RedHead

Lol! That makes more sense now!

Mine chew on bones at least 5-6 times a week (not usually the big knuckle bones, but smaller edible ones) and I am trying to brush each day. I wouldn't imagine a dental bone once a year, or even once a month would do much, if anything at all. Whether you brush, or feed chewies, it has to be daily, or at least 3-4 times a week to be really successful IMO.

Wow, I really don't have any suggestions, but what an ordeal to go through with your first grey! You are amazing for taking on a dog with all of these problems. I really hope OSU can help you out.

Teague also discovered his "favourite areas" in the house, but with time he explored more. I would definitely give it some more time, and worry a bit more if things don't improve with time. Personally, I think (depending on the dog) other dogs can work wonders in these situations. Are there any greys or other dogs in your area that you could walk with or have over for a visit? Obviously, this would depend on how your girl responds to dogs, you don't want something barging in and freaking her out, but if it draws her forward and makes her play or act confidently sometimes that can break the ice. Maybe a GTer is in your area and could meet you for a walk or visit. I actually prefer a new dog to be okay with being away from me as opposed to having to follow me around everywhere, that kind of thing can lead to more serious problems IMO. Give it some time, don't coddle or praise (ie. reinforce) scared behaviour, and she will hopefully come around.

You can bake the eggshells for a bit to dry them out and then just grind them. An easy rule that I was told to follow was 900 mg per pound of food. With eggshell powder that works out to about 1/2 tsp per pound. A long time ago I did some homecooking for my IBD/pancreatitis dog which did wonders. I made it mostly of meat, eggs and pulped veggies. A lot of people think you have to add a ton of variety if you are feeding homemade, but you can also make balanced meals with just a few ingredients. There is no set formula for IBD as you will have to find out your dog's individual intolerances. A lot of ingredients not tolerated in kibble may be tolerated with homecooked.

I honestly go with what works and don't put much into "studies" as there are so many, all with differing results. I KNOW joint supplements helped my old dog tremendously, although I don't know if Gluc./Chon. on their own do too much, the supplement I use has a variety of ingredients and vitamins. Teague will be 6, Karma is over 10 and although neither has any signs of joint problems/arthritis, I started Karma on a preventative joint supplement. I add a scoop into Teague's food as well now, I figure it can't do any harm. It has some extra vitamins, cartilage, antioxidants etc. I also strongly believe in high Omega 3 supplementation, and all my dogs get a fairly high dose of fish oil each day. My dogs both get a good amount of running and hiking each day as well, so I feel confident that I am doing all I can, whether it works or not.

In the past, I had a dog who ended up having pancreatitis with similiar symptoms (it could be a number of things, but that was just my experience). Listlessness, and panting also indicate pain. Hope you got her into the vet!

She doesn't look too skinny in the pic, but it's hard to see when they are lying down. I give eggs all the time, they are great (the most complete protein you can feed). I only feed free range/organic from friends, I just crack it into their other food a few times a week. As far as Insurance, I went with Trupanian. For the monthly cost I can afford it was the ONLY company I could find here that has unlimited coverage. The others all had limits on the amount you could use in a year, which was a bit limiting. The lesson I learned was to really read the policies thoroughly before deciding. I didn't get any for my non-grey Karma because she is 10+ and it got a lot more expensive. Poor Karma!

Judging from your description of him, it sounds more like overexcitement than aggression (keeping in mind that overexcitement can lead to fighting or growIing). I don't know if this is a "greyhound thing" but Teague still greets new dogs by springing at them with his tail and ears up. It looks like aggression, but it isn't as he never growls or snarls and after the initial meeting he calms right down and basically ignores. I think he just reacts to excitement by lunging/springing through the air, but it often freaks out the other dog. I try to keep him behind me when I meet a dog, I greet the dog first, and that seems to allow the initial excietment reaction to pass. I would keep exposing him to a lot of dogs, see if treats will redirect him, and hopefully with time and experience, he will calm down. Greyhounds are very competetive (found that out at a greyhound run!) and I think other dogs running and playing triggers behaviours in some of them.

To me (if he doesn't seem nervous or scared) it just sounds like he wants to go back to the truck! It seems like quite a few greys don't seem as keen as others for long walks or adventures. Maybe with his age he just doesn't really want to venture off too far, and has the old "horse running to the barn" thing going on. Some dogs get into their own habits on walks, and maybe this is just a new one he has picked up and repeated. Does he do the same thing on loop trails, or just when you walk up, and then back on a trail? Mine do better on loop trails. If we double back on a trail, I have taught them a "Turn Around!" command, which is funny because they actually seem very excited to turn around . Also, have you tried hiking with 2 or 3 other dogs that Summit really likes? Sometimes the pack mentality keeps them travelling forward. At least if you tried some of these things out you could better see if this is behavioural vs. medical. He may just be a true couch potato!

