How Do I Rehome My Mastiff?

You can rehome your Mastiff by putting in some time to understand what your dog needs and then find a new owner that can properly care for her. Rehoming is about finding a place for your dog that she can be safe, loved, and given what she needs to thrive and be happy.

What Does Your Mastiff Need?

Mastiffs are a fun and interesting breed, but as a dog owner, you know that all dogs are different. They have their own personality traits and quirks that make them special. You need to consider all of these things about your dog to ensure that she’s going to the right owner.

Does she have a problem with small animals? Is she a barker or extremely defensive? Does she have any health issues? Write down as much as possible about the good and not so good traits of your Mastiff, so you can let prospective adopters know all about her. This helps to ensure that she ultimately goes to the best home for her.

Rehoming with People Nearby

You should take the time to talk with friends and family and let them know that you have to give up your dog. You might find someone you know who would like to be her new owner. Giving her to someone you already trust can help you rest easy at night. Just make sure that they have the room and the means to provide her with what she needs.

You might also find people in your area that you don’t know and who would like to be her new owner. As long as you learn as much about these people as possible and are sure she’ll be in good hands, you can rehome with them. However, you should always charge a rehoming fee to anyone that you don’t know. This shows that the new owner is willing to invest in having a dog.

However, rehoming fees also help to reduce the risk for your Mastiff. Some people are looking for dogs they can use for fighting or that they can sell to labs. They don’t want to pay for the animals they get, so the rehoming fees help to keep your Mastiff safe.

Rehoming with Online Sites

Online pet adoption sites are another good way to rehome your Mastiff. Just be sure you’re using a reputable site geared toward pet adoption rather than a typical want-ad site. Rehome is a good solution. It’s a platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com that lets you set up a profile for your dog. This profile can include videos, pictures, and a bio.

The bio should be detailed and honest, including the elements mentioned above. This helps to ensure that the adopters will have a good idea of whether they’ll be a good fit for your dog or not.

Once people start to apply to adopt your Mastiff, you can review the applications. Rehome even has advice on what to look for when reviewing new owner applications. You’ll then choose the best new owner for your dog. The service is free for owners to use and provides you with control over who gets your dog.

Why Do Dogs Chew Up Kleenex?

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. 

Where Can I Put a Dog Up for Adoption?

You can put a dog up for adoption on free pet adoptions sites, such as Rehome, which provides a platform to connect with a wide pool of potential adopters. You could surrender your dog to a rescue or shelter, but many responsible pet owners look for ways to find a new home for their dog in a manner that allows them to make a decision about who adopts the pet.

Taking the Time to Find the Right Home 

If you’ve come to a decision that rehoming your pet is the right thing to do, it’s important to take the time to choose a home where your dog will be safe and happy. Committing the time and energy to find a new home for your pet is best for your dog. Getting your pet in front of as many people as possible is the key to garnering a lot of interest in your dog, and the website Rehome helps you do just that without charging you a fee for any of the services.

You’ll be able to create a detailed profile of your dog and then anyone with interest in the pet can submit an application right through the site. Rehome provides detailed guidance about what to look for in potential adopters, so you’ll have confidence in your decision. Once you’ve selected a home for your dog, the adopter will pay a rehoming fee directly to Rehome, and 100% of that fee will be donated to helping more animals get adopted. 

I Don’t Want to Find a Home Myself 

If you don’t want or cannot to take the time for find the perfect home for your dog, there are other options including surrendering the dog to a shelter or finding a rescue that is willing to take the dog. Locating an organization that has the space and resources to find your dog a good home is the better choice. Some shelters still euthanize for space, while rescues keep the dog for as long as it takes to find new home.

If you must put your dog up for adoption, there are resources to help you find a home where your dog will be happy, so you can have peace of mind that you did the right thing by your pet.  

What Do I Do With A Pregnant Stray Cat?

If you find a pregnant stray cat, you should help it if possible. What that means exactly will vary based on your own knowledge of cats and your resources. Leaving them on their own to give birth outside could be dangerous for the mom and is almost always dangerous for at least some of her litter.

Helping A Pregnant Stray 

The first thing you may want to do, especially if you do not have experience with pregnant cats, is contact a local cat rescue for advice on your best options. Prior to calling, note the difference between stray (a cat that once lived in a home and became lost or was abandoned) and feral (cats who were either born outside or spent so much time outside that they do not tolerate human interaction.) This will be an important factor in the advice the organization offers to you.

