Can An Aggressive Dog Be Cured?

In most cases, and with the right treatment, an aggressive dog can be cured—or at least the behavior can be brought under control.

Dealing with Aggression  

Determining the reason for the aggressive behavior is the first step. Two of the most common reasons include:

Pain 

If the aggression started all of a sudden, there is a good chance it’s due to pain or an illness. Schedule a thorough vet exam to determine if there is a medical cause for the behavior. In most cases, once the medical condition has been dealt with, the aggression will cease.

Fear 

When dogs become afraid, they may run or they may stand their ground and fight. Of course, some fear is healthy, but when your dog becomes aggressive every time someone visits your home or he encounters other animals at the vet’s office or park, you’ll need to take action. Hire a reputable trainer or animal behaviorist to work with your dog. It may take some time, but it’s likely that your pet’s fears can be brought under control.

Other reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs include:

  • Resource Guarding: Your dog becomes aggressive when anyone approaches while he is eating or playing with a favorite toy.
  • Leash Aggression: If the only time your dog is aggressive is when the leash goes on, it’s likely because he feels a sense of frustration with being restrained. 

Whatever the cause for your dog’s aggression, with the right help from a talented animal behaviorist, the behavior can be brought under control. Do not, however, ignore aggression. Instead, get help at the first sign.

As you work on figuring out a cause for the aggression and finding a resolution, it’s important to keep your dog away from anything that triggers his aggression and to keep him away from children, other people, and other pets in order to ensure your dog doesn’t cause harm.

An Important Note

There is no such thing as a dog breed that is more aggressive than another. Pitbulls and Dobermans are not more likely to display aggressive behavior than Chihuahuas or Labs. In the right circumstances, any dog can become aggressive. 

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome an American Staffordshire Terrier?

Have you decided to give up your pet and you’re wondering, “what is the fastest way to rehome an American Staffordshire Terrier?” The route you’ve chosen (to rehome him yourself instead of surrendering him to a shelter) is a responsible one as it gives your dog the best chance of finding a home where he’ll be happy—but it will take some time. The fastest way is to get him in front of as many potential adopters as possible. Here are some ways to do that.

Classifieds 

This method should be used with extreme caution, if at all. People look for dogs on classified pages and then pretend to really want a family pet when what they really want are dogs to use as bait dogs or for other objectionable purposes. If you do decide to list your dog that way, always carefully vet the adopter and make sure to always charge a rehoming fee.

Work with a Rescue 

Some rescues are willing to list your pet on their social media which will be seen by all of their followers and, hopefully, by someone who will want to adopt your American Staffordshire Terrier. Some rescues even take it one step further and will assist in the screening process, providing home visits, and other services to ensure your dog ends up in a good home. If you’re able to find a rescue that offers these types of services, consider making a donation to them in exchange for their assistance.

List Him on an Adoption Website 

Excellent online resources, such as the Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com website, allow you to create a profile for your pet, communicate with potential adopters, and more. This is one more way to get your pet seen by as many people as possible.

No matter how you choose to advertise your dog, always be totally honest about any issues. For example, if he is rough with kids or aggressive towards cats, the posting should say “Must be a child-free and cat-free home.”

There isn’t really a fast way to find the perfect home for your pet, but knowing your American Staffordshire Terrier ends up in a place where he’ll be safe and loved is worth every bit of effort! 

How Do I Give Up My Corgi?

You can give up your Corgi by letting someone you know adopt, finding someone online to adopt, or by surrendering him to a shelter or a rescue. You’ll want to understand what each of these entails and which options will be best for your dog. After all, you want to make sure that she has a wonderful and happy life even though you’re no longer taking care of her.

Rescues and Shelters 

While many people think of these facilities first when they have to give up their dog, there are other options available that could be a better solution. These organizations do their best to take care of the dogs that come to them, and they work hard to get them adopted. However, there is no guarantee that your Corgi will be adopted after being surrendered to one of these facilities.

Rescues are no-kill facilities that are popular with people who have to give up their dogs. Because of this popularity, it means that the rescues are often filled up and won’t have room. Shelters will have room because they make room by only keeping dogs for a limited period. They’ll sometimes have to euthanize the animals in their care to make room for incoming dogs.

