mrsmcd7

Thanks, that's reassuring. I can hear him wandering around downstairs at night too, I feel maybe he's more secure in his crate at night once he's used to it....

We've had max for about 4 years. He used to always sleep in his crate (tried him in our room but he shakes the end of the bed and his ears so often we couldn't sleep) then he pulled a muscle do we left him out of his crate because he wouldn't use the stairs anyway (bedroom is upstairs). Now he uses the stairs again and barks several times a night (I've blocked him from stairs at night) and he does go out and potty when I come down and let him out, but I suspect he just likes the attention. Should I crate him again at night and ignore the barking for a few nights in the hopes he'll stop if he doesn't get attention? No one is sleeping and my husband is getting really irritated at the dog.......

He's been to the vet--X-rays were taken of knees and hips. Some swelling noted in the right knee. Saw vet surgeon who felt the cruciate ligaments are ok--he thinks the ligament is not torn. I have tried the lights idea too. I think his vision is ok. He sees stuff we don't notice. Thanks!!

We've had max (Starz lee max) since fall of 2010 and he learned stairs at the foster before we got him. Traditionally, his favorite place is in our room on one if his beds (except at night--he keeps us awake with a lot if tricks---loooong story). About a month ago he stopped going up stairs. I didn't really pay much attention to it or worry about it at the time. After he stopped using stairs (2-3 weeks later) he strained or sprained something and was treated with pain meds for a week but now seems back to himself. Why is he still not coming upstairs? Any ideas? I miss him being up here w us in the evenings. Thx -Kathy

We crate bc we have. 5 year old and 9 year old kids. He sleeps in crate at night bc otherwise he wakes us up. Also kids aren't allowed to key him out if we are showering, sleeping, etc. I mean let him out. Oh and he goes in the open. Crate all the time on his own. Probly bc kids annoy him sometimes.

Thanks so much! This reminds me of my infants who were still getting up 3x night after one year old. I just needed Someone to tell me it's ok and I can let him bark. I feel bad for him so I check him. @timeforanap; maybe I will get him pjs. Our house is 60 st night, but always has been and he never cared before. He has a double high bed and a fleece blankie in his crate.

I still use a harness after 2 years!! My boy is 86# and no amount of walk training can prevent him from occasionally pulling. It helps tremendously. He was nervous the first few walks. Go somewhere less stimulating and gradually increase walk time and Amt if stimulation/noise.

Some dogs do this when in a new place for first time bc of anxiety. You have to watch em like a hawk.

No because he is such a noisy sleeper!! Snorting. Grunting, shaking ears. Have taped his tags but he's still too loud. I don't care as much but my hubby is a very light sleeper.

We have had Max (age 4 1/2) for just over 2 years. He has been laid back from day 1. No separation anxiety, no slerp aggression, etc. He has always slept in his crate. 2 months ago he was injured at Petsmart bc the groomer put him on a table to do his nails (I was shocked to find this out--he's 86#!!) and he fell and bruised and lacerated the insides of his thighs. Needless to say he was in pain so the bet gave him NSAID and after a few days he was much better. He started barking in his cage. I would let him out to potty but he wouldn't go. Then recrate him. He would go this a few times a night. So I let him sleep in our room, but he would get up a lot and roache on the end of the bed and shake his ears and snort and it would wake us up every time. I tried letting him sleep outside his crate in hallway but he would roo and bark at our door. I don't want him out downstairs bc I have 2 kids and I don't always hear them get up and I don't believe in letting dog and kids be together without adults. Anyway, eventually he stopped and slept fine in his crate. Now this night barking started back up 2 nights ago. He doesn't have to go potty. Help!!! Do we do earplugs and hope he figured out we r not going to let him out??! Thx! -Kathy

Max always nests b4 lying down. If its just his fog bed he shoves it around. If its his fleece blankie he makes a sort of circular pile with it. He frequently misses the blanket when he lies down do only 1 butt cheek or something ends up on the nest. And he collects shoes for it too.

Max knows: kennel up, come here, uh-uh, upstairs, downstairs, outside, hound food, hound water, treats, wait, target, stay, inside, let's go, cone on, paw, toy, .....I think that's it. Oh also, down, bow (as in bow down), crate, hug, daddy, mommy, trey, Eden (all our names) and max if course!!

Was looking through my old threads on here and saw your blog about the ironman. Great job! You are inspiring. Especially the pic of your greyhound on his back in your chair.....how in the world? J/k.

thanks everyone!

Thank you so much, you've put me at ease. My "greyhounds for dummies" book suggested I should be concerned if butt still bare after a year, but he doesn't have any other symptoms of thyroid problems, so I think he's ok, too.

I have had my hound for 1 year exactly. His hair has mostly grown in (the rescue said he was almost bald when they got him), except for his scars (i expect they won't grow in) and his butt. His butt and behind things are still bald. Any concern about this? Vet didn't care. I should mention he is a perfect weight now at 86# (he's a big boy)and has a good appetite and no other health issues. Thanks! -Kathy

Can I give my greyhound a cooked ham bone (the large bone inside the spiral ham I cooked) :)?

My dog was on Purina Dog Chow at the rescue, and I have kept him on it because he seems to be fine on it. I figure, don't fix it if it ain't broken, right? He occasionally has a loose stool, but it's after an hour-long walk, and the vet said that's normal for most dogs. Any opinions on that? Anyone else's dog's stools get looser toward the end of the walk? Thanks, Kathy

I'm sure there are other posts out there about this, but as you all know, the search feature is kinda difficult. Anyway, my husband taught Max "down" the first week we had him, and he learned it well, does famously with it. I want to teach him "paw" which I mean to use for shake. He doesn't seem to get it, I grab his paw after saying "paw" and shake it and give him a treat, but he won't give me the paw. Any ideas? :)

Thanks, and here's the link to the recipe: http://www.thepoop.com/pooppantry/Pumpkin_Cookies.asp

Can greyhounds have nutmeg? I read or heard somewhere dogs shouldn't have nutmeg, but I found a recipe online for pumpking dog treats that include it. I LOVE nutmeg, and he may too, but I didn't want to feed it if he can't have it. THanks!

anyone try a car harness? I'm wondering about those, for the safety of my hound on road trips. If there's an accident, your dog can become a projectile, injuring the dog and the passengers.....

Ok, so I bought the gentle leader easy walk harness (leash attched to front at chest), and he is a different dog on walks! I use two leashes --one on martingale, one on harness. Someone also suggested walking him muzzled. Anyway, he walked next to me, doesn't even lunge at squirrels. It's awesome!

Thanks, I guess I thought I was choking him when I did that.....

Yes, I try to keep him right by my side with extra loop. I guess I am a wimp.....he pulls SO HARD! :)