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How To Keep Dogs Off The Couch When Not At Home

There are several ways you can try to keep dogs off the couch when you’re not at home including crating and confining the dogs to a particular part of the home. If your dog is well trained, he can be taught to stay off the couch, but if you’re not home to tell him to get down, there is no guarantee that you won’t find pet hairs on your sofa when you return home.

Keeping Dogs Off The Furniture

If you think some kind of shenanigans go on at your house, you’re probably right. Many pet owners just give in to the idea that the dogs are going to get on the furniture. If that’s not an option for you, here are some things you can do:

  • Spray Deterrents: The effectiveness is hit or miss with these sprays. Plus, you’ll want to test the spray on a hidden area of the couch to be sure its colorfast.
  • Crating: Keep your dog out of all mischief by crate training him. Then he’ll be safely snoozing in his crate while you’re at work. Note: You shouldn’t crate your dog for more than 4-6 hours.
  • Confining To One Room: If you have the space, setting aside a room for your dog is an alternative to crating.
  • High-Tech Solutions: Two way cameras are available that allow you to both watch and communicate with your pet. Take a peek at the camera, and if the dog is on the couch, a stern “NO!” might make him get down. 

Whether you choose crating, sprays, or some other solution, it is possible to keep your dog off the couch while you’re away—or you could just give in like so many pet owners do! 

Does Dog Separation Anxiety Go Away?

Dog separation anxiety can be treated effectively, but it will not just go away on its own. In fact, if left untreated, the anxiety will become worse over time. Separation anxiety runs the gamut from mild to very severe. If you’re fortunate enough to be dealing with a mild case, talk to a vet or animal behaviorist as soon as possible to stop the anxiety from becoming worse.

How Do I Recognize Separation Anxiety? 

Separation anxiety doesn’t just mean your dog misses you when you’re gone and stays stuck to you like glue when you’re home. In severe forms, dogs will actually injure themselves as they attempt to escape. Some of the signs that point to separation anxiety include:

  • Excessive Barking
  • Going to the bathroom in the house
  • Destructive chewing
  • Pacing
  • Escape attempts 

Note that those behaviors can occur in a dog without separation anxiety. If these issues only occur when you’re gone, then it’s likely a form of separation anxiety.

Since you know that separation anxiety isn’t going to just go away on its own, you need to take action. While you can try DIY remedies like calming collars or playing classical music, such methods should be reserved for mild cases. If you don’t see immediate progress, talk to your vet.

If the anxiety is moderate to severe (i.e. includes destructive behavior and escaping) you should visit your vet or a highly qualified animal behaviorist as soon as possible to prevent your dog from harming himself.

The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll no longer have to worry about the health and safety of your pet while you’re away. 

How Do You Calm A Stressed Dog?

How to calm a stressed dog will depend on the reason for the stress and may be as simple as playing soft music or exercising him more. In other cases, it may take medical intervention in the form of medication in order to calm your pet. What will work for your dog depends on the severity of the stress and the underlying cause.

Stress Relief Remedies 

There are many types of stress, and if you figure out what is causing your dog’s anxiety, it will be easier to help him. Some dogs are just generally stress-prone. In those cases, there may not be a specific cause. Either way, there are several things you can try to calm your stressed dog.

DIY Remedies 

If the stress seems mild and isn’t causing your dog to harm himself, try these simple solutions:

  • Exercise: Some dogs are stressed because they are bored, and more exercise can help to relieve that boredom. Make sure he gets at least two long walks per day. More is even better.
  • New Toys and Tricks: Another way to stave off canine boredom is by regularly teaching him new tricks and buying him interactive toys that keep his mind engaged.
  • Soothing Music: Playing classical music or even keeping the television on while you’re away can help calm a stressed dog.
  • Calming Products: Many pet owners found great success by using calming products such as collars, shirts, and diffusers. 

Professional Intervention 

If the stress is severe or if the DIY methods don’t work, it’s time for professional intervention. Talk to your vet about whether or not medication is appropriate or call an animal behaviorist. Keep in mind that if the stress came on suddenly, it could be due to a medical condition. In that case, make an appointment with your vet right away.

Stress doesn’t usually go away on its own. In some cases, it will continue to get worse over time, so ignoring the problem won’t help. Start working on a solution today, so you can have a calmer, happier dog. 

Do Dogs Outgrow Pica?

