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What Can I Spray On Carpets To Keep Dogs From Peeing?

There are both commercial and DIY sprays that can help stop your dog from peeing on the carpet. Of course, not all will be effective with every dog, and some dogs will continue to urinate on the carpet no matter what you spray. In those cases, you may find that retraining your dog is a better option.

Commercial and DIY Sprays 

A quick internet search will yield all kinds of options for DIY sprays including everything from lemon juice and water to essential oils. Unfortunately, some of the suggestions include items that could be harmful or irritating to your pet, such as ammonia and certain essential oils. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask your vet before exposing your pet to any ingredients you’re not sure about.

Another option is commercial sprays. Some quality commercial sprays work in two ways:

  1. They contain enzymes that completely eliminate the urine odor and
  2. They contain ingredients, such as cinnamon and lemongrass, which discourage further urination in that spot. 

Those commercial sprays are often quite effective not just because of the ingredients the dogs find unpleasant, but also because they eliminate the urine scent. If that scent remains, dogs are much more likely to urinate there again. It can even attract your other household pets to urinate in that spot.

That’s why, no matter what kind of spray you choose, it’s important to thoroughly clean any accidents and use an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the scent. It can be difficult to do this with carpet since the odor can become trapped in the fibers. If the rug has been saturated, you may have to replace it to fully get rid of the scent.

What about Retraining? 

If your formerly housebroken dog has started urinating in the house, retraining may be an option, but first you need to figure out if there is a medical reason for the behavior. Diabetes, kidney disease, and bladder stones are examples of medical conditions that can cause inappropriate urination.

Once a medical condition has been ruled out, try going back to the beginning with housetraining including feeding on a regular schedule and letting the dog out every 30 minutes. Remember that it can take up to six months to fully housetrain a dog.

Also worth noting: If the accidents only happen when you’re at work—especially if you work long days—it could be because your pet has trouble controlling his bladder for that long. Consider hiring a dog walker, installing a doggy door, or asking a neighbor to let the dog out at some point during the day. 

How Can I Calm My Dog’s Anxiety Naturally?

You can calm your dog’s anxiety naturally by ensuring your dog gets plenty of exercise, extra playtime, and massages. How well the natural remedies work will depend on the severity of the anxiety and will vary by dog.

Natural Anxiety Remedies

Whether your dog suffers from separation anxiety or behavioral anxiety, finding a solution that calms your pet is a must. No good pet owner wants to see their dog suffer, but reluctance to start your dog on prescription anxiety medication is understandable. If you prefer a natural way to calm your dog’s anxiety, here are a few things to try:

  • Exercise: Make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise. Take him on at least two 30-minute walks each day. If he’s an active pup, make sure he has the opportunity to run off some energy every day as well.
  • Keep His Mind Busy: Dogs get bored, and that can contribute to anxiety. Keep him occupied by committing to teach him a new trick each week. This not only provides mental stimulation, but it’s also a chance to spend more quality time together.
  • Play Calming Music: Music can be as calming to dogs as it is to humans. Try playing some classical music when you’re away.
  • Calming Products: Calming collars, shirts, and diffusers provide relief for many pets. These products can be found at most pet supply stores. 

Other options, such as oils and massages are also natural alternatives to medicine. If none of these methods work for your pet, talk to an animal behaviorist who may have additional solutions to try before medication becomes necessary. 

What Do You Do When You Find A Lost Cat?

When you find a lost cat, the first order of business should be trying to find out if he is someone’s pet. You can do this by posting about the cat on your local NextDoor page or social media pages, hanging flyers, and letting animal control know about the cat (see a full guide here). Laws vary by location as far as whether you are required to turn the cat over to animal control, but even if you don’t have to, you should provide a picture and description, as animal control is one of the first places most people look when they lose their pet. You can also swing by a local shelter and ask them to scan the cat for a microchip. 

Is The Cat Lost Or Homeless? 

If none of your efforts to find the cat’s owner are successful, you may never know if the cat was someone’s lost pet or if he was abandoned by his owner. It’s highly unlikely that an adult feral cat (a cat who has lived his entire life outdoors and does not tolerate human interaction) would allow you to approach him, so if you were able to do so, it’s probably not a feral cat. 

If you can’t find an owner, you’ll have to decide what to do next. Here are your options:

  • Keep The Cat: Did you find your new best friend? That’s awesome! Thanks for giving the cat a loving home.
  • Surrender The Cat: Bringing the cat to a local shelter may end in the cat finding a new home, but it could also end in the cat being euthanized. If you must surrender him, try to find a no-kill shelter or reputable private rescue.
  • Rehome The Cat Yourself: If you can’t keep him, consider rehoming him yourself. Not sure how to start? Visit the Rehome website for tips and tools to help you find him the perfect new home. 

