GeorgeofNE

I don't know a single soul who would consider what your dog did the act of a "vicious" dog. There are good reasons that humane agencies, all responsible cat breeders, and most every vet tells you to keep your cat INDOORS. A free roaming animal that clearly crossed your dog's path (and not vice versa) got grabbed by a dog. That's just one of the many bad things that happens to outdoor cats. Make sure you get your dog seen by the vet. Cat scratches get infected very easily. I'm sorry this happened. It was neither your fault, nor your dogs.

This is heartbreaking news. I'm so sorry. George's brother from another mother was one of his first GT "friends." Run free Vinny.

Are you giving him any supplements? My vet had suggested Valerian Root for George's anxiety, and within weeks his ALT was out of control. Stopped the stuff, and they went back to normal within a month.

Sounds like anxiety to me too. If it were other dogs or cats, don't you think he'd behave the same way when you were there? I doubt the neighborhood animals stay away when you're home! I'm not trying to be flip--but seems unlikely to be something OTHER than your absence if nothing like this goes on when you're there! Do you have a web cam? I recently set mine up on "surveillance mode" to see what my dog was doing during the day. It only recorded when it detected motion. It was very interesting to see that what I THOUGHT might be be bothering him clearly wasn't. Do you give him a Kong when you leave? That could help. Also, I'm not sure if it did much or not, but it can't hurt--I used a D.A.P. diffuser for George when he was having anxiety issues. And finally--taking him out 7 times a day isn't the same as exercise. I walk George almost 2 miles every single day before I leave him to help relieve his anxiety.

My last dog was a mixed breed and he had allergies to pollen. People tend to jump right to thinking food allergies; there are plenty of dogs who are allergic to things other than food! Once the dog has scratched and chewed itself to that point, it does need antibiotics and steroids to stop the itching. Once the symptoms are under control, antihistamines MIGHT help control them. But my dog became so allergic it was nearly year round misery. Inhalant allergies are a true misery. Some people have success with skin testing/shots, but many dogs don't really respond well to those.

Sounds like your vet gave a good exam, but if he were mine, I'd go see an orthopedic specialist.

Not sure how boots will actually HELP. Not sure a dog can process the "I have boots on, so I won't slide on that shiny floor." I have a set of boots called "Muttluks" that stay on quite well--but I don't know that they'd provide traction. They're for protection against the elements, not non-slip. They actually make these funny little stick on grippers that go right on the paws! Not sure how well they work though.

A pack of dogs and a cat is very different than a single dog and a cat. And a cat OUTDOORS is a different creature from a cat indoors. My dog (featured in a bunch of pictures earlier in this thread) would go after a cat outside. They seem to understand that a cat inside is part of their family. A cat outside? That's just prey.

Bag Balm would be better than vaseline, as it has a mild antiseptic in it.

Are the accidents totally random? How long is she IN the crate? How much exercise is she getting before you put her in it? Some dogs actually HATE being crated. It could be creating anxiety that's actually making her pee. Or not...

What do you mean, it's "choking" him? Sounds like maybe it's just not the right size for a puppy.

Phew! Mostly...

Racing career length has NOTHING to do with a hound being cat safe or not. Frankly, the notion of "prey drive" being a huge factor in racing ability (dogs who are no good at it don't do it long!) is overstated. I think for many of them, it's much more about running faster than the dogs behind them and next to them than thinking about catching the stuffed animal speeding in front of them. My dog raced for close to 3 years, and has what I would call a very low prey drive (squirrels, rabbits, etc. don't get him even a little worked up), but was a successful racer. Despite his lengthy career, as you can see, he is about as cat safe as you can get! The key is to work with an adoption group who has at least one skilled person involved who can evaluate the dog's "cat workability," and to take their recommendation! And be smart about the introductions! A good adoption group can explain all that to your friend. Witness a cat safe dog (and trust me, the spotty/striped cat is probably about as annoying as a cat can get! He's not known as both Da Ebil Won and You Little Bastard for no reason!): George with Tiger George with Mister Bigglesworth as a kitten A classic! Probably my favorite picture ever George and Tiger again Not sure really who is in MORE danger here? I rest my case!

Agree--ground beef is not a good idea. Too greasy. I'd not feed her anything until perhaps tonight, and I'd give her rice with a little bit of dog food. There's really no value in feeding a dog hamburger vs. dog food. Boiled chicken, which is in theory not as fatty, is usually what's recommended, but in a dog who vomited and does not otherwise seem ILL, I'd just do rice and a LITTLE regular dog food. My last dog vomited ALL THE TIME. It was well worth the money to have my own carpet cleaner. The trick is: scoop as much as you can (spatula...yuck, I know), then blot as much as you can. Then a damp towel. Then hit it with the carpet cleaner. And when I say "all the time" I mean a few times a week for years and years and years! He was, as we say, a "chucker."