When you surrender your Corgi, you’ll also have to pay a surrender fee. The price of this fee varies, but it’s usually at least $50. When you contact the facility, they can let you know about all of the various policies they have and the cost.

Give Your Corgi to Someone You Know

Rather than surrendering your dog to a shelter or rescue, you might want to have more control over who gets to adopt her. A good option is to choose someone in your life that’s been looking to adopt. You might have a friend or family member that has been looking for a great furry companion and your dog could be a perfect choice.

However, you still need to be sure that this is the right person to become the new owner. Will they have enough time to spend with your dog? Can they provide a stable and happy home? Will they take her to the vet when needed? Always make sure you’re choosing the best new owner for your dog.

Rehome Using an Online Pet Adoption Site

Maybe you don’t know anyone who’s looking to adopt right now. If that’s the case, you still have the Internet to help you find a home for your Corgi. There are sites like Rehome that are dedicated to helping you find the perfect owner for your dog. You can create a profile that includes a bio, videos, and pictures of your Corgi.

The bio should be clear and honest about everything your dog needs to do well. If she snaps at children, for example, this should be in the bio. You want to be sure that the adopters have all of the information they need to know whether she’s the right dog for them. You’ll appreciate that you have control over where your Corgi goes when you have to give her up.

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Boxer?

Have you decided you can no longer keep your pet, and are considering bringing him to a shelter? What does it mean to surrender a boxer in terms of cost and the fate of your dog? Both answers depend on the policies of your local shelter, and the answers vary significantly. What is the same at every shelter, however, is that you will surrender all rights to the animal and give up your ability to offer input as to what happens to your dog.

What Will Happen to My Boxer? 

Once surrendered, there is a chance your dog will find a new home, but it is important to consider the possibility that he won’t. While workers at most shelters try very hard to find homes for every dog in their care, it’s not always possible.

If your boxer becomes nervous living in a shelter, as many dogs do, this can further hinder his chances of finding a good home as that anxiety often manifests as aggression or fear.

Before you surrender your dog, it’s important to consider all of the possible outcomes. 

Is There Another Way?

The most attractive possibility is finding a way to keep the dog. Many of the common reasons people surrender their dogs could be solved with medical care or additional training. If you’ve exhausted all possibilities and cannot keep your dog, consider rehoming the boxer yourself rather than surrendering him to a shelter.

Some pet owners find the idea overwhelming, but it’s not that difficult—especially if you have some help from sources such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. You’ll find expert advice and enjoy the benefits of impressive tools including the ability to: 

  • Create a Pet Profile
  • Be Seen by Potential Adopters
  • Answer Questions from Those Interested in Your Boxer
  • Upload Medical Records
  • And Much More! 

Instead of surrendering your dog, consider giving him the best chance at a happy future by finding him the perfect family. 

Why Do Dogs Jump Up?

Dogs jump up because it’s a natural instinct and a form of greeting when they are excited to see you or another person. While the behavior isn’t a reflection of the dog being bad, it is still something you’ll want to be able to control—especially if the dog is bigger. Even if you appreciate this form of greeting, others may not, and it could even lead to injury if the dog jumps on a child or an elderly person.

How To Teach Your Dog Not To Jump 

Since jumping is an instinct rather than a misbehavior, punishing your dog isn’t necessarily the right approach. Instead, you just want to teach your dog that jumping isn’t the best way to get the attention he wants. 

Over time, he’ll figure out that jumping up is a good way to be ignored and that sitting quietly is a great way to get treats and attention. 

In order for this to be effective, make sure that everyone in your household is treating your dog the same way. Once your dog behaves properly for the family, have people he doesn’t know come over to be sure the training is translating to visitors as well as people he knows.

When teaching any type of behavior to your dog, it’s helpful to have the basic commands, such as sit and stay, mastered. If you’re having trouble teaching these behaviors on your own, consider investing in some classes with a reputable trainer in your area. 

What is Nuisance Dog Barking?

Nuisance dog barking is barking that interferes with the comfort, peace, and convenience of other people. How much barking constitutes nuisance barking is largely open to interpretation. If your neighbors are complaining to animal control, you’ll likely need to look into ways to minimize the barking. Even if your pet’s barking doesn’t meet the legal definition of nuisance barking, you’ll want to keep the peace with your neighbors.

