Brandiandwe

I'll check it out! Thanks! Checked: article and antibiotic. She's on Metronidazole, which is the one recommended.

Not sure. The aim of the antibiotic was more for settling down inflammation. Because the episodes happened periodically or cyclically, we're guessing that its something in the food rather than a bug of some sort.

She does seem to be better now (a dramatic difference). Both dogs used to have quite a bit of waste. Today, the volume was cut by two thirds and was much much firmer. Brandi's are perfect, Paige about 50% there. I'm more concerned about what happens longer term when we wean them off the stuff now. Although doing the chicken isn't a problem in terms of $$$$ it's more the time. They love sitting by the kitchen watching the rice cooker cook their dinner and breakfast, but waiting for it to cool down etc isn't going to be possible when I need to get to work. I'm not worried about cost (within reason) either - to me, it seems a false economy to get cheaper and poorer quality food if it means all the savings will end up at the vet, and we end up with unhappy tummies.

Done to death I know, but we had to take Paige to the vet yesterday. She had had the big D every ten days since we got her (7 weeks ago). Each time previously we could put it down to something she ate or the stress of arrival (arriving, a rawhide bone, liver treats - too processed causing problems for both hounds - a treat someone at a pet store gave her without asking permission and so on). The last bout was caused by none of those. After an examination, we 'think' it might be a food intolerance which is exacerbating an inflamed bowel. So she's now on some antibiotics for the inflammation and boiled chicken and rice with probiotic yoghurt. We've put Brandi on the same because, inevitably, they want to eat whatever is in the other bowl. We started the new regime last night and I saw immediate results this morning. However, if it is a food intolerance we need to find a new food. They were on Canidae with yoghurt and rice occasionally. But I'm looking for other options. In Australia there aren't a huge number. We've recently got Taste of the Wild over here which I could try, but is it less processed than Canidae? Going raw entirely isn't an option - not enough room in the freezer - but are there any others? Has anyone heard anything about Ziwi Peak?

I remember standing outside for an hour or so waiting for her highness to go, walking up and down. Patience and a good book are sometimes recommended.

Just a curious newbies question. You mentioned he was 'fixed' about four weeks ago and that the aggression started after that. Could there be some sort of hormonal thing going on? They haven't quite balanced out yet? Thinking of horses and sometimes colts get a bit more bolshie after gelding before settling down.

Paige growls regularly at Brandi. Both are still relatively new (nearly 2 months for Brandi, 6 weeks for Paige). We tend to let it go, as it's usually Paige telling Brandi that she doesn't want to play. However, we don't allow growling when Brandi is walking past to get to a bed, or Paige not allowing Brandi into the family circle, or possessiveness over me, my bed or the spot beside me. We also don't allow Paige to 'shepherd' Brandi around, not letting her lie down.

I did that jump - 20 minutes to 1.5 hours with Brandi. I walked, fed, went to the gym Came back, the toilet brush had been placed at the bottom of the stairs and my husband's shaving brush was in her bed. Otherwise all was well. For me the big jump was one from 4 to 5 hours alone. That was more difficult, but was alleviated with the arrival of Paige.

I'd just like to thank everyone for this thread. I've been trying to manage two dogs who respond differently to other dogs. Both scared, but one tends to go forwards aggressively, the other back (or in front of me, growling and trying t 'protect' me. From the elderly fluff ball who hasn't even noticed we're there). We are making slow progress, but today I managed to stop the high pitched whine and quivering at the sight of another dog by giving a hug and repeating 'you're fine'. We got no barking, growling, lunging, pulling or anything. A minute later, the other dog was no longer and issue for either of mine and we could continue with our walk. Thank you all so much.

We had to carry Brandi up the second half of our stair case, and down for a couple of days. We did the physically moving her paws and luring her, but the second half freaked her out - got to the landing and stopped. So we blocked all of the view off between the bannisters, which are open, using sheets and towels, and then 'suitcased' her. By day four she was a pro. Paige learned off Brandi.

