GeorgeofNE

Amen!! It's actually relatively rare for personality issues to be the ONLY symptom of a thyroid problem. If you read the symptoms of thyroid problems on a reputable veterinary medicine resource, personality issues are RARE sign of thyroid issue. And of course you have one school of greyhound "experts" suggesting thyroid problems are UNDERDIAGNOSED in hounds, and Dr. Couto suggesting they're WAY over diagnosed! We've had two dogs in my family with hypothyroidism, and the symptoms are actually pretty much limited to skin and coat issues, as well as weight. My mother had cancer of the thyroid, and as much as I'd like to blame her strict discipline on a bad thyroid...that's just her personality!

Poor guy! Honesty? At that age? Your sole concern should really be making sure he's comfortable, and when he shows any signs of pain, dealing with that. And I suppose emotionally preparing yourself and your family for the inevitable. I'd also let him anything he wants! Sounds like a much-loved hound-- The advice my vet gave me when my last dog had a malignant nerve-sheath tumor is just keep track of the good days, and bad days, and when the bad days outweigh the good, do the kind thing and let him go. You will know when he's had enough.

Tricks and obedience are two TOTALLY different things. I've always believe that you shouldn't train tricks until your dog knows the basics (and most tricks start with sitting or laying down anyway!). Obedience was very important to me, until I got George. And now I have come to accept certain truths about George (I'm not generalizing about Greyhounds, I'm talking specifically about MY dog): 1) He is quite handsome; 2) He was quite fast; 3) He had a very decent career; 4) He is an excellent companion. He isn't EVER going to be obedient. It's not who he is. He has learned how to go up and down stairs, sit, down, and heel reasonably well, and he knows what come means, but ... well, let's just say he often declines. As far as stay goes--that's our big challenge. He thinks it's dumb, and I don't, but I surrender! Which is REALLY not like me! My last dog know all the commands (and several different ways to do them!) by voice, hand signals, and whistle commands. He was the smartest darned dog I've ever met. So any dog was going to be a bit of let down--but George, ah, handsome George. I just repeat--fast and handsome, you can't have it all!

Sounds like normal dog behavior to me! Until she's learned a half-way decent recall, maybe you should take her out on a leash? George would happily live outside if I'd let him!

Wow. I'd be absolutely livid if you showed up at the park with a dog who behaves that way. You think he can't hurt a dog with a muzzle on? Ever had a dog crash into you running fast? There are other ways to injure dogs aside from biting them. Does not sound like your hound is a good dog park candidate to me.

Wow. Trust me--that's DIRT cheap. Minimum cost for a dental here is $400.

Great job getting them down to that length!

It's actually completely normal for an adult dog to be able to hold it for a long time.

Wow! I would not personally be jumping to a medical mystery-- My guess is there is an animal in your yard and she can either smell it or hear it. It's that time of year--you could have some critter using your yard for romance, or just passing through! Take a good long look in the daylight, and see if there's an area she's particularly interested in!

As many others have said, it is WAY too soon to be taking him to a dog park. The dog barely knows you. There is virtually ZERO chance he'd come to you when you called him if you needed him to, and heaven forbid he get out of the park. I watched two dogs get run over by cars on Commonwealth Ave. in Boston one day when they jumped on the gate to the park and it popped open, and they did not have good recall. Horrifying. I wouldn't ever take George to a regular dog park. I've seen his skin rip open on things that wouldn't cut "normal" dog skin, and to me, it's not worth the risk. I would go to a Greyhound fun run. They know how to deal with each other from experience, but I think that in my particular case, George is clueless about other breeds. He also has NO recall, even after almost 3 years. Well, not true! If my voice could imitate the sound of the fridge opening, I'd be golden!!! Have fun with your new boy taking long walks and working on some basic obedience. There will be plenty of time to test drive him at a park later. And don't think he "has" to run! When I finally found a fenced field to let George run in, he walked around sniffing pee mail the whole time!

Ahhh, tough one! 1) Yes to the Flagyl! 2) Probably to the vet--although I did have an instance where my dog had diarrhea and it turned out the blood was from the amazingly huge pieces of grass he had eaten and pooped out. You know, those GIANT stalks of weedy grass??? They cut his delicate parts on the way out. The blood was from his external parts and not indicative that he was bleeding in his innards! Is it a tiny tinge of red, or seriously bloody? Good luck with your new daughter! My cousin is married to a fellow who has two girls from China!