Some dogs outgrow pica while others will need treatment of the underlying medical or behavioral condition that is causing the pica. It’s not something that should be ignored as it can cause serious health issues for your pet. In some cases, it can be stopped as simply as providing lots of chew toys for your dog. In more severe cases, professional intervention may be required.

What Is Pica? 

Pica is eating objects that are not edible. This could include dirt, paper, cloth, rocks, feces, and many other objects. It’s easy to see the dangers of the condition, and many dogs require surgery after ingesting rocks or need other medical treatment after eating something toxic.   

While a puppy with pica may outgrow the condition, adult dogs usually will not. Causes of pica include:

  • Stress or anxiety
  • Boredom
  • Depression
  • Lack of socialization
  • Malnutrition 

It can also be triggered by one of a long list of medical conditions such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Iron deficiency
  • Parasites
  • Anemia 

If the behavior started suddenly, schedule an appointment with your vet to rule out a medical cause. If there is no medical condition that’s to blame, you can try to treat pica yourself or work with a behavioral therapist.

If you think your dog may be bored or lack stimulation, try spending more time walking and playing with your pet. If that was the cause, you may see an improvement pretty quickly. Generally speaking, working with a qualified trainer or behaviorist is the best course of action to get lasting results.

While you’re working on stopping the behavior, you’ll have to keep a close eye on your dog in order to stop him from eating something that could harm him.           

Pica is a potentially dangerous condition that needs to be dealt with in order to keep your pet safe and healthy. The good news is that, with proper treatment, most dogs can be cured of the behavior. 

How Long Does It take a Catahoula Leopard Dog to Get Used to a New Home?

It typically takes a Catahoula Leopard Dog one to three months or so to get used to a new home. Of course, all dogs are different. Sometimes, a dog will become accustomed to the new home within a matter of days. Other times, it takes much longer. Puppies and younger dogs will often adapt to their new surroundings faster than older dogs, but it will all depend on the dog and how the new owners welcome them to the house. Let’s look at some of the things you can do to make the transition easier for your new Catahoula Leopard Dog. 

Don’t Overwhelm Your New Dog

It’s important that you don’t overwhelm your Catahoula Leopard Dog when she first comes to her new home. You should make sure that she has some space of her own where she can go without being bothered by people or other animals if she wants.

While you’ll need to introduce her to everyone in the house—humans and animals included—you don’t want to bring over too many people all at once. For the first week or two, keep it just to the people who live in the house. You don’t want to bring over a large number of people to look at your new dog when she’s already feeling nervous.

Some dogs will love all of that attention, but not all of them. This is especially true when it comes to an older dog that’s still attached to her old family.

Things She Loves

Dogs love treats, and you should provide an ample amount of treats for her whenever she shows signs of progress with the new family. However, it shouldn’t be all about treats. Make sure she has toys and a dog bed of her own. If she has any items that have come with her when you adopted her, let her keep those, at least for now—as long as they’re clean. They’re essentially security blankets for her, and this can make her feel comfy as she’s getting used to her new life.

Include Her in Family Activities

Always be sure to include her in things that you’re doing as a family. If you’re all heading into the backyard, take her along. Let her go on all of your walks with you. Have her in the room while you’re watching TV. Essentially, you want her to feel like she is part of your pack.

Create a Routine

Dogs tend to do well on routines. You’ll want to make sure that you set up a routine from day one with your new Catahoula Leopard Dog. Have a schedule for walks, feeding, heading out to the bathroom, etc.

Be Patient 

Ultimately, you need to make sure that you’re patient with your new dog. She’s going through a big transition, and she might not feel comfortable for a few days, weeks, or months. Sometimes, it will feel like she’s making great progress, and then she’ll revert to being shy or nervous again. Given enough patience, love, and time, though, she’ll come around and become the happy, loving dog that you know she can be.

Photo Credit: Richárd Bolyós, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Do I Find a Good Home for My Rottweiler?

You can find a good home for your rottweiler when you take the time to rehome her yourself. Rehoming will take longer than setting up an appointment at a shelter, but it ensures that your dog will be going to a good home where she’ll be loved. Let’s look at some of the most important things that you’ll need to think about when rehoming to ensure that she has a wonderful new home.

Your Dog’s Personality and Needs

This is one of the most important parts of finding an ideal home for your rottweiler. Every dog has a unique personality, and you know your dog better than anyone else. You certainly know her better than people who are considering adopting her.

You know all of the funny things she does and the quirks she has. You know whether she’s afraid of cats and whether she doesn’t like riding in the car. You know that she loves the beach. You know her needs. Instead of just choosing the first person who wants to adopt your rottweiler, you need to be sure that their personality and lifestyle will mesh well with her.

