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How Do I Stop My Dog From Barking When Home Alone?

In order to stop your dog from barking when he is home alone, you’ll need to address the triggers or environment that causes the barking. The solution could be as simple as crating him rather than leaving him outside or playing some soft music to soothe him. Of course, not all barking is bad, and you don’t want to eliminate all of your dog’s vocal contributions, but if the barking is excessive or causing problems with neighbors, you’ll want to find a way to control it.

Solving Excessive Barking 

If your dog were to come up with a solution, it would probably be for you to quit your job and stay home with him all day. Unfortunately, becoming full-time stay-at-home pet parents simply isn’t in the cards for most people. The good news is that there are plenty of other things you can try such as:

  • A Change in Environment – Try changing the environment of where your dog is left when you’re gone. For example, if you normally leave him outside (which is never ideal,) try crating him, using a slow introduction to the crate to make it a positive experience. Or if he’s normally crated, try confining him to a single room instead. 
  • Wear Him Out – Lots of playtime can go a long way in helping your dog deal with being alone. Before you go to work, make time to take him on a long walk or run. Do the same at night. When your pet doesn’t get enough exercise, it can make him anxious—which can lead to barking.
  • Mid-Day Visit –  If possible, arrange for a mid-day dog walker to come by to break up the time your dog will be alone. This is also another way to ensure your pup gets more exercise.
  • Reduce Triggers – If you notice that your dog barks at people walking by the windows, keep the curtains closed. If he barks when the mailman comes to the door, keep him confined to the back of the house when you’re away. You can also help to reduce the effects of noise triggers by playing soothing music or leaving the TV on while you’re gone. 

    You and your dog (and your neighbors) will be happier if your dog’s barking can be controlled. If nothing you try seems to work, or if the barking is excessive and accompanied by destructive behavior, it may be separation anxiety. If you suspect this, check out this article or talk to your vet or an animal behaviorist, as this condition does not go away on its own, but can usually be resolved with professional help.

    Can You Call The Police On A Barking Dog?

    You can call the animal control department of your local police on a barking dog, but it should only be used as a last resort for excessive barking. If your neighbor’s dog barks a lot, it can be annoying, but you should address it with a measured response rather than going straight to the law. There should be a few steps between the dog barking and you calling the police.

    How to React to a Barking Dog 

    When a responsible pet owner’s dog starts barking, they either get the barking to stop or bring the dog inside—but not everyone is a responsible pet owner. Some people have no problem letting their dog bark all night. While that is inconsiderate, you need to ask yourself if it’s worth having an ice-cold relationship with your neighbor. Here are some things to do before calling the cops:

    Ask Yourself If The Barking Is Really Excessive

    When you live in close proximity to neighbors, you can’t expect total silence. Whether it’s a kid banging on his drums or an especially enthusiastic game of kickball in the street, some noise is part of life in a populated area. With that in mind, consider if the amount of barking is really worth involving the police or animal control. 

    Know The Law

    Laws regarding dogs barking vary by location, so take the time to learn the law where you live. You could bring a copy of this information along when you talk to your neighbor. Knowing the law can also help you decide if calling the police is really the route you want to take. For example, if you learn the homeowner will get a $500 fine and possibly have the dog removed from her home, would you still want to call? 

    Talk To Your Neighbor

    Your neighbor might not realize how her dog’s barking is affecting you. Approach her in a polite manner and tell her how it’s affecting you, i.e. you can’t sleep at night, it’s hard to have a conversation on the phone, etc…

    If the neighbor seems receptive, offer ideas about how to reduce the barking such as letting the dog spend more time indoors or providing extra walks and lots of playtime. If she’s not receptive, tell her that if things don’t change, you may have no choice but to call animal control.
    Police and animal control should not be used as a weapon against your neighbors. Instead, calling them should be reserved for when all else has failed or when the dog appears to be in distress.  

    How Long Does It take a Yorkie to Get Used to a New Home?

    It typically takes a Yorkie between one and three months or so to get accustomed to being in a new home. However, many other factors will play into the exact amount of time it’ll take. A young dog or a puppy, for example, can often adapt to a new home faster than an older dog. Even two Yorkies of the same age could have different timeframes for adjusting based on their personality traits.

    This means that even though it’ll generally take a couple of months for your new dog to get used to their new home, it could be more or less time. Naturally, you’ll want to do everything that you can to make the transition as easy as possible. Keep the following in mind when you are helping her to adjust.

    Be Patient

    When you bring home a new dog, it can sometimes feel frustrating when she doesn’t adapt right away. It can help to think of things from her perspective. Everything in her world has turned upside-down recently, and she’s nervous and anxious. It would take you time to get used to a new house or a new job. She just needs to know that she’s safe, loved, and cared for. It’ll take some time, but she’ll come around.

