GeorgeofNE

They'll also want to check his urine for signs of crystals. Some dogs just produce crystals in their urine, and they can irritate the tract and the bladder. The discharge is most likely normal boy discharge. And Georgie could KNOT believe his "gud frend" William didn't just ask him--the king of pee!

Hmmmm. It's funny--my neighbor her at my condo complex showed up with a red brindle male greyhound about a year after I moved here with my red brindle male greyhound! Their dog has had ZERO issues. He's as relaxed and mellow as the summer is humid! He's quiet, gentle, loves everyone, and has never had ANY problems. My dog? He was a NIGHTMARE!! Not his fault--and not my adoption group's fault. He was in foster care with another dog, so they had no idea that when he ended up with me, alone, he'd start to howl like a wolf. They didn't know he has some deep festering infection that made him pee in the house for the first year (well, not for long, really, as I put a belly band on him, and he peed in THAT). My point? They're ALL different! Let me assure you that now that the initial adjustment period is over, and the medical problem has been solved, George is relaxed, easy going, and a wonderful, wonderful companion! I'd recommend you find a local adoption group, make it clear what traits you're hoping for personality wise, don't fall in love with a photograph, and let the group guide you to a dog that's MOST LIKELY to fit in to your lifestyle! Remember: people writing about problems are looking for help here. People who don't have problems aren't posting so much!!

Remember: you must muzzle them BOTH no matter which is the perceived "aggressor." Not fair (or safe!) to muzzle just one! Good luck, and try to relax! Dogs play really rough, and they LOVE IT!

Nothing you described was the dog's fault, and nothing you described wasn't 100% normal. None of those circumstances are even vaguely like those that would arise with well-supervised children around your dog. That's the key; well supervised. I personally don't ever let tiny children (toddlers, babies) anywhere near my dog. I don't care how rock solid he is. It's not worth it to me (and I'm not one of those people who adores children either!). Children about 4 or older with a parent right next to them--he's fine! Loves 'em. I have two cats, and George snaps at them when they bug him. If he wanted to hurt them, they'd already be dead. He's snapped at me when I have woken him; I consider this my fault, as I know he has sleep aggression, and sometimes I'm foolish. As far as the puppy--that's how adult dogs teach puppies how not to be a pain in the neck. The puppies owner should NOT allow him to behave that way.

I agree with Judy, and wonder if you're working with a group. Experienced Greyhound folks would not have let you bring home a hound to a household with cats without having a pretty good idea if she could deal with them. From what you describe of her initial meeting, I know I would NEVER have been allowed to adopt that hound as I also have cats. I'm so sorry for you. I'm sure this is terribly tough on you, but I think this is a disaster waiting to happen. I'd also like to add that there are PLENTY of greyhounds that can live with you AND your cats. The hound will be placed in a cat-free home, and your cats will be safe. You'll have to be patient and wait for a cat-workable hound, but here are MANY, MANY of them out there. It's really not fair to get rid of the cats. I had to rehome a GORGEOUS Siamese cat once because he was beating up my female--a shelter rescue. But she was there first, and it was the fair thing to do. I easily found him a wonderful family (with really BIG cats that he couldn't pick on). It worked out even though it was hard. If you let the group take Caroline now, she'll adjust easily enough to a new family. There's not much chance you'd place two adult cats in the same home.

Heartgard Plus chewables!

Run free sweet Poppy! I'm sure Tetley was waiting to greet you. I'm so sorry Bev and family.

I'd be concerned about her comfort and health, but not about loosing teeth! There are plenty of hounds on this board with very few teeth who do just fine eating and everything else! Sometimes they just have terrible mouths and I don't know what works...but I had a 5 year old cat who went in for a routine cleaning and lost almost all of his teeth. Didn't phase him a bit!

Just a word of caution: just because something is an herb, doesn't mean it's harmless. My vet suggested some Valerian Root for George, for anxiety. She had a friend who is a vet who was trying it. Well, his liver enzymes went through the roof after a few weeks on it! She was stunned--so we took him off, and within a few weeks they were back to normal! Clearly there is something wrong with your boy. I'd get a second opinion since your vet doesn't really sound very sure of much.

Heck yeah!!! I know one group of GTers that are sure going to try to make OUR donation raise more money! Putting my thinking cap on!

Staph infections (of the skin) are actually quite common--well, they have been for me, since I'm on my second dog with seasonal allergies!

Seems like a very easy fix would be to prohibit the dog from using the human beds or the sofa. I'm not familiar with that book. Sorry. Three weeks is probably too new to allow the dog up there anyway. He doesn't know you very well, you don't know him very well. I know if my dog behaved that way, he'd be back on the floor before you could say "get down." Good luck.