How to Stop Your Dog from Barking

Some dogs bark more than others no matter the stimulus. If yours is prone to excessive barking, there are some things you can try to curb the behavior such as: 

  • Keeping A Daily Routine – Many dogs will find a daily routine reassuring, which can reduce anxiety-driven barking. Keep their feeding, walking, training, playtime, and your arrivals and departures at or near the same times every day. 
  • Changing Your Dog’s Environment – If you normally leave him outside (which is not a safe solution,) try crating him. If he’s normally crated, try securing him in a single room instead. If you know what triggers the barking, such as the mailman, confine your dog to a part of the house where he won’t be able to see the mailman coming. 
  • Making Sure Your Pet Gets Plenty of Exercise – Some excessive barking is just about boredom. Give your dog plenty of exercise, long walks, and playtime. If possible, have a dog walker come by mid-day to break up the time your dog is alone. Don’t forget mental exercise as well – it is just as important as physical exercise. Obedience, agility training, or playing with puzzle toys are great intellectual exercises that can be practiced daily.
  • Talking To Your Vet About Anxiety –  If nothing helps, your dog may have anxiety. In that case, your vet may be able to suggest calming products or, in severe cases, medication that will help. 

What is considered nuisance barking varies by location as does how strictly such laws are enforced. If your neighbors are reasonable, let them know you’re sorry and that you’re working on curbing the excessive barking. If you can’t talk to your neighbor and they call animal control on you, tell the officer the same thing.

Don’t panic and try to rehome your pet. In most cases, you’ll be able to find a solution for your dog’s barking. You may need the help of a vet or animal behaviorist, but it will be well worth it in order to be able to keep your dog in your home and maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. 

Where Can I Put a Catahoula Leopard Dog Up for Adoption?

You can put a Catahoula Leopard Dog up for adoption with people you know or online. It’s also possible to surrender your dog to a shelter or a rescue, and the facility will put your dog up for adoption. However, this leaves you with no control over who adopts or even if your dog is adopted at all. Since you likely want to have some say over where your dog goes to ensure she’s going to a great family, you’ll want to consider some of the other options discussed below.

Use Online Sites to Find a Home for Your Catahoula Leopard Dog 

Today, it’s easier than ever to find someone to adopt your dog, as long as you’re using a quality pet adoption site. They tend to be easy to use, and many have success finding an owner for their dogs using them.

It’s important that you stay away from sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, though. These aren’t geared specifically toward pets, and you never know who might be looking at your dog. It might be someone that just stumbled across your ad and decides on a whim that they want a dog. They aren’t prepared to have a dog and would likely not be the best owner for her. Also, some people troll these sites looking for free or cheap dogs, which they then sell to labs or use for fighting.

Consider using Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com. This site is a peer-to-peer platform that is easy to use. The people who are looking for pets on this site are already interested in adopting a dog and aren’t getting one on a whim. They also have to pay a rehoming fee to the site and will have to fill out an adoption application that you’ll then review. This helps to ensure that you can find the perfect new owner for your dog.

The site allows you to create a profile for your Catahoula Leopard Dog. You can add photos and videos to show people what a great dog she is. You can also complete a bio for her, which highlights everything that a new owner will need to know about your dog. This includes the good traits she offers, along with any issues that she might have. For example, if she doesn’t like cats, this is something you’ll want to mention. Any health issues should be mentioned too.

You can then review the applications that arrive and choose an owner. You can even send your dog’s medical records to the new owner when they adopt.

Rehoming Your Dog with Someone You Know

Of course, another good option for adoption is finding someone you already know to become the new owner. If you have a friend or a family member that has mentioned they would like to adopt a dog, they might be interested in your Catahoula Leopard Dog. Having someone you already know adopt ensures you know she’s going to a great new home.

Are Shock Collars Safe for Dogs?

Shock collars are not always safe for dogs and we never recommend using them. Using pain, however mild, fear, and other punishment tactics aren’t the best methods of training your pet. Instead, consider positive reinforcements and other methods that won’t instill fear in your four-legged family members.

Alternatives to Shock Collars 

Instead of delivering an electric shock to your pooch, there are plenty of other options that are effective, safe, and humane. These include:

Clicker Training 

This popular method of dog training is simple and effective. When your dog exhibits the desired behavior, you click the clicker and immediately give a treat. This helps the dog understand exactly what he did right and makes it much easier for him to pick up on your training efforts.

