Tag: First Batch

How Do I Give Up My Labrador Retriever?

 You’ve come to the realization that you can no longer keep your Labrador Retriever, now you may be wondering: How do I give up my Labrador Retriever? There are many ways you can give up your pet, some options include, surrendering him to a shelter, finding a private rescue with space, or rehoming your dog yourself. Obviously, the outcomes of each method can be very different, so take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each before making your decision.

Surrender to a Shelter

The first thing that comes to mind for many who need to give up their dog is surrendering him to a local shelter.

Pros:

• Dogs can usually be surrendered within a few days.

• The surrender fee is usually small (less than $100).

Cons:

• Many dogs do not to do well in a shelter environment and get stressed out. This may cause them to behave in ways that are not typical for them and may result in them being overlooked by adopters.

• While most shelters do their best to find homes for every dog, it’s not a guarantee for every dog.

Surrender to a Private Rescue

This option has some benefits over surrendering to a shelter.

Pros:

• Since rescues take in fewer pets they are able to commit to either finding a great home for your dog or caring for him as a permanent resident.

• Rescues usually have stricter adoption policies to ensure pets are placed in homes that are a good match for their individual personalities.

Cons:

• It can be difficult to find a great private rescue with space for your dog.

• You may have a lengthy wait even if you are able to find a rescue to take the pet.

Rehome Your Labrador Retriever Yourself

If you want to give your dog the best chance at a happy home, rehome him yourself using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com!

Pros:

• You can take your time to find the best fit and have the final say on who adopts your dog.

• You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your dog is cared for and loved.

Cons:

• It may take some time to find the perfect home.

If you’re like most pet owners, you don’t even know where to begin when it comes to finding the perfect home for your pet, but a visit to the Rehome website can help. You’ll find tons of expert information and advice and have access to online tools that let you create a pet profile, accept applications from potential adopters, and more.

Give your Labrador Retriever the new life he deserves by investing the time to find him a perfect new home! 

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Maltese?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a Maltese can vary but can often be from $50 up to several hundred dollars or more. Many factors can change the rehoming fee that’s expected. These could include whether your dog is a pure breed, the dog’s age, health, etc. Additionally, the location of the rehoming could play a role. Some areas may have cheaper fees than others.

Why Are Rehoming Fees Important?

Some people don’t appreciate the importance of rehoming fees. They believe that the fees are charged by owners who want to make money. However, anyone who needs to give up their dog knows this isn’t the case. You love your dog and wouldn’t give him up if you didn’t have to. The rehoming fees aren’t to make money; they help to ensure the safety of your dog when they go to a new owner.

The rehoming fee shows that the person adopting your dog is serious and committed to providing a good home. They weren’t someone who just happened upon an ad for a dog and decided to adopt on a whim.

The fees also help to ensure more safety for your dog. While people may not like to think about it, the world’s a dangerous place. Some people are looking for free animals to use as training dogs and bait for fighting dogs. Others want free animals that they can then sell to labs. Rehoming fees help to prevent this.

When Don’t You Need to Charge a Rehoming Fee?

Of course, even though you should always charge rehoming fees when someone you don’t know is adopting your dog, they aren’t always needed. For example, when you know someone, such as a family member who wants to adopt, you don’t need to charge a rehoming fee. However, you do still need to be sure they’re the best option for your dog.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Rehoming Fees?

Rescues and shelters will charge adoption fees when someone wants to adopt a dog from them. Many of the same reasons for charging fees apply. However, you’ll find that these organizations will also charge for the adoptions to help make money to keep their facilities running. The money often goes right back into ensuring care for the animals housed there.

Rehoming Your Maltese with Rehome

If you worry about charging rehoming fees on your own, you could always use Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This peer-to-peer adoption platform is easy to use, and provides the resources you need to find a new home for your Maltese.

The website is free for owners to use, and lets you create a detailed profile of your dog. Adopters can then determine whether your dog will be right for them. If she is, they’ll fill out an adoption application. You review the applications and find the best new owner and home for your beloved dog. 

Are Cats Hard To Train?

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.

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.

How Do I Rehome My Australian Cattle Dog?

You can rehome your Australian cattle dog using various methods that will help to find your pet a new and safe place to live. Rehoming is often a necessary option for those who find that they are no longer able to care for their animal.