    During the first week or so that she’s at your house, you’ll also want to keep the number of visitors to a minimum. Overwhelming her with too many new faces all at once is not a good idea.

    Provide a Private Space

    It’s a good idea to ensure that she has a private space of her own. If she has some toys that she likes that were sent with her, make sure she gets to keep them. Put them in a space that you reserve just for her, such as a pillow bed in the corner of the room. This can be her spot. Knowing that she has her spot will make her start to feel more comfortable.

    Be Ready for Accidents

    Since this is a big change, be ready for some potty mistakes. You might not know her signals for going outside, for example. Pay close attention to her and take her out on a leash frequently for bathroom breaks. Eventually, you’ll know the signs when she has to go outside. Don’t get upset when she makes mistakes, or you’ll frighten her and it’ll take even longer for her to feel comfortable.

    Create a Routine

    One of the best things to do when you are helping your new Yorkie get accustomed to their new home is to create a routine. This includes a time for walks, eating, and going out for the bathroom. Getting her on a schedule as soon as possible will be good for both of you.
    It might take some time once you’ve adopted a Yorkie for her to get used to your home. That’s okay, and it’s natural. You just need to continue being patient, and she will soon be just as happy in your home as she’s ever been. 

    How Do You Get Rid Of Cat Allergies?

    You can get rid of cat allergies if you have mild to moderate symptoms by reducing allergens in your home, reducing allergens on your pet, and, if necessary, taking over-the-counter or prescription medication.

    Living With Cat Allergies 

    First, make an appointment with an allergist to make sure you’re dealing with a cat allergy. Some blame hay fever or a reaction to mold on the cat. The only way to know for sure is to be tested by an allergist.

    Once it’s confirmed, there are some steps you can take to minimize the symptoms:

    • Bathe your cat once a week. If your cat is upset by bathing in water, try one of the over-the-counter cat-allergen-reducing dry shampoo products that are toweled on the cat and then brushed out.
    • Vacuum daily with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
    • Install an air cleaner onto your HVAC system.
    • Use HEPA filters for your HVAC system.

    The goal with the above is to minimize the amount of dander you’ll come in contact with, which will help to reduce your symptoms.

    Additionally, you can alleviate the symptoms, such as congestion, itchy eyes, and sneezing, with medication.

    Choosing A Cat 

    If you don’t yet have a cat, there is another way to minimize the symptoms: get a cat that produces less dander. While no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, some breeds are a smart choice for people with mild to moderate allergies. These include:

    • Sphynx
    • Cornish Rex
    • Oriental
    • Devon Rex
    • Russian Blue
    • Siberian
    • Bengal 

    Many people with cat allergies still share their homes with cats. As long as your symptoms aren’t severe, you can, too! 

    Can Coffee Grounds Hurt Dogs?

    Coffee grounds are toxic to dogs and can lead to serious symptoms and even death. How badly the caffeine in coffee grounds will affect your pet depends on the size of the dog and how much caffeine was consumed. Do not allow your dog to consume any amount of caffeine, and keep caffeinated beverages and coffee grounds out of his reach.

    Caffeine Toxicity 

    When you drink too much coffee, you may become jittery or notice your heart is racing. The same thing happens to dogs. Depending on their size, it takes much less caffeine to evoke that sensation for a dog than it might for you. That’s why it’s so dangerous when your pet consumes caffeine.

    How Much is Too Much? 

    Negative signs will start to show when your pet has consumed 14 mg of caffeine per pound of body weight.

    Signs of Caffeine Toxicity 

    If you suspect your dog has ingested caffeine, watch for these signs:

    • Restlessness
    • Hyperactivity
    • Vomiting
    • Excessive Panting

    Following those early signs, the pet may also experience tremors or seizures. 

    What to Do If Your Pet Consumes Caffeine 

    If you suspect your pet has ingested coffee grounds, go to the vet as soon as possible. If you get him there quickly enough, the vet may be able to stop the progression of the toxicity by inducing vomiting. If that doesn’t work, the vet may push IV fluids in order to help flush the caffeine from your dog’s body.

    Coffee grounds, coffee, tea, and even soda are very dangerous to your pet. Do what you can to prevent your dog from ingesting any amount of caffeine. If he does, get to your vet as soon as possible in order to try to avoid the most serious consequences.   

    How Do I Surrender My Australian Cattle Dog?

    If you’re asking, “how do I surrender my Australian Cattle dog,” that likely means you’ve decided you can no longer keep your pet. If you’re struggling with that decision, we urge you to talk to your vet, a trainer, or other experts to work on solutions that would allow you to keep your dog. If keeping your pet isn’t an option, surrendering him to a shelter takes a few steps.

