GeorgeofNE

Before my father had to go to a nursing home, he was mostly bed ridden for quite a while. One of his two dogs never left his side. The other one got as far from him as possible (he has Alzheimer's and can no longer speak normally or make much sense at all). I think they felt compassion and devotion, and fear. If they can feel those things with their people, why not their canine housemates?

So did I. How horrible. I know how devastated you must be. He was a beautiful dog. Run free Steak.

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

What exactly do you mean when you say "freaked out"? Because unless she's in danger of hurting herself, I say let her freak! Once she realizes it's not going to hurt her, she'll probably be just fine. I'm sure a lot of people are going to think that's a terrible idea, but honestly, she's not going to be permanently damaged by having a coat put on her that she doesn't want put on her. Perhaps just start with the towel? Drape it over her back and let her see--nothing bad is going to happen. If I let George decide what he would and would not put up with as a pet, I'd have a hound that wouldn't walk on shiny floors, wouldn't use an elevator, wouldn't walk up stairs, and wouldn't walk on a leash like a civilized beast. Having said that, and please recognize this is just MY opinion, all the others who have said that she's not going to perish without a coat are right. Sure, you don't want to be out in a blizzard with a nekkid Greyound for an hour, but Greyhounds are not the delicate flowers some folks make them out to be. My dog has a HUGE wardrobe, but that's more for me than him. I'm sure he'd be perfectly happy to be naked all the time (although he does seem to enjoy his jammies, based on his reaction when I hold them out to him). He wears jammies in the winter because I think they're cute, not because he needs them.

I don't think he'd be lying quietly if he was really stressed, but I wanted to blow my brains out listening to that music for 45 seconds! They say most Greyhound kennels play country music for the hounds. Maybe give that a try?

This is exactly what I suggest you NOT do. Not meaning to flame the poster--just point out that if you give a dog food every time it misbehaves...you end up with a bratty dog begging for food at 4 AM!

Licking isn't actually "kissing." I've had George for four years. He smiles (curls his upper lip, shows all is teeth) and wags his tail and jumps around when I come home, so I THINK he likes me OK, and I assure you, if he were ever to lick me, it would mean I had food on my face! He has NEVER given me a "kiss."

It's truly not normal for a greyhound to smell bad. Has he been checked over thoroughly? Most greyhounds don't need a bath more than annually.

Were x-rays taken? I find that a very odd diagnosis based on your post and the description of the accident. Please suggest to your friend she get a book on basic home veterinary care. Those books generally tell you what OTC medications can be used in a pinch, and which ones to avoid. Heck, everyone should have one!

Male dogs shouldn't smell any different than female dogs unless they're peeing on each other. Sounds like a possible urinary tract infection to me. I'd have the vet test his urine. We've had dogs my entire life, and only two of them have been female. I've never felt that a dog smelled male or female. The typical Greyhound doesn't smell much at all, what with their naturally dryish skin and short coat.

I wouldn't be giving him food at 4:30. I expect part of the problem is that you've demonstrated to him that if he's annoying enough, he'll get what he wants. Not sure why he's at the "top of the stairs" and where you are, but if he were my dog, he'd be where I was, and he would be learning to WAIT for his meals until a reasonable time. To me, reasonable time is whatever time works for you during the week. I don't expect my dog to understand what Saturday is, so I do get up at our regular time on weekends. People on GT will sometimes suggest the dog is hungry. My dog is ALWAYS hungry, if you ask him. We have a schedule. I don't feed him off schedule. If he really has to go out to go to the bathroom, yes, we alter our schedule. But no harm will come to your dog if you make him wait until 6:30 to eat. If you're firm, and don't give in, you can nip this problem in the bud, but I do think he needs to be confined to the space you're in to keep the peace with your neighbors and enable you to more easily get him to lay down and wait.

Do yourself a favor and read "I'll Be Home Soon" by Patricia McConnell now. If you have a Kindle you can buy the ebook. It's a short book/pamphlet that I wish I had read before I got my dog home! Good luck and have fun!