I wish I knew! Although I would have bet everything I own that SOMEONE would chime in and say that their dogs always let them sleep as long as they like (and I was right!) I honestly haven't slept past 6 AM since 1995 when I decided that I'd be a single gal in a condo with a dog! It's fortunate that I am a morning person--but sometimes even I would like to sleep a little bit more. Perhaps part of the problem COULD be that Maybe Kevin could use a lovely evening walk? You, Kevin, hubby, strolling the neighborhood on a lovely evening? Could be fun! Might tire him out! I hate that high pitched barking--I'm so glad George doesn't do that--George goes for the more direct approach--poking me, flopping down on the bed so he's pretty much laying on top of me, the cute looks, the sad big brown eyes...

Well, what do you mean, specifically, "he hates it"? Is he howling? Destroying stuff in crate? Or do you just THINK he hates it? Cause if he really does hate it, then it can actually be dangerous for him to be in there. Have you read the McConnell booklet, "I'll Be Home Soon"? Sounds like you need to do what they call "alone training." My dog hated his crate with a passion. I video taped him because I didn't believe my condo neighbors that he was "howling for hours." He was!!! It was horrible! I tried to baby gate him into one room. He hated that too. Finally I gave up, and he was just fine! I do have to give him a Kong with peanut butter in it every day when I leave, even four years later, to keep him from whining those first few minutes, but he has learned I will ALWAYS come back. But it takes time and work. I also take him on a two mile walk every morning (Mon-Fri) no matter WHAT the weather is like. And he's almost 9! But it really helps, and he loves it. Remember--greyhounds are NEVER alone. They're with other greyhounds 24/7 from the day they're born until they're sent off to live in a home. Then all the sudden--many of them are completely alone. He doesn't know what to do with himself, when and if you're coming home, etc. You didn't answer the question a few of us had about exercise. A tired dog is far less likely to be aggitated when you leave. He's most likely going to just sleep! If you're fortunate enough to have a fenced in yard, you may assume he doesn't need to be walked, but getting him out on a leash and briskly walking around is an excellent way to built a relationship, burn off some energy, and add some structured routine to his day.

Sometimes the simple answer is the best one! If he was doing OK in the crate, try it again. You could also try using a baby gate to keep him in a room that doesn't have access to the door he's scratching. You could also try putting something in front of the door, like a chair. Yes, you might have to go around to your car, but it'll keep him from wrecking the door. He might simply start on something else instead. Is he getting a good long walk before you leave?

Batmom beat me to it, again! He's a morning dog! But if you prefer not to be a morning person, teach him what "go lie down" means. Eventually he'll give up. George woke me up at EXACTLY 4 AM for the first six weeks I had him. Then I realized he was playing me. Took him about three days, but he gave up. I don't feel it's reasonable for a dog who is woken by an alarm Mon-Fri at the same time to "sleep in" on Saturday and Sunday. They're creatures of habit, and he can't count the days of the week. When George wakes me up on Saturday (at exactly 5:20) I take him out (and I have to get dressed, leash him up, down three flights, and out!) and let him piddle, bring him in, feed him, then we both go back to bed. We usually manage to catch another hour or so of sleep, and honestly? That Saturday sleep/snuggle after his outing is one of my favorite hours of the week. And remember: anything that actually REWARDS HIM for waking you (e.g. giving him a Kong, keeping treats by your bed to give him) just makes the problem worse ultimately.

That happened to my Kramer once! Benadryl fixed him right up

Bless your heart for taking your Mother's cat in to begin with. I'm sure you'll miss him a lot. Just having visited my Dad (with Alzheimer's) in the nursing home for the first time, I was delighted to see that two dogs "work" there every day.

Google it! There is nothing you cannot find on the internet!

What makes him think she has an upset stomach? There are plenty of other reasons a dog might not eat. If she won't eat ANYTHING, I would not wait myself to get her to the vet. Is she pooping?

Benadryl never made my allergic dog sleepy. I'd suggest you try a different antihistamine and see if that helps. There are quite a few dogs can safely take; ask your vet. I used to give the same dog with allergies a Zantac every day. Might want to just switch that up too and see if there is any change. It's that time of year--pollen everywhere--so it makes sense it would get worse right now. They also tend to get worse year after year. My dog ended up basically miserable 11 months out of the year by the time he passed away. It was horrible.

George is the first dog I've ever tried to train who didn't really take to it well--but even George learned how to sit! Try using a corner of the room, the treat above the head (way above) and slowly back him into the corner. I myself use the tried and true "tuck and fold" method of actually physically bending his back legs (gently! Nobody panic!) and pushing him into a sit. Worked like a charm!

Dunno--but my father has glaucoma and there is no VISIBLE sign of it, and never was.