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Sambuca

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  1. I forgot to add, touch also helped Sailor overcome his fear of people. He used to cower behind me in public. Hes food motivated, so after he learned touch I would have strangers ask for it and he'd get goodies. Now, in public, he sneaks up to strangers, touches their hands and looks at me for a treat. He still isn't a fan of being pet by strangers (neither am I, so I don't blame him), but hes not a nervous wreck anymore and has much more confidence.

  2. How about the "hug" command?" We taught Lexie how to "give a hug" by coming over and leaning into us how greyhounds lean. It is pretty cool to show off to people...lol

     

     

     

     

    :hehe:hehe:hehe:hehe

    I taught Bu to "dance" he comes and slams his butt into you so that you can pet his butt. When his butt is pet right, he does this cute dance. He barks when I ask if hes a brat. At the vet or groomer, I tell him "up" and he gets on the table himself (and loves the attention he gets when up there).

  3. Ace and Jac are perfect(ly lazy) so no tricks or commands are asked of them.

     

    Tenn knows sit and hi-five. Ha! Obviously, we're not a trick-oriented family.

     

    What is the purpose of teaching "touch" for those of you who've taught it? I'm just curious.

    Touch can help the dog focus. It can also get the dog to move. If its in your way, you ask for a touch and put the hand so that when the dog touches it, hes out of the way. It can also help with leash manners and heel.

  4. Some basic stuff is probably a good idea, but otherwise its personal preference. I'm coming to realize that Bu knows a ton of stuff because hes really smart and I'm consistent with what I say to him. For example, when I go upstairs I'll say "Bu, upstairs". Bu would naturally follow do he eventually learned it as a command just by hearing it constantly. Now if hes annoying me I tell him to go upstairs and he'll go up without me. He also knows u-turn because whenever we turn around on a walk I say it. One day at an off leash park he decided to go home with someone else and wouldn't listen to "come". For some reason I yelled "u-turn" and he immediately turned around and came to me. Sailor, on the other hand, its very pretty.

  5. I take obedience classes with my boys. I started with Sailor for his confidence. It has really helped. All dogs can lay down, it may just take longer to learn. You and the teacher both need patience. As for sitting, most can do that as well. Bu can't, but thats because he had a hip injury and it seems painful to him. Sailor sits. It seems awkward for him so I don't ask him to stay in a sit. I did have Sailor for 1.5 years before we went to our first class, but that was probably best for him as he was a mess at first.

  6. I'm a pet sitter and a clients pit bill recently growled at me while putting on her coat. I know this dog well and we trust each other. I had no problem with that particular growl because she has tons of tumors that are getting big and I'm sure the coat hurt her. Since I was basically hugging her to get the coat on, I really couldn't see most of her body language. The growl was short and non threatening and her way of saying that I was hurting her. Her owner was horrified that she had growled at me, but I explained that it was her way of communicating. I wasn't at all mad at her. I feel bad I hurt her.

    If a dog were to growl to start getting it's way, it would be a problem for me, but as a way of communicating fear, pain or discomfort a growl can be acceptable, especially in a new situation or if the dog has an injury or medical problem.

  7. If everyone is on leash, you don't need the muzzles, but they can't hurt. Don't worry so much, the dogs pick up on that. Honestly, if it were me and all your dogs are really good with other dogs and you are supervising, I'd muzzle the 2 new guys and just let them integrate minus the pom. Especially since they've been in the same house for 24 hours. But walking them together is good too.

  8. In our house you have to keep an eye on your beer. Not because of Angie, but because of our ferret Delilah.

    Bu loves it all. Wine, beer, rum and juice, vodka and red bull. Somewhere I have a picture of him trying to get the last drops from am empty Mikes bottle. Even funnier since his racing name was Mike Needs Gas.

  9. I'm a dog walker. I don't know anyone in your area, but I would ask your vet. Thats where I get most of my references. As for being greyhound savvy, I don't agree. As long as they are dog savvy, listen well, are careful and are willing to put the bootss on, you should be fine. Greyhounds are special, but they are still dogs. I foster greys and I have yet to encounter any issues that other breeds don't have except the really thin skin and corns. Plus, you don't get grey experience until you deal with them.

  10. I agree that mistakes happen, but generally adopters are informed of any prior medical info. Tbds are becoming pretty common in the dogs coming into care. The vet I use for my fosters have started running a test on the greys we bring in before surgery to test their blood clotting because of tbds. This is because we've had a few come in with clotting issues and after being treated for tbds they were fine.

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