GeorgeofNE

There is no "rule" about how long you need to crate a dog. If he's housebroken, there's really no reason to crate him. Just dog proof the best you can, and give him a try!

Don't even think about it! I don't think ANY dog who has just recently been adopted should be turned loose with other dogs. A dog whose background is essentially unknown in particular. Think of it this way--the exercise is very good for you!

YES. I am going on year 10 living on a third floor with a balcony--two different condos, two different dogs. Neither dogs has ever showed even a faint inclination to jump the rail. They don't even stick their head through the bars. Dogs are not typically suicidal, or so stupid they don't recognize how high up they are! Cats, on the other hand...

Two words: Minute Rice!!!!

Nothing, and I'll explain why. I used to work for the Mass. SPCA, in the law enforcement office (my job was taking cruelty complaints over the phone and dispatching an officer to check it out). Animal "police" like the SPCA officers carry a form of mace that is illegal for citizens to carry without a license. The stuff you can buy and use? Probably not even worth it. They also carry guns. And batons. Rest assured an officer will NOT reach for his mace if a charging dog is running at him in attack mode. However, they explained to me that the guns are mostly for the PEOPLE they have to deal with. So you can't buy a spray that's actually strong enough, for one. Second, attempting to use a spray while also holding your own dog is as likely to spray your dog or yourself as the attacking dog. As to bats, golf clubs, and the like--do you honestly think you can hold on to your dog and protect it while also swinging at an attacking dog? My dog isn't friendly. He'd be fighting back. I think that my feet would serve as weapons just as well as a stick, and they're permanently attached and don't require me to attempt to manage my own dog with one hand while fending off an attack with the other. I have nothing but sympathy for anyone who has witnessed their dog being attacked--but carrying a weapon on a daily basis--one that is in all likelihood not going to work? I don't think so. I am fortunate that I don't have to live in an area where there are lots of lose dogs. I understand I'm lucky. But understand this: in poor Chevy's case, an SPCA officer would have resorted to shooting those dogs. They would not pull out a baton or a can of spray. There was NO good outcome to a three on one dog attack, and it's horrible, and I hope the owner of the dogs who did this have to pay.

You're yelling at a dog you've had a week. I don't think most of us would consider that "very patient." Please contact your adoption group. They need to review MANY aspects of Greyhounds with you.

Oh Miss Jey, I yam so sorry. Run free Joseph. Ma PopPop is nooly arrived up der in hebben, and he gibs reel gud ear rubs! George

These are very young dogs with a limited amount of time at the track, so let's not imagine some horrid trauma associated with their "careers." It sounds to ME as if she doesn't want to sleep in the crate anymore. I'd have to wonder why you're making her? My dog despised his crate from day one, and the misery we both went through trying to force the issue nearly destroyed the relationship before it had a chance. Luckily I wised up and ditched the thing.

Preventic collars are fine for Greyhounds. I don't know about your dogs. George gets the Lyme vaccine. I take him to Nantucket and they have way too many cases for me to NOT get the vaccine even if it isn't always effective. I recently found out that the town we live in has also had an "outbreak" of cases. He's never had any kind of reaction to it. I see no reason to avoid it--pretty much everyone in my family has had Lyme disease--except George!

That would be a very simple surgery and I think to NOT have it removed would be, well, I don't mean to be mean or rude, unkind. Can you imagine how that feels??

Your little profile thingy doesn't say where you live--my town does not have a single park that allows dogs off leash. There are no fully fenced in fields either. As I said earlier, the belief that greyhounds "have" to run is a misconception. Good for you for not being offended at all the advice you were offered, and actually reconsidering until a later time in your relationship with your dog!

Crating is not cruel. Getting frustrated with a dog who has NO CLUE what you want of him (which far too often leads to the dog being returned--I'm not saying you suggested that, but trust me. Stick around for a while...) is far worse. You do understand Greyhounds are not housebroken, right?? They're either in their crates, or in a turn out yard. They don't soil in their crate (normally) because a dog's instinct is to not do that. They're let out on regular intervals. They go then. Given free run of a house, with no idea that you are against urinating in it, is sort of like expecting a baby to understand how to use a toilet. You need to treat him as if he's a puppy. You need to supervise him at all times inside until he learns how to ask to go out. Twice a day is NOT enough. If he were old, ill, or otherwise, I'd think the garage was a pretty good idea (assuming you cannot have a dog door to the yard?) AFTER he understands that the entire house is his new "den." I'd suggest you be in touch TODAY with your adoption group. Also read some books on retired racers. And could someone post that wonderful piece about why everything in this dog's life is confusing right now?

I don't think there is probably ANY real chocolate in an oreo. A big dog could certainly handle one.

Sorry, not in your area, but you might find he's perfectly content to just sleep. George is live on web cam all day while I'm at work, and he does NOTHING all day! I just get up early and give him a nice long walk before work. A healthy adult dog should have no issue just snoozing the day away if you work normal hours.

This sounds like a potential disaster waiting to happen to me. Three weeks is WAY too soon to be taking your dog to any offleash place in my opinion. And he isn't going to learn to "adapt" by observing rough play. He's going to get keyed up and want to join in. Take him when no one else is there if you absolutely MUST. I've had my dog for five years, and he's been offleash about five times because he absolutely CANNOT be trusted around non greyhounds. In those five attempts to "let him run," his primary interest has been peeing on the fence. Don't feel he "has" to have the time to run. Simply isn't true. Plenty of walks and other stimulation is enough for most Greyhounds.

Actually, this IS aberrant behavior and indicitive of a health problem! Not always, of course, but a normally "dry" dog who starts using the house as a toilet is exhibiting symptoms. Please take him to the vet.

An insurance company will go out of their way to deny a claim and call it a pre-existing condition if possible. My dog couldn't even get insurance through one of the companies because the lab work said his creatinine was "abnormal" even though my vet said it was fine for a greyhound. People are awful fearful of steroids--but I have seen them to amazing things, and if she were mine, I would give them a try.

No need to worry yet. It hasn't been long enough. And frankly, picking the RIGHT antibiotic the first time isn't always possible. If it's not cleared up by the time the antibiotics are gone, INSIST on a culture.

Yes, it is, and once that's begun, there is likely no stopping it according to my vet, so you might want to put down some pads where she sleeps. Luckily poo is usually easier to clean up than urine!

I don't think a dog who is walking with his head down and his ears back is exhibiting any sort of "alpha" behavior. Sounds rather submissive to me. The only time I've ever seen my dog walk with his head down is when he's on the trail of something! George and the other Greyhound in my little complex made one other dog go absolutely NUTS. That dog has since moved--but the way he acted when he saw them was bizarre. I mean blood thirsty barking and lunging--I eventually met the dog on my own, and he was a very sweet dog. And he was totally fine with every other dog in the complex. Sort of a reverse breed snob! George, on the other hands, is quite aggressive with all dogs that are not Greyhounds. Very odd...

If her entire litter is comprised of submissive dogs, my bet is that it's a genetic shyness, and not mistreatment. Please don't buy into the Grey2K and PETA view of dog racing. You're assuming facts not in evidence.

It really depends on the dog. I can't imagine George enjoying that even a little bit.

I'm sorry Lauren. I would just separate them. They make all KINDS of gates suitable for today's open houses--they're a bit pricey, but a one-time purchase.

Tell your husband that most groups would reposess your hound if you put in invisible fencing... Check your agreement, assuming you signed one!

Agree, don't worry about it. I had to measure my dog's intake for a while, and I was shocked how little he drinks.