greytluck

I'm also expecting my first child very soon (Dec 9th), so I definitely know where your coming from. My husband and I read Child Proofing your Dog by Brian Kilcommons, it a very short read but has a lot of very useful advice and suggestions in it, I recommend you read it. Here are some of the things in the book that I remember. (I borrowed the book from the library so I don't have a copy anymore) Make any changes now, not after the baby arrives. example- if couch privileges will be revoked once baby is home start getting Hattie use it it now so she wont associate it with the babies arrival. Try to reduce the attention the dog gets now so that it's not a shock once the baby arrives. Don't use the same name to refer to the dog as you do to the baby, or she will inevitably belief you are call her over to give her attention every time you talk to the baby. Example- If you call Hattie your "little princess or" "mommy's girl" don't use those terms with the baby, change what you call the dog now to something you're sure you won't call the baby. Get the dog used to having her food touched/handled while eating. They have good advice in the book to go about this. Don't play tug of war style games where the dog wins. They have a whole list of good games to play with your dog. Bring an article of clothing home from the hospital so the dog knows the baby's scent before they arrive home. When bringing the baby home, enter the house first without the baby so you have time to love on the dog and wait till the dog is calm. When the dog is calm bring baby in with the dog leashed, hold the baby so that the face is towards you, but let the dog sniff the baby's back. Apparently most dogs once given the chance to smell the baby become bored and will just walk away. Try to make sure the dog is properly exercised right before you bring the baby home, because a tired dog is a good dog. Never punish/scold the dog when the baby is around, instead give attention and affection to the dog when the baby is close by so the dog makes positive associations about the baby. If the dog shows fear of the baby, don't cuddle them or you could be reinforcing the fear. Try to keep routines as close as possible to what the dog is used to. (I think this one might be easier said then done, lol) That's all I can remember for now. Of course I'm new to this too so I don't have any of my own advice but I have tried to implement as many things as I could and so far feel fairly confident things will work out. I'll let you know how it goes.

Sending good thoughts Charlie's way

I'm so very sorry, I was praying for a much better outcome. I'll be thinking of Larry and your entire family tomorrow, and praying for a peaceful crossing.

Sending Prayers for Larry and your family.

Not that I think it's a great idea so don't flame me, but I used to attend a greyhound group at a public park. We couldn't restrict any other dog breed from entering as it was public (but most other dog owners were aware of when we meet and wouldn't come at that time.) Two different greyhound owners used to bring there IG's along with them and in all the time I went there none of the big greyhounds ever payed the IG's any mind even the not small animal safe greys. That being said the IG's both used to stay pretty close to the people (usually on someones lap) and never used to run around or play with the group of greyhounds.

Congratulations Suzanne!! Cal hit the home lottery, here's hoping for many happy years together.

I've been to many play groups over the last three years with my greyhounds. I've seen what you described a few times and fortunately we were lucky it never lead to any serious injuries. I used to go to one group run that was at a public park and other breeds sometimes were there as well. The group of greyhounds became to big for the space and couple that with the dynamic of other breeds being there too and I didn't feel safe going there anymore. I began going to another run that was much better organized and managed but most importantly because it was only greyhounds every dog was muzzled. I've still seen dogs get out of hand, and heck it was mine a few more times then I would like to admit. The thing which works really well at this run is that for the most part all the people are quick to step in when problems do start to occur, and not just with there own dog(s). Some dogs(including mine) don't run well with other dogs in particular so time outs are our friends. Going to a run always brings a certain risk to it, but you can't deny the dogs truly love it and for the most part it's a good way for the dogs to socialize and really stretch there legs.

I let my dogs chose where they want to walk to a certain extent. I chose the initial direction but if one seems to want to go one way in particular I usually give in. They both seem to have favorite spots and parks that they like to visit along the way. What is kind of amazing is that I've only lived here around 6 weeks now and they both already seem to have a good understanding of where everything is.

I usually ask if the other dog is friendly and most times it's pretty obvious by the dogs body language. I let the dogs meet with the leashes loose and just monitor every ones reaction and try to keep the leashes from becoming tangled together. I've never had any problems, knock on wood. If I'm unsure of the other dog I'll just give a wide berth when passing them and continue on my way. It's important that you don't pull Bella back and cause tension on the leash when she approaches other dogs, that inadvertently sends the message to her there is something to be worried about and could lead to problems down the road. Also greyhounds for the most part are good judges of character when it comes to other dogs, if either of my dogs get nervous or doesn't want to meet the other dog, we don't. They sense more then we do.