Distracting Your Dog 

Instead of yelling at your dog when he’s doing something wrong, distract him. If you catch him chewing your shoe, calmly take it away and replace it with an appropriate chew toy.

Ignoring Bad Behavior 

Some of your dog’s inappropriate behavior is probably a bid for attention. Completely ignore him when he displays such behaviors. Don’t talk to him. Don’t yell at him. Don’t even look at him. Only when the behavior stops should you acknowledge him.

Professional Training 

If what you’re doing isn’t working or if the issues seem too big to handle on your own, call on the services of a highly rated animal trainer or animal behaviorist. They’ll help to put your dog on the right track and give both you and your pet the skills you need to continue successful training on your own.

With so many available alternatives, there is no reason to choose shock collars as a training method for your pet. Whatever you’re trying to achieve, it can be done without physical punishments. Whether on your own or with the help of a trainer, positive training is the way to go.

 

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

It will generally take a Mastiff between a week and up to a couple of months to get used to a new home. The amount of time it takes will differ from one dog to the next, of course. Some will adapt to their new home relatively quickly and will become a part of the family in a matter of days. Others might take longer to feel comfortable in the home, but they’ll eventually come around.

It’s not just the unique personality of the Mastiff that could cause variances in how long it takes to adjust to a new home and family. It can also be the age of the dog. When dogs are older and have been accustomed to an owner, home, and way of life for a long time, it takes them longer to adjust. With puppies and younger dogs, the period of adjustment tends to be shorter. Just remember, all dogs are different, even if they’re the same breed. It will take your new Mastiff as much time as he needs to adjust and not a minute less.

However, you can do some things that help to make this transition period somewhat easier for him. Let’s look at how you can make your new Mastiff feel comfortable and welcome.

Give Him Time and Space

When you bring home your new dog, it’s natural that you want to play with him and dote on him all the time. You may also want to show him off to neighbors and friends. However, he’s going through a strange experience and is getting used to the new house, new smells, and you. Don’t overwhelm him. Make sure he has some space to call his own where he can get away and relax when things get to be too much. Let him come around in time.

Invite Him to Play and Be Part of the Activities

However, you also don’t want to ignore your dog. You should always invite him to hang out with you and the family whenever possible. Show him love, care, and attention, and be gentle with him. He’ll start to come out of his shell and be more active with the family in time.

Create a Routine Early

Dogs tend to do well when they’re put on a routine. It’s also good for the owners. You should start a routine from day one with your dog. This includes feeding him at the same times during the day, going on walks at the same time, and having frequent trips outside to go to the bathroom. This can help to reduce the chance of accidents, although they can still happen. This is particularly true when your new Mastiff is getting used to the new place and is nervous.

Remain Patient

You need to be patient when you bring home your new dog. Each dog has his own adjustment period. Be calm, kind, and don’t worry about any accidents that might happen in those early days. He’ll bond with you before you know it.

Where Can I Put a Border Collie Up for Adoption?

The answer to where can I put a Border Collie up for adoption includes a few options. You can surrender your dog to a shelter, find a private rescue willing to take your dog, or rehome him yourself. Which is the best solution for you depends on how much time you’re willing and able to put in to ensure your pet finds a good home and has the best chance at a safe and happy future.

Surrendering a Border Collie to a Shelter 

The staff at most shelters work hard to find homes for all of the dogs in their care, but it’s important to keep in mind that some have lower save rates than others. Do a bit of rehome_research before surrendering your dog. Even at the best shelter, the situation can be very stressful to a dog. If possible, avoiding this option is advisable.

Finding a Private Rescue 

Breed-specific Border Collie rescues are another option. Typically, the dogs are kept in foster homes, which is less stressful than being in a shelter environment. The downside is that it can be difficult to find a private rescue that has space for your dog, but it’s definitely worth looking in to. Even if they can’t take your dog, they may be able to list his availability for adoption on their website.

Rehoming the Dog Yourself 

Rehoming your dog yourself might seem like an intimidating prospect, but there are plenty of resources available to help. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com provides advice from experts, and allows you to create a pet profile that can be seen by potential adopters. This option allows you to be in control of where your dog ends up. While it takes more time and effort than the other methods, it’s the one that gives you the most peace of mind that your dog will be safe, healthy, and loved.