GeorgeofNE

I would never give him back!! That is NOT an option. I have worked with him with training and he is learning and doing a good job. My husband just has to get over this episode to help in the training. My daughters, 13 1/2 and 10 1/2 have been wonderful with him as well and vice versa. I'm sorry, but if your husband is afraid of the dog, you're not doing the dog any favors keeping him. I may be one of the few folks here who believe that there are dogs and homes that just aren't right for each other. Squirting bitter apple in the dogs mouth? Knocking poop out of his mouth? These aren't teaching the dog anything positive--they're teaching him that you're violent people that he better be on his guard around. I know that sounds harsh; I apologize. But you have kids, and they might be bigger kids, but what happens when the dog bites one of them???

IMHO, you don't need to baby the dog just because he's shy of strangers; I think your husband is closer to the right reaction. Reassuring and comforting a dog when he'd doing something you don't want him to do is telling him it's OK. I'd consider teaching him to speak, and then "no speak." That often works really well! Since he's inclined to bark anyway, the bonding time teaching him to bark on command will be healthy, and then you can counter inappropriate barking with "no speak." Shouting "knock it off" certainly expresses annoyance at the behavior, but I find a very specific command works better like (like "speak" and "no speak').

Your question and poll omit an important variable: that some of us TRIED to train our dogs, and were not able to! I know how to train a dog. I've been doing it for over 35 years. I failed utterly to teach George to come when he is called. I learned to sit, lay down, heel, but he does NOT come when he's called, and not for lack of trying to teach him. Sure, I probably could keep trying, and eventually find what it takes to get through to his kiwi-sized brain, but standard tried and true methods did not work!

Please take her to the vet and have her urine and her feces tested; it's highly likely she has parasites that are easily treated! That's step one! For the other issues, I'll let more experienced hound handlers answer, but the first step when adopting should always be a trip to the vet if for no other reason that to get the all clear on the dog's health!

I'm so sorry!

Pat, I'm so sorry. I know how painful this is all too well--most of us do. Fondly, Susan and George

You need to close the door far enough so that only the cats can get in, or put the boxes ON or IN something the dogs can't get to. I have two litter boxes; they're both covered boxes (I clean them both 2x daily) and my dog has never gone near them. However, if the boxes are just sitting on the floor, uncovered, and you have a poop eater, it's a LOT easier to change the litter box type and/or ocation than train the dog not to eat cat poop!

It's dominance behavior, pure and simple. Has nothing to do with sex.

I notice you didn't indicate what TIME he wakes up! George woke up at exactly 4 AM for the first two months. I eventually got sick of that and told him to go lay down until it was time (which is only 5 AM!) and he got over it fast enough. They are used to be woken up fairly early in the kennels I believe.

Absolutely! Amputation will bother YOU way more than her. Dr. Couto has a video of a hound named Boscha hopping up and down stairs not long after an amputation!

I stopped crating my Greyhound about 30 days after I got him because he HATED it. Never had a single problem once I stopped using the crate.

I think if there was an inexpensive, non chemical way to prevent fleas/ticks, we'd all about it by now! Preventic collars to work really well. I use Frontline Plus on George, and he's never had a flea, he has no side effects from it, and while I have found ticks walking on him, he hasn't had one embedded in him yet. My family lives on Nantucket, which sadly is a hot spot for tick-borne diseases, so I'm not about to take any chances. He gets the Lyme vaccine, and he uses his Frontline Plus.

If you've only had her for a month, I'd consider using the crate if she was holding it in the crate! This may simply be a case of too much, too soon! Have you actually WORKED on house training? You know, making a BIG DEAL out of it when she goes outside?? You know, "Good girl!! Good tinkle!" and such with MUCH enthusiasm? If she was happy enough in the crate, and dry, seems like an easy answer!

You're going to wish you hadn't asked. Yes, he can stay in the crate all day. I am going on year 18 as a single, condo dwelling dog owner. I cannot afford a dog walker, and I work a regular 8 hour job. Except in the case of illness, I have NEVER had either dog have an accident. There is NO reason a healthy adult dog cannot hold it during the day. Most dogs just sleep all day when you're not there anyway. If you can afford a dog walker, great! Go for it. My first dog adored his crate. He used it for 2.5 YEARS and only stopped 'cause I made him! My greyhound HATED his crate. I think he felt that 3 years at the track was enough of a crate for him. I stopped using it after a month. He has never chewed anything, broken anything, etc. I'd do what your adoption group suggests, and take what you hear on this board with a grain of salt. The OUTRAGE you'll hear from some that you want your dog to stay home ALL DAY while you work will really surprise you...but trust me, lots and lots and lots and lots of dogs do the exact same thing Monday - Friday.

I'm so sorry. Tally was so lucky to find you and the rest of the gang. May she rest in peace.

What if baby wipes are what he's allergic to? They're meant for cleaning dirty baby butts, not dog paws! From what I understand, they're basically covered with baby oil, right? I'd use a a soft cloth and water.

Please do not assume it's arthritis. You didn't indicate HOW your vet came to this diagnosis--but unless she's done complete x-rays of the entire leg, and repeated them in 2-3 weeks, I'd ask her to do that. Without wishing to freak you out, bone cancer is extremely common in Greyhounds. Any unexplained limping should be looked at very, very thoroughly.

Sounds like what you're doing is just fine! I would likely do the exact same thing!

I haven't made this transition before, but I started out in an apartment. I'm also still new to greyhounds, so I'm sure I've made every mistake in the book. That being said, here's what works for me: 3 potty breaks during the day #1 - as soon as I get up (7 AM or so) #2 - when I get home (anywhere from 2 PM to 4 PM) #3 - right before I go to bed. If it's raining, Tumnus doesn't always pee/poop. I don't think three times is enough. Unless it's freakishly bad weather. I have leashed walked for the past 18 years. Two different dogs, obviously! Minimimum of four times a day (and four only because I'm on the third floor, and George was told to avoid stairs--it's been five times a day for 17 years!). We do the following: First thing in the AM, quick trip outside for tinkles. Breakfast for the dog. Long walk. I go to work. I come home, dog goes out FIRST THING for a break. Feed him--and I have eliminated the after dinner walk because of his spine, but normally would have taken him for a shorter walk to the park. Out before bed. I do consider four times the bare minimum, and one of those should be a LONG walk for exercise, not just sniffing around. Brisk walk to get the heart rate up and keep the muscles in shape!

Exactly! The same people who don't understand you're just exercising good sense will most likely be the ones suing you if there was an accident!

You are da woman!

My advice is to contact Donna Deskin who is very active with that kennel, and will bend over backward to help you with any adjustment issues. Her GT name is "Chilidog" and she can be found easily enough. I'm also sure you will have been provided with a phone number to call for support? Usually the group is your best bet with a brand new adoption, since they already know the dog!

Saving "awful" teeth isn't doing him any favors! I know there are lots of hounds on this board that have very few teeth left, and they do just fine! Drooling like that would be a sign of dental problems. He needs to get to the vet pronto, especially since this is new!

No suggestions with your greyhound. I haven't had much luck with mine. Every OTHER dog I've ever worked with...but not my greyhound!

George's creatine is 2.2, and my vet isn't concerned. I sent his results to Dr. Couto a few years back when my FORMER vet insisted on testing over and over and over, and he sent back a brilliantly short email that basically said, "These values combined with his normal urine indicate there is nothing wrong with this greyhound and further testing is not necessary." I showed it to her, and that was the end of my $2,000 worth of tests!!!