Tag: First Batch

How Do I Get My Cats To Like Each Other?

In order to get your cats to like each other, start with a proper introduction. This includes four steps outlined below. After that, or if the cats have already been introduced, there are some tips you can try to help them get along. It might take some time, but if you’re patient and persistent, your cats can most likely learn to be friends.

Four Steps To A Proper Introduction

Isolation

Place the new cat in a room with everything they need including a litter box, food, water, and toys. Feed your other cat on the other side of the door. Over a few days, move the food bowls closer to each side of the door until they are right up against it.

Sight/Scent

This step involves sub-steps. You shouldn’t move on to the next step until the cats seem okay with the current step.

  • Swap out the blankets between cats, so they will get used to each other’s scents.
  • Prop the door open just enough for the cats to see each other.
  • Put one cat in a carrier and place it in a room with the other cat.
  • Confine the old cat in the isolation room and let the new cat explore the house.

Initial Meeting

Allow your cat to enter the isolation room with the new cat. Be there to observe, and be prepared to intervene in case a catfight breaks out. Offer treats and have lots of toys on hand. If either cat becomes aggressive, it’s time to stop for the day. Don’t worry, you can try again tomorrow! After about ten minutes, wrap up this first meeting.

Increase Time Together

If things are going well, slowly increase the amount of time the cats spend together by adding 5 or so minutes each time. If at any point the cats fight, separate them and then give it a day or two before trying another meeting. 

After The Introductions Have Been Made

Whether you just introduced a new cat or you’re trying to get two cats you’ve had for a while to get along, here are some tips that might help:

  • Cats Like Their Own Spaces And Their Own Stuff: Try having two of everything including food and water bowls, litter boxes (one per cat plus one additional box), beds, etc… If they have their own, they won’t have to fight over them. Also, don’t force them to be in the same space. Let them come and go and be sure that each has a favorite comfy spot where they can steal away for a catnap.
  • Ease Congestion: Are there spaces in your home where your cats tend to bump into each other and get into a tiff? If so, add kitty walkways or tubes along the walls to avoid that situation.
  • Lots Of Playtime: Spend time playing with your cats to burn off energy and relieve stress. Playtime should be separate until they are getting along and then you can play with both cats together.
    Some cats take months—or even longer—to warm up to each other, so be patient. Even if they’ll never be best friends, most cats will at least learn to tolerate each other. 

What States Have the One-Bite Rule?

Sixteen states currently have the one-bite rule: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York*, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota**, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming. The one-bite rule states that a dog’s owner will only be liable for injuries caused by the dog if the owner knew the pet had aggressive tendencies. It’s sometimes called the one-free-bite rule.

More About The One-Bite Rule 

The one-bite rule was once standard throughout the country. Over time, however, many states have amended their laws to state that the owner is fully responsible even if their dog had never shown signs of aggression in the past.

The list above is accurate as of this writing, but laws are always changing so you should verify the current law in your state.

States Without The One-Bite Rule 

If you do not live in one of the states listed above, then you are under strict liability laws governing dog bites. This means that if your pet bites another person or pet, you can be held both criminally and civilly responsible even though there was no reason for you to think the dog was aggressive.

As with any law, how it is applied depends on your state and the circumstances surrounding the bite. Also, if the plaintiff can be showed to have provoked the dog, this can negate the owner’s liability.

Since there are so many variations in these laws, it’s important to learn the specifics of the laws in your state.

*If you live in New York, the one-bite rule applies to criminal charges, but you can still be held responsible in a civil court.

**South Dakota, the one-bite rule applies unless the dog was running at large or the owner had not kept reasonable control over the pet. 

Do You Have to Pay to Rehome a Corgi?

If you’re the owner and looking to rehome your corgi, you don’t have to pay. However, if you’re someone looking to adopt, you can expect to pay a rehoming fee. You must understand the types of fees that are charged whether you’re adopting or you’re the owner.

Why Use Rehoming Fees? 

Some people don’t like the idea of rehoming fees. They mistakenly believe that the fees are charged by owners who want to make money off their animals, but this isn’t the case. The reason rehoming fees are charged is to show the owner that the person who wants to adopt is willing to invest in the dog.

Even more importantly, it helps to keep your dog out of the hands of people who might want to do her harm. Some look for cheap or free dogs that they resell to labs or use as bait for fighting dogs. Rehoming fees are important.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Rehoming Fees?

Even though they might not call them rehoming fees, you’ll find that these facilities still charge when people use them to find a new dog. When someone adopts a Corgi through one of these facilities, they’ll have to pay an adoption fee. These fees serve the same type of purpose as rehoming fees that individuals would charge. They help to keep the dogs safer.