Here are pictures of the potty area. I think it should be large enough for them to use. After much debate we decided to use pea gravel instead of sand because with the area having direct access to the house we figured we would get a lot of sand tracked in. They seem to walk across the gravel without a problem and Wally even dug a small hole and laid in it so I don't think it's a matter of comfort for them. and a before shot.

We moved into this new place with the attention to make a potty area for the dogs to use instead of the main yard. Our hope was to finish it very soon after we moved in so the dogs would get used to using it right from the start but as life has it it didn't happen as planned. We naively assumed the old owners would remove the junk in it before we got here so all we would have to do was rake the old gravel out and put new pea gravel in, but it was left quite a mess. We finally finished it on Tuesday after a week and a bit of the dogs using the main yard as their latrine. So far we managed to get the dogs to pee in it exactly one time each, and forget about going poop. They just stand by the fence that leads to the main yard and give the most pitiful greyhound look possible (and you know I'm a sucker for it). So far I've tried going out there with them for 5-10 minutes, putting them out and staying in the house (but keeping an eye on them through the window), bringing them back in after ten minutes or so and trying again 30 minutes later, where I try for another 10 minutes or so, until I bring them back in. I finally either let them go in the main yard or take them for a walk and either way both will go to the bathroom seconds later so they did need to go. I realize I may never get them to the point where they don't use the main yard when in it but how do I get them to at least use the potty area as well? I really would like to get them to use it for several reasons both for their safety (I can't see the whole yard after dark and there is at least one raccoon that calls our yard home) and for our convenience (searching 1/3 of an acre for poop isn't an easy task). Any help /advice is much appreciated. P.S. I have pictures but photobucket isn't cooperating right now.

oops, double post. Could someone please remove this one. Thanks

Today would have been Hobbes' third Gothca day. I know it's cliche but since he passed away almost 7 months ago there hasn't been a day I haven't thought about him. The pain has eased over time and now I can not only think about without crying but instead remember all the funny little quirks he had and even have a laugh about it. I refuse to let myself be down today because with Hobbes being my first greyhound it also marks three years since greyhounds entered my life. He paved the pathway for both Wally and Corinna and even showed my husband dogs aren't that bad after all. So as the quote goes "Don't cry because it's over smile because it happened" So today to celebrate Hobbes' life Wally, Corinna and I are going to take a trip out to get Hobbes' favorite treat some ice cream. We could walk there but Hobbes would have preferred the drive so that's what we'll do. Happy Gotcha Day Hobbesy!!! You will always be a part of my heart and I thank you for allowing me to share part of my life with you.

I think the longest of the three was Corinna at about a week. We did shut the bedroom door for a month or so because our cats were on her menu at first but all is good now. The two boys were free at night within a day or two.