Make sure they can provide her with the exercise she needs. If she has any medical issues, make sure the adopter is aware and that they’re committed to ensuring she stays in good health.

The Potential Adopter’s Home

While you don’t have to visit the adopter’s home, you’ll want to know a bit about it. Is there a yard for her? If not, will they be able to walk her daily? Are there kids or other pets in the house? Does your dog get along with other pets? If she doesn’t, you don’t want her going to a home that has cats or other dogs.

The reason you need to be particular when you’re rehoming your dog is so that you find an adopter who will love and cherish her as much as you do. If you aren’t honest about your dog’s personality and needs, the adopter might not be able to keep her. They might have to give her up, too, and that’s the last thing you want.

Make Finding an Adopter Easier with Rehome

A good way to make the entire process easier is to use the Rehome peer-to-peer pet adoption platform. This site is a part of Adopt-a-Pet.com, and it allows you to create a profile for your dog. You can fill out the profile to add plenty of information about her personality, and all of the good and not-so-good things about her. This ensures the potential adopters have a clear picture of whether she’ll be right for their home or not. Of course, you can also add some photos and videos to the profile.

When people start to submit adoption applications, you’ll go through them and determine which one will be the best home for your rottweiler. This is a safe and effective way of finding a loving family for your rottweiler.

How Do I Rehome My Dachshund?

You can rehome your dachshund on your own, although it can take some time and effort on your part. Below, we’ll cover some of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when rehoming your dog, so you can ensure that he has a wonderful new home and loving owners.

Make Sure Rehoming is the Best Option

Why do you need to rehome your dog? Sometimes, there might be a solution that you haven’t considered yet. If you have to move, check with the new landlord to see if small dogs like dachshunds are allowed. Some landlords will allow small pets for an added fee on the deposit or an additional charge each month.

If your dog has some behavioral problems, consider looking for trainers in your area, or even online videos from professional trainers that could help. Maybe you aren’t able to spend enough time with your dog during the day. You might want to try doggie daycare or a pet sitter to see if that helps with the issue.

Always exhaust all of your other options before you think about rehoming. Of course, we know that sometimes, there’s no other choice. In those cases, make sure you are rehoming wisely.

Could You Rehome with Family or Friends?

One of the first things that everyone should consider when they’re rehoming their pet is whether they know someone looking for a dog to adopt. You might have heard one of your parents or a cousin talking about wanting to get a dog. Maybe you have a coworker who has been looking for a dog and who loves your dachshund. They could be a perfect solution if you find you need to rehome.

What to Look for When Choosing Someone to Adopt Your Dog

When you’re choosing someone to adopt your dog, you want to be sure that they’ll be a good fit. He has a distinct personality, and you need to ensure it will complement that of their potential new owner. You should be sure that they have the means to walk the dog, make sure he’s properly fed, and goes to the vet when needed. Essentially, you have to make sure that the new owner will be responsible.

Why Should There Be a Rehome Fee?

If you are rehoming through an online site on your own, always be sure to charge a rehoming fee. Some people balk at these fees, but they’re beneficial. It’s not about getting money for you. Instead, it’s about ensuring that you weed out those who can’t take care of him financially and those who have ill intent.

Use Rehome to Make the Process Easier

Rehome is an online platform that can connect you with people looking to adopt, and it’s free for owners to use. Create a profile for your dachshund, add photos and videos, and make sure that all of the important information about your dog has been included. Those who want to adopt can fill out applications, which you’ll then examine to determine who will be the best fit for your dog.

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

How long does it take a Chihuahua to get used to a new home? This is a question you may ask if you’re adopting a pet or if you’re considering giving up a pet. Some expect a dog to jump right in to a new routine and to feel safe and happy right away, but many dogs need time to adjust. Dogs can take weeks, or even months, to fully blossom in a new environment.

Helping a Dog Adjust 

You might love your Chihuahua to pieces, but he may not return those feelings right away. Whether he’s been through a traumatic experience or just misses his old family, be sure to give your dog as much time as he needs to feel safe and to learn your routines.

The sad thing is that many dogs are returned to shelters after a week or so, because the dog “isn’t fitting in.” In most cases, he would fit if given a chance. Here are some tips for success:

  • Don’t expect too much. Be realistic, expect accidents and mistakes, and move on.
  • Get advice from a vet or behavior specialists if needed.
  • Create a routine and stick to it.
  • Provide a crate or other comfortable spot where your dog can feel safe.  