NOTE: If the law in your area requires a found cat be turned over to animal control, let them know you’re willing to take the cat if he’s not claimed. Once you get the cat back, you can either keep him or find him a good home. 

What is the Best Way to Rehome a Doberman Pinscher?

The best way to rehome a Doberman Pinscher is by taking the time to find him a new home yourself. After all, you want to be sure that he’s going to a wonderful new home where he’ll be loved and cared for properly. Let’s look at some of the most important things you’ll need to do when you rehome your Doberman Pinscher.

Understand What Your Dog Needs 

Before you can find someone else to adopt your dog, you need to know what your dog needs and requires for a happy, healthy life. For example, does your Doberman Pinscher dislike small dogs and cats? Does he bark a lot? You have to think about all of the good things that your dog offers, along with some of the elements that other owners would consider troublesome and need to know about before adopting.

Once you understand your dog, it becomes easier to know what he’ll need from a new owner. This makes it easier for you to ensure you’re finding the best new home for him.

Consider People You Know

A great option for rehoming your Doberman Pinscher would be to let someone you know adopt him. This could be a friend of yours or a relative, for example. Since you already know this person, it becomes easier for you to see whether they’d be a good fit for your dog or not. If they already know and love your Doberman Pinscher, then it might be the perfect match.

Of course, you don’t simply want to give up your dog to someone because you know them. You have to be sure they can properly care for your dog.

Look at Online Adoption Sites

Many people won’t have someone that they know who can rehome their dog. In those cases, the next best option would be to look at pet adoption sites online that let you list your pet. However, you’ll want to be sure that you’re only choosing to work with quality, reputable sites like Rehome.

Rehome is a peer-to-peer platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com that makes it easier for owners to find potential adopters, and for those adopters to find a wonderful new pet to bring home.

When you choose Rehome, you can create a profile for your dog and add photos, videos, and a bio. The bio should be filled with information about your dog, what he’s like, and what he needs to thrive. This would include the information that you thought about regarding your dog’s needs and temperament discussed earlier. The more you put into the bio the easier it will be to find the right owner.

Once you have adoption applications start arriving, you can review them and choose the new owner for your Doberman Pinscher. The service is easy to use, and it’s a safe way to find a home for your dog. It’s also free for owners to use and will only cost a small rehoming fee for those who adopt through the site.

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

It will often take a border collie between one and three months to get used to a new home. Of course, the amount of time will vary based on many different factors, and you’ll want to do whatever you can to help your new dog get comfortable.

Puppies will often adapt to a new home faster than older dogs who are brought into a new space with a new owner. The dog’s personality can also be a factor. Dogs that tend to be more skittish, for example, may have a harder time adjusting.

Tips for Helping the Border Collie Get Used to Her New Home

Ideally, the former owner will provide some items that the dog knows. This could be a blanket, some of her favorite toys, etc. These can help the dog to feel more at ease when they are in a new environment and with a new family. There will be familiar scents on these objects.

During those first days and weeks, you need to be patient with your new border collie. They have had a very different life up to this point, so it takes time for them to adjust. This means that they might be barking more than they normally would. It could also mean that they have some accidents on the floor. Be patient and take the dog outside regularly for the bathroom.

Give her time to explore the yard but keep her on a leash. If she is not feeling comfortable, there’s a chance that she could take off and run out of the yard where she could be injured or become lost. Don’t underestimate the importance of treats, petting, and talking softly to the dog during this transition phase and beyond.

Also, you want things to be as calm as possible when she arrives. This means you shouldn’t have all of your friends and family come over to see the new dog. Instead, it should be only the people who will regularly be in the home. Introduce other pets slowly and observe your new dog’s behavior.

The most important thing that you have to remember is to be understanding. If you’re lucky, she will become happy and comfortable within a week or two. However, prepare for a couple of months before she’s truly at home with her new family.

Learn About Her Before Adopting

When you adopt the border collie, be sure that you talk with the owner about the dog’s personality. You want to know how friendly and outgoing she is and whether she has any issues that you’ll need to know. Learn as much as possible about the dog beforehand.

Make sure that she is the right dog for you before you bring her home. Many people leap at the chance to adopt a dog before fully thinking it through and realizing that it can take time for the dog to adjust. Don’t get a dog now that you want to give up in a week. Always be sure it is the right choice.