If you’re an owner and you need to surrender your Corgi to one of these organizations, you’ll need to pay what’s called a surrender fee in most cases. This fee is also used to help care for the animals in the facility. The cost of the fee can vary, but you’ll find that it’s usually at least $50.

Rehoming Using Online Sites

One of the best options to find a new home for your Corgi today is to use online pet adoption sites. These sites help to bring adopters and owners together. These sites can result in faster adoptions since you’ll have a number of people looking at the animals.

If a site requires owners to pay when listing their dog, you should choose a different site. Using Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com is a good solution. The service is free for owners to use. You can list your Corgi and build a profile for her on the platform. This can include videos, pictures, and a bio. Those who want to adopt can look at this information and have a better idea of whether they want to adopt your corgi. If they do, they’ll then apply.

You can review the applications for your Corgi and then determine which of the potential adopters is the best fit. It gives you a lot of control over who gets your dog, so you can be sure that she’s going to a great home.

Those who adopt using Rehome will pay a rehoming fee to the site. This is a small fee that’s similar to adoption fees charged by shelters and rescues. The money will be used to help other animals find permanent homes.

How Do I Surrender My Bull Terrier?

You can surrender your bull terrier to an animal shelter or a rescue in your area if you have to give him up. However, it’s important to understand how to do this properly, and to look at other options that may work better for your dog. If you’re going to surrender your bull terrier, you’ll need to get in touch with the facility first.

What Can You Expect from a Shelter?

When you contact the shelter, the staff will make an appointment for you to drop off your dog. They’ll let you know all of the information that you’ll need to bring along with you, as well as the cost of the surrender fee. This fee will vary from place to place, but it’s typically anywhere from $50 to $150.

The shelter will ask questions about your dog, as well. They’ll need to know about his health, his temperament, his age, and similar facts. Additionally, they may ask you why you need to give your dog up. In some cases, they could have some resources that make it possible to keep your dog. This might include low-cost vet services, dog sitters, walkers, etc.

What Can You Expect from a Rescue?

You’ll find that rescues have similar operations to shelters, however, these are no-kill facilities. The surrender fee to these locations will generally be the same as what you would pay to a shelter. However, some facilities do not charge you a fee for bringing in your dog.

The staff will also ask similar questions about your dog’s temperament and health. They want to know whether he’ll get along with the other dogs at the facility or not. They may also have some resources that would help with certain issues you might be having, such as training for behavior problems. Like the shelters, they want what’s best for your dog, and that could mean staying with you.

Other Options for Rehoming

Keep in mind that shelters and rescues aren’t the only options available for giving up your bull terrier. You could also find someone you know, such as a coworker or relative that’s been looking to adopt a dog. They might be a good fit for your bull terrier. Giving your dog to someone you know and who you’re sure can provide him with a good life will give you some peace of mind.

You may not know someone who is looking for a dog, and that’s okay. There are still other options you can consider, like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. The site is free for owners, lets you create a profile for your dog, and will guide you through the adoption process. You can add videos, pictures, and a bio for your dog.
You must be honest and thorough with the bio, so potential adopters know all of the good and not-so-good aspects of your bull terrier. If he doesn’t like small animals, for example, they’ll need to know before they bring him into a house with cats. 

Once people start to fill out the adoption applications, you can go through them and then choose the perfect new home for your bull terrier.

How Do I Rehome My Husky?

If you need to rehome your husky, you will want to follow some basic guidelines to ensure that you are doing it right. After all, you want to be sure that you are choosing the right home for your dog, so they will be happy and cared for properly. Below are some of the most important things you can do when you are trying to rehome your husky.

Talk with Friends and Family First

You might be surprised when you talk with people you know about needing to rehome your dog. Some might be interested in adopting the dog from you. This could be a perfect solution, as long as those who want the dog have the means to take care of them. This goes beyond just being capable of financially caring for the dog. It also means ensuring that the dog is in a safe environment and that they have enough exercise.

The Rehoming Fee

If you are going to be rehoming the dog to someone that you do not know personally, you need to charge a rehoming fee. This is not so you can make money from giving away your pet. Instead, it is to ensure that only the right people are getting the husky.

It’s unfortunate, but there are some people out there who have bad intentions toward animals. They look for people who are giving away free pets and then use them for fighting or other untoward purposes. By charging a rehoming fee of at least $50, and likely a bit more for a husky, you can reduce the risk to your pet.

Make Sure the Dog and New Owner Are a Good Fit

You always want to be sure that the new owner will work out well for your dog and vice versa. You need to be clear about any special needs that the dog might have, along with their quirks and their temperament. If the husky doesn’t get along well with other pets or has had bad experiences around children, make it known. You want to be sure that your dog, along with the new owner and their family, is a good match.

