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How Do I Stop My Dog from Shredding?

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.   

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

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.

Can A Dog Be Put Down For Biting Someone?

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.   

Where Can I Take A Cat I Found?

It’s not easy to know where you can take a cat you found – in fact, it can be quite flustering! The first place you should go is to your veterinarian to get the cat checked for a microchip.

Make An Appointment With Your Vet

Most cats, if they were adopted at a shelter, through a rescue organization, or from a breeder, will have a microchip. This chip, when scanned, will show the cat owner’s name and contact information. If the cat you found is microchipped, you can obtain the contact information from the veterinarian and reach out to the owner. If the cat does not have a microchip, it’s time to take further action.

Post Signage Around Your Neighborhood

You should post signs for a lost cat in your neighborhood in case the cat’s owner is looking for her or him. You can also post signs at your veterinarian’s office and at your local animal shelter. The signs should have a photo of the cat, a description of where you found her or him, and your contact information. To learn more about the do’s and don’ts of creating lost pet signage, check out this blog post on our website.

Post On Rehome

If no one claims the cat you found and you do not have the ability to keep her or him, there’s still hope! The next step you should take is using Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Rehome program. Through Rehome, you can post the cat you found for millions of potential adopters to view! The process of posting a pet is easy and free!

The Rehome Process

Upon creating a Rehome account for your found cat, you will be asked to answer questions such as if the cat is spayed or neutered, their medical history, and what their personality is like. If you don’t have all these answers, it’s okay! You will fill in all the information that you can and share the cat’s story with any potential adopters so they know why there is limited information. Then, you’ll take clear, bright photos of the cat to post along with a bio that describes the cat as best as you can. Once you take these steps, you’ll be able to post the cat and you will begin receiving applications from people who would like to adopt her or him. For more information about Rehome or to get started, go here.

Does PetSmart Take Dogs?

PetSmart does not take dogs from the general rehome_legacy. PetSmart Charities partners with local rescues and shelters to find homes for dogs, so when you see adoptable animals in a PetSmart store, they are from one of their partner organizations.

Organizations That Will Take Your Dog 

Since PetSmart won’t take your dog, you’ll have to find other arrangements if you need to surrender your pet. Options include:

Shelters Such as Your Local Animal Care Center or SPCA 

  • The Pros: These organizations will usually be able to take your surrendered pet within a week or two, if not immediately.
  • The Cons: Once surrendered, there is a chance your dog could be put down, depending on many factors. Once your dog is handed over, you have no further say in his fate. 

Privately Run Rescue Organizations

  • The Pros: These organizations are usually no-kill and will keep your dog for as long as it takes for him to find a home.
  • The Cons: It’s often difficult to find a rescue that has the space to take your dog. 

Rehoming the Dog Yourself 

  • The Pros: You’ll have complete control over where your dog goes. This option gives him a great chance of finding a loving home.
  • The Cons: It can take a while to find the right home. 

If you decide to rehome your pet yourself, take advantage of all available resources, such as those offered by the website Rehome. Post a profile of your pet, connect with people actively searching for a dog, and review applications right through the site. Get started here.

Giving up a pet is a big decision. If you have to do it, make sure you give your pet the best chance at a happy home and the second chance he deserves. 

How Do I Give Up My Dog?

You can give up your dog by surrendering him to a local shelter, finding a rescue that will take him, or by rehoming him yourself. If you’ve made the decision that you can’t keep your pet, you likely would choose the option that will give your dog the best chance at going on to live in a happy, safe home.

The Choice To Give Up Your Pet 

When bringing a dog into your home, you hope it will be a be a lifetime commitment. Sometimes, however, circumstances arise that require you to give up your pet. Before you do so, make sure you’ve exhausted all other options. 

Some pet owners give up their dog for behavior issues, because they work too much, or for other reasons for which there could be another solution. For example: 

  • Many behavior issues can be overcome with proper training or by working with an animal behaviorist.
  • If you work long hours, consider doggy day care or a dog walking service.
  • If you’re worried about finding pet-friendly houses, your local shelter may have lists available. There are also many excellent online resources for finding pet-friendly rentals. 

When Rehoming Is The Only Option 

If you do find that you must give up your dog, consider rehoming him yourself.

If you surrender him to a shelter, he may become a lifelong resident or in the worst case, be put down rather than rehomed. He deserves a second chance at happiness and you deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing you helped him find the perfect home.

Not sure how to get started? Visit Rehome for all the information you need as well as helpful tools that will help you connect with the perfect adopters for your dog. When you visit the website you’ll find:

Rehoming your pet yourself may take a bit of time, but it is well worth it—for both you and your dog. 

