greytpups

any updates?

fyi, Sighthounds can see very well. Do you have any trails or anywhere you can walk her without triggering her fears? You may need to take baby steps with her starting out in areas where she feels safe then slowly desensitizing her and gradually introducing some of the things that stress her or cause her to freeze by using training techniques that don't allow the fear to escalate first. clear as mud??

Losing them is so hard and then going through the "firsts" without them can be really difficult. She was such a precious soul. No wonder you miss her so much

wonderful update so glad it all went well!

Although you are gone physically, I can still feel your paw print on my heart dear Seamie and a tear on my cheek.

Congratulations...hope Ken helps heal your broken heart.

Tin and Michael, I'm so sorry for your loss of Master.

for Leia

I agree, she looks adorable.

sending good thoughts

Vonnie is really sweet and I'm sure she will be a real hoot judging by the trip. She crawled in between my bed and the wall and slept in a really narrow space but managed to get herself out ok...such a silly girl who loves loves loves people. I'm really smitten with her and am so glad I got to tag along on the trip.

Irene, how sad...my thoughts are with all of you.

Pleas note, dominance/alpha theory is a myth. If you're interested, there's an interesting article that explains social relationships in dogs. In her paper, The Social Organization of the Domestic Dog: A Longitudinal Study of Domestic Canine Behavior and the Ontogeny of Domestic Canine Social Systems, animal behaviourist Alexandra Semyonova presents a new and accurate model of what the dog is all about. She explains how dogs construct their social systems -- and that dominance has nothing to do with it. Dogs follow three simple rules as they interact. These three simple rules enable them to form groups of almost unlimited size, absorbing both strangers and other species into the groups they form. These groups are complex self-organising systems, without a central authority. They are much more stable and elegant -- and at the same time more flexible -- than anything so clumsy as 'dominance' could produce. The paper is a compact journey into the life of dogs, how they become what they are, and what really moves them as they construct social relationships.

I'm so sorry for your loss of Cody

what a sweet family of pets

I'm so sorry for your loss of Disco. Your tribute was so loving and beautiful.

Nancy, thank you so much for posting the picture of Dave and the girls. It's always been my favourite. it somehow feels like an era has ended, but I hope some day to meet another greyhound similar to Lydia because Lydia was one in a million. I know you're heartbroken and I wish i had words of comfort, but I don't. I hope Evangelina helps ease the pain. (((hugs))) Jan, Dave and the pups.

sending warm thoughts for improvements for both

I'm so sorry for your loss of Mac. What a wonderful life he had with you, full of love and joy.

I'm so sorry for your loss of your pretty girl Pistol.

Congratulations!

I'm so sorry for your loss of Cash. May you gain comfort knowing you gave her the best life ever.

rest in peace sweet Tess...we will miss you.

I've met Biddie at playgroup so I know what you are referring to. I'm not sure if you remember us because my dh and I only went out a few times, but we did discuss the training methods you were using very very briefly. I can suggest a lot of books, plus there's a lot of articles on-line such as http://www.positivedogtraining.org/article/positive-reinforcement-dog-training/but also on-line videos by Sophia Yin and/or books by Patricia McConnell. However, I highly recommend investing in positive reinforcement dog training. It's technical and not knowing what to look for can negate any progress you've made with Biddie. For example, If you teach her the "down" position, and treat her when she gets into the sphinx position, if you treat her as she starts to come out of it, she'll associate the treat with starting to get up, not the down position, so it be very exacting. Also, you need to learn about things to look out for such as "whale eye" which may tell you when she is likely going to bite next. These are all things a professional could help with because you mentioned you didn't see any signs. Plus, after observing her at the play group, I suspect you may have trained her not to growl and probably aren't aware of it which is another good reason to invest in a professional trainer. I've never used a dog trainer so I don't have any recommendations. Have you asked other GRA greyhound dog owners? Lastly, muzzle her on walks. Hope some/all of this is helpful.

Thinking about you today