GeorgeofNE

Blue Buffalo is too rich for many dogs. It didn't agree with my dog at all. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's better. Whatever you were feeding her before was just fine I expect, and yes, go back to it. How long does she cry for? I personally think a dog who cries when you leave doesn't benefit from a noon time break. You're just leaving her twice that way! A healthy dog, given a good long walk before being crated, should be just fine for the work day. I mean a good LONG walk on a leash where she poops, pees a number of times, and gets a bit tuckered out. Finally, it sounds like she hates her crate. She's quite young, so probably didn't spend much time being crated, like she would have had she had a successful racing career. So she's not "used to it" (which is what most adoption groups will tell you--to crate them cause they're used to it). If you are willing to puppy proof, she would probably be a LOT happier out of the crate. I know neither of my greyhounds have considered the crate their "safe place." A crate in an empty house is a totally different thing than a kennel crate at the track, surrounded by other dogs.

I can't believe no one else has said take him to the vet. He could very well have a urinary tract infection. After you eliminate that as a possibility, if it keeps up, you need to treat him as if he's a young puppy and housebreak him. They don't (mostly) arrive in our homes understanding it's not ok to pee in the house. You have to train him! A housebreaking schedule should include a walk as soon as you get up in the AM. A walk after each meal. A walk after the dog has been asleep for a long time. A walk after the dog has a play session. 3 or 4 times a day isn't enough until he's got it down pat that OUTSIDE is for peeing.

I guess I've been lucky then! First time I tried to take a bone away from George I nearly lost my arm. After catching my breath I handed him a dog biscuit and he happily gave up the bone for it! So I should have qualified my comment with "some dogs."

Trade him. Dogs are so funny--they don't seem to realize the big chewy bone they've got is WAY better than the Milk Bone you're holding out to them, but it works like a charm. When he drops the bone to eat the biscuit, just pick the bone up and walk away.

It took my first hound 18 months to really settle into home life. Two weeks is NOTHING in terms of time. Just be patient.

Muzzle. Let the leg breath, keep the tongue contained.!

That is definitely not a pollen allegy reaction. Sounds like and insect bite/sting or a contact allergy. Since the initial swelling was around her mouth, sounds like possible sne got her face into something. Poor girl!

Im so sorry you are going through this. But if your dog has lost over 10 pounds, clearly he IS sick. I know what it's like to struggle with finances and veterinary choices. Is there any chance that the place you donate his blood to might help you at a lower cost??

I'm glad it worked out for you, but I would not recommend, as a rule, taking a newly adopted hound who is also fearful to meet and greets. Meeting up with other hounds--yes. Taking a fearful dog and forcing them into a situation lime that can backfire.

Your dog doesn't need boots. Look around you. How many other dogs are wearing boots? The only time I even think about it is when we have snow with a crust of ice on top because the ice tends to cut their ankles. But the paws themselves are not markedly different from "regular" dog paws!

There is no reason to fear the worst. We had a female english setter who got it repeatedly from eating rabbit poop. You need to muzzle and use a stool guard if you cant stop that behavior.

I'd suggest you work in your children, not the dog! Surely they would be easier to train than to try and crate a dog who has clearly demonstrated he hates being crates? Any competent carpenter could build you a gate and properly attach it. Or what about a Dutch door? I grew up with dogs, and we knew in no uncertain Terms what would happen to us if we were ever so careless as to let the dogs out. Do you have a back entrance you could start using? Is your yard fenced? If so, u til the dog is more mature, and you train your family, could you come in through the back door where it wouldn't matter if the dog got out? Assuming you have a hard that is fenced?

For what it's worth, one of my cats was terrorized by a dog in a temporary home at age 11. After moving in with me and my greyhound, with a little time, he learned the dog meant him no harm and now he will share a couch with the dog. My point is--cats can get over stuff. Yours too!

I'd pass on the biopsy and do some more x-rays. They really shouldn't have to sedate her to do x-rays of one leg.

Before you start using essential oils on the dog, please bear in mind that her sense of smell is many times greater than yours, and what smells nice to you might be totally overwhelming to her.

Never restrict a dog's access to water. In some states, that's considered animal cruelty. You need to make sure she's getting plenty of exercise. Note: letting her out in the back yard is not exercise. You need to either walk her, or find a game she likes that gets her running around. Work on alone training (see the booklet "I'll Be Home Soon" by Patricia McConnell for full details). Work on more exercise. Consider a DAP diffuser for the home. Get a Kong and when you leave her, but ONLY when you leave her, give it to her with something yummy lining the inside of the hole (like peanut butter (do not use any with artificial sweetener)). Many of us have been through this, and it's a phase, and if you deal with it properly it'll pass soon enough!

Get your wife some ear plugs. Just a wild guess--you're the one who wanted a dog?

What a lovely tribute. She was such a beautiful dog. I know how much you will miss her, but she will never be forgotten by her friends, real in the fur, as well as virtual. Have fun with George at the bacon bar Breeze.

I'm sure everyone who has responded feels your pain and understands that 1) you love your wife, 2) you love your dog. And that's why for the good of both of those entities, probably the kindest thing to do is have him rehomed. Focus on your baby. Your wife will be happier, and you know what they say--happy wife, happy life. Like I said, it doesn't make her a bad person. But she's not an animal person, and that's unlikely to change. Best of luck whatever you do!

I'm with everyone else. You probably shouldn't have gotten a dog in the first place since she made no secret (apparently) about not being a dog person. It's not fair to the dog to be in a home where half of his people (I can't count a crawling baby in this equation) don't want him there. Please let him go to a home where everyone cherishes him. I feel really sorry for him, and for you. My brother married a gal we all LOVE. And she pretended she liked dogs when they were dating, but they have been married for 10 years now, and no dog. The truth is she tolerated the dogs in the family home, but she hates the mess of pets, and just doesn't want one. Doesn't make her a bad person--but she didn't grow up with animals like we did. I'm actually glad they don't have a dog, cause I know she would not treat it the way our family treats dogs. And FYI, you cannot "train" prey drive. A greyhound will either chase, or he won't.

I was just going to say what TBHounds said. Rimadyl is not enough for the pain of osteo. And I have to wonder if his former "family" hadn't already been given the diagnosis. Seems suspicious.

Honestly? The skill of the surgeon matters--but amputating a leg is amputating a leg. They don't need to be a greyhound savvy surgeon--and truthfully, any board certified surgeon is going to be well aware of the differences in greyhound blood chemistry. Just make sure they have Amicar available.

Before you get TOO concerned, check his paw pads very carefully for any cuts, anything sticking out, or any hard flat spots that could be corns. If there is nothing, and it continues for a couple of days, you need to take him to the vet. Could be mild arthritis, could be lots of other things too.

For what it's worth--my dog is terrified of men, and he was never abused by anyone. Some dogs are just afraid of men. Although this one sounds like a jerk. Your friend should be more than willing to pay for the vet visit.

What does your vet think the "symptoms" of Osteo are, besides an unexplained limp???? George was stung multiple times once. I gave him one dose of Benadryl and the vet said if he didn't react in 45 minute, he was in the clear. 5 days seems very excessive. I also don't understand what it has to do with an NSAID for his limp.