    Typically you have to make an appointment that involves an interview with an intake officer, paying a surrender fee, and signing over the rights to your Australian Cattle dog. Remember, once you hand over your pet, you no longer have a say in what happens to him, so rehome_researching the shelter ahead of time is important.

    Will My Australian Cattle Dog Find a New Home?

    Your dog may find a loving home, or he may not. What happens depends on several factors, such as the shelter’s policies and your dog’s temperament. Researching the shelter before you surrender your dog may give you some peace of mind as save rates are rehome_legacy information and easy to find.

    If you find the shelter has a low save rate, you may want to rethink surrendering your Australian Cattle Dog there. Even in shelters with excellent save rates, there is always a chance your dog may not find a home. Some pets have a hard time in a shelter environment. Stress and anxiety could make it difficult for him to connect with a potential adopter. Shelter workers do their best to find loving homes for every animal in their care, but the sad truth is it’s not always possible.

    I Can’t Keep My Dog, But Is There Another Way?

    If the idea of leaving your dog’s fate in someone else’s hands is more than you can bear, you’ll be happy to know there are other options. One option would be finding a breed-specific rescue. If you can find a reputable Australian Cattle Dog rescue that has space and agrees to take your dog, you can have peace of mind knowing that they will keep your dog indefinitely, no matter how long it takes to find him the right home. In the meantime, the dogs in rescues typically live in loving foster homes, making the experience more comfortable.

    Another option is to rehome your dog yourself. Rehoming on your own might seem intimidating, but there is plenty of help and advice available online. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com is a great resource to help you find and vet potential adopters. You’ll find tips from experts and useful tools, such as the ability to create a pet profile, connect with potential adopters, and more.

    While rehoming the dog yourself may take more time, it’s well worth it knowing you were able to find your Australian Cattle Dog the perfect home!

    Does Unleashed by Petco Take Dogs?

    Unleashed by Petco does not take dogs, but they do partner with community rescues to hold several adoption events throughout the year. Owners wishing to surrender their dogs are not able to do so at any of the Unleashed by Petco locations.

    Where Can I Take My Dog?

    If you wish to surrender or rehome your dog, you’ll have a few options—and some are better than others. There are many things to consider when deciding how to surrender your pet including:

    • Facility euthanasia Rate
    • Adoption Rate
    • Shelter Conditions
    • Cost to Surrender
    • How Potential Adopters are Screened 

    Keeping all of those factors in mind, take a look at:

    Local Shelters 

    The shelter conditions and euthanasia rates among the country’s shelters vary wildly. In some locations, a no-kill philosophy has been adopted and the shelter conditions are calming and comfortable. In others, the euthanasia rates are very high and the conditions are terrifying to a dog.

    Before you decide to surrender you pet at a shelter, make sure you do rehome_research about the facility and understand that there may be a good chance that your dog will be put down rather than rehomed.

    Private Rescues 

    A highly rated private rescue is a great option, as the good ones go to great lengths to find suitable homes for the dogs in their care. The problem, however, may be finding a rescue with room to take your pet. These groups, especially the good ones, are often at capacity. 

    A Better Way 

    If you want to be sure that your dog gets the loving new home he deserves, the best option is to rehome him yourself. This might seem a daunting task, but there are resources available that make it much easier. One of the best is the Rehome website. 

    There you’ll be able to set up a pet profile, accept applications, find advice about screening adopters, download an adoption contract, and much more.

    It may take a little time to find the perfect home, but it will be worth it knowing your dog will be happy and loved. 

    Does Kriser’s Take Dogs?

    Kriser’s does not take dogs, but it might be a great place to find a new best friend. Kriser’s partners with rescue groups to hold adoption events throughout the year. They do not, however, take owner surrenders. If you need to rehome your dog, you’ll have to find another option.

    Why Are You Rehoming?

    Before you surrender your dog, ask yourself why and if there is another option. Many dog owners surrender their pets over easily corrected behavioral issues or for other reasons for which there may be another solution.

    If you’d like to keep your pet, discuss the situation with your vet or an animal behaviorist to see if you can come up with a plan that allows you to keep your four-legged family member.

    If not, you’ll have three basic options: 

    Surrender To A Shelter

    You must do some rehome_research before dropping your dog at a shelter. Some shelters still have high euthanasia rates. Even at a shelter with a low euthanasia rate, being put down is still a possibility. 

    Surrender To A Rescue

    Private rescues have the ability to keep a dog until they find a perfect for him. The problem is that quality rescues that take dogs from owners are often at capacity and the wait times can be quite long. 

    Rehome The Dog Yourself 

    Finding your dog a new home yourself is an excellent option—and you don’t have to go it alone. Valuable resources, such as Rehome, will give you the tools and advice you need to find an excellent home for your pet.

