OwnedBySummer

I'm older and we grew up without ever using crates for our dogs, it wasn't even a consideration. I did have one on hand for when my girl came home, in case she was one of those "devoted to her crate" dogs but, thankfully, she wasn't and I quickly put it away. But what I did is expand her run of the house in increments. The whole house all at once is kind of overwhelming for many. Start with one room plus your bedroom (I assume he sleeps with you or at least in the room). Good luck!

I did much like normaandburrell -- short leash until she learned and was consistent. Then I began training her to a "be free" command (or whatever word you like), where she'd get to use the whole length of the leash and be free to sniff and poke around. But never ever will I let her be on anything other than my left side, heeling or roaming. Also taught the command "walk", so she knows it's time to stop sniffing and get her butt in gear. I'm also teaching her directions and she more or less has "left" under her belt. We don't often turn to the right so that one is harder.

I'd also guess that it was a stuck chunk. BTDT, complete with scary lump and weird chewing action.

That's a weird piece of information. Yup, bogus. I will leave a poop down if I'm area-training a dog to one very specific location but, since that's not your objective, I'd simply pick it up and praise.

I have Trupanion. About $100/month. I went with $0 deductible, unlimited claims. I chose these options, even though it costs more every month, because I just don't want to have to think about it. They have always paid and paid promptly. Summer just had a dental and the vet prepared the invoice so that the cleaning part was separated from the extraction part and they paid right up.

I brush her teeth and also give her raw turkey necks, duck necks and beef neck vertebrae (both frozen and defrosted, depending on my mood and what the weather is like).

I've only ever seen people using the Ruffwear Webmaster, as linked above. Good wishes!

Are you sure she's nipping or is she nitting?

There's instructional videos on Youtube...

The ASPCA has an app for your phone, with some common items on it. Including a calculator for chocolate toxicity. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness/aspca-launches-mobile-app-pet-parents

Welcome and congratulations from just north of you in Keswick!

I also learned from the Doberdawn instructions. I use a variable-speed cordless one from the hardware store. I haven't heard many positive remarks about the pet-specific versions like PediPaws (too weak is the usual comment). As for the position, I've always taught my dogs to jump up on the couch at the command "nail time", lie on their left side and stick out all 4 legs. Makes it easy to do their pedicure, even when it involves nailpolish, LOL.

I also use a command for when she is free to do her own thing on a walk. I use "be free". She knows then that she can range out to the end of her leash, dawdle, sniff, look around, whatever she likes.

Wow! You have put in an incredible amount of thought. And got some great answers! The only point I will comment on is visiting with your greyhound. I find, in general, that these are extremely portable dogs. I visit and travel with my girl all the time and have done so from day 1. Some, of course, are not such good travelers (insert: car sick) or aren't very good at staying alone in a hotel room (insert: separation anxiety).

I have those boots (came with the coat and tummy warmer, in a package). Easy to put on plus keeps her lower legs warm. I only use them in the real cold, though. For medium cold, I'll use short musher booties from Dog Booties, in a medium. For not too cold (like now) but wet, I use the Pawz booties from the pet store or Walmart, again in medium. At the moment, our temperature is -6C/21F and so far this winter, I've only used the Pawz booties.

You don't say where you are located. If you are in Canada, drop by a Greenhawk equestrian store. Their "Shedrow" coats have velcro closures in both places. They aren't, however, made for greyhounds but they'll certainly do in a pinch. I keep one in my car for emergencies, they are very warm. Once he's used to having it done up on him, you could then work on getting him used to having it popped over his head.

Being that it was New Year's, is it possible that he was hearing fireworks and it was not your music that was freaking him out?

And if you ever have a medical issue at home and he REQUIRES confinement, you'll want him to accept it. Most of them are fine with crates. I am not a "crater", I prefer my dog to have the run of the house. I don't use it for house training or anything. That being said, I *do* have one and every few months, I put her in it. To keep her hand in, so to speak. And it's only because of a potential medical issue which could require crating. So in answer to your question, I definitely believe in having them tolerant of a crate.

My 68lb. girl I feed 1 1/4 cups of the green bag mini chunks for breakfast and a can of moist (all different brands and flavors) for dinner. Milkbone at bedtime and lunch. Maybe another little treat or two (like dehydrated lung or something) scattered about. She maintains her weight perfectly with this.

22" sounds way too high to me. Our stand is about 10.5" but the bottom of the bowl is at about 8.5" from the floor. My girl is 68 lbs.

My girl never seems to think it's too cold. It's far too early yet for her to wear her Voyager K9 coat or booties, although walking barefoot in the tummy warmer is good.

I had that with one dog that I adopted from the local shelter -- he was fostered with a woman who smoked and it inflamed the whites of his eyes. They did calm down in time but, wow, they were pretty scary at first. I'd have them checked because you don't know what her normal is.

Paw user here. In fact, I see her use her dew claws on purpose, too.

Iams Proactive Health Adult Mini Chunks here, with very warm water on it, about 1/4 cup, maybe a touch more, served right away so it doesn't get soggy. My girl doesn't do well on the higher-end foods.

I always add a bit of water and will keep doing so. I don't let it soak -- just add the water, give it a quick slosh and put it down. My girl likes it with VERY warm water on it -- my best guess is that the heat brings out more aroma. She wouldn't be happy eating it dry. I don't add anything else to it. Dinner is canned or homemade, with the addition of salmon oil.