Paige hid behind the sofa for the first few days, despite having a very comfortable bed to be in. I ended up moving 'her' bed so it was where she felt comfortable (behind the sofa). She then started lying on her bed because it was more comfortable than the floor. Then each time the pack were sitting down (me, DH and Brandi), I moved Paige's bed slightly further out from behind the sofa so she came into the family group. If she looked uncomfortable, I moved it back a bit and then started again. This worked well until the day Paige trotted in and hopped on Brandi's bed - Brandi was horrified, and the other bed came into the circle proper. But it just took her some time. Now the bed is irrelevant because she's figured out that she can fit onto our sofa with us, but Brandi can't. FWIW we never crated either of our dogs (Australia vs US thing?).

This interests me because I'm dealing with two greys who are still figuring out other dog breeds. Both have been assessed as fine with small dogs but if the other dogs rush at them (as so many of them do!), one goes backwards at speed, and the other forwards. We're making progress though - this morning we were charged by a horrible little mop on legs which was off-leash (and crossed the road to get to us). After an initial freeze, I tugged the leashes and said 'let's go' and both of mine followed me. There was some barking and 'singing' and some pulling back, especially when it started to follow us, but generally, they did as they were told. Clever girls! Of course the mop's owner was nowhere in sight and was calling the dog back - it ignored her.

We decided early on that no dog would sleep with us. So, when Brandi whined every half hour for us the first night, I rolled over, gave her a pat and sent her back to bed. Now both hounds argue about who's going to sleep next to me (usually Paige, who is much less submissive). Neither dog is encouraged into bed while we're sleeping. However, on nights that have turned cool, both of them have taken it in turns to hop in-between us to warm up before returning to their own beds. And at 5am a couple of mornings a week my husband is trampled under paw as Brandi decides it's time for me to get up, but she can't be bothered walking around the bed. For us, we would have had problems if Brandi had been sleeping with us, because Paige is more dominant than her (which is one reason we got her). So I suspect we would have had problems with the 'boss' being relegated to a less desired sleeping spot (being the one within touching distance of me). And having had to referee a cat fight on my bed in the dark once (nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night and hearing a snarl coming from 'somewhere' in the room, except perhaps seeing a fin in the water) I have no desire to sort out a dog dispute. And you can' necessarily control which dog will end up in charge.

OMG. I am SO getting one of the 'Diva' coats for Brandi!!!

We had problems with SA (pottying in the house etc), and ended up getting another hound (which wee had wanted to do anyhow). The SA cleared up immediately, but we've got a nice blend of personalities. They've been together two weeks, and are perfect. However, they are also slightly more work and more $$$$$.

For some greyhounds it is not comfortable for them to sit. It's not a stubbornness issue. Sunshine sits like a champ while Rainy sits drunkenly and easily looses her balance while sinking down to lay. She's not trying to be disobedient or stubborn it's just uncomfortable for her. Yup. Same here. Paige sits regularly and happily. Brandi is long and a bit unco-ordinated - sitting actually looks painful for her, so she squats then keels over the lie down. Or drops into a sphinx pose.

Inexperienced owner here, but I've found that obedience classes have been great. No, neither of my girls can sit. They get the lie down bit, but the stand up cue is more difficult. They aren't food motivated, meaning training is difficult. HOWEVER, I've found that for them both, some obedience training has cemented my relationship with them such that I can call one of them away from playing, and am starting to be able to redirect both of their attention away from the yappy little dog (or cat) and towards me.

Thanks again for all the replies. I don't think it's a UTI - it seems to have stopped, and I need to just make sure she does pee before bed. Of course we're now dealing with the big D with her, but it's stopped in Paige with rice - on the other hand, the rice seems to have caused it with Brandi so they're now on different diets. Otherwise, all is well. They're doing great and are really settling in. A cool change came through last night so they took it in turns to pop up onto our bed in the night to warm up - DH and I woke up to find the Brandi had wiggled her way in between us and was roaching, using is to balance. This is not something I want to encourage, but it was very cute!

Extending on this - but not hijacking - we feed twice a day. Brandi 2 cups of Canidae per meal, Paige 1 and 3/4 cups per meal. We've also been mixing it with plain organic yoghurt. However, my husband thinks the yoghurt is causing the big D - I suspect that its down to the treats they had - but has anyone else found that yoghurt causes a runny tummy?

Yes. That's what I'm worried about. You can also add the rawhide and pigs ears to that list, in addition to liver treats. So far the only things that seem to work are the venison treats I can get, but they were a free sample, and they really aren't that chewy. Peanut butter in a Kong might be the next stage, or an easier Kong for them to chew on.

