a few things your dog may be trying to tell you:

“I’m Hungry”

If your dog is barking at you and it’s past his dinner time, there is a good chance he’s hungry. He’s just offering a gentle reminder that he has no intention of missing a meal.

“Put Your Shoes On and Take Me for a Walk” 

Dogs need their exercise and they also appreciate routine. If you normally walk him morning and night, you can expect to hear about it when it doesn’t happen.

“My Toy Is Stuck Under the Couch” 

Often a dog barking means he isn’t getting something he wants. If the barking is accompanied by scratching around a couch or other piece of furniture, there is a good chance that a favorite toy is hiding underneath.

“I Want Attention” 

Barking may be a cry for attention, but it should be ignored. If you respond to barking with pets and cuddles, you’re encouraging the behavior. Instead, ignore your barking dog and when he calms down reward him with the attention he wants.

While you can’t speak canine, you can often look for clues that will help you understand what it means when your dog barks at you. 

Dogs stare at you while you eat because they want what you’re eating. In the wild, dogs stare at the pack leader as he eats. This is how they let him know they are hungry and hope to get his scraps. You’re the pack leader, and they are hoping you’ll share your meal.

How to Curb Staring During Meal Time 

Because this behavior is a natural instinct, curbing it completely can be difficult. You can, however, take steps to not encourage staring.

NEVER Feed Your Dog from the Table 

Unless you want your dog planted next to your seat at the dinner table for every meal for the rest of his life, do not toss him a treat from the table. Even if you only do it once, he’ll never forget. He’ll spend the rest of his life waiting patiently for a repeat. If you want to share your table scraps, you need to take your plate away from the table and put some space between the dog staring and you giving him the food so he doesn’t associate the two.

Ignore Him 

You can’t say “bad dog!” enough to eliminate a natural instinct. Instead, completely ignore his staring. Over time, this may help minimize the behavior.

Feed the Dog First 

Some pet owners have had success with feeding their dogs before they sit down for a meal. If your dog is full, he may be less interested in whatever is on your plate. Of course, some dogs can never get enough, so don’t expect this to be 100% effective.

Why do dogs stare at you while you eat? They want your food! If it really bothers you, or if you’re having company, simply crate your dog (if he is crate trained) during mealtime to eliminate the problem. 

Vinegar and citrus oil are two things you can spray to stop your dog from digging. Commercial dog repellent sprays are also available. These methods will not work for all dogs, so it may take some trial and error to discover what works for your dog. Whether you choose a homemade or commercial product, such sprays are a good starting point for pet owners who want to curb this behavior.

Why Dogs Dig 

The reasons dogs dig are as varied as the methods to try and stop it. If you know why he is digging, you may be able to prevent the behavior even without the use of sprays. If your dog is digging, he may be trying to:

•  Escape the Yard: If digging is along the fence, it’s pretty obvious what your dog is trying to do. This is one of the most troublesome types of digging because it puts your dog in danger. If your dog is digging to escape, block the area around the fence with chicken wire or rocks to prevent him from getting out of the yard while you work on stopping the digging. 
• Cool Off: Digging holes and then resting inside them means your dog is digging to cool off. Aside from not leaving your pet outside on hot days, you can also be sure to provide adequate shade and plenty of water.
• Hunt Prey: If you see signs of burrowing pests near the spots where your dog digs, he is likely hunting. Call a humane exterminator to safely move the gopher, mole, or other animal out of your yard.
• Relieve Boredom: Digging is fun! At least some dogs think so. If your dog is digging as a game or to relieve boredom, introducing lots of new toys and additional playtime may curb the behavior. 

Are Commercial Sprays More Effective than Homemade?

Not necessarily. Just like humans have different tastes, so do dogs. The spray is simply adding a repellant to the area, and what will repel one dog may not repel another. If you don’t want to spend money for a commercial spray, try the homemade sprays first to see if you get the desired results. 

There are many things you can spray to stop your dog from digging, you just need to find what works best for your pup!  

There are many possible reasons why cats suddenly attack their owners including misguided play, a show of dominance, fear, or a medical issue. The good news is that, with time and patience, the issue can usually be corrected.

Dealing with an Aggressive Cat 

While a cat doesn’t apply the same lethal force as a large dog, their attacks can be scary, painful, and leave their owners bloody. In other words: Cats attacking their owners isn’t something that can be ignored. The first step in correcting the behavior is discovering the cause. Possible reasons include:

Misguided Play

Cats and kittens love to play, and they need to be taught what kind of play is acceptable and what kind is not. Make sure your cats have plenty of toys, and toss new toys into the mix on a regular basis so your cats won’t get bored. 

Fear 

When a cat is afraid or stressed out, they may attack just because they don’t know what else to do. One way to help your cat deal with fear is to make sure they have access to a place that makes them feel safe. This may be a perch atop a kitty condo, an enclosed bed, or even access to a rarely used room. If their fear seems extreme, consult a vet for advice.

You’re the Prey 

Cats are hunters. It’s a natural instinct. This is similar to play, but look at it more like practice. They are honing their skills for when they are ready to chase their next insect or rodent. Encourage them to stalk other items, such as the dot from a laser pointer or a toy mouse tied to a string. Redirecting this behavior may help to turn their attention to their toys, rather than your legs, the next time they want to practice hunting.

Medical Issues 

If your typically docile cat is suddenly aggressive, there is a good chance that a medical issue is to blame. When cats are in pain, they often show signs of aggression. If you suspect this may be the cause, a visit to the vet should be a priority.

There Is Hope 

 If you can pinpoint the cause of a cat suddenly attacking their owner, a resolution can often be found either on your own or with the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. This isn’t usually behavior that will go away on its own, so deal with the issue head on as soon as possible for the best results. 

If your normally well-behaved dog is suddenly chewing everything, it is likely because he is bored, stressed out, or anxious. If there has been a change in the dog’s environment or routine that could also trigger the sudden chewing. You can try a few things to curb the behavior, but if it doesn’t work, you’ll want to enlist the help of your vet or an animal behaviorist.

Tips To Stop Destructive Chewing

You come from work to find yet another dog bed has been shredded, your favorite pair of shoes has been destroyed, or the sofa you saved up for is now down a cushion. Your dog’s sudden chewing is frustrating for sure, but it can also be dangerous as he could swallow materials that may cause an intestinal blockage or other issues.

Here are some things you can try to stop the behavior:

• Buy Some New Toys: Provide appropriate chew toys for your pet and redirect them to those toys any time you catch him chewing. Toss toys once they are damaged and refresh the stash with new toys regularly to keep your dog interested.
• Doggy Day Care: If your dog is chewing everything when you’re away, he could be bored or lonely. Consider sending him to doggy day care, especially if you work long hours. If that’s not possible, hiring a dog walker is another way to break up your dog’s day.
• Treat For Separation Anxiety: Anxiety is a very common cause of destructive chewing—and it will not get better on its own. Treatments will vary based on the severity of the anxiety, but the first step is to talk with your vet or an animal behaviorist to work out a treatment plan.
  If your dog is chewing everything, don’t just ignore the problem. If simple DIY fixes, such as buying new toys, don’t help, talk to your vet. It might take some trial and error, but with a little patience you’ll be able to correct this behavior and help your dog to be happy and healthy.
• Preventative Measures: It is also important to keep items your dog may chew out of your dog’s reach. When you are not around to supervise him, keep your pup in a chew-safe area.