Use Rehome for Find a Place for Your Husky

Rehoming on your own can be difficult. Adopt-a-Pet helps to make things much easier for you, thanks to their Rehome platform. This is a peer-to-peer system that helps to connect owners who need to rehome their husky with adopters. Owners will appreciate that it is free for them to use, and adopters will be happy to know that the cost for adoption is similar to what they would pay at a shelter.

Owners can upload information about their dog, including photos and videos. They can create a bio for their husky to let the adopters know more about the dog. This helps them to determine whether they will be a good match. The adoption application is meant to ensure that the dog goes to the home that will be the perfect fit. It’s a perfect way to ensure that your dog is safe, loved, and cared for with a new owner.

How Do I Rehome My Yorkie?

You can rehome your Yorkie using a range of methods including finding people online who may be willing to adopt. There are other options, as well, and some are better solutions that others are. Learn about the choices that are available and find the solution that is best for you and your dog. Ultimately, your goal should always be to find the best home for your dog. After all, you love her and want to ensure she is happy and safe.

Talk with Family and Friends

Of course, one of the best ways to rehome your dog is with people you already know and trust. You might know someone in your group of friends that is looking forward to adopting a dog but doesn’t know what dog they might want. You may want to speak with them about adopting your Yorkie. Since you already know them, you’ll have a better idea of whether they will be a good fit for her or not. Knowing your dog is going to a good and loving home with someone you know is a great feeling.

Rehoming Using the Internet

There are online sites that you can use as a means to rehome your dog, as well. However, you have to be careful about what sites you’re using. Craigslist and other classified ad sites are not your best bet. You never know who might stumble across your ad for your dog and try to adopt him as an impulse. They might not be capable of taking care of him properly. Also, some people cruise those sites looking for dogs for nefarious purposes, such as to use as bait dogs.

When you’re rehoming using these online sites, be sure there is a rehoming fee. These fees help to reduce the risk of the wrong people getting their hands on your dog.

One of the best and safest options is to use Rehome. The site is free for owners to use and create a profile of their dog. You can add a bio, as well as videos and images of your dog to the site. Be sure your Yorkie’s bio is honest and accurate. This helps make sure that only the best potential adopters fill out applications. For example, if he doesn’t get along well with cats, this is something to mention in the bio. You wouldn’t want someone with several cats to adopt him by accident.

Rehome puts potential adopters and owners into contact with one another, making it easier to find the right home for your dog. The adopters will only have to pay a small rehoming fee that’s similar to what is paid at a shelter or a rescue.

Shelters and Rescues

Although these are not technically the same as rehoming, you may find that there’s no other choice. When you’re considering these options, it’s important to learn more about the shelters and options in the area. Do they have room for your dog and how much is the fee for surrendering him? How long will the shelter keep your dog before euthanizing him?

Can I Drop My Dog Off At An Animal Shelter?

Depending on the rules of your local shelter, you can sometimes drop your dog off at an animal shelter, but they may need advanced notice or to follow specific shelter procedures to do so. Some do allow walk-in surrenders, but some do not. Instead, they require pet owners to work with an intake specialist. Once that process is complete, the owner can bring the pet to the shelter, pay the fee, and sign over the dog.

What Happens When a Dog is Surrendered?  

Organizations such as the SPCAs, Humane Societies, and other limited intake organizations only have so much room. That’s why, in many cases, you’ll have to wait weeks or even months before they can take your dog. Once they do, what happens to the pet is completely up to them.
An alternative to surrendering your dog to a shelter is to rehome the dog yourself.

Rehoming Your Dog Yourself

This may take a bit of time and a little work, but it is well worth it knowing that the outcome will be a safe, happy home for your pet. Of course, the best option is to find a way to keep the dog in your home. Sometimes, that’s not possible and it’s not the owner’s fault—and it’s certainly not the dog’s fault.

Fortunately, resources exist that can help you find the right home for your pet so you can avoid surrendering them to a shelter. One example of such a resource is a site called Rehome. Simply create a profile for your pet (you can even add a video to get him noticed!) and wait for applicants. The site provides tips about what to look for in an application, how to screen potential adopters, and more.

If you’re asking “can I drop my dog off at an animal shelter,” consider the rehoming option instead. As the responsible pet owner you are, you’ll be glad to be in control of where your beloved pet goes and rest easy knowing he’s in a loving home. 

Why Do Dogs Stare At You While You Eat?

Dogs stare at you while you eat because they want what you’re eating. In the wild, dogs stare at the pack leader as he eats. This is how they let him know they are hungry and hope to get his scraps. You’re the pack leader, and they are hoping you’ll share your meal.

