Brindles

I gave Julio claritin (prescribed by a vet) and it helped him immensely.

That's definitely encouraging. What were they like around day 12 though? Better, I'd assume? We're fast approaching the two week mark and he's nowhere near better. I'd be shocked (but thankful!) if he improved that fast. Actually, thank you for saying this. The vet also told me this and he said it is fine to hold off until Diego has reached maturity. I do want to neuter, though, but I don't want to push it. He is a cryptorchid, and even though the other testicle is right under the skin, it needs to come out eventually.

Thank you. I had thought of that, but completely forgot to ask the vet, so thank you. I will ask him tomorrow. Maybe it's as simple as just not getting enough vitamins in the diet? That sure would be nice! I feel so bad for him and feel like it's my fault. Maybe I socialized him too early. I just want to fix it and make him better.

I promise I wouldn't post non-grey stuff here if I wasn't genuinely concerned. Hoping someone can offer some advice or words of wisdom. Backstory: Saturday the 11th Diego (my 17 week old Great Pyrenees puppy) woke up with bilateral nasal discharge, yellow in color. Took him to the vet first thing and came home with a week's worth of clavamox. His temp was 102.5, which Doc said was borderline mild fever. Saturday the 18th he had finished his clavamox and there was improvement but he was not 100% better. The following days he remained the same; no better, no worse. Today (9/22) his nasal discharge was marginally worse in the morning, and a little more trouble breathing through his nose than before. We visited the vet again and did bloodwork for a CBC. Lung sounds are still clear. Temp of 102.3. Option 1: Take a twice daily temperature to monitor for fever and watch the infection to see if it progresses. Option 2: Prescribe a stronger antibiotic (a fluoroquinolone) and risk damage to cartilage and impaired growth. In a giant breed, this is an issue. We went with option 1. At this point, the vet is unsure of what it might be. It's probably not distemper because he was vaccinated on time. It's probably not kennel cough because there's no coughing. It's probably not canine influenza because that's highly contagious and my other dogs are not affected. Right now, at night, the discharge is just as it was on the 11th in volume and color. Maybe because he's been sleeping? He is more lethargic today than he has been since we started the clavamox. That makes this day 12 of infection with (ultimately) no improvement. The only symptoms he is presenting are bilateral nasal discharge, sneezing, and mild lethargy. He is eating fine, drinking fine, playing with toys, no coughing, hacking, etc. No fever as of right now. Everything else is normal. Thoughts? Questions I should ask when I call again? Should I risk the potentially serious side effects to administer a good antibiotic? I am not the type to freak out over trivialities, but this is really bothering me. I've got a whole lot of dog experience under my belt but never have I dealt with a respiratory infection. Thanks in advance GT.

By that reasoning, Augie would attach only to his trainer but not to you. Greyhounds are not like that. Like others have said, he'll bond with whoever he wants regardless of timing. BUT, if bringing him home early is going to cause any animosity between you and your DH, it's probably better to wait. The dog will pick up on that.

For a while I was mixing in some Iams wet food for Dazzle and that put weight on him fast. Didn't bother his tummy much either. I stopped giving it to him though because he doesn't really need the extra weight.

I know you weren't asking us to address this specifically, but I'd argue that the statueing is not a common greyhound trait. In the five years I've owned my dogs I've been actively involved in adoption and I spent a good deal of time working at the track. I've been around well over a thousand greyhounds and very rarely did any statue on leash. If they did it was a spook who was afraid of something. You'll read lots of stories about it here on GT but personally I have yet to see a level-headed greyhound do it. The SA is a common dog trait, not just greyhounds, though they are certainly prone to it. Be careful doing that! That's exactly how Dazzle bit me in the face. He had been with me for three weeks when it happened. If you haven't had problems yet then you probably won't, but I just wanted to say something just in case! Yes, absolutely normal. Like you said, you've only had him a week. In the kennel he was probably never trained to come. He just followed the pack. He's in sensory overload right now and he's still adjusting to your family and his new routine. It will take time for him to get used to all the vocal commands he hears. Like others have said, try using a leash to get him off his bed. If he really won't budge, you can get behind him and clap. Just make sure there's always a positive association when you call him to you. He sounds to me like he'll come around! I'd much prefer the laid-back personality than the alternatives. Congrats on your new boy!

I think it's more of an individual thing than a gender thing, personally. Echo(f) and Diego(m, non-grey) like to stay close to me(f) and know where I am all the time. Dazzle(m) really doesn't care either way.

Oh trust me, I know vomit when I see it!

It's a budget thing. I've found that the fillers are often more expensive than the dog food itself. Aside from that, dog food is sold as a balanced diet, and adding things to it will throw off that balance. In a worst case scenario you could be setting your dog up for vitamin and nutrient deficiencies and/or other medical issues down the road. Best case scenario you just wasted a few extra dollars and minutes of your time. That's my take, anyway. ETA: I'm a college student and I, too, am on a budget! Have you tried adding something like turkey necks or chicken leg quarters or another bone in meat piece? They're inexpensive, good for teeth, and balanced. The chewing work also adds an enjoyment to meals that is otherwise glaringly absent from a kibble diet. Yes, but Echo throws them up.