Why Might People Need to Rehome?

There are many different reasons that someone may find the need to rehome their Australian cattle dog. These are fun and active dogs, and they require a lot of exercise. They tend to do well with spaces where they can run around. In some cases, people may no longer be physically capable of providing proper care for the dog. Other times, they could be moving to a location where they cannot have pets. This could include a retirement home, a military base, etc.

There are countless reasons that someone may need to rehome their pet. This is not a step that people take lightly. Ideally, they will search for ways that they can keep the pet themselves, but this is not always possible. In those cases where you can’t keep the animal, there are options.

Talk with People You Know

One of the best rehoming options is to rehome your Australian cattle dog with someone that you know. Perhaps you have a parent or an aunt that is looking to adopt a dog. Instead, you could let them know that you need to give up your dog and see if they are interested in adopting from you.

Aside from keeping the pet, this is the next best option. You can ensure that your Australian cattle dog is going to someone who will be able to care for and love the animal as much as you. It is also nice that you will still be able to see the pet, or at least some photos, from time to time.

Of course, not everyone will know people who are looking for a dog to adopt. In those cases, there are still some other options to consider.

Shelters and Rescues Should Be the Last Resort

Surrendering your dog to a shelter or a rescue is not the same as rehoming. This should be a last resort when you have to give up your Australian cattle dog since there is no guarantee the animal will be adopted. These facilities do the best that they can, but they are not the best option for your pet if you can help it.

Rehome Your Australian Cattle Dog

You may find that choosing to use the Rehome platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com could be a great option. The platform makes it easy for you to set up a profile for your pet, where you can add photos, videos, and a bio for your pet. This profile can then be viewed by potential adopters who are interested in your dog. You can then determine which of the adopters seems to be the best fit for your pet. Once someone has adopted the animal, they can be sent the animal’s medical records that the owner has uploaded, too.

Rehome is a safe, efficient, and easy to use website that can help to ensure your Australian cattle dog gets the best home possible.

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Jack Russell Terrier?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a Jack Russell Terrier will generally be between $50 and $150. However, many different factors can affect the cost of the rehoming fee. One of these factors includes location. Certain parts of the country may have higher rehoming fees than other locations. The age of your dog, along with whether they’re a purebred dog can affect fees in some cases, too.

Why Are Rehoming Fees Needed?

Some people wonder why there needs to be a rehoming fee when someone is giving up their dog. They feel that they shouldn’t have to pay anything if they’re willing to take the dog. However, rehoming fees aren’t used to line the pockets of the dog owner. Instead, they help to provide some added safety for the dog. People who have bad intentions for dogs aren’t willing to spend money on them. While it’s not something that anyone likes to think about, some people look for free dogs to sell to labs or to use for bait for fighting dogs.

Can Rehoming Fees Be Too Much?

Although rehoming fees are needed, they need to be in line with what shelters and rescues are charging. Again, this is usually at least $50 and up to around $150. When the prices for rehoming are much higher than this, it’s less rehoming and more just someone selling their dog.

Do Owners Have to Pay Fees?

When rehoming, the owners shouldn’t have to pay any fees. The fees, whether they’re charged by the owner or another facility, will be paid by those who want to adopt the dog. The adoption fees from these facilities will also be around $50 to $150 in most cases. Again, location, age of your dog, etc. will play a role in the cost of adoption.

However, if the owner is surrendering their dog to a shelter or a rescue, there are fees. These are known as surrender fees, and the cost can vary just as much as rehoming fees. Typically, you should expect them to be about the same as the rehoming fees, though.

Make It Easy with Rehome

Rehoming can be made easier when you use a peer-to-peer adoption service like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. As an owner who is giving up their dog, you won’t have to worry about charging a rehoming fee. Instead, the platform takes care of that for you, and the potential adopters will know how much they need to pay. It’s about the same as what would be paid to a shelter in most cases.

You can create a profile for your dog to let potential adopters know all about your incredible Jack Russell Terrier. The experts at Rehome will give you tips on how to review applications and finalize an adoption contract. This will help to ensure you find the right people for your dog. Knowing that he has a wonderful new home where people will love and care for him is a great feeling.

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!