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brianamac

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Posts posted by brianamac

    New Bad Behavior: Destructive Chewing

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    Wow, this sounds familiar!

    A month or so after his dog attack, Boo suddenly decided he wasn't going to go for walks. No amount of bribing or changing locations seems to help. The only thing that does is borrowing the neighbours dog to walk with him... unfortunately, it is their dog! So we can't borrow her every day.

    Since then, he has gotten chewy and destructive around the house too... in the exact same way. It truly seems like boredom because he LOVES his toys, but seems to seek out everything other than his toys when he is pacing and looking for something to do.

    The only real solution I have found is giving him more bones (raw ribs, etc) to chew on. They occupy him like no other kong, rope bone, or doggy intelligence toy. They muck with his poo and make it more messy for sure, but he seems happier and less likely to steal and chew when he has an hour or so with a bone on days he won't walk.

    I'm looking forward to reading what others have to say

    Allergic To Hounds?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by brianamac

    YES! To JJNG's comment.

    Some people (including my DH) do NOT take medication unless absolutely medically necessary... no tylenol, cold meds, gravol, allergy pills... nothing. It really isn't that uncommon. I would not say the fact that the guy doesn't want to try allergy meds means it is an excuse to get rid of the dog. I know a couple dogs from my group that are amazing and have been returned for allergies, and all found great homes. Allergies are allergies. Not everyone wants to suffer through or take meds for 10+ years. No reason to judge.

    I'm sure once this guy is returned he will make his way into his real home shortly.

    Good luck.

     

    "Any thoughts" you ask.

     

    Yup. He wants to return the dog and this is going to be his excuse. Particularly since he "won't take allergy medication."

     

    Go to any shelter in any city. Those that have kennel cards with "reason for surrender" will say, more often than not, "allergies."

     

    Sorry to be a cynic, but that's what comes to mind with me.

     

    Weird. Our humane society provides a sheet filled out by the previous owners including 'reasons for surrender'. A large amount of the dogs in the society are either german shephard x's or pit bull x's, and almost all indicate the dog having too much energy for the owners to handle, not allergies.

    Best Dog Food

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    Put another vote in for Iams green bag.

    We tried 3 different high end, locally sourced foods and had pudding poo all the time. We started mixing half and half with the Iams and it's been much better since. Finally we cut the charade of using the high end food at all and just feed Iams.

    That with a little bit of pure pumpkin mixed in = easiest backyard cleanup we've had since we got the guy.

    I hate the ingredients and we try and make sure no one sees us buying it :blush , but it works. So that's that.

    Mischevious When We Are Gone

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I see dog parent houses that don't have anything within dog reach... that looks SO great! However, I have a small house with lots of stuff... so while valuables are kept up out of reach, I simply don't have enough vertical space to keep books, toilet paper, keys, etc away. And now that Boo is comfortable he will steal anything within reach.

    When DH and I are both gone, he is crated. When we are home but unable to watch him (in the basement, sleeping, whatever), he is muzzled. Seems to take care of a lot of issues.

    How Long Did It Take For Your Grey To Adjust To Home Life?

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    We also just passed our 3 month mark with Boo, and his personality has come in out in certain ways... He had a big setback at the end of August, so he pretty much acts like the same stressed, unresponsive zombie he did when we first got him anytime people who aren't my husband or I are around. In the last three weeks or so he has become much more playful in the house and backyard when its just us and we actually get tail wags pretty often now! I have a feeling we are just STARTING to see the dog he will be, even if he has made what seems like huge progress to us.

     

    It feels like such a slow process, hey? Have fun and enjoy watching the small changes happen!

    Chewing Items- But Not Bones!

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by brianamac

    Wasn't sure where to post this; I know there is already a 'chewing items' post in the food thread, but I am looking for non-food items.

    For the last two weeks, Boo REFUSES to go for walks. He gets excited, puts his leash on, but always thinks that means car ride. He will run to the car but cannot be pulled in any other direction for a walk. He just gets terrified. We tried putting him in the car and taking him a few minutes down the street to walk but he refuses. No amount of treats or squeaky mama voice will persuade him into a walk.

