ramonaghan

Thanks! I've been ignoring the whining and I'm happy to report he's slept until 6 a.m. the past couple of days. Although he had filled his belly band yesterday morning, it was dry this morning! I think it's starting to click for him. Another Greytalker suggested a licky mat at bedtime for some mental exercise and I think that's helped as well. Since he doesn't seem to mind sleeping downstairs, I think we'll just stick with that. Our girl slept downstairs the last couple of years when she wouldn't/couldn't do the stairs anymore, so we've gotten rather used to that anyway.

Ask and ye shall receive, Ellen.

I've been happy to help. No one should have to go through this alone. Despite the terrible way the members of the osteo club acquire their knowledge and experience, it is truly inspiring to see how everyone lends support and advice. I would have been lost without this forum!

Next in the series, "Tongues: How Do They Work?"

Happy, happy 14th birthday, beautiful Opal! What a milestone! Definitely insist on French fries tomorrow.

Doolin's next TED Talk.

You made it to the other side! Well done, you two! Poo foot, poo hair, poo living room... It was a fecal Pollock.

Excellent chikken stalking, Wiki. Cletus KLTO would be proud!

Teef!

Yep! We always say "go potty" and super-happy "good boy!" when he does.

Boys: they are different. I have read through many threads and would like to get thoughts on whether there's anything we could or should be doing differently to get Doolin into a routine. He's had a few accidents overnight despite multiple opportunities to go throughout the day. We're only 17 days in, and I absolutely realize this boy has had a lot of change in a short time (last race in late April, adopted in late May, owner died, and we adopted him in late June), so the answer may well be "time and patience" and that's fine! Our ideal schedule (AKA what always worked for Sweep): 7:00–7:30: Breakfast and a 20-30 min walk depending on temps (will increase length in fall) Noonish: Potty break and treat 4:00–4:30: Dinner and a 15-20 min walk depending on temps (will increase length in fall) 6:30: Dental treat, optional potty break 9:30–10: Last out, bedtime cookie What's actually happening: 5–6a: Doolin whiiiiiiiines and paces, Rachel goes downstairs when he is quiet, takes him out, he doesn't do anything. 6–7: Repeat above. 7:30: Breakfast and 20-30 min walk. Multiple pees and 1 or 2 poops. 8–4: Napping with periodic outings to the backyard. He may or may not pee and almost never poops. 4–4:30: Dinner and a 15-20 min walk, usually several pees. 6:30: Dental treat, optional potty break. 9:30: Pry him out of bed, try to get him to pee/poop with mixed results. 12–1a: Pace and whine, Rachel goes downstairs when he is quiet, takes him out. Sometimes a pee or poop, sometimes not. I slept on the couch downstairs the first two weeks to be with him. Our one stair training session seemed to scare him to death, so we've set that aside for now. That means he's not sleeping in our bedroom. He settles for bedtime easily and doesn't complain when we go upstairs for the night. But I'd really like to avoid the midnight and 5am unproductive outings. I really try not to reinforce the whining and wait until he's quiet for a minute before checking on him, and I try not to make a fuss over him in the wee hours (no pun intended). We also have an Adaptil diffuser plugged in where he sleeps. He has been fearful of the backyard at night since the 4th (and 3rd...and 5th...and 6th ). I took him out the front door last night and around the block and that worked much better. I was optimistic because he peed four times and pooped on that outing. Still, he'd filled his belly band when he woke me pacing at 1am. His last out at the kennel was at 7:30pm and first out was 6am. So do I just ignore him overnight? It's like he has a hollow leg until the middle of the night. At Miss Jan's suggestion, yesterday we left a belly band on him all day and removed it only when he went outside. He doesn't have accidents during the day, but this will hopefully help him make the association. Thank you if you made it this far! He is the *sweetest* chattery boy, but this whole housebreaking thing is new territory for us. Obligatory pretzel leg photo.

Yes, totally normal. It's so hard to see them confused and uncomfortable, but it's short-term. Remember you're doing this to spare her horrific pain and suffering. It might sound silly, but talk to her and explain that to her. She trusts you and knows how much you love her. That she is eating at all is a victory, as is the fact that she's already able to get up and around a bit. Celebrate those little wins, and by this time next week you'll be amazed how far she has come.

Woot! Good girl!

Wiki! Happy 4th!

Oh no. I'm so sorry. Sendings hugs your way.

Tessie's got an excellent care team on board.

I wonder if this group would make an exception for their adoption area (because Pickles!): http://www.greyhoundrescue.org/availablehounds.htm Allegiant flies to Knoxville, and I'd help with a GUR as far as Atlanta. I have mentioned that MSGAO adopts to all 50 states and I'd also help with a GUR from Memphis to Atlanta (my husband's parents live in GA and we're long overdue for a visit), or Huntsville or Birmingham if that's better for you. Allegiant flies into Nashville, and then you'd have to rent a car to drive the 3 hours to Memphis. It's I-40 the whole way and an easy, flat (boring) drive. As far as your wish list, we met Goose while there but not Cole. Adam (the director) told us Goose can be a bit prickly when the other dogs accidentally bump him or hover too close, so he might not be the best temperament for what you're looking for. His super-dark brindle coat is so cool though. Other boys we met: Call was a sweet, gentle boy who almost came home with us; Adam said at turnouts he just finds himself a shady spot, digs a hole, and takes a nap. Jade and Jazzy were also sweethearts. Jade's a young'un so he was into everything—he was counter surfing in the kennel kitchen —but he's affectionate and gorgeous. Jazzy has thick lovely fur and seemed like a very mellow dude. He has janky toes like Sweep did. The track will be closing in December and they're really not sure what to expect—lots of dogs or hardly any dogs—so we were advised to decide by September for safety's sake.

Yes to area rugs. Trimmed nails are important, and it also might help to make sure her pads aren't too dry, which makes them smooth and slippery. Use Bag Balm or Musher's Secret to moisturize them at bedtime (when she won't try walking before it's dried) and that should give her a bit more grip.

My first thought as well. We experienced that with Sweep, and although her anal glands weren't that full, having them expressed stopped the licking.

Howie! There's a massage parlor joke in there, but I shall refrain. Marbles. Olives.

But does it remind you of olives?

Ellen, it's obvious you've been holding out on us with your veterinary expertise.

He has no doodew claws! I emailed his records over today. That's an unfortunately placed W (for his white belly) on his chart. 3. He has different eardoos (can you tell I am going to have fun with this name? I keep singing O Dooly Boy to him). And a lovely long neck.