KickReturn

Thanks Redhead. Here in BC we have a local producer of raw ground mixes which are a reasonable price. But I am concerned that simply ground up veggies will not be absorbed properly. My understanding is that special processing is required for vegitable matter to be absorbed by a dogs digestive tract. BTW I have spent a lot of time near Shelbourne. Nice spot. I used to have property in the Devil's Glen area.

Is this the best I can do for prepared raw food? We are using the patties. Hester also gets a huge raw Turkey neck every day so he gets his chewing and crunching. I looked into a regular raw diet but Hester refuses organ meats so that would have me chopping, blending, cooking, etc. Plus I would have to add a vitamin supplement. The down side with the Nature's Variety is that he eats so much it will cost close to $5000 per year to feed the big boy. Is that insane? We have the resources but gosh darn, that is more than most people around the world get to eat. But than I look at him and wonder how I can deny him anything that makes him healthier:

Is this a joke? Unless the dog is physically unable to walk due to injury (which you don't say, so I'll assume not) than this is the most ridiculous (and perhaps the most stupid) thing I have ever heard. If the dog is healthy I recommend that over a three week period you gradually build up the dogs fitness to the point where it can handle two hours of walks per day. Three hours would be even better. Then report back to us on the chewing. Good Grief! One 15 minute walk every other day is animal cruelty.

Solution: watch close and leave no slack in the leash. When the dog begins to move just keep an even tension on the leash. If they really take off they will be directed laterally and forces on the collar will never get to high. My 90 lb boy has a rather dramatic post poop routine. I wait till he's done before cleaning up.

Sorry if I wasn't clear but the female belongs to a freind of mine. I adore her but the best I get is a sleepover now and then. Today I met her for a walk and she tried to jump into my arms when she saw me. In the middle of a walk I have seen her throw herself at the feet of a stranger in the roach position to get a tummy rub. She is one of a kind. Here she is again looking pretty: And trying to share a bed with my boy - getting a close as she dares. She loves him deeply but I can't tell if my boy even notices:

You've already received lots of advice on marking. Regarding gender, I have the most fabulous monster boy. He is a star among dogs and even among Greyhounds. But the single most fabulous personality I have ever encountered in an animal is his playmate, a sweet, cuddly, happy, joyful, payful, goofy female brindle. Her wonderful owners are blessed by her presence. Forget about gender and look for personality. Here they are together: he is 90 lbs and she is 64 lbs

I post this before but this is my favorite Dun: Here's some more:

Sorry, but until you have started the day with a one hour walk IMO you cannot really judge a dogs behaviour. And if that doesn't work try a two hour walk. Some Greys need that. Try it for a week and If you still have problems than you can look to more extreme measures.

Thanks for the excellent info. I'll look for Rugass' book. I wonder if his size has any impact these interactions and whether it explains why other dogs "cooperate" with him. I have only once seen him interact with a dog that was larger than he is - a female Great Dane. They had quite a freindly meeting although Hester had to strain and stretch to get his head above hers lol. Hester really is doing very well. Even among Greyhounds he could be considered a superb pet. If these are the worst of his problems I have done very well. One last picture of him lording over "his" beach.

Yes. This is Hester exactly. He is a "splitter" and this explains some of his other more energetic interactions with other dogs. And from what I have seen so far he is very skillful. The situation is always managed quickly, de-escalation is immediate. Other dogs seem to comply quickly. To Hester's credit he only intervenes if there is a high level of aggression. He frequently observes rough but balanced play between dogs with no reaction other than that he is watchful. Of course I'd prefer if he would just ignore it or get involved in some play of his own. But this brings me back to my original fear that one day some strange dog won't accept his behaviour. I'll continnue to watch closely. One thing that is helpful is that my area is populated many wonderful dogs with skillful and responsible owners. It really is a great place in which to own a dog.

Hester was off leash. We were at the beach. He is often off leash. It's been discussed in another thread. He is somewhat unusual in this regard. But don't worry, he is never off leash if there is a chance of encountering vehicular traffic.

Oh it was definitely not fun. One of the three attackers lunged just as Hester intervened. All three had their hackles up and the poor Flatcoat pinned itself to the ground terrified. My heart skipped a beat when Hester jumped into the middle of this but the attackers turned immediately and ran off. Hester chased them just a step or two and then returned to check on the Flatcoat and then walked straight back to me. Like I say I wish he could talk. Glad no dogs were harmed especially my boy.

Oh, he definitely has some fun police in him. The only time I have ever heard him bark is when another dog barks at him. But he will also invite play and chase other dogs. Maybe he is just confused. Very happy, but confused.

Hester gets a half of a huge Turkey neck every day. If the neck is a bit smaller he will get a whole one. Gone in 30 seconds. The neck is fed as a snack between meals. FWIW Hester is a 90 lb dog with a fast metabolism who gets 3 hours of walks per day. The rest of his diet is half raw half kibble.

OK here's another one. The other day at the beach Hester broke up a fight. Three dogs started to bully and attack a super submissive (and gorgeous) Flatcoat. He bounded from my side, placed himself in front of the Flatcoat barking at the other dogs and then chased them off. Then he went back to the Flatcoat that was still on the ground and gave a sweet nose to nose sniff and then returned to my side. The whole thing took about 10 secconds. Very heroic and all but my bet he was just being bossy.

The dogs that approach were both male and female. It was so interesting to pay close attention to the interaction. It was tough to follow exactly was going on. Everything is so quick and subtle. I would love to understand it all. Wish my boy could talk. I am just happy he is so content now that he has settled in. Yes that is a raincoat. The photo was taken early in the Spring as he was warming up for a run on the beach.