Does Pet Supplies Plus Take Dogs?

Pet Supplies Plus does not take dogs at any of their stores. If you need to rehome your pet, you’ll need to find another option. 

How to Find a New Home for Your Dog

If you’re considering rehoming your pet, ask yourself if you’ve done everything you can to keep him.

For example: 

  • If he has behavior issues, have you tried additional training?
  • If he isn’t get along with other pets, have you talked with an animal behaviorist?
  • If you’re too busy, have you considered doggy day care? 

Many times the issues that cause pet owners to rehome their pet can be solved with a bit of effort.

If you’ve done all you can and know that you can’t keep your dog, you have a few options.

Surrender Your Dog to a Shelter

This is often the fastest way to surrender your pet, but there is a major downside: many shelters still euthanize for space. Before you bring your dog to a shelter, make sure you learn the euthanasia rate and understand what his chances are of ever finding a home.

Surrender Your Dog to a Private Rescue

Private rescues will usually do whatever it takes to find dogs in their care a wonderful home, but it can be a challenge to find a rescue with room to take your pet. If you’re willing to keep the dog until a spot opens up in a rescue you trust, this is a good option.

Rehome Your Dog Yourself

Your dog deserves the best chance of a happy home and you deserve peace of mind that will come with knowing you adopted your dog out to a loving family. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to finding your dog a home, visit Rehome. Rehome has lots of resources and features to help pet owners find their dogs a loving home. Create a profile for your pet, accept applications, download a contract, and much more. 

How Long Does It Take For A Cat To Get Used To A New Kitten?

It can take several weeks to several months for a cat to get used to a new kitten—and even longer for them to become “friends.” Some cats will learn to tolerate a newcomer, but may never be interested in playing or napping together. In other cases, the cat will take to the kitten right away. Each cat’s personality is different, so it’s hard to know what to expect when a new pet is introduced to the home.

Proper Introductions: The Best Chance for Success 

Putting two cats together and expecting them to get along can actually have the opposite effect. Instead, you’ll want to take the time to broker a proper introduction. Doing so gives you the best chance of the cats learning to get along.

To properly introduce cats, you’ll want to implement four steps:

  • Isolation: Put the kitten in a room with their food, litter, and toys. That will be the kitten’s home for a few days. Place the resident cat’s food bowl just outside the door.
  • Introduce through Sight and Scent: Swap the cats blankets, so they get used to each other’s scents. Prop the door open so the cats can see each other, and put one cat in a carrier and put the carrier in a room with other cat.
  • First Meeting: Place your resident cat in the room with the kitten. Stay close by to break up a scuffle, if necessary. Limit the first few meetings to 10 minutes or so.
  • Increase Length of Time Together: Slowly increase the amount of time the cats are spending together. If the older cat gets aggressive, give it a day or two before going back to the prior step and trying again. 

To further increase the chances of success:

  • Don’t expect your current cat to share—it’s not a strong suit of felines. Instead, purchase more litter boxes (the standard is one per cat plus one additional box), another set of food bowls, bed, toys, etc…for the new kitten.
  • Spend lots of time playing with the cats together and giving them treats and attention.
  • Don’t rush things. It can take some cats months to warm up. If they are tolerating each other, consider that a success. 

How Do I Find a Good Home for My German Shepherd

When you are put in a situation where you can no longer keep your dog, you may find yourself wondering “how do I find a good home for my German Shepherd.” There are many resources and tools available to help you decide the best way to find your German Shepherd a new home. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com is an excellent online resource where you can find expert advice and create a profile for your German Shepherd that you can use to share your dog’s story.  

What to Look for in Adopters

Remember: You’re not looking for just any home for your German Shepherd, you’re looking for a great home. That’s why it’s so important to know what to look for in a potential adopter:

  • Vet References: If the potential adopters have ever had a pet, asking for vet references is a good way to learn if someone is a responsible pet owner.
  • Personal References: Asking for, and checking, personal references is one tool that is used by many pet owners when looking for the perfect home for their pet.
  • Reaction to a Rehoming Fee: You should always charge a rehoming fee, and one reason for that is to see if the potential adopter is willing to make an investment in the dog. If they seem put off by a rehoming fee of $50 to $150, will that person be able and willing to take on extra costs when your dog needs medical care?
  • The Right Answers: The answers to questions like, “how much time will the dog be alone each day, where will he sleep, and how long will he be outside unsupervised,” may tell you everything you need to know about a potential adopter and give you insights into how your dog will be cared for.  