How to Curb Staring During Meal Time 

Because this behavior is a natural instinct, curbing it completely can be difficult. You can, however, take steps to not encourage staring.

NEVER Feed Your Dog from the Table 

Unless you want your dog planted next to your seat at the dinner table for every meal for the rest of his life, do not toss him a treat from the table. Even if you only do it once, he’ll never forget. He’ll spend the rest of his life waiting patiently for a repeat. If you want to share your table scraps, you need to take your plate away from the table and put some space between the dog staring and you giving him the food so he doesn’t associate the two.

Ignore Him 

You can’t say “bad dog!” enough to eliminate a natural instinct. Instead, completely ignore his staring. Over time, this may help minimize the behavior.

Feed the Dog First 

Some pet owners have had success with feeding their dogs before they sit down for a meal. If your dog is full, he may be less interested in whatever is on your plate. Of course, some dogs can never get enough, so don’t expect this to be 100% effective.

Why do dogs stare at you while you eat? They want your food! If it really bothers you, or if you’re having company, simply crate your dog (if he is crate trained) during mealtime to eliminate the problem. 

What Can I Spray To Stop My Dog From Digging?

Vinegar and citrus oil are two things you can spray to stop your dog from digging. Commercial dog repellent sprays are also available. These methods will not work for all dogs, so it may take some trial and error to discover what works for your dog. Whether you choose a homemade or commercial product, such sprays are a good starting point for pet owners who want to curb this behavior.

Why Dogs Dig 

The reasons dogs dig are as varied as the methods to try and stop it. If you know why he is digging, you may be able to prevent the behavior even without the use of sprays. If your dog is digging, he may be trying to:

  •  Escape the Yard: If digging is along the fence, it’s pretty obvious what your dog is trying to do. This is one of the most troublesome types of digging because it puts your dog in danger. If your dog is digging to escape, block the area around the fence with chicken wire or rocks to prevent him from getting out of the yard while you work on stopping the digging. 
  • Cool Off: Digging holes and then resting inside them means your dog is digging to cool off. Aside from not leaving your pet outside on hot days, you can also be sure to provide adequate shade and plenty of water.
  • Hunt Prey: If you see signs of burrowing pests near the spots where your dog digs, he is likely hunting. Call a humane exterminator to safely move the gopher, mole, or other animal out of your yard.
  • Relieve Boredom: Digging is fun! At least some dogs think so. If your dog is digging as a game or to relieve boredom, introducing lots of new toys and additional playtime may curb the behavior. 

Are Commercial Sprays More Effective than Homemade?

Not necessarily. Just like humans have different tastes, so do dogs. The spray is simply adding a repellant to the area, and what will repel one dog may not repel another. If you don’t want to spend money for a commercial spray, try the homemade sprays first to see if you get the desired results. 

There are many things you can spray to stop your dog from digging, you just need to find what works best for your pup!  

Why Do Cats Suddenly Attack Their Owners?

There are many possible reasons why cats suddenly attack their owners including misguided play, a show of dominance, fear, or a medical issue. The good news is that, with time and patience, the issue can usually be corrected.

Dealing with an Aggressive Cat 

While a cat doesn’t apply the same lethal force as a large dog, their attacks can be scary, painful, and leave their owners bloody. In other words: Cats attacking their owners isn’t something that can be ignored. The first step in correcting the behavior is discovering the cause. Possible reasons include:

Misguided Play

Cats and kittens love to play, and they need to be taught what kind of play is acceptable and what kind is not. Make sure your cats have plenty of toys, and toss new toys into the mix on a regular basis so your cats won’t get bored. 

Fear 

When a cat is afraid or stressed out, they may attack just because they don’t know what else to do. One way to help your cat deal with fear is to make sure they have access to a place that makes them feel safe. This may be a perch atop a kitty condo, an enclosed bed, or even access to a rarely used room. If their fear seems extreme, consult a vet for advice.

You’re the Prey 

Cats are hunters. It’s a natural instinct. This is similar to play, but look at it more like practice. They are honing their skills for when they are ready to chase their next insect or rodent. Encourage them to stalk other items, such as the dot from a laser pointer or a toy mouse tied to a string. Redirecting this behavior may help to turn their attention to their toys, rather than your legs, the next time they want to practice hunting.

Medical Issues 

If your typically docile cat is suddenly aggressive, there is a good chance that a medical issue is to blame. When cats are in pain, they often show signs of aggression. If you suspect this may be the cause, a visit to the vet should be a priority.

There Is Hope 

 If you can pinpoint the cause of a cat suddenly attacking their owner, a resolution can often be found either on your own or with the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. This isn’t usually behavior that will go away on its own, so deal with the issue head on as soon as possible for the best results.