I feed turkey backs when I get them (just did after getting some in the "post-Christmas" turkey frenzy at the grocery store)...I did cut it in half but it is also fine to keep it large and your dog will just chew off of it. I don't normally feed the larger turkey bones such as the thighs, but I do wings, backs, and necks.

As far as I know Dr. Ogilvie is one of the most experienced in terms of homemade cancer diets. You can google him and find a ton of articles. His cancer diet is cooked and pretty simple: http://www.vetoncologyconsults.com/Ogilvie%20Homemade%20Cancer%20Diet.pdf Also, I really like Monica Segal...she formulated diets for many of the vet clinics here during the big petfood recall and really knows her stuff. She has several books, but also sells cheaper little mini books on specialized diets (scroll down for her cancer booklet) http://www.monicasegal.com/cancer.html I noticed a big push in omega 3 supplementation in both of these diets, as well as restricting simple sugars. Good luck! How tragic your dog is so young

Have you checked out "My Pet Carnivore?" It looks like they do deliveries to your city. You can order turkey or chicken necks, in large bulk packs or in 3 packs. They do charge a delivery fee which wouldn't be worth it for a few necks, but maybe you could contact them and add in a small order with someone else or at least get some advice. http://www.mypetcarnivore.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=137 (scroll down) Also, for chewing benefit, ANY chicken or turkey part will do the trick. I feed meaty chicken thighs way more than necks and actually prefer them.

Totally agree with above...it sounds like you have been rewarding the behaviour. Dog's don't really rationalize so any behaviour that is paired with a reward will increase (e.g. comforting or feeding while barking) Also, I don't know your daily routine but in my opinion many dogs that are prone to barking do a lot better with a higher level of exercise and training/stimuation throughout the day. In addition to ignoring, I would also up the exercise and do some fun training or even some of those puzzle games/treat balls which will keep her occupied and tire her out. Your girl actually sounds like a great candidate for something fun like clicker training. Good luck!

Karma was like that (and still is a bit). Liver powder worked wonders for us. Here you can buy it in little shakers and you only need a tsp or so and the smell really stimulates their appetites. If you can't find the powder you can grind up or mash up some of the freeze dried liver

Oh no I am so sorry

Not to get too technical about poops, but if he is really straining, it is likely the poop is too firm rather than too much/too big If that is the case, anything with bone with only firm it up more. You could try some canned food or boneless meat, but a little straining is good as it keeps the glands cleaned out.

I agree that it is the glands and/or fleas. Teague did this last summer...chewing at the base of his tail and the skin got red and flaky. I swore he didn't have fleas because I had never seen one on him, and there were absolutely no signs of them. I went through with a flea comb and got one flea. I went over every inch of him and got one more. So, although he didn't have many, the bites still made him itch. I put flea treatment and the chewing and redness went in a few days (never to return ).

Yep, greyhounds are great at making a little bump or a little scratch into a BIGGER problem! I couldn't believe all the cuts and bumps at first. Sounds like things will be fine. Congrats on your new adoptee

We have a lot of relatives/friends who bring dogs over, and the first thing we always do (right out of the car) is introduce them off the property and go for a little walk together. This way it isn't a face to face "coming onto my property" thing and when they walk they are more interested in sniffing. At the same time, they are sniffing with their heads together, walking side by side, and getting comfortable and used to each other. By the time you get back home they don't even notice when they all go in the door together. My dogs are not aggressive, but some of the visiting dogs can be snarly so this works like a charm every time. I would definitely keep them muzzled in the house in the beginning as well, not only for their protection, but it also tends to relax the humans a bit more which in turn helps the dogs. They will probably get along just great

I have never tried it, but it seems like a lot of people like the Kirkland Brand from Costco. If you are looking for quality ingredient list comparative to price, I think that is one of the best deals. It is just a matter of what your pup does well on (grey tummies can be sensitive!).

Teague is around that same weight (78lbs) and I have noticed he eats a LOT of meat compared to other breeds I have had that are the same weight. I don't weigh my food but I am pretty sure he eats closer to 2lbs on many days. I tried less and he acts starving and also gets too thin. I have started giving him a bit of kibble in between sometimes because otherwise he would eat me out of house and home! I don't have any suggestions for low cal fillers, especially if he won't eat things like green beans. Maybe you could give him a couple of eggs, or stuff some peanut butter in a kong?? He could also just be showing his enthusiasm over his new found food and begs more. Many of my pups have done that in the past when they were first switched from kibble to raw. I would monitor his weight, that is usually the best indication.

So sorry for that news Hoping and wishing you can find a successful treatment!

Also, meaty chicken thighs have pretty much the same chewing benefits as necks. I actually prefer them as they are a bit meatier and larger so they aren't so likely to be swallowed whole. Our grocery store here carries bags of them for about $5.

Totally looks like a Pittie mix to me. I did a DNA test on my dog. I actually already knew two of the breeds in her and they were both identified accurately in the test plus another one I didn't know. I dunno...I don't think all the companies are bad but beware of the cheaper tests. I don't see any greyhound in your pup but he is adorable that's for sure!