For what it's worth I observed about 20 grettings on a trail walk yesterday. Most greetings involve Hester ignoring the oncoming dog. Once the strange dog passes they usually do a U-turn and approach Hester from behind for a bum sniff. Sometimes Hester keeps walking and sometimes he will stop for a sniff of his own. He finishes quickly and resumes his direction. If there was any face to face interaction he would raise his head and his ears. For dogs that approached more directly as opposed to passing first and then turning, he would raise his head and ears and meet them directly. A normal greeting followed in all cases. There were zero conflicts on this day. The most interesting thing is that Hester was in the company of his "girlfriend", a 65 lb female brindle (see the photo below - note the size difference) and every single dog that took an interest only approached Hester and never his pal. So fascinating, there must be some explanation why she was ignored. Particularely strange because she has the best personality of any dog I have ever met.

Thanks for all the great advice. I will continue to be vigilant. I still wonder if I/we are reading Hester correctly. Here is one seriously laid back. calm dog. He is always calm when other dogs approach and doesn't seem the slightest bit upset by a quick argument. And it's probably only one in thirty dogs he meets that result in an issue. If he was insecure I suspect he would have more frequent negative reactions. He might only be assuming the upright stance once the other dog faces him. I need to do much more observation. Funny thing is with small, submissive or frightened dogs he goes through the full range of calming signals or simply looks away and allows them to sniff at will. There have been a few hilarious encounters where he has walked away from very small dogs who continue to follow him leaping up between his hind legs to get a good whiff of his naughty bits. Thanks again for the tips.

No, he will exhibit dominance over all. Not just the impolite. He will react the same with other greyhounds if he deems it necessary though most seem to pick up his cues right away and don't challenge him. No, although it doesn't seem to matter it is often Hester who will march straight up to another dog face to face and hold his head high. There is never a problem when the other dogs fold back their ears an avert their gaze. A very happy greeting usually follows. If Hester is particularely pleased he will play bow and invite play. The challenge comes if the other dog does not avert his gaze. He is the same on or off leash. I wish he was easier going on this issue. Let me clarify that Hester is not compulsive about this. Many times, particularly on leash he will see another dog and simply ignore it and keep to his walking sniffing. There have been no issues but I think there is a risk. It is pretty funny though watching him try to hold his head above a Great Dane.

Hello Good People of Greytalk, My boy Hester is proving to be a super dominant dog now that he is settled in and feeling secure. When he greets all other dogs he absolutely requires submission and a respectful approach by the other dog and no dog is permitted to hold its head above his. He approaches will his head held very high and his ears erect. It is rarely a problem as most dogs immediately comply and it is a very happy exchange. My concern is over the dogs that have no manners or dogs that are themselves dominant or resist being dominated. In the case of the former Hester usually just produces a low rumble from deep in his chest and the rambunctious dog will drop and give a wide circle approach. (One unneutered Whippit who was a bit bold in his approach let out a yelp and dropped into a sit - hilarious.) In the case of resistant or dominant dogs, if necessary Hester will escalate things to showing teeth and growling. He is not satisfied until he holds his head above the other dog. As of yet there has been no lunging or snapping but he has made some quick aggressive head moves. My question is what should I do? Should I just let the dogs sort things out or should I intervene? I know if I tap Hester's shoulder or neck he will stop and I would be able to simply lead him away when he is on leash. But I worry about leaving him defensless or interfering with his natural behaviour. I have yet to interfere as it is usually so quick that things are sorted out before I have a chance and other owners always seem to understand. However I don't feel quite right about the situation. I don't think it is right for the other dogs to be frightened and I dread meeting a dog that won't back down (hasn't happened yet but surely it will). After the greeting regardless of the original level of conflict if he likes the other dog Hester will stand proud and allow the other dog to explore him at will. The females tend to lick his muzzle and the males will sniff and lick his nether regions (go figure). If he dislikes the other dog he will just walk away.

90 lb Grey and 4 pound Yorkie. The two had never met before. Everybody off leash on a beach. (I think the Yorkie owner is taking a terrible risk, but alas Hester did not eat him.)

You can't even begin this discussion without addressing the exercise issue. For some Greyhounds 20 minutes is completely inadequate. I do disagree with not allowing the dog to sniff. What is needed is a long fast walk with lots of time for sniffing. Yes, sucks to have to get up so early but the exercise is essential for the dog and good for you. Get up a 5:00 AM if you have to and go to bed a whole lot earlier. Don't be lazy. Bo deserves at least an hour before you go and I bet more would be better. If you still have problems after a couple of weeks of that than it is time to try other things.

That's terrible - giving you advice and penalizing you for following it. You sound completely reasonable. Just brush off that group - they seem to be the unreliable ones - giving bad advice and recommending the wrong vet. Based on what you have reported here I would be reluctant to accept a dog from them. Look elsewhere. Don't give up. The perfect dog is waiting for you.

More likely he was afraid. At first our boy was very cooperative but as he gained confidence he did growl at us and even bark a few times when he wanted his space. He still is "careful" around us after 8 months as if he fears we will harm him if he should commit some transgression. This from a dog that has never heard a raised voice in our home. Remember also that Bo is likely very depressed and in this state some of the behaviour is unpredictable. Time will certainly change everything. Can Jim hand feed him some raw meat? Check with one of the experts here first but I do it almost every night with my boy. Now his favorite activity is to stare lovingly into my eyes.

You will soom receive good advice from those more expert then me but from a simple perspective it seems that your dog has developed some confidence before he has learned to trust. Two months is still a short time for an animal that has no history of knowing that no harm will come from every contact with a human. Time will be one ingredient to solving this problem. I do recommend that you walk him on leash as much as you can - really helps the bonding. I will let others chime in with what else you can do to help. I know this can be heart breaking but don't take it personally - it's a dog thing. Just continue to show patience, confident leadership, and positive reinforcement.