If the pregnant cat is a stray and you are determined to help her finish out her pregnancy and give birth, the shelter or rescue should have plenty of advice and resources for you. Once her babies are born and weaned, the mom and her babies can be placed up for adoption. When you get to this point, you can work with the rescue or shelter to figure out the best solution for the mama cat and kittens. If you want to rehome the cats yourself, visit the Rehome website to create profiles for the cats. You’ll also find lots of valuable information about finding a suitable forever family. 

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.

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome a Rottweiler?

The fastest way to rehome a rottweiler is to talk with people that you already know about adopting. When you have a friend or a family member who is looking to adopt a dog, there’s a chance they might want to adopt yours. This is especially true if they already know and get along well with your dog.

Rehoming with People You Know

Of course, even if you’re rehoming with someone you know, you’ll still want to be sure they’re the right person. Take some time to think about your rottweiler and her personality.

She’s going to need to be walked and given plenty of exercise. Will the person adopting be capable of providing that for her? Does she get along well with cats and small dogs or not? If she doesn’t you wouldn’t want your friends with a house full of cats to adopt her. Does the person who wants to adopt her have the financial means to care for her properly. Always consider whether she’s going to the right home.

One of the benefits of rehoming with someone you already know is speed and ease. You can often move her into the new home in a day or less, and you can bring all of her toys, bedding, and other items.

Keep in mind that it’ll take her some time to get accustomed to her new home. She’s going to miss you because you’re all she’s known. Let the adopters know that it might take her some time to come around and become accustomed to living in her new home. In some cases, it might take just a few weeks. Other times, it could take several months. Each dog is different.

During this transition phase, you won’t want to visit their house, and you won’t want them to bring the dog to your house. Not because you won’t miss her, but because you don’t want her to become confused. Let her get fully situated in the new house and with the new family first, and even then, you’ll want to keep your visits short for a while.

When you rehome with someone you know, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that she’ll be safe and loved.

Other Methods of Rehoming

Many people won’t know someone personally who wants to adopt a dog. In those cases, you can find online pet adoption sites. You can use sites like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, which will make the process much easier. This is a peer-to-peer pet adoption service that allows you to easily connect with people looking to adopt by publishing your pet’s info directly onto Adopt-a-Pet.com.

You’ll create a profile for your rottweiler, which details all of the important information about her, both the good and bad. You can upload videos and photos, too. Then, adopters will peruse the site and if they’re interested, fill out an adoption application.
You can review applications and choose who will adopt your dog. This ensures that she gets to go to the best home for her, and it provides you with some closure and peace of mind. 

Do Dogs Grow Out Of Digging?

Sometimes dogs grow out of digging, but this is not usually the case. Some dogs will stop digging as they get older, but others will not. Some breeds, such as terriers, were bred to dig. In those dogs, the behavior is more likely to continue. While some dogs will not naturally grow out of digging, there are steps you can take to curb the behavior.

Tips to Stop a Dog from Digging 

So your dog is getting older and the digging continues. If he’s just digging random holes, that’s annoying. If he’s digging around the fence line to try and escape, that’s dangerous. Either way, you want the behavior to stop. Here are some things to try:

Try a Natural Repellent

If there’s a specific spot that has captured your dog’s interest, make the area less appealing by applying a natural, herbal yard repellent like No Dig!

Give Them More Playtime and Toys 

Some dogs dig out of boredom. Giving them lots of interactive toys, taking them on more walks, and spending more time playing with them can help to relieve their boredom and stop the digging.

Don’t Leave Them Outside Alone for Extended Periods 

There are many reasons your dog should not be left alone outside for long periods, so let your dog inside. That may be all it takes to stop him from digging.

Remove Potential Prey

If you notice your dog always digs in the same spots, he may be hunting for burrowing animals or insects. If you see signs of animals, call a company that will safely and humanely remove them from your yard. 

Add Physical Barriers 

If the digging is around your fence line, add barriers by burying the fence one to two feet, burying chicken wire along the fence line, or partially burying rocks along the border of the fence. 

If none of the above methods are doing the trick, consider enlisting help from an animal trainer who can work with you and your pet to come up with a plan that will work for you. 

