GeorgeofNE

I don't know who told you you can't leave a dog alone for XX amount of days, but many of us don't have the luxury of not going to work after getting a new hound. True SA is going to be bad as soon as you leave, not two hours into your departure. Do what you have to do--you cannot assume anything at this point about how the dog will or won't react. A good long walk and a Kong should be really helpful, and hopefully you'll be one of the folks who gets a dog who is just fine on his/her own!

Have you checked places like 1-800 Pet Meds? After George tries out Rimadyl, his vet has already said to have them send her an RX request as she already knows they're cheaper than the vet clinic.

Others will disagree, but I think you're enforcing his fear by acting as if there IS something to be afraid of. I would just carry on with the walk. If he's food motivated, perhaps as soon as you see a stranger, hand him a tiny little treat. Just keep walking. You know there is no reason to be afraid, if you act as if there is nothing to be afraid of AND he gets a little treat, perhaps he'll get the picture? I did this with my dog who is leash aggressive, and it's helped a lot.

Deramaxx is out of production and is virtually impossible to find. Poor George. Off his Deramaxx for his 7 day "NSAID washout" period this week. Even reducing his dose makes him pee--so I am not expecting a very happy week for either of us! He starts on Rimadyl on Friday--but until then, all we can do is think dry thoughts!!

I don't think anyone is being "quick to judge." I think we all believe you've just been lucky so far. People telling you they think you're making a mistake have been around this message board for a lot longer than you have, and have seen the results of dog parks. I am STUNNED that your vet actually recommended it. Of course she's the one who will be stitching your dog up if the worst happens. I'm not at all against dog parks. My last dog spent hours every day his entire life at one with me. But he was a Pit Bull/Shepherd mix, perfectly capable of taking care of himself, and his skin wasn't paper thin like a Greyhound. That's the real problem in my opinion. Even a Greyhound who is well behaved and well trained simply doesn't have the physical protections that a "regular" dog has. Why do you think they're all muzzled in the turnout yards at the racing kennels? Why do you think they wear muzzles when the run? Because their skin rips like tissue paper. A word about prey drive and living with cats--you cannot assume for one second that a dog fostered with cats would not rip those same cats to shreds if they were outside running. Prey drive doesn't mean a dog cannot live INSIDE with small animals. Another animal in the house is simply not seen as "prey" to many dogs. Mine included. He lives quite well with cats. And would absolutely chase a cat outside, and I don't even want to imagine what he'd do to a small dog who ran from him.

You might find it's a non issue. My dog had severe SA when I first adopted him. Lots of hard work (and NO crate--that made everything worse for him--your dog may be different) and he was OK. And then we moved. I kept our routine as similar as possible--time we got up, etc., and I did it on a long weekend. I was terrified when I went to work, and asked my new neighbor that evening if the dog had howled. He told me he cried for about 2 minutes, and then didn't make another sound all day. By the end of the first week, he wasn't crying at all. When you do the along training--you do have to LEAVE. They can tell if you just go stand in the hallway, I swear! Even if all you do is walk around the parking lot, leave. Try to keep things as normal as you can. Plan on extra exercise the first few weeks (for the dog, not you!). Stay calm, and try to enjoy it! A new place is a wonderful way to make a new start!

I don't know what test was done. All I know is what my MIL told me and she said that "Lexie was tested" and she was allergic to those items I listed. So maybe she's not as allergic as we think? A little quick research suggests that 1) they need to have a canine dermatologist test the dog; 2) test the blood, and: 3) skin testing. Unless BOTH tests are done, I don't think they'll get a terrible accurate diagnosis. "Tested" could mean they tried her on some food the vet suggested and she didn't do well! I had a friend with a Bulldog who got allergy shots every month after he had been REALLY tested. They can create shots for dogs just like they do for people! Not sure if that's true for FOODs. but poor Rocky was allergic to a lot of stuff and the shots were a life saver.

What kind of dish is he eating out of? And honestly? It could be the muzzle irritating his face if you think about it. A dog, like a person, can be allergic to ANYTHING. The carpet in your house. The "free and clear" detergent you use. Pollen. Grass. But if it's ONLY his face that itches, to me that suggests it's something that's touching him--like the muzzle. Or a plastic dish he eats or drinks out of. It would be worth a trip to a doggy dermatologist to find out what they think before you go nuts changing foods. And I agree with Judy--try an antihistamine and see if it helps.

I don't think a crate should be used as punishment--and I certainly wouldn't feel I had to give my dog a Kong if I did crate him for a little bit AS punishment! Terribly mixed messages you gave him. Next time hand him a dog biscuit, take whatever he has away, and move on!

We don't much leave our dogs outside in the US. Specially Greyhounds. Most adoption groups won't adopt to you if say you're going to. Of course the amusing exception to this is--Greyhound breeding farms!

