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Cats scratch furniture because it’s often at a height that allows them to stretch and because they find the rough fabric ideal. Scratching is a necessity for cats, so you can’t stop the behavior altogether. What you can do is try to redirect their scratching to appropriate objects, such as scratching posts. In the meantime, try adding corner guards and other barriers to protect your furniture.

Tips For Redirecting Your Cat’s Scratching 

While cats may not be as easy to train as dogs, it is possible to get a cat to scratch where you want. Here are some tips:

Scratching Posts 

You’ve probably seen those kitty condos covered in carpet. While those are a spot from which your cat can survey her kingdom or take a nap, the material is not ideal for scratching. Instead, choose scratching posts with a rough material, such as burlap or sisal. At least one of the posts should be three feet tall to allow your cat to fully stretch while scratching.

Where you place the scratching posts is just as important as the types of scratching posts you choose. Place a post near where your cat is already scratching (close to your furniture for example) and another near where he sleeps. If there are spots your cat frequents, you can place them there as well.

Introducing the Scratching Posts 

Show your cat the posts and make scratching noises on them. If you have a kitten, gently take his paws and make scratching motions with them. For older cats, sprinkle catnip to spark interest. Also, put some of your pets favorite toys near the post and spend time playing with them nearby.

Protect Your Furniture with Nail Caps 

Nail caps are in inexpensive vinyl product that is placed over cats’ claws which prevents damage from scratching. Some brave cat owners apply the caps themselves, but it’s much easier to have the vet do it. Once applied, they will last about four to six weeks.

It might take a while for your cat to use to the new scratching posts, especially if he’s gotten use to scratching your furniture. Every time you see him scratching your furniture, simply redirect him to the post. When you see him using the post, praise him. Over time, he’ll lose interest in the furniture. 

Signs that your dog swallowed something include vomiting after eating, bloated stomach, and refusing food. Some blockages are an emergency, but you should always visit your vet if you suspect your dog has swallowed a foreign object and they are displaying symptoms or acting abnormally. A bloated stomach in particular needs immediate attention, but any blockage caused by swallowing a foreign object could be life threatening.

Waiting For The Object To Pass Could Be Deadly 

It’s true that in some cases the object will pass safely, but you’re taking a big chance by waiting instead of visiting your vet. Sharp objects can pierce the bowel, toxic items can cause poison to spread, and string can become tangled around the intestine.

Another potential side effect is that a blockage can restrict blood flow and cause bowel tissue to die. This condition, called peritonitis, is often fatal.

Instead of taking chances, let a vet assess the situation and advise on the best course of action. The vet may be able to remove the object with an endoscope. In some cases, surgery may be required to safely remove the item.

Prevention Is The Best Medicine

Some dogs are cautious about what they eat while others just wolf down anything and everything: gravel, socks, pennies, etc…

It’s impossible to watch your dog 24/7, but you can help to prevent issues by keeping the areas he frequents free from objects he may swallow. Do a quick check of the yard every morning, and make sure trash, clothing, and other items in the home aren’t easily accessible.

When it comes to dog toys, choose tough toys that aren’t easily torn into many pieces. Also, supervise play time and once a toy it damaged, throw it away.

If you suspect your dog has swallowed something, get to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is given after your dog swallows a foreign object, the better his chances for a full recovery. 

Your dog chews up Kleenex because he finds the texture appealing, and holding down the tissue box while he shreds what’s inside may make him feel like he is killing his prey. Aside from it just being fun, dogs may engage in destructive chewing because they are bored, stressed, or anxious. No matter the cause, this behavior can cause issues, so pet owners need to find ways to address it.

Is Chewing Kleenex Dangerous? 

If your dog swallows a small amount of Kleenex, it’s not likely to hurt him. Larger amounts, however, can cause serious blockages. Also, if your dog gets used to chewing clean tissues, he’s more likely to chew dirty tissues.

Stopping the Behavior

The easiest way to stop your dog from chewing Kleenex is to limit access. Simply moving your tissue boxes to a higher shelf may be all it takes to solve the problem.  

Of course, you can’t rely on only prevention, and that’s why proper training is so important. A strong “Leave it” or “No” command should be all it takes for your dog to drop what he’s chewing. If that’s not the case, you should revisit training for his safety.

You’ll also want to provide alternatives, which means buying lots of chew toys in various sizes and textures. Replace them as they become damaged, so your dog always has something new and interesting to destroy.

Chewing Kleenex is a common behavior, but because it poses a potential danger to your dog, it’s a behavior you should work to stop in order to prevent a blockage or other issue that will land your pet at the vet. 

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.

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.   

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.