OwnedBySummer

I don't even like TOUCHING other people's non-grey dogs any more. Especially the fat labs, LOL. I feel like I'm in some weird Harry Potter or Alice in Wonderland movie and my hands are sinking... sinking... sinking...

I don't crate. It seems to be very popular these days but no one ever used to do it and everyone was fine. We simply teach our dogs what we want. That being said, greyhounds ARE used to it and, if a hound WANTS to be crated, I don't have a problem with doing it. I would, though, have my hound in my bedroom at night with me, one way or the other. I like my pets to sleep on my bed so I encourage that. But if I didn't want that, I would aim to have my dog sleeping beside me in a dog bed. They like company and usually want to be with you.

LOL! What fun! Summer plays with toys and does all kinds of things but tug is not her thing. I kind of miss it. On the other hand, watching your video made my shoulders and elbows cringe in sympathy. Maybe I don't miss it as much as I thought, LOL!

It actually doesn't sound like she's house trained?

I don't understand the question... LOL! I am obviously having an "off" day because I don't think it's a complicated question... You are talking about the difference between the "Proactive Health Adult Minichunks" kibble and the "Proactive Health Adult Large Breed" kibble. About the comparitive size difference? I've never bought the large breed version so I can't say... but I have owned large breed kibble from a different manufacturer and it was most certainly larger. Actually, I personally find that many large breed formulations (as felt through the bag) are not suitable for greyhounds -- they may be tall dogs but they don't have large breed heads and mouths and some of those nuggets are a perfect size for choking. I'm hung up on why you are equating minichunks with a smaller bag? I have always seen both formulas available in all the same bag sizes. I'm going to toddle off now and have some caffeine.

Nothing here. The recall isn't for the variety that I feed (minichunks). http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm365154.htm

Has he given you any indication that he will hurt himself? For instance, does he counter-surf? Eat your laundry? Dig in the trash? Did you do any alone training? DOES he have separation anxiety? Freeing himself from his crate does not mean he has separation anxiety, just that he hates being crated. Or does he just chill out when you're not home? What is the longest that he's been alone and free? That should tell you whether or not he is trouble when he's on his own and if you can start trusting him. If he just hangs out... I wouldn't worry about it. ETA: I would recommend NOT crating him again. Period. You sound like you got off pretty lucky without having to take him to the vet. You might not be so lucky the next time. I've heard of horrible injuries to dogs who are desperate to get out of a crate.

Summer did this at first, too. It's pretty common. "Statuing" is the usual word used to describe it. First, make SURE your martingale is properly adjusted! Bolting could also randomly happen, especially when they are new and unsure, and you don't want him to escape. What *I* did was walk her and, when she statued, I let her look for what I determined to be a suitable amount of time (I remained standing and confidently speaking), then it was "walk on". My husband had a LOT more difficulty because he had less confidence. I have a horse and dog background so I'm quite confident myself and I expect them to do what I want, within reason. If you are confident, that will help your pup be more confident himself and he will be much more willing to follow your lead. I'm no professional dog trainer -- this is just how I do it.

"Bald thigh syndrome" is pretty common. Some greyhound events even have Baldest Butt contests, it's that common. Scars are also pretty common -- probably from when she was a puppy -- the pups stay together for a very long time and they can be ROUGH with each other. Really rough. It's also possible she wiped out on the track and picked up a scar or two. I agree with the adoption lady. They aren't "rescued" (well, that does occur once in while -- Ebro, for instance -- or, more commonly, from bad adopters). Are you sure she's what you call skittish? Or is she just being a newly adopted, not quite sure of herself, greyhound? They are so NOT labradors, LOL.

I think it might help with the responses if we know how long you've had him? Also, if he hates the crate anyway, is there a reason why you want to put him in one?

Sure they can sit. It's something I require from all my dogs, greyhound or not. That being said, I don't make her hold it like I would or could with an off-breed. She sits for all treats. Summer on the left, with her BFF. But if she wants to sit for longer, she is quite capable. She's definitely more willing to "hold" her sit on a soft surface and I can't say I blame her, LOL.

I use a harness when I'm anywhere where I think she might lunge (walking in a forest = potential to spot a deer or something) or where she might freak (town fair = kids with scary balloons). Otherwise, I normally use a martingale for outings (around the neighborhood, greyhound events, therapy dog work, visiting people). ETA: And swimming (see signature), although I ditched this crappy harness and now use only Wiggles Wags and Whiskers harnesses.

So you can see what they look like in a Thundershirt. Note that she's not hiding nor is she panting. Yay!