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

Many boxers are returned to a shelter or rescue after just a few days because the adopters say the dog isn’t fitting in, but just “how long does it take a boxer to get used to a new home?” It’s unreasonable to expect a dog to come into a home and immediately fall in line with all of the rules and routines. It can take weeks, or even months for a boxer, or any pet, to become comfortable in his new environment and to become his best self.

Why Does it Take So Long?

Typically when adopting from a shelter, the new owners don’t know the history of the dog. It’s important to remember that the dog was taken from his home and placed in an environment that was likely very frightening to him.

Then you came along and gave him a home, but he doesn’t understand that it’s permanent. It will take some time for him to understand that he is safe now.

Be patient with the boxer and understand that it will take the dog time to learn your routines and to know what is expected of him. 

You can help by:

  • Providing a crate or other spot where the boxer feels safe
  • Being realistic in your expectations
  • Working with a trainer, if necessary 

In It for the Long Haul

Some new pet owners give up on their dogs after a week or two while the dog is in an adjustment period. This is sad both for the dog, who now has to start from scratch with a new family, and for the family who gave him up too soon. With a bit more time, the right guidance, and a little patience, the boxer likely would have blossomed into a wonderful family pet.

If the boxer you adopted isn’t progressing as you’d like, don’t give up on him. Ask the shelter or rescue for advice or to point you to resources to help in training the dog. In the end, you’ll be happy you did! 

Do Wireless Dog Fences Work?

Though some people report that wireless fences work for their dog, we never recommend using them. These fences require a shock collar that shocks the dog anytime they cross the barrier of the wireless fence. There are other alternatives to this negative reinforcement technique that are more humane and work better in many cases.

Alternative Solutions  

  • Putting up a physical fence.
  • Only taking your dog outside on a leash.
  • Working on off-leash commands such as “stop” and “no.” 

We never recommend using a shock collar or any form of negative reinforcement. Finding an alternative to a wireless fence is the kinder choice.  

How Much Does It Cost To Surrender A Dog?

It usually costs somewhere between $50 and $150 to surrender your dog. The cost varies based on several factors such as your location, the type of facility, and the age of the pet. Certain facilities charge less per pet for those surrendering entire litters. Some private rescues do not charge a fee if they accept a dog for surrender, but this varies by organization.

Surrendering a Dog to a Shelter 

There are many reasons that pet owners may feel their only option is to surrender their dog to a shelter. These include:

  • Behavior issues
  • Financial problems
  • Feeling like they don’t have enough time to spend with the pet
  • The birth of a baby
  • An impending move

But is surrendering a dog to the shelter the best solution? Many times, the above issues can be overcome or something can be worked out that allows the dog to remain in the home. If that’s not possible, and every resource has been exhausted, consider rehoming your pet instead of surrendering the dog to a shelter. 

Benefits of Rehoming vs. Surrendering 

Once a dog is surrendered to a shelter, her or his fate is out of your hands. The truth is that many surrendered pets have a hard time finding new homes because the stress of being in a shelter or rescue alters their personalities. In the best cases, they find a new home—but wouldn’t you have more peace of mind if you had input into the type of family that adopted your dog?

Finding a new home for your pet is a better solution that allows you to be sure your dog goes to a good home, and there are tools that make the process easier. Rehome is a website devoted to helping responsible pet owners find new homes for their cats or dogs. It’s easy to use and in just a few minutes, your dog’s profile will be available to potential adopters all over the country. 

One of the many resources on Rehome is an application with detailed questions that will help you screen adopters to find the perfect situation for your dog. Rehome also provides an adoption agreement that allows you to specify what should happen to the pet if the adoption doesn’t work out.

The cost of surrendering a dog includes more than just money. Consider rehoming instead so you’ll have peace of mind about the final outcome. 

How Long do Dog Bites Take to Heal?

A dog bite can take anywhere from several days to several months to fully heal. The length of time depends on the severity and location of the bite. Treatment may include home care as well as treatment by a doctor. The exact treatment will depend on many factors and will be determined after carefully evaluating the patient. Preventing infection is of the utmost importance in order to speed healing and to avoid secondary issues.

Dog Bite Treatment 

For minor dog bites, some prefer home treatment, but it’s always recommended to see a doctor anytime the bite punctured the skin. That’s because the doctor may need to prescribe antibiotics, a tetanus shot and, in cases of a dog with an unknown history, rabies shots.

Keeping the wound clean and dry will help speed healing and prevent infection. For minor wounds, you may be able to do this yourself. For more serious bites, wound care may have to be performed by a professional.

It’s worth repeating that you should visit a medical professional any time a dog bite breaks the skin. If possible, bring the dog’s medical records to show the doctor. This may eliminate the need for rabies shots and can help guide treatment.

Since dog bites range from mild to life threatening, it’s not possible to make a general statement about how long dog bites take to heal. Following all directions from the doctor will help to speed healing and is a must in order to ensure proper healing and minimize the chance for infection.