It's a budget thing. I've found that the fillers are often more expensive than the dog food itself. Aside from that, dog food is sold as a balanced diet, and adding things to it will throw off that balance. In a worst case scenario you could be setting your dog up for vitamin and nutrient deficiencies and/or other medical issues down the road. Best case scenario you just wasted a few extra dollars and minutes of your time. That's my take, anyway. ETA: I'm a college student and I, too, am on a budget!

OH MY GOODNESS. How did I miss this?! I remember Xilo from when he was in the race kennel! I loved that dog! Ahhh I'm so excited!! Exclamation marks!! I remember he had the BLACKEST face I've ever seen and a killer personality. Really sweet dog. I took the photos of him on Greyhound-Data back in March of '07. I just rummaged through all my old pictures to find some I took of him. So glad to hear he's in a good home! I always wondered about him. Xilo!!!

First of all, GOOD FOR YOU for making an effort to teach this! I can't stress enough how important it is. A lot of greyhounds are lost because their owners fail to do so. Second of all, did you go back in time 5 years and take my dog? Dazzle also rushed the front door, jumped on people, and was a bad cat zapper. He had one of the highest prey drives I've ever seen. Today he waits patiently at the front door, doesn't jump nearly as much, and gets along harmoniously with smaller critters. So just so you know, it can be done! I'm not very good at putting into words how I trained my dogs to be polite, but I'll give it a shot. I've found with my dogs that the best way to teach "wait" was to do it at the back door every single time we go out for potty breaks. Everyone has to wait patiently before we go out. Mine don't sit, but when they were younger I would make them lie down. Once they did so patiently (and looked back up at me for permission) I would step out the door first and give them permission to follow. I am currently teaching my new puppy to do this, and he has learned pretty quickly that the faster he cooperates and calms down, the faster he gets to go outside. By the way, my hand signal for "wait" is just holding my hand up with my palm facing outward. You can also teach this with treats. Tell the dog to sit or lie down, say wait + hand signal, and when he does so patiently, give him the treat. Repeat a few more times. Now when you say wait, back up a foot or two. Repeat a couple times. The better he does, the farther you can back up. I hope I'm making sense. Once you've got those down, move on to the front door and do the same thing, except with a leash on this time as a precautionary measure. Do you have an entry hall? Maybe it would help to make a boundary several feet away from the door that he's not allowed to cross unless you say so. Mine have a similar boundary for the kitchen. It may help to have a friend ring the doorbell and come through the door over and over and over again for practice and to get him used to it. Invite your "guest" in, wait til he calms down, and then give him permission to visit. If he gets hyper, make him leave, and only allow him back when he's calm. I hope that helps a bit. Let me know if you need clarification on anything.

Wow, I feel cheap. I just use a ziploc baggie!

I feel ya. Accidents are no fun to come home to every day. Been there. In my experience, yes. It does help having another greyhound. It may not completely solve the problem but it certainly makes a difference. Actually, a second greyhound was a lot easier for me than just one because they've always got a buddy. I got my second six weeks after my first! I haven't been keeping up with your SA journey, so forgive me if this has been brought up, but do you sufficiently wear her out before you leave the house? Have you done much "alone training" with her?

I board mine at a place that offers doggy daycare, but they don't like the daycare part. They don't play like normal dogs.

I agree with those who have said that inside cats are totally different from outdoor chickens. The cats will be viewed as part of the pack, but something about little critters running around outside triggers a switch for them and they go from pet to hunter before you can react. That being said, I trained three greyhounds with very high prey drives to live in harmony with my chickens. And this is after Echo killed and ate one the first day I had them. Yes, eventually I did trust them 100% together unsupervised. It can be done. http://www.youtube.com/user/rmhogue#p/u/12/RZJqapY6kVQ

I agree with the above. Just relax! Act like nothing is different and he'll most likely be fine. In the five years I've had my greyhounds I've moved five or six times. They didn't care the first time and they won't care the next time. Greyhounds are really good at adapting.

I'm not sure if your girl is the same way as mine, but Echo hates peeing on a leash. She doesn't like to be followed around everywhere so it takes forever to get her to go. If letting your girl off leash isn't an option, maybe try a retractable leash? I know how people are about flexi-leads, but I love mine for pee/poop walks. You can just stand and wait while they do their business.

Xan, I haven't read through all the replies so forgive me if this was mentioned. My vet said you could have a dog on glucosamine/chondroitin with no ill effects, but NOT if it has MSM in it. MSM is metabolized by the liver and can potentially have harmful effects if given for an extended period of time (several months or more). I bought my glucosamine at Costco for relatively cheap. Most of their choices have MSM so you have to read the label and make sure you're getting the brand without it.

I saw two! One was two lonely for me so I got #2 six weeks later. They are perfect together. Two is my perfect number. Greyhounds are such easygoing dogs that I think adopting two at once is a great idea.

Dazzle and Echo were open from day 1. My old greyhound Ford never really opened up to me. We never really "clicked." Ford and I never had the relationship that I have with Dazzle and Echo. I couldn't give him whatever it was he needed. He went back to the adoption kennel and is now in the perfect home.

Mine will come back to me every time in areas they're already familiar with. If I take them somewhere new, forget it.

Most greyhounds are pretty adaptable and shouldn't have trouble with the transition. Leash walking isn't all that bad unless it's raining or really cold. Mine had no trouble adjusting to an apartment at all. When they were younger I would take them to the park every day to run. Now that they're older it's just a few short walks a day and we take a long walk around the park 3-4 times a week.