Thanks! I just checked back in this thread to see if anyone knew for sure. Great to know.

Run free Bee Wiseman. What a lovely tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss.

You know, the exercise is probably EXCELLENT for him.

I would listen to JillysFullHouse! If anyone knows the answer to this question, it's her.

Exactly that. And the reason my late dad referred to greyhounds as "plant life." I agree 100% with Greysmom and Batmom. Greyhounds ARE different from other breeds. Which is exactly why it was the perfect choice for me at my stage in life. I don't have a yard either. My dog is what gets me up and out of the house. We go for a long walk every morning, and then I go to work. He sleeps. I come home, we go out. He eats. Then he sleeps. Then I take him out. Then he sleeps. Then we both sleep. Then we do it again the next day. He doesn't play with toys. He likes food, sleep, and walks. He does enjoy a nice snuggle (while he sleeps). He rarely wants to obey me, even when he knows what I want. He is unimpressed when I get stern. He lived an entire life and career before me. He came as a fully formed individual. As long as he walks nicely on a leash, doesn't bite me, and doesn't pee in the house, I consider him an EXCELLENT companion. He's nearly silent, his has soft silky ears he likes to have rubbed, and he doesn't need to be entertained. What more could an old maid like me want?

You make an excellent point! Hopefully Chris is right and that he'll settle back down having just had his hoomans around for a month of vacation!

Sounds like George--and I think you can guess that Mister Bigglesworth is unphased by any sort of growl, snap, etc. George has NEVER really tried to bite the cat. If he's REALLY annoyed, he'll get up and move. I try not to let it get past growling. I pick Mister B. up and move him. Usually 5 or 6 times... When George is extra grumpy (which hasn't happened since we discovered Gabapentin!) I sometimes have to close Mister B. in the bedroom for a while. Every hound deserves an occasional cat-free day I think! Da Ebil Won has earned his nickname!

Retired racing hounds are eligible for the free chemo; OSU is like any other business, they'll treat any dog. The special services are only available to retired racers I believe.

FYI, rawhide doesn't clean their teeth anyway. Nor do Bully sticks that I know of. Too soft when they're all slobbery! If you can find them, turkey necks are great. Just put down an old towel and let her chomp away! They're gone pretty fast! George gets raw bones every weekend, and I just use a towel. He lays in one spot and chomps away. They really don't make a mess.

You have to consider it as a necessary HEALTH measure, and don't have the mindset that you're depriving them. You're improving their health! I personally don't really care all that much if my dog wants to exercise or not. He needs to. He's nine, and he goes on a 2 mile walk every morning. He gets one cup of kibble in the AM, and one cup in the PM. He does get plenty of treats--that's why he gets such tiny meals! I don't give him a lot of add ins. I don't worry that he ACTS hungry. Every dog I've ever known will eat pretty much any time you offer them food. And they all act like they're starving when they see something they want. Cut back slowly, increase the exercise, and I'm sure you'll get results. It won't be overnight, so don't give up and don't give in!

I admit it--my REAL answer (not GT approved!) would be to wait in the hallway, and the second he started up to slap the door with my palm and say in my best VOG "Knock it off!" Only 'cause this doesn't sound like "real" SA to me Donna. The thunk is probably Buffy dragging food off the counter again!!!

"Go lie down!" He's testing your boundaries. The only way to get past this is to ignore him. I went through this with George. Every day at precisely 4 AM he woke up. At first, like you, I assumed he had to pee. Well, he sort of did--but that's not why he was waking up. That's just what he was used to! After a month of this, I just used my "harsh tones" and told him to "knock it off" or "be quiet" or "go lie down." Took about 5 days of not getting what he wanted for him to give up. Now we "sleep in" until 5:20... Which is when I have to get up so he gets his 2 mile walk before work...

Does it really make any difference if she sleeps on her dog bed or on the futon? If she's sleeping quietly and content, I'd let her be. Eventually she'll forget about the scary noise and may go back to her bed on her own.