    He used to walk, before his dog attack, and was never bored at home. Now that he doesn't walk, he is clearly VERY bored at home. He goes through periods where he steals EVERYTHING in reach to chew.

    We have started to train him well to 'drop it' in exchange for a good treat. He is good at 'drop it', now. But it doesn't quell his desire to chew. He simply searches out new things (even if that means chewing the arm of the couch).

    Bones and bully sticks rectify this, however, he gets possessive about bones and bully sticks, and I don't see those as everyday options... they give him the trots, so we make them more of a treat than anything.

    He won't chew a kong or a nylabone. He carries them around as 'friends', but doesn't see them as something to chew. Even when he is in a mood, he will. not. chew them. So far, books and people clothing are the favorites as chewables.

    Does anyone have any NON-BONE chewing recommendations? We want him to have an entertaining alternative that isn't a food item, but none of the dog chewy items interest him. I'm tempted to just sacrifice a book we don't like, at this point.

    Hello From A Newbie, And Some Questions!

    in Introductions & Biography

    Posted

     

    I already have a greyhound had him 4 months today, I also have a Merle Koolie who is about the size of a border collie. I take them out for walks 5 times a week. We have a reasonable sized back yard in fact a lot of homes around the area we live in have been demolished and two homes put onto the block so the dogs have a reasonable running area.

     

    Yes, my first part of the post was directed at you. Where it says 'Anyways, to the OP', I was actually speaking to the OP, Whiteram. Sorry for the confusion.

    Hello From A Newbie, And Some Questions!

    in Introductions & Biography

    Posted

    all this talk about dog walkers, do they really exist I thought it was just something that happened on tv. I only know one lady who has someone in to walk her dogs (it is one of her friends) and that only happens because she has an injury that makes it hard for her to walk her dogs. I really thought it was a make out job that happened only in tv land. I do know of people who come in to feed dogs when owners away as an alternative to boarding kennels but that is all. I didn't even know people put their dogs into crates either while they were out working. I guess everyone I know with pet dogs have well fenced yards to keep them in, I know it definitely isn't something commonly done in Australia. I understand in areas where/when it snows dogs couldn't be kept outside especially a grey with it's fine coat so I'm not having a go at anyone, just expressing my surprise.

    I love reading your posts because I think the difference of having greyhounds in Australia vs. Canada is SO interesting! It blows my mind to think of a place where leaving the dogs outside is feasible... summer OR winter... and I know from your posts that you do it right, with lots of shade, raised beds, kiddie pools, etc. MAN that sounds nice!

     

    Anyways, to the OP, I feel like I wrote your first message. I have known since high school that greyhounds were for me and stalked the local adoption sites, greytalk, and anything I could find to get my greyhound fix... for TEN whole years. But I knew I wouldn't get one until I could be fully responsible... So I understand your dilemma.

    I truly think the one bedroom thing isn't an issue if you can try and block off a bedroom with a baby gate so the cats can have access but the dog cannot. We live in a house with a backyard, but it is only a 700 sq. ft. house, with two cats and the greyhound. It really isn't an issue. I wouldn't worry too hard about space, as long as the pup exercises he can probably be happy in a one bedroom apartment.

    As for dog walkers, I agree that in your situation, you would need one on hand. Our boy can hold it for 10 hours (usually when he is stressed, not when we make him do this), but still. I would not trust ANY of the dog walkers in my community with our grey. They all seem to be teenage girls that walk around talking on their phone with a dog at the end of the leash.... no care for the dog (sorry, VENT!). Anyways, you can probably trust other dog owners in your area over hiring a random dog walker, and pay the same price. Maybe if you watch and see who has dogs of similar size and walks them regularly during the day... then perhaps approach them and ask if they would be willing to stop and pick up your dog for a walk along with theirs, for a price.