Sorry, but you have a disaster in the making going on. Your boy needs some training, and LONG walks. He's not ready for the dog park. He does not "need" to have access to off leash running. It might be easier for YOU to exercise him that way, but until you have way better control of him (and he of himself), it's not appropriate to turn him loose at the park. Continue to do so, and one day he'll "not back down" with the wrong dog and be seriously injured. I assume you understand Greyhound skin is way more fragile than "regular" dog skin? Are you prepared to foot the bill for someone else's vet bills if he causes injury? Your own if he's injured? The lawsuit that will result if someone else tries to break it up and gets bitten? A friend of mine had to go into the high risk homeowner's insurance category after someone tried to separate her dog from his and was bitten. She was awarded $35,000 for her injury. She couldn't even prove it was his dog that bit her instead of her own--but no matter. His dog was one of the dogs, and she had a better lawyer than he did. Dog parks can be lots of fun--or extremely dangerous. Your dog sounds a little bit out of control, and it's just not the right time or place for him.

I'd probably pay a vet tech to do them at the vet's office. Easier than anything else, and it's a done deal!

My understanding is that testing for food allergies is not terribly accurate. What kind of test are you talking about?

If he's only licking one foot, and it just started, I'd be inclined to think foreign body between the toes or in the pad. Make sure you check it very carefully! It's highly improbable that ONE foot would itch from allegies.

Exactly what Jing said. Take it off when it's meal time. And they're easy to trim. I have way more e-collar experience than I ever wanted to have! They CAN eat and drink with them on, and given a bit of time to get used to it, he probably will. But hopefully his injury will heal quickly!

Are you saying your dog has a confirmed case of glaucoma and you're not doing anything to treat it? Glaucoma isn't a disease of just one eye--so if he REALLY does have it, and you're not doing anything, he will go completely blind. Perhaps I've misunderstood?

Many dogs (not just Greyhounds) are afraid of storms and loud noises. There is NO reason to assume this has anything to do with some form of abuse in a prior home. I am fortunate that my dog is not afraid of much of anything, but I know there are many thunder-phobic Greyhounds and their owners on GreyTalk. Perhaps search the forum for prior discussions? There are lots of things you can do. For one, don't put him outside by himself if the weather looks sketchy. He could hurt himself or even get away and be lost.

Not from personal experience, but I was pretty sure that's what it was... : ^ ( I would just make the appointment and get it removed. Take it from there. Obviously you caught it very early, and if there's a good shot it's benign, the sooner you have it removed and find that out, the better!

The extraction is not a big deal. Assuming she gets through the anesthesia just fine, you're mostly home free. She should already be on antibiotics--at least my vet starts them BEFORE the dental. If not, she darn sure better be when you pick her up! It will most likely not bother her at all. I had a cat lose 16 teeth in one shot and he was eating his kibble the next morning.

A wild animal outdoors isn't even close to the same thing as an indoor only cat who is clearly part of the family. Your wise to keep up being vigilant, but don't buy into the nonsense about "once they've tasted blood...." I assume her rabies shot is current (although squirrels rarely carry rabies according to my vet)?

Agree! They're not people. Love them like they're your children, but remember they're animals, and these things mean a LOT to us, and probably very little to them! I have had a number of "second hand" pets, and thusfar the only name I've kept is the cat I just adopted because he's 11 years old and has only been rehomed because his owner passed away. He knows and RESPONDS to his name, so what the heck! My Greyhound was five when I got him. He's been called Chile since day one. Didn't respond to it, though doubtless he KNEW it. I didn't like it anyway, so I changed it. He far prefers George! Truthfully I think I could call him Annabella if I had food in my hand, and he'd respond!

This is a very personal thing--but in my family, once a dog has lost the ability to control their body functions, it's usually time to day goodbye. Harold sounds like he's uncomfortable. Would you want to live like that, I guess that's what I'd be asking myself if I were in your position. Hugs from George and me.

A greyhound is a dog. Any article that applies to what foods are safe to give dogs applies to Greyhounds. You read here about hounds with sensitive stomachs, but my own hound as a cast iron stomach far tougher than my mixed breed dog ever had! Dogs have no need for fruit in their diet. Remember, as much as we love them, they're not people and they don't have the same dietary requirements as people. However, some of them do enjoy some fruit. Just experiment. George likes watermelon. I don't eat much fruit myself, so he hasn't had too many other types. They also love most veggies.

What Mary Jane said. I wouldn't worry too much about Teddi's reaction. It's pretty normal and not going to scar him emotionally!

You're not happy, and I guarantee you the dog isn't happy. Just return him. He'll make a fine pet for someone else. The longer you keep him, the more unhappy he'll be.