Good things to think about everyone - thanks! Both dogs are kept in the bedroom with us at night, and I've been home more or less full time for the past four weeks. When I'm home both dogs are within 2 metres of me, usually lying directly behind my chair and across the doorway so I can't make a move without them knowing. they also escort me to the bathroom, kitchen, laundry, back upstairs, downstairs to get something else, upstairs again, to answer the phone, the door..... It might be that she's had too much freedom, but really, she's been pretty strictly supervised, and accidents before this morning I've been able to trace to SA or me having a small sleep in. The carrots as a treat are a great idea! I've been giving them a little bit of carrot occasionally in their dinner, but they can certainly have it as a chew instead. Then at dinner they can continue to have their organic yoghurt, kibble, cooked chicken, scrambled eggs or whatever. My dogs eat a better diet than I do!

So, as you know we adopted Brandi about three weeks ago, nearly four, and Paige one week ago, nearly two. Everything is basically going fine. They have settled in together, Paige is the dominant dog, and I'm the one in charge. They switch beds regularly, share time on our bed, alternating, share toys fairly well and both seem happy enough. I'm working on Paige NOT guarding me and keeping Brandi away, and particularly not growling at Brandi when we're having cuddle time. All seems well. Except that Brandi still pees in the house. It's only occasional, but this morning I was woken at 5 am by her peeing in our bedroom. They are taken out at 6 am for an hour, then usually they're inside till the afternoon - no accidents since Paige has arrived. Then they're out again quickly at 4-5pm, and for a longer walk at around 6 or 7 depending how hot it is. Out again at 9.30 - 10pm for a pee stop then we start again. This has worked really well for Paige, but this morning, apparently, not for Brandi. We can't limit her acccess to water because I just won't do that and it's coming into summer - they really need it. The only different things I can think of is that they both had rawhide chews last night - they won't be getting them again as it upset both tummies this morning on their walk (yuck), but I noticed that they were both drinking more, so maybe something in the chews made them thirstier, meaning Brandi couldn't hold it for another half hour? Can anyone see something that I'm missing here? I obviously need to be hyper-vigilant about making sure both pups pee on that last walk of the night, and cleaning up (which I'm doing), but is it just time? Both are only 20 months old or so (2 in January and February), so is this partly age? Or just more rigorous training? I really don't think that she's doing it deliberately - she's doing her best to do the right thing and the idiot human is obviously mucking things up (so often the way with humans and animals). Also, does anyone know of any good chewy treats or snacks which are good for teeth and which are natural? Paige has a very sensitive stomach and I'm still trying to figure it out. Brandi doesn't like Kongs (too difficult), so I was hoping something nice and chewy but not chock full of nasties.

Brandi is a sniffer, Paige is a walker. Gradually they're beginning to meet in the middle, which is fine. And both are knackered by the end of their walks. The real difficulty I have is with the focus on other dogs and humans on our walks, when both freeze and focus and I can't move them on. We're trying treats and recall now, as well as some time spent looking. definitely different to other dogs though!

What I'm going to say is going to sound a bit harsh but to me, it doesn't sound like Ari is being all that demanding. Sure, she 'may' sleep for 18 - 20 hours a day. But that leaves 4 - 6 hours. You're away for, say, 9 hours with class (8 hours plus travel time/ shopping/ whatever). You sleep for, say, 7 hours. That's 16 hours minimum there where Ari hasn't had any interaction with you (though sleeping near you is important to them). So when she sees you, she probably wants some stimulation and company, and the 2 - 3 hours a day, split into morning and night that she's currently getting, isn't enough for her. Mine are the same. I need to make sure both of them get their two walks of 30 minutes to an hour, plus other outings, about 45 minutes a day of just 'actively' hanging out (grooming, cuddling, playing, whatever) each, and then they both are within two metres of me the rest of the time I'm home. And when they're left alone, they have each other. Before we got number 2, Brandi was even more demanding. My point is that it sounds like Ari needs more company and attention, hence the energy and attention-seeking when you get home. They aren't fish, or cats, or horses, who can be left alone. They actively seek out our attention and affection. And they do take up time. As I said, maybe what I've said sounds harsh, and others can let me know.