    Good luck. Please adopt as soon as you feel good about it... I worried about having every single detail of life into place before we adopted. But when it comes down to it... if you have love and time to give, and little space to share... it'll work out. Not every grey owner needs to have fully fenced acres, work from home, and thousands in the bank for vet bills. Is that a dreamy situation? Yes. But can you be great greyhound home without? I think also yes. Just be honest with yourself. When you feel ready, you probably are.

    Good luck.

    Pet Insurance?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Since I am also from Canada, I thought my reply might help.

    We have PetSecure insurance. For our 2 year old, no previous health problem grey, we pay $60/month. That is with a $300 deductible (per injury/illness), but pays $5000 for injury, $5000 illness, and $350 no deductible for dental, and $350 for behavioural therapy, alternative therapy, etc every year. It probably isn't the best out there, after reading some other replies. Maybe we should have shopped around more.

    However, my niece has a Great Dane that had bloat a couple months ago, and she was on the same insurance. She admitted the dog to the E-Vet, and while he got surgery she called Petsecure to let them know the deal and that she was filling out claims forms. The E-Vet faxed the forms while her dog was in surgery, and by the time she took the dog home she only paid the bill for her $300 deductible.... she didn't have to pay the whole thing and wait for a re-imbursement, they just took care of it. So for that reason, I do think PetSecure in Canada is an alright choice.

    Hope we don't have to use it for a long long time.

    Vet Expense

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I have one of those Greyhounds who has "abnormal" for at least one value every single time blood work is run. We were turned down by VPI because of it (even though I have an email from Dr. Couto himself saying the values are "perfectly within normal limits FOR A GREYHOUND." At a certain age, insurance becomes very expensive, and aside from the $$ cost, I do not believe most dogs would choose invasive treatments, countless hours being poked, prodded, examined, held at the vet for observation, etc. With a father who is a virtual vegetable right now, in a nursing home, I happen to believe that letting go and taking into account what the DOG would want is much kinder that throwing money at something like a terminal illness in order to extend a dog's life.

     

    :ding

    Vet Expense

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    If you can afford the "anything he needs," great. If you can't, I don't think anyone should ever feel guilty about not spending money they don't have at the vet. If your animal is suffering, you do what you have to do to alleviate their suffering--which is not always to "fight" whatever the problem is.

     

    This exactly.

    We have insurance for the dog that should take care of most anything, but our cats are both older and this is our stance. We had a logical talk about what we could afford to spend on treatments for them. With student loans already, we really can't go into any unreasonable debt. If a treatment had a high chance of saving their life/having them live many more years, would we be flexible on our 'animal spend limit'? Yes. But if it would just 'fight' the problem? We agreed on a responsible dollar amount during a logical, non emotional time. That amount is what will get spent.

    Need Advice About A Possible Spook (Long, Sorry)

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    Well, as hard as it is, I'm glad you made this decision early enough. It seems you made the decision based on his best interests

    Our boy was fostered with other greys, and so of course no one could have realized what he was like without other greys. When we got him, we gave him lots of time assuming he was just 'adjusting'. He is relatively happy with us. But he is SO HAPPY with other greys, and we are not in a position to get another for a couple more years. Is it too late to find another home for him in which he would be happier? I think it is. He is happy enough with us that there is no immediate need to rehome. We love him, like crazy. But we also know he isn't just 'happy', but THRIVES with other greyhounds. We wish we would have known early enough to offer him that opportunity. We would give him a home with other greyhounds if a loving one was available, but the need is not so extreme that we would return him at this point, and there aren't any homes in our community looking for an additional grey.

    I'm glad you made a decision you can probably feel good about, for the dog's happiness. Hope you guys find the perfect dog for your family in the future.

    'stay' Training Questions

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    Whoa, how did it not dawn on me that I was rewarding him for 'come', not for 'stay? :riphair

    That makes so much sense. And I thought by training distance, that just meant my 'stay' was more effective... although I can see how it isn't. When it comes down to it, the stay command is important to me for backup that he won't jump out of the car, dash out the door, etc. Therefore, rewarding stay as it's own behaviour, seperate from come, makes such sense.

    Thanks for the great advice!

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