It works for Summer and makes a noticeable difference. All the pet stores have a return policy that you can avail yourself of, should it not work. Don't just throw it on during a storm and expect magic to happen, though. I have to be sure to get it on before the first audible noise in order for it to work properly. Many dogs also do better if you also put it on during good weather so that they don't associate it with only the bad weather/bad noises. You should be able to find a few threads on here about Thundershirts. Good luck!

Poor baby! Hope he feels better soon! Summer got stung in the mouth yesterday by a wasp so I feel your panic! Thankfully, I have a friend with a greyhound who is a vet tech and I texted her for the dosage/frequency, saving me from trying to look it up here. I now have a great big note stuck to the (new) box of Benadryl pills.

Lying around when you aren't interacting with her... sounds pretty normal to me. As to the bones/chews... I know someone else will chime in with the "trade up" training method. Personally, the only time Summer ever growled over a yummy and it was indeed when she was newer and it was one of her first bones... I said "no" and just reached in and took it from her. Possibly a stupid move but that's just the way I always handle my dogs and so far, so good (or I've just been lucky, LOL). Ever since then, I can take it from her without a peep, even though she's a bit shaky on the "drop it" command. I also regularly take their food away (and give it right back) when they're new and sometimes even poke around in their food bowl. With the food bowl, I do try first with a stick to gauge the reaction. I still do these things, although not nearly as frequently as when she was "in training" about it. Be careful with rawhide. I am not a fan of rawhide and won't give it to any dog. With a previous dog, I have TWICE had to go pretty far down the back of her throat to retrieve the piece of rawhide that was cutting off her air! And this was by no means at the end of the rawhide when it gets small.

And here I am laying meat trails... to entice my girl INTO the kitchen. I'm using to have dogs underfoot in the kitchen and I find that I miss it. But mine won't go in the kitchen.

I wouldn't be able to use the Voyager K9 coat for hours outside, either, but we only walk in the winter for no more than a half hour. There's no quilting or stuffing in a Voyager coat, just fuzzy stuff with a wind-resistant layer. For the deep dark depths of howling blizzard, when it's ridiculous outside and you can't figure out why on earth the dog wants a walk... I use a fleece lined, batting stuffed, quilted coat from Gryffin Designs. With or without Voyager K9's tall boots, LOL!

Voyager K9 is our "go to" coat and sweater. They're so easy to put on and they stand up well to both wear and washing. Jammies are from Cottage Hound -- along with a brocade and velvet dress coat... and a couple of sweaters... and a hoodie...

I board, when necessary, at a greyhound-only place. It's a home environment with her own 6 greys and other campers. The first time I went I had only had Summer for... 6 months? I was anxious and worried, too. I could hardly bear to drop her off and stayed talking for far too long. She thoroughly enjoyed herself "at camp" but, much to my delight, she was thrilled to see me when I got there. Once the leash was on, she went to the door and was ready to go. The only difference is we had had her a bit longer than you and she knew the 6 resident dogs from greyhound playgroup.

I just spoke to a vet about this, nasal bordatella specifically, and she said... that bordatella is marked as effective for one year but the true effectiveness is really only for 6 months.

I don't know what your pup's weight and condition is like. But that would be a LOT of food in our house which, of course, equals a lot of poop. Summer weighs 70 lbs. and eats 1 1/2 cups of kibble for breakfast, in a bit of hot water. Dinner is one can of moist food with salmon oil and her Fresh Factors tablet. Of course, all foods have different caloric content, etc., and all dogs are different.

I've often thought that they poop whenever they have the opportunity. Sort of like old ladies walking past the bathroom -- "might as well go while I'm here". My theory (which could be totally whacked ) is that since they are on a turnout schedule at the racing kennel, that they are accustomed to going whenever they are out. Summer poops 3-4 times a day, with morning being the largest and each subsequent poop being a bit softer but always formed. If she gets more exercise than normal or if we go to a greyhound run, she poops more than that. At greyhound runs, I find most of the hounds poop until they are empty. And then they poop a little bit more!

I'm sorry Fuzzy doesn't feel well. The diarrhea made me think of a recent thread on here about a new dog virus in Ohio. I know you're not in Ohio but I expect this virus will spread. Diarrhea is one of the symptoms. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/virus-linked-to-illness-that-has-sickened-several-ohio-dogs-1.426633 ETA: Here's the thread: http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/301241-new-dog-virus-in-ohio/?hl=ohio

Welcome home, pretty girl!