    That’s good news for you—and even better news for your dog. 

    Do You Have to Pay to Rehome a Shih Tzu?

    Whether you have to pay to rehome a Shih Tzu will depend on several factors, including where they’re being rehomed. The method of rehoming is a factor, as is whether you’re looking to adopt or you’re the owner. Below, we’ll look closer at who typically has to pay rehoming fees and when.

    When Does an Owner Pay a Rehoming Fee?

    Owners may have to pay a rehoming or surrender fee depending the method they use to rehome their dog. Some rehoming websites require fees before you can put a dog up for adoption. These types of sites that charge the owners will be ones you’ll generally want to avoid. There are better free options available for owners, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com.

    In cases where you have to surrender your dog to a shelter or a rescue, you’ll have to pay a surrender fee. While it’s not technically a rehoming fee, it’s still money you’ll have to pay. This money is used by the facilities to ensure they can continue to run. The cost of the surrender fee will vary, but you can expect it to be a minimum of $50.

    Do Adopters Need to Pay for Rehoming?

    If you’re the one that’s adopting a Shih Tzu, though, you can and should expect that you’ll have to pay an adoption fee the same way you would at a shelter or rescue. The only time that you probably won’t need to pay a fee would be if you’re adopting him through a friend or family member who needs to give up their dog.

    When you’re looking at local shelters and rescues to adopt a Shih Tzu, you can expect to pay an adoption fee. The cost varies based on many factors. This could include the location of the facility, the age of the dog, and whether he’s a pure breed, for example. Generally, the cost will be from $50 to $150. However, this can vary substantially.

    If you’ll be adopting online through a site like Rehome or another site, there’s a good chance you’ll be paying a fee as well. This is true through Rehome, which charges about the same amount as a shelter or a rescue. The money helps other animals get adopted.

    Why Are Rehoming Fees Needed?

    Some people wonder why rehoming fees are charged by individuals and online sites. They may understand why shelters and rescues charge fees but can’t figure out why an individual who needs to get rid of their dog charges money.
    The reason is simple.

    Owners have no idea who the potential adopters are or the intentions they have toward their dogs. By charging a rehoming fee, it helps to weed out those who don’t have the financial capability to take care of the Shih Tzu and to reduce the risk of people with bad intentions getting the dog. Some people look for free dogs online, which they then use as bait dogs for fighting, or that they sell to labs. Rehoming fees cut down on this practice. 

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

    You can find a good home for your Great Dane when you take the time to rehome your dog yourself rather than surrendering to a shelter or a rescue. Although the rescues and shelters can prove helpful to people who don’t have any other options available, spending some time and effort on the rehoming process can provide you with more peace of mind. Let’s look at some of the different things you’ll want to do when you’re searching for a great new home for your sweet Great Dane.

    Consider What Your Dog Needs to Thrive

    The first and most important thing you need to do when you’re searching for a good home for your Great Dane is to think about their needs. Your dog needs more than just a place to stay and a new owner. They need the right new owner that can provide them with the type of care that’s needed. Perhaps you need to find an owner that is willing to put in the time needed to train your dog to get over behavior issues. Maybe you need an owner that doesn’t have cats in the house.

    You know what your dog likes and doesn’t like. You know her health issues, her diet, and everything else about her. You’ll therefore need to find an owner that can meet her needs. This is how you’ll find a good home for your dog.

    Look at People in Your Life for Potential Adopters

    An easy way to find a good home for your dog might be to talk with people you already know. You might find one or more family members or friends that would like the opportunity to adopt your Great Dane. This can be a good solution since you already know the people and can trust them. It also means you’ll have a better sense of whether they’ll be the right choice for your dog or not.

    Learn Why Rehoming Fees Are Often Needed

    You’ll notice that many people charge rehoming fees for their dogs, and you might wonder why. Owners aren’t trying to make a lot of money by selling their dogs. Most are just like you and never imagined they would have to give up their dog. It breaks their heart. The rehoming fees are used to help eliminate certain types of people with bad intentions from adopting. Some people, for example, look for free dogs online or in their area that they can then sell to labs. Charging a rehoming fee provides some safety for your dog.

    Think About Using Rehome to Find a New Owner

    Another way to find a good home for your Great Dane is to use a pet adoption site like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. Through the site, you can add videos, photos, and a bio for your dog. Once you’re all set up you’ll be able to publish your pet’s profile directly on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see. If they like your dog, they can apply to adopt and the experts at Rehome will provide you with tips on how to pick the right new owner. You’ll then check their application to see if they’ll be a good fit and complete an adoption contract. This is free for owners, and the adopters only pay a small rehoming fee if they adopt.