Understanding the needs of your dog may help you be more patient. If you’re consistent, you’ll notice positive changes over time as your Chihuahua gets used to you and his new surroundings.

If you don’t see positive changes, talk to a trainer about ways to be the leader your dog needs and for advice about how you can help your dog to feel safe and secure in your home. 

How Do I Find a Good Home for My Border Collie?

To find a good home for your border collie, it can take some work. However, you love your dog, and giving her up is heartbreaking, so you don’t mind putting in some time and effort to make sure she is safe and loved. Let’s look at some of the things you can do to ensure that she goes to a great home.

Don’t Give the Dog to Just Anyone

Although there might be a large number of people in your area that express interest in adopting your border collie, it does not mean that you should trust them. If you do not know the people, you have no idea what their intentions might be. Some bad people out there have ill will toward animals and are looking for free dogs and cats. Don’t let them have your dog.

How do you prevent this from happening? You’ll will first want to make sure that you always check references and rehome_research the people to ensure they are a good fit. You also need to charge a rehoming fee. People with ill will do not want to pay for animals. The fee also ensures that the new owner has a financial interest in your dog and are more likely to take good care of her.

Even if you have a family member who might be interested in adopting, you’ll still want to check to be sure they can give her proper care. You may not need to charge a rehoming fee in this case, but you do need to be sure they will provide a great home for her. For example, if they are working long hours and they don’t have anyone else who can walk and play with her, they may not be a good fit unless they hire someone to help them.

Be Honest with Potential Adopters

Yes, you want to be sure that you can find someone to adopt your border collie, but you want to be sure it is the right home. This means that when you’re providing information to potential adopters, you need to be honest. If you have a border collie that snaps at kids or that doesn’t get along well with other pets, you need to let people know. Otherwise, they may end up bringing her to a shelter.

Be honest about your dog’s personality, and about any health issues that she has. After all, you want to make sure that the people who adopt can handle those health problems and provide the care she needs and deserves.

Honesty also ensures that the adopters make a good decision based on their needs. They might not have the finances to take care of a dog with health issues, for example.

Using the Rehome platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com is a good option. It lets you create a profile for your dog that adopters can see. They can then fill out an application to adopt your dog. You can go through the applications to find the best possible home for your border collie. It’s safe, efficient, and it won’t cost you anything.

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

It’ll usually take a Maltese between one and three months to get used to a new home. Of course, this timeframe can vary based on a range of factors. The dog’s age, personality, and the new owner and home all play a part. Often, puppies and younger dogs can adapt to a new environment and owner faster. However, it’ll all depend on the dog. When you’re bringing home your Maltese, you must remember to be patient. Below, are some tips that can help.

Don’t Overwhelm Your New Dog

Don’t overwhelm your Maltese when she first comes to your home. This means you’ll want to introduce her to the house and the people who live in the house, but you don’t want to invite a bunch of friends over. Although you’re thrilled with your dog, it can be overwhelming for her to meet so many people at once when she’s still trying to get used to her new situation.

Provide a Safe Location

When you bring your new Maltese home, she should have a space that is her own. Having a dog bed in the corner of a room or her crate will be helpful. Give her a location where she can get away from everyone in the house and where no one will bother her when she needs some time alone. If she’s been rehomed with you, the owner might have sent along some of her favorite toys or blankets. Allow her to keep these—as long as they’re clean—as they can make her feel safe.

Include Your Dog 

While you want to provide her with a safe location, you don’t want her to ever feel neglected. Make sure that she’s a part of everything that’s happening in the house. Whether you’re watching TV, reading, or heading out into the yard, invite her along. Pet her, tell her she’s a good girl, and make her feel loved and appreciated.

Be Ready for Escape Attempts

Keep in mind that during the early days of her being with you, she’ll be confused. This is particularly true if she’s been rehomed. She still remembers her old owners and may believe that she should get back to them and her old home. This could cause your dog to attempt an escape. When you’re opening the doors in your home, be careful. You don’t want her to run out, get lost, or get hurt.

Set Up a Routine

To help get your Maltese accustomed to being in her new home, you should set up a routine from the first day. Feed her at the same time, take her for walks at the same time, etc. Dogs do well when they are on a schedule.

Be Patient

You might be fortunate, and your Maltese might get used to you and the new home in a matter of days or weeks. Other times, it’ll take longer, and that’s okay. Be patient, and eventually, she’ll come to love you just as much as she did her previous owner.