Finding Potential Adopters

Rehome will guide you through all the steps above and make it easy to get all the information you need from potential adopters. Once you know what to look for, the next step is finding people who want your pet. Just create a profile on the Rehome dashboard and the millions of people searching for a pet on Adopt-a-Pet.com will be able to see your pet’s story. The site even allows you to communicate with potential adopters, complete the application and adoption process, and more. 

You might be wondering how long it will take to find the right home. There is no solid answer, but even if it takes a bit of time, it will be worth it to know your pet is safe and loved.

Where Can I Put A Cat Up For Adoption?

You can put a cat up for adoption online. Whether you use social media or a website like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, you’ll have the best chance of getting your cat adopted by sharing him with the widest network of people possible.

Start with Friends and Family

If you can no longer keep your cat, the optimal place to start finding a new adopter is with your own network of friends and family. Snap some bright, clear photos of your cat and post on your personal Facebook and other social media accounts. Who knows? Maybe someone you know is looking for a new pet and your cat can live with a trusted friend or even someone within your extended family! 

Make Your Cat a Rehome Profile

If no one you know can take your cat, another great option is to use Adopt-a-Pet.com’s program called Rehome. Rehome is no-cost, easy peer-to-peer service that will help you find a new family for your cat. You’ll begin by uploading all of your cat’s information, including vet records and behavioral history. Then comes the fun part! You can add fun or cute photos and videos of your cat to make your profile stand out and craft a bio to describe all the most important details about his personality. Getting stuck or have questions while creating a profile? Check out the Cat Rehoming page to get all the help you need. Once you’ve finished these steps, you can post your pet for millions of potential adopters to see! 

Our Rehome team will guide you on how to narrow down the applications you receive to find the best fit for your cat and help facilitate an in-person meeting so you can meet your cat’s potential new family and ensure they are a good fit. Finally, you’ll choose a new family for your cat and complete all paperwork on the Rehome website. Adoption fees will be donated to organizations that help get more pets adopted!

Why Not Go To A Shelter?

Helping your cat find a new home with a family rather than taking them to a shelter is better for your cat. He will have an easier transition and be less stressed going straight to a new home and new family rather than staying in a shelter in the interim. Additionally, shelters and rescues are many times filled to capacity and can be very crowded and stressful for any animal. Many privately-run organizations also use donations and money provided by volunteers to help cover vet bills, housing, and other costs, which means resources are often very limited. If you must find a new home for your cat, using Rehome to do it is a great solution.  

How Do I Surrender My Great Pyrenees?

You can surrender your Great Pyrenees to an animal shelter or a rescue. However, before you do so, you’ll want to know more about what this means and what you’ll need to do. This will help you get a better understanding of whether surrendering is the right option for your dog, or if you’ll want to look for another way to find him a new home.

Getting in Touch with the Shelter or Rescue

If you’re going to be surrendering your dog, the first thing you need to do is learn about these facilities. Different locations and different organizations will have varying policies, so you’ll need to check the websites. This will provide you with more information, along with their address and contact information.

You’ll then contact the facility to learn about their procedures for surrender. You can’t just show up at the facility with your dog without having an appointment. When you call the shelter or rescue, they’ll let you know the next steps to take. Rescues, which are often full, will let you know if they have any room available or not.

The shelters will also let you know how much the surrender fee will be. You should expect it to be a minimum of $50, and it could be much higher depending on the facility. These fees, and the adoption fees, are charged to help provide money for the facility to continue operating and taking care of the animals in their care.

Rescues will keep your dog indefinitely if necessary, but that’s not always the case with shelters. Limited resources and overcrowding forces some shelters to euthanize pets that have not been adopted after a set time. It’s not something they want to do, but they have a limited amount of space and there’s a large number of dogs being dropped off.

When you contact the facility, the employees will want to know more about your Great Pyrenees. What’s his temperament like? Does he have any health issues or other problems? This is so they can provide proper care for your dog and so they know whether there might be issues housing him with other dogs.

You’ll find that they might also want to know why you have to give up your dog. This is because they often have resources that they can provide that could help you keep your dog. For example, they might have contact information for trainers, dog walkers, dog sitters, or low-cost vets in your area.

Other Options to Consider

You can also consider some of the other options available for giving up your dog other than surrendering. You could use a peer-to-peer pet adoption site like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com to connect with people who are looking to adopt a Great Pyrenees like yours. Always make sure you’re using a reputable adoption site to ensure safety and the best home for your dog. You may also know some friends or family members that want to have a dog, and they might be willing to adopt your dog.