This is copy and pasted from another site. I think it's in different units then Summers blood work so it may be hard to do a direct comparison but it gives you an idea of what is typically higher in greyhounds and what isn't. I hope it helps anyways. What's in those Blood Tests? by Suzanne Stack, D.V.M. Blood Tests When your veterinarian sends your Greyhound’s blood to a lab she/he is most commonly asking the lab to run a CBC (Complete Blood Count). This common analysis covers these items: * RBC = Red Blood Cells * Hgb = Hemoglobin * PCV / HCT = Packed Cell Volume/Hematocrit * WBC = White Blood Cells * Platelets = Help to form blood clots to stop bleeding. For a more in-depth look, usually to determine kidney/liver functions, your veterinarian may also ask for a “Chem Panel”. This will give them information about: * T.P. = Total Protein Globulin * Creatinine = A waste product filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. * T4 = Thyroid level If you don’t understand what your veterinarian has ordered, ask for details! Greyhound blood work has enough differences from "other dog" blood work to sometimes make it deceivingly "normal" or "abnormal" if your veterinarian isn’t familiar with these differences. The salient differences are discussed below. Greyhounds: * RBC: 7.4 - 9.0 * Hgb: 19.0 - 21.5 * PCV: 55 - 65 Other Breeds: * RBC: 5.5 - 8.5 * Hgb: 12.0 - 18.0 * PCV: 37 - 55 Greyhounds have significantly more red blood cells than other dog breeds. This elevates parameters for RBC, Hgb (hemoglobin), and PCV/HCT, and is the reason Greyhounds are so desirable as blood donors. Most veterinarians are aware of this difference. Never accept a diagnosis of Polycythemia — a once-in-a-lifetime rare diagnosis of pathologic red blood cell overproduction — in a Greyhound. Conversely, never interpret a Greyhound PCV in the 30’s - 40’s as being normal just because it is for other dogs. A Greyhound with a PCV in the 30’s - 40’s is an anemic Greyhound. Generally, a Greyhound PCV less than 50 is a red flag to check for Ehrlichia. Top of Page WBC * Greyhound: 3.5 - 6.5 * Other dog: 6.0 - 17.0 Other Greyhound CBC changes are less well known. The Greyhound’s normally low WBC has caused more than one healthy Greyhound to undergo a bone marrow biopsy in search of “cancer” or some other cause of the “low WBC.” Platelets * Greyhound: 80,000 - 200,000 * Other dog: 150,000 - 400,000 Likewise, Greyhound platelet numbers are lower on average than other dog breeds, which might be mistakenly interpreted as a problem. It is thought that Greyhound WBCs, platelets, and total protein may be lower to physiologically “make room” in the bloodstream for the increased red cell load. Compounding these normally low WBC and platelet numbers is the fact that Ehrlichia, a common blood parasite of Greyhounds, can lower WBC and platelet counts. So if there is any doubt as to whether the WBC / platelet counts are normal, an Ehrlichia titer is always in order. The other classic changes with Ehrlichia are lowered PCV and elevated total protein. But bear in mind that every Greyhound will not have every change, and Ehrlichia Greyhounds can have normal CBCs. Top of Page T.P. & Globulin * Greyhound TP: 4.5 - 6.0 * Other dog TP: 5.4 - 7.8 * Greyhound Globulin: 2.1 - 3.2 * Other dog Globulin: 2.8 - 4.2 Greyhound total proteins tend to run on the low end of normal — T.P.s in the 5.0’s and 6.0’s are the norm. While the albumin fraction of T.P. is the same as other dogs, the globulin component is lower. Top of Page Creatinine * Greyhound: 0.8 - 1.6 * Other dogs: 0.0 - 1.0 Greyhound creatinines run higher than other breeds as a function of their large lean muscle mass. A study at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine found that 80% of retired racing Greyhounds they sampled had creatinine values above the standard reference range for “other dogs.” As a lone finding, an “elevated creatinine” is not indicative of impending kidney failure. If the BUN and urinalysis are normal, so is the “elevated” creatinine. Top of Page T4 (Thyroid) * Greyhound: 0.5 - 3.6 (mean 1.47 +/- 0.63) * Other dogs: 1.52 - 3.60 These figures are from a University of Florida study of thyroid function in 221 Greyhounds — 97 racers, 99 broods, and 25 studs — so it included both racers and “retired.” While Greyhound thyroid levels are a whole chapter unto themselves, a good rule of thumb is that Greyhound T4s run about half that of other breeds. Urinalysis And lastly, the good news — Greyhound urinalysis levels are the same as other dog breeds. It is normal for males to have small to moderate amounts of bilirubin in the urine. Medical Sources: M.R. Herron, DVM, ACVS, 'Clinical Pathology of the Racing Greyhound', 1991. C. Guillermo Couto, DVM, ACVIM, 'Managing Thrombocytopenia in Dogs & Cats', Veterinary Medicine, May 1999. J.Steiss, DVM, W. Brewer, DVM, E.Welles, DVM, J. Wright, DVM, 'Hematologic & Serum Biochemical Reference Values in Retired Greyhounds', Compendium on Continuing Education, March 2000. M. Bloomberg, DVM, MS, 'Thyroid Function of the Racing Greyhound', University of Florida, 1987. D. Bruyette, DVM, ACVIM, Veterinary Information Network, 2001. Print this information out for your veterinarian and yourself!

What great news!! Glad he is feeling so much better. Keep fighting Sunny!!!