How Do I Give Up My Shih Tzu?

If you need to give up your Shih Tzu, you’ll find several options that could work for you. Although it’s likely the last thing that you want to do, sometimes, you might feel that you have no other choice but to give up your dog. It’s a sad time, but you need to be sure that you’re doing the best thing for him. Let’s look at some of the options that you have for giving up your Shih Tzu.

Shelters or Rescues Are an Option

For many people, one of the first things they consider when they have to give up their dog is the shelter. It’s often the first thought because it’s one of the more common options. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the only option or the best option for that matter.

Shelters do their best to take care of the dogs in their facility. Those who work at the shelter truly care for the animals. However, they’re often hampered by having a limited amount of space and funding. This means that it’s not always possible for them to keep the dogs long enough to be adopted. When this happens, the dogs may be euthanized.

Another option is giving your dog up to a rescue. These facilities will keep your dog until someone adopts him. Of course, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be adopted. Additionally, rescues are often full because they’re no-kill facilities. It can be hard to get your dog into a rescue.

Letting Someone You Know Adopt

Another option to think about, and one that can work quite well, is allowing someone you know to adopt your Shih Tzu. You might already know someone who is looking for a dog, such as a friend or a family member. Since you know them well, you can ascertain whether they’re a good choice for your dog or not. If they already know your dog, they might want to adopt him.

Of course, if you allow a friend or family member to adopt your dog, you need to be careful about visiting. You don’t want to visit right away. You have to give him time to adapt to his environment and new owner, so he realizes that it’s his new home. If you visit too soon or too often, it can confuse him.

Using Online Pet Adoption Sites

There’s also the option of free pet adoption sites on the Internet. Make sure you’re using an actual adoption site like Rehome rather than a site like Craigslist. This ensures that people don’t just stumble across your dog and try to adopt on a whim. You want someone who is actively looking for a dog to adopt. Additionally, you need to be sure that a rehoming fee is charged. This helps to eliminate the wrong people from getting their hands on your dog.

Rehome is a good option. This platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com makes it easy for you to set up a profile, along with images and videos, for your dog. It puts him in front of potential adopters who can fill out applications. You will have full control over who gets to adopt your dog, and it’s entirely free for owners to use.

Do Cats Learn If You Punish Them?

Punishing cats will often lead to more behavior issues and may make your cat fearful of you. It is not recommended. When your cat displays behaviors you don’t like, your first thought shouldn’t be punishing him. Instead, try to determine why your cat is engaging in the inappropriate behavior and take steps to correct it. For example, if the cat is scratching your furniture, provide several scratching posts throughout the house. Also, yelling or hitting are never acceptable punishments for cats and will never yield the desired results.

Tips for Changing Your Cats Behavior

Often, changing undesired behavior in your cat is as easy as changing the environment. Here are a few examples: 

  • Scratching Furniture: Cats have to scratch. If they are scratching your furniture or walls, yelling at them to stop will be completely ineffective as it’s a thing they need to do. Instead of looking for ways to punish the cat, simply provide them with scratching posts. Place a post in all areas of the home where the cat spends time. When you observe him scratching furniture, redirect him to a nearby scratching post.
  • Urinating Outside the Litter Box: Many cats will not go in a dirty litter box, and many cats don’t like to share. Some issues with urinating outside the box are as easy to solve as adding more litter boxes—as a general rule, you should have one litter box per cat plus one additional box—and keeping them clean by scooping at least once a day. Note: If a cat that has always gone in the box is suddenly urinating in inappropriate places, it could be due to a medical condition. Schedule a visit to your vet to rule out a urinary tract infection and other issues.
  • Rough Play/Biting: When your cat plays rough or bites, you may be tempted to swat him on the nose or otherwise show him who is boss. This can lead to a fearful cat or a cat who feels like he needs to fight harder to protect himself. Instead, realize that your cat is very likely just playing. When he gets too rough, immediately stop playing and walk away. Also, provide toys that are appropriate for pouncing and “hunting,” so your cat will have a way to participate in these normal cat behaviors.

Yelling, hitting, and other physical punishments are not likely to make the undesired behaviors stop and will result in a fearful cat that doesn’t trust you. If you’re at the end of your rope, contact an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your situation.