My mixed breed dog killed more moles and chipmunks than I could count. Totally normal ANIMAL behavior. We can call them "furbabies" and whatnot, but that doesn't change the fact they're omnivorous animals with instincts.

I don't think you can make much of a judgement on a dog you've had for two days. If she's an experienced hound owner, I'm sure the shyness could be dealt with if she likes the dog otherwise!

Too soon to be so invasive! The dog doesn't even know you yet. Just give him a bit more time to bond with you, work on other things, and try again some other time.

My cat food bowl is on my kitchen island where the dog can't easily reach it. Yes, if he REALLY wanted to, I suppose he could get it, but he never has. I use covered litter boxes, and clean them twice a day. He's never even gone near them!

Sounds like you have a fenced in yard, or you wouldn't be asking the question! I do not, and yes, I want no matter what, and I don't shorten my walk because of weather. George is home all day while I'm at work at it would not be fair to deprive him of his exercise 'cause I don't want to get wet! I only worry about a coat when it's COLD. If it were rainy and warm, well, he'd get wet! Doesn't bother him a bit. He's a dog, after all. They get rained on! I think a lot of a dog's feelings about weather come from their owner's attitude, so I try and keep it all upbeat.

Buffered aspirin--like Ascriptin, is safe, but you really need to check very carefully for puncture wounds that can cause a lot of trouble later!

No. I don't, and I don't worry about it.

Rimadyl worked really well for my mixed breed (Deramaxx gave him explosive diarrhea). Deramaxx works great for my Greyhound's L.S. pain! Key for helping an arthritic dog is something you don't think about often; exercise! Regular, gentle exercise is very important. Also a lean body and muscle tone.

My rescue group had a size of crate listed on their paperwork; but I assure you, they did not come measure it! The crate I got was on eBay, has two doors, and it only cost about $40, and the shipping was another $45, but that is still WAY cheaper than any pet store around!

The first time I gave George a bone, and then tried to take it away, he almost took my arm off! Then I realized that the bone was a VERY big deal to him, and I had gotten complacent 'cause my last dog (a mix I got as a puppy from the shelter) would have walked through fire for me if I asked him too. George? Not so much! Instead of reacting, I went and got him a dog biscuit, held it out, and he took it and I took the bone! Problem solved. Now I make sure I say to him, "Ok, that's enough now!" and hand him something else so I can take the bone. Regarding the teeth and safety of bones; I give George a marrow bone every Saturday and Sunday. My vet thinks this is great, and he hasn't had to have a dental since I adopted him (he didn't do well with the anesthesia--my vet and I both feel that any possible chipped teeth are way less of a problem than the potential disaster general anesthesia COULD cause). George's teeth are already all broken anyway from, I assume, chewing his kennel. His lower front teeth are to the gum line, all four canines are missing their tips, but the back teeth are nice and shiny and white!

My tips is: get a Labrador! Seriously--I had a Frisbee dog, and I never taught him anything. I just threw it one day and he ran and caught it. It think it's something they'll either do, or not.

Keep in mind she's NOT alone! The adjustment would have been much tougher for Lexi as an only dog. Your new girl has Lexie to show her the ropes and keep her company.

The simple answer to "what can I do" is stop taking him to the dog park! Clearly his prey drive is taking over. He could easily kill a small dog without intending to, and you're setting yourself up for a world of trouble. Greyhounds also have exceptionally thin skin, and frankly, I think you're lucky he hasn't been injured yet by a frightened dog turning around to nip him. Perhaps find some greyhound-only playgroups where the dogs are suitably muzzled while they're playing?

Dear Miss Donna, Since no one else has suggested it--let me. Vision issues? Hearing issues? Is her behavior the same at night as during the day? If so, probably not vision (Kramer had terrible night vision due to vitreal degeneration, which is why I mention it). Hearing issues possibly causing her to experience sensory overload trying to sort out the sounds? I must say that George does a LOT of looking behind us on our walks in the morning (in the dark). As if he thinks someone is sneaking up behind us, and he wants to run. I personally would not bother with the thyroid testing absent any OTHER symptoms (Spirit had other issues which pointed at that possibility, so it makes sense). Might I also point out that she's come a LONG way since Halloween? She may just need more time! And some decent weather!