If I read it correctly it sounds like they have bones/food around when your not directly supervising them. I think that would be the first thing I would be changing. Bones and such are often novelties for new pet greyhound and as such they are pretty high in value for them. Especially since your dogs are not an established pack yet and are still working things out between themselves I would make sure nothing is around that any of them are possessive over, like bones, treats or toys. It's just a fight waiting to happen. Good luck.

With a new dog I would definitely provide them with their own bed. We have 2 dogs and 5 beds and if our condo was any bigger there probably would be a 6th bed. Although mine do share beds, often they prefer to sleep by themselves.

Not since we've got Corinna. Lucky is not cat safe and I have 3 cats so it's quite an ordeal when she comes. We can always try it though.

There is no room for a crate unfortunately as the cottage is only about 600 sq ft and we usually have about 6 people in it plus the dogs. We can baby gate them temporarily but that would mean one of the dogs will be segregated from the people as the only place we can put up the baby gate would be in the hallway that divides the bedrooms and living room. Lucky and Corinna are both spayed, and I think you're right she doesn't like other females for what ever reason but is there anything we can do to change that? I really hate to always have to separate them, although I will if that's what it comes down to.

This may be long, sorry. We brought Corinna and Wally to my parents today, it didn't end up going so well. Lucky my parents dog is a 40ish lbs mutt, a short and stocky girl. She is quite leash reactive to other dogs but has been excellent with both Hobbes and Wally when they've visited in the past many times. Lucky was actually quite good friends with both boys actively seeking them out to cuddle and playing very well together in the back yard. With Corinna it's been a different story though. This was the third time we brought her to my parents. The first time Lucky was a bit snarky when Corinna approached her, and she snapped at her once when Corinna got to close (they were both standing). Corinna gave her a wide berth after that, and the second visit we had no incidents. Today was a problem right from the start though. We called ahead and gave the three dogs a quick walk before we brought them all in. We settled down in the living room with three dog beds but Lucky was determined to lie with Wally on his. She was licking his face and ears which is fine as Wally is very tolerant of things like that, but every time Corinna even went remotely near them, Lucky got up and snapped at her. She was clearly been protective/territorial of Wally for what ever reason. We made Lucky lie on her own bed and that seemed to settle things down. About an hour later I brought my two out to the backyard and asked my parents to leave Lucky in. Well my dad didn't listen and he let Lucky out after about 5 minutes because she was crying at the door. Now I really should have leashed Corinna up at that point, and I know I'm at fault for not doing it but they were ignoring each other at first so I decided to just keep an eye on them. Corinna was playing by herself and Wally and Lucky were chasing each other through the yard. When Wally grabbed a toy that's when the fight started, Lucky was still chasing Wally but now Wally had a squeaky toy and Corinna became interested in the sound. Corinna joined the chase but the second she was within a meter of them, Lucky turned and lunged at Corinna. Corinna of course fought back, it only lasted a few seconds as I was right there to break it up, but Corinna managed to tear the tip of Lucky's ear in the process. We brought them back in, cleaned Lucky's ear which wouldn't stop bleeding. Corinna was pretty much acting normally but Lucky wanted nothing to do with anyone and went off to another room by herself. I didn't want to leave on a bad note so we took the dogs on another walk together. That seemed to bring Lucky back around and she was interacting appropriately with Corinna on the walk. We left right after that. I don't have to bring the dogs to my parents although it is nice not to have to leave them at home, but in the summer all the dogs will have to spend quite a bit of time together at the cottage. We go up almost every weekend and will be spending the majority of July up there. The Cottage is small and crowded as it is so we really have to get this sorted out. I will not be allowing them loose outside together anymore and I will definitely make sure there are no toys around when they are together but what else can I do to keep the peace. I can muzzle mine, but I'm not sure if my parents will muzzle Lucky and even if they do we can't keep them muzzled 24/7 at the cottage, well I guess we could but that wouldn't be very nice for any of them. Any advice is welcome.

Wow he does look considerable better today. Keep it up Roscoe!!!

Keeping my fingers tightly crossed it's just inflammation of the glands. Continued prayers for you boy.

Sending prayers Roscoe's way.

I hope I don't jinx it but I'm happy to say this issue seems to be behind us. For two weeks now Corinna has reliable went outside for both my DH and the dog walker. We have the crate completely put away and she hasn't had even one accident in the house. We tried so many different things I'm not sure which was thing thing that worked or maybe it was a combination of things but either way I'm so proud of my girl.