Sambuca

I completely agree with this. While my boys are my babies and they are very special to me, they really are just dogs. As long as a vet is willing to learn and listen, I think any competent vet should do just fine.

I'm sorry Jay. She was so sweet. I'll always remember her sharing her dog bed, toys, and couches so nicely with me and the boys at Dewey. I hope your heart heals quickly. I'm glad you have Snooki to keep you busy.

Is it like when a horse puffs out it's cheeks? I think you're hearing the cheeks flapping in the wind. Sailor does it a lot. Especially when he's frustrated at me.

If he's maintaining weight, then he's fine. If he starts to lose it, then go up maybe 1/4 a meal and see how he does.

I use the Costco Natures Domain salmon food. It's almost identical to Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream formula. It's about $35 for 30 pounds. Bu can't have chicken either. California Natural has at least one chicken free formula. There are lots of chicken free foods out there, just read the ingredients.

I wouldn't worry. I give cat treats to my dogs and my clients dogs because the bags are more convenient to carry as a dog walker. I've also given my dogs baby food during training as a treat they can lick out of the jar. Puppy treats are at least aimed at the right species.

Beginnings can be rocky. Their whole world is turned upside down. Nothing is familiar. New home, new people, new rules. There can be a lot of fear because of that and until they're comfortable that fear can turn into fear aggression. While it's not common, it does happen. Honestly, to me, it sounds like pain though and any dog of any breed can begin to bite while in pain. I almost kicked my doctor in the head recently when he palpated my stomach. I didn't mean to, but damn, it hurt and instinct took over. By getting a check up and ruling pain out you're taking a big step towards solving the problem. Hiring a behaviorist is the other big step. If it is pain related, have both the vet and behaviorist give you tips on noticing the signs. If it's not pain the behaviorist should be able to help look for small signs that he's uncomfortable before going for the bite. Google "calming signals". They include lip licking, yawning, averting the eyes and more.

It sounds like you're taking the right steps. Remember you're his speaking advocate. If someone seems to be bothering him, speak up. Sometimes we (me included) make mistakes. Just because a breed is supposed to be one way, doesn't mean all individuals are. They all have their own personalities and quirks (just like we do). Let us know how his appointments go.

I think she'll be fine with a dog walker. Make sure when you're home she gets lots of attention and lots of exercise.

If he doesn't like repetition, don't do it. Do something once or twice and move onto something new. As for treats, you need to find what works for your dog. Sailors favorite thing is bagel and cream cheese. Bu prefers meatloaf and brisket. Many dogs like cheese, hot dogs, deli meat, and tripe. Try to rotate through things. Even during one training session a variety of treats can be useful. For something easy such as touch, a piece of kibble may be sufficient. For something difficult like sit, tripe would be more appropriate. Training should be lots of fun. I find it can be hard on both me and the dog if I go in with the wrong mindset. I now go to class with the idea that we'll have fun and maybe learn something instead of we need to learn something today. One day I asked my teacher why the dog couldn't understand me. She said my question was the problem. I should be asking what I could do to make it more clear to him. It's much easier said than done in my opinion, but it made me think.

It looks like it could be a hystiocytoma. They aren't a big deal and eventually go away on their own if that's what it is.

Im sorry you're going through this. It's very scary. I'm wondering if his back hurts him since he can can snap while it's being pet. Maybe your friend got a little rough (and that may not be rough at all for a dog that's in pain) and caused more pain. Dogs in pain can do irrational things ( just like people in pain can). My suggestion is to take him to the vet for a very thorough check up and explain the behavior.

I don't have any advice on him being territorial. I wish I did because I once had to rehome a dog partly because she was territorial (the biggest reason is that my first dog would poop in the house whenever the new one was there and I wasn't). I don't think Gambler is dominant though, I think he just doesn't like dogs with bad manners. I wouldn't like if a stranger came up to me and started getting in my face, even if they weren't being aggressive. Thankfully, I can use words to express that I'm uncomfortable, Gambler can't, so he growls and snaps. As for being worse with your mom, it makes sense. Dogs pick up on our emotions. If your mom is anxious Gambler is going to think there's a reason to be anxious and will be on edge. I'm a dog walker and I walk a pit bull every day that walks fairly well with me. The owner is deployed and his mom is caring for the dog. She is so anxious that she can't walk the dog. She'll sometimes join me on walks with the dog and if we see another dog (the pit bull is extremely dog aggressive) I've told the woman that she needs to walk away until I get the dog calm because it takes much much longer for the dog to mellow out when she's around. Thankfully the woman has seen the results and will walk away without me saying a word to her now.

One of my dogs does not sit at all, one does sit a bit. When my class worked on sit stays both did either stand or down stays. Occasionally I'd ask Sailor for a sit stay, but it was rare and they were still short. Tell your teacher that you appreciate what he's saying, but you will do what you think is best for your dog. My first class with Bu, the teacher tried to have me teach him to sit by physically tucking his butt under. While I was gentle, and so was the teacher, it was extremely uncomfortable for Bu and he actually tried biting me a few times. After the last time, when I was in tears for causing him discomfort, I finally told the teacher that I would not be teaching Bu sit. His comfort was more important. Some greyhounds do sit naturally and comfortable, but others don't. Do what's best for your dog.

Good luck. Sorry the groups have been unsupportive.

Mine absolutely respect baby gates. I have one that won't even walk over or around a folded up paper grocery bag if it's on the floor of a hallway. Of course every dog is different, but most respect boundaries. I also think for most greyhound a 4' fence is adequate. Obviously there are some exceptions.

Sometimes they have trouble drawing from a leg and they use the jugular. It's relatively normal and actually tell my vets to do it if they need to as some people are Squamish about. Personally, I'd rather is be a jugular draw than their legs getting poked over and over if the vein is hiding. My boys have never had any blood draw wrapped that I can recall. Mine have never had hematomas from it, but I brought in a Newfoundland once and she ended up with one on her leg. They seem to happen occasionally.

Are you using the kennel muzzle? If so, then 10 hours is fine. They can breathe, drink, pant, and vomit safely.

I agree with the vet check. Also get a full thyroid panel.

Maybe try crating her with a blanket over the crate so she feels like she's in a safe spot. Bu also reacts severely to beeps like that. His reaction is to hide for hours. He's 83# and I've found him under a crib, under all the clothes in a closet, under chairs, under tables, in corners I can't even reach him in, under a pickup truck, under a knee high deck, etc. generally I just let him hide it out since it seems to give him comfort. The crate may let your girl hide it out.

I use a lure pole in my condos tennis court. Sailor loves it, when he's in the mood.

We all have setbacks. It's totally normal. It's also totally normal to want to cry over them. Thunderstorms can cause big issues aside from the sa. Keep doing what your doing, it will help. Have you tried using a muzzle so she can't get into things?

What about putting a bear bell on him so you hear when he moves? Or putting something noisy in the doorway so you know when he's going to sneak a pee.

Use better treats!! Cheese, chicken, beef, hot dogs. Throw it, when he's getting off the couch, say "off" or whatever command works for you.

I attach 2 leashes together. One end goes on the dog, the other around my ankle. It's worked so far when needed.