Wonder

I need some help with my foster. First, she is 100% fine with me. Never growled at me. I can move her, touch her, startle her and no reaction. Her reaction is only towards dogs. History- I got her March 2nd. She was perfect on the haul, at Petco for cat testing and in my car on the drive home. Fosters meet my dogs outside on neutral ground. My dogs are thrilled with all new dogs and I've never have a problem introducing them. I had her meet Lena first outside. Both were muzzled and the foster was on a leash. I realize now that I should have had the foster approach Lena not the other way around. Lena was all happy to meet her and was sniffing her. Foster growled and lunged at her making contact. I pulled her away without correcting her. I put Lena inside and skipped meeting my other pups. I assumed she was stressed as it had been a long day so I put her in a crate and put a blanket over it so the dogs would leave her alone. The next day, Sunday, I had her meet Passion. Same results. I didn't have her meet the boys. They would have been way too excited about her. Her spay was the next day and for the rest of the week, she rested in the crate. She's perfect in the crate. She never makes a peep, no whining, barking etc. After her week of rest after her spay, I started letting her mingle with my pups (all muzzled) for alittle bit each day. I was still not allowing her outside with them. She growled any time a dog got close to her (either standing or laying down) so I would move her away to a dog bed on the other side of the room or baby gate her in another room so she could still watch what was going on and see the other dogs. Every day, I had her out in the living room with my dogs for a little bit. She was no longer growling if standing but would still growl if laying down. She would also jump up, lunge and make contact with another dog if they were close. I have not been able to figure out what the trigger is- too close or something else (maybe she's just a bitch)??? Last week, I realized I had made a mistake. I was trying to correct her when she growled by making a loud "ah". She got to the point where she would growl and then look at me waiting for my correction. Ok, so she trained me and that didn't work. LOL Fast foward to this week- Very little growling while laying down. She wants to be with my dogs. She follows them around now. I allow her outside with them and I have no worries about her being out there with them. She doesn't want to crate anymore. She shredded a dog bed and then the blankets that replaced the bed. I had a few things on top of the crate, she pulled them into the crate and shredded. I removed the crap on top of the crate and gave her a kong when I left for work yesterday. Came home, she was barking and whining and had shredded the blanket. Last night when we went to bed, I crated her. After an hour, I couldn't stand the whining (she's never whined at night before) so I left her loose in the livingroom. She didn't make a peep and was perfect. Yesterday after work, she wanted to lay down so bad but another dog was on the bed. She circled the bed 3 times (maybe thinking he would move?) and finally laid down next to him. I was shocked that she laid down and was actually touching him. He didn't care but I wasn't sure how long before she growled. It was about 5 seconds. He moved and she growled. I moved her to another bed away from the dogs. Here's the pic- she's in the back and rested her head on him for a few seconds. I'm fine with her growling- she's communicating. I just can't figure out what she is trying to say. How do I figure out what she is saying? I've been reading articles on Whole Dog Journal (Thanks Jen for posting articles in other treads). I can't find anything for this situation. Also is there a way to get her ok with laying close to other dogs? I thought about giving her a treat each time she lays without growling but then my dogs will get too excited and I suspect that will make her growl even more. I'm not willing to have her go into a home if she is still lunging and making contact with other dogs. Yes, she could be an only dog but what happens when that family wants to add a 2nd? Here's what I need help with- her being ok with other dogs and not lunging at them. Maybe time will resolve it? Suggestions?

I would try a grainfree like Taste of the Wild or Nature's Domain.

When I remember to give Passion melatonin, she sleeps the whole night. She was waking me up 3-4am after she started taking phenobarb. She's been on phenobarb since the end of June and doesn't wake me up anymore otherwise I'd still be giving melatonin to her. http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/melatonin.htm Can also help with nightime seizures so prob not a bad idea (I know he's not having them at night but wouldn't hurt to give it) More info http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/nighttime_agitation.html

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad. I just love the pic that I posted. So many happy memories stopping at your house on my way to events or on my way home.

Jey and Grammy, I'm so sorry. My favorite picture from one of my many visits to your house. Me and Joey Aug 2009

You didn't say if he was neutered or not. He's marking. I use a belly band when my fosters are not near me or I crate if I can't correct their marking behavior.

Great tip!

I've been lucky that I can give Thunder's meds up to 2 hours early without any issues. I don't like to give it early and it only happens maybe 1 to 2 times a month.

I'm sorry this happened and thanks for posting. I've had my dogs for over 5 years each and I still try not to get close non-greys on walks. I know my dogs but I don't know the other dog and my dogs will protect me.

Here's the range for a greyhound T4 Greyhounds: .5 - 3.6 (mean 1.47+/- .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.

I'm in MN so can't answer the refferal part. I've gone to 2 different vets. The first vet wanted Passion to come every week for a couple months. She was $80 a session. The vet I currently take her to is awesome. She said just to bring her in when I felt she needed it. The first session included an exam so was more. Each session after has been $54. She's gone 3 times in the last 6 months. I only take her when I notice she can't get on the couch as easily or when her back legs shake (Elvis leg). I highly recommend acupunture. It also can help with seizures (which Passion has had)

Where are the pictures? She sounds fun

Prayers for Freddy I sent a donation- can't get him off my mind.

Hope she feels better soon and will eat for you.

They can still get worms if they are on HW preventative. Just had a dog in my group have that happen to. sucks!

I had about an hour to decide with Lucky because he was bleeding into his belly. I was warned that the mass on his spleen was probably HSA so I need to decided if I want to spend the $3500 for surgery. Best decision ever and it wasn't HSA He had some issues after surgery so spent the weekend at the e-vet. The total for everything was $6k- best money I've ever spent.

Welcome I heard about you- can't wait to see which hound you get Deb- are you coming to the Heal a Hound dinner?

My vet told me they can still get worms being on monthly preventative which annoys me to no end since I give everyone their monthly dose and they could still get hooks. They can also step in infected poop splatter, lick their foot and get worms. Vet also said the hook something or other can live in the earth so they are impossible to get rid of.

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I can't believe this. He's one of my favorites here on GT. I love reading about his lastest antics. I'm so sorry for your loss

I took Passon to a greyhound only class. The teachers have moved out of state which is a bummer since I keep seeing requests for hound only. There will be 3 hounds in our class. I never thought of little fluffy dogs. Cripes, I hope he's ok with little dogs.

I will see how the first class goes. I have a blanket I use at at M&G's that is kept in the car. I can bring that in. I wish this was a greyhound only class

Yes it's basic.

I'm eager to see and try these suggestions. I'm working on sit with Thunder. He will only sit on a dog bed His obedience class starts 1/19 so I want to get him doing sit better and not have to drag a dog bed to class