I would just teach her "heel," not "slow." If she's heeling properly, and you're going slowly, then she'd be going slowly!

When I first got George, he used to try to eat flowers. I just assume there weren't a lot of flowers at the kennel he was raised at, the track kennel he lived at, and having been to the track he raced at I KNOW there weren't any flowers there. I took it as an experiment to see if it was yummy or not!

Exactly!!! Or, you could actually use her chatty nature and teach her "speak," and then the command "no speak." "No" on it's own means nothing.

Absolutely check her for a UTI. I would never limit my dog's access to water in the summer--just my opinion. Also, something to consider; if the carpet isn't brand new, there could well have been a pet who peed on in before you moved in. You'd be surprised how well you can get pee out of carpet to the HUMAN eye and nose. My old condo had one section that had been DRENCHED when George was having his bought of mysterious peeing; my realtor was so impressed with the appearance she told me not to even bother cleaning it. I'm sure the buyer got quite a little shock when she tore it out to put in hardwood; I'm sure it was horribly gross underneath! So sorry... Anyway, just because sometimes she CAN hold it does NOT mean she doesn't have a mild infection. Before you dismiss a medical cause (which believe me, is FAR easier to fix than any other cause) it's certainly worth trotting a urine sample off to the vet.

I don't get it. I'd only do it if I was going to board George because most places require it. On the off chance he were to contract kennel cough, it's easily cured.

Welcome! I have to say, this made me laugh! My dog's chin/lips quiver when he's excited. Nothing to worry about.

Just FYI: yogurt gives my hound diarrhea.

Makes sense, I guess. To me, though, it makes even more sense that my dominant (i.e., right) hand is used for holding onto the leash. I agree. That's why I'm surprised to see "teach your dog to walk on your left" presented as the only option. Alan You DO use your right hand to hold the leash. Your left hand takes up the slack, if any. The leash goes across your body in the front. On me, typically it's at waist height. I use a leather leash that is almost exactly the width of the reins I used to ride with , so for me it's very comfortable to hold the loose end of the leash as if I'm riding again! Your right hand should to through the leash loop from the TOP, and grasp the length of the leash--you should not be holding the loop with your fingers. Hard to describe...but that way you have your strong hand holding the leash, your weaker hand holding the slack, and should your dog bolt, he's not too far ahead of you and you have BOTH hands ready!! At least this is how I do it! And yes, it is traditional--I find fewer and fewer people actually have any interest in tradition. And it's a royal pain in the butt to walk with those people who let their dog go back and forth and cross in front and behind--can't STAND it!

My dog has had it three years running. I have no read that recommendation, and my vet HAS a Greyhound! It is true that the usefulness of the vaccine is questionable, but since I go to Nantucket, a hot bed of Lyme, I give it. Most of my family has had one tick-borne disease or another, and it seemed like a small measure I could take to possible prevent George from getting it. To the OP, I have family in Lyme! On Joshuatree Hill Road, as well as right in the village!

Tramadol is what my vet favors for chronic pain (and incidentally, my rheumatologist!). Very few side effects.

Thank YOU for being strong and giving her one last gift--a gentle ending surrounded by those who loved her. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sounds to me as if you're in the process of creating a monster-- Why on earth would any dog eat dog food if they thought they could have cereal and milk or steak or chicken instead? You mentioned some kind of chew; if you mean rawhide, she COULD have a big glob of undigested rawhide in her tummy making her not feel so great. Sorry, I didn't know the American equivalent of some of the things you said! I think "JillysFullHouse" gave you great advice (and she should know!!); if she's hungry, she'll eat. But if she turns her nose away from dog food, and you make her something like steak--why on earth would she EVER eat dog food again? I don't play those games with my animals; if they're not ill, I decide what they eat. And when. And how much! Her routine sounds nice, except it doesn't seem like she's EVER alone, and one day you may need to leave her, and it's a good idea for a dog to get used to the idea that it's not going to have company all the time. You might practice short trips out of the house where you leave her before the time comes when you HAVE to! Good luck! Hope her spay goes well.

Batmom! You say the BEST stuff!!! I've tried to present this opiniom (above) before and never know how to say it. As far as MY hound goes; the scenario the OP presents would require the dog to wear the e-collar 24/7. The way MINE reacts when something scares him is on the "flight" side of "fight or flight." I can picture it now; the stimulation goes off, the dog reacts, by running FASTER away from you. I'm NOT against the principal; hunting dog trainers use them all the time, and in fact I just disposed of my father's (he never used it--bought it 10 years ago but didn't have the heart--I told my mother I'd sell it for her but I just threw it away!), but I don't think it would work on a greyhound. To me they're more like cats than dogs when it comes to recall--their first thought isn't pleasing their human, it's "what's in it for ME?"