MattB

This is just out of interest as someone told me that adult dogs use their paws less than puppies for holding things etc. Six months ago we got an ex-racer - Charlie - he's quite dexterous and uses his paws to hold chews, drag toys and get attention by waving or hitting us with his paws if we're within reach. Sometimes he even likes us to hold his paws. A couple of weeks ago we got another ex-racer - Daisy - she's much shier but we've also noticed she doesn't use her paws at all, if there's a chew on the floor she'll pull it towards her with her mouth and look a bit clumsy as she doesn't control it like Charlie does. I can't even remember if Charlie used his paws when we first got him or if it's something he developed but just wonder what other people's experiences and thoughts on this matter were? all the best, Matt, Chaz and Miss D x

(I hadn't heard the word spook until recently....US term?) We've just got a new grey, 5 years old, been in a rescue centre for a year. Beautiful thing, wouldn't come out of her kennel for anyone, we felt so sad we took her home to live with me, my OH and our other grey Charlie. We can't look at her without her cowering and she's struggling to walk past ud to go outside. Once we've got her harness on she's not too bad outside but any form of physical contact and she shakes like a leaf and her teeth chatter. I know it won't be an overnight transformation and she needs patience and love but just wondering if anyone has some tips on how we might bring her out of her shell?

Oh actually one further (strange) question - has anyone got a muzzle that can still accommodate 'treats'. Sometimes I'd like to keep a muzzle on just to be on the safe side but would also like to reward.

These are really helpful insights thanks so much everyone. I think it's interesting about the 'novelty' and perhaps the fact that pets are recognised as part of the pack/family. Our family had a grey (Cait) who had no training but never batted an eyelid at our chickens, geese or sheep but would chase anything she could outside. It was like they were part of the scenery/ a 'no go' area. I'll certainly follow up the references people have provided. M

I've never really thought of small dogs being an issue! I thought they would be processed as 'dogs' but I suppose from a distance. Is this a common issue?

Hi I've seen similar threads get a bit heated so just want to say that I take full responsibility and don't blame my dog in any way. I'm just after some practical advice on moving forward. We've had Charlie about 3 months. He's a bit shy and sensitive but is very well behaved on our regular walks and in the house. We're very careful about letting him off the lead but his recall is very good. We've had two sad incidents in the past month. Firstly an old stray cat jumped into the garden and Charlie caught it, by the time I got to them he'd let go but the cat died moments later. Secondly I was visiting my mother who keeps chickens and they were shut away so I let Charlie off the lead like I've done before. Unfortunately a chicken had managed to escape (this hasn't happened before) and Charlie killed it. My mum has greyhounds but they recognise her animals as a 'no go' area, obviously as we've only visited a couple of times Charlie doesn't think the same. I'm really sad about this and not taking this lightly and I also know animals kill things. I'm taking extra precautions now like muzzle if we're visiting mum but not in our own garden. I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on training....is there anything we can do to discourage chasing and killing? Both times it's been over so quickly, in a matter of seconds. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

To clarify, I have a baby wipe on my finger at all times, that's slightly less gross right?

Interesting! My mum's previous hound Cait would rub her ears on me until I brought out the baby wipes and she'd do the same as Doc. I'd do this very carefully using a finger and being careful not to go to far. I use ear buds as well around all the little crevices but very very carefully. We've recently got two more hounds in the family and they love this too - our other (non-gh) dogs would never let me do this!

Just out of interest, do other peoples hounds get particularly dirty ears. This is hound number three who has quite a lot of wax. Doesn't seem to cause any problems and they all absolutely love them being cleaned. This hasn't been the case with any other types of dogs I've had.

Thanks all for your thoughts, We've stopped Charlie going on the sofa for the moment and after a couple of days he seems to have calmed down a lot. He's still a bit wary of me and my partner when he's lying down but like you say I'm also sure it's about all getting to know each other. Thanks again, Matt (and Charlie)

Thanks for these - so if I'm not discouraging growing it's better to avoid the situation I.e. no couch at the moment?

Hello, We've had a greyhound for 6 weeks now. Lovely chap though very quiet. Charlie likes us all being in the same room although doesn't seem too fussed about attention: he likes lying on the spare sofa. In the last few days I've gone to sit next to Charlie to stroke me and he's growled at me. The first time I said 'no' sternly and he ran out of the room and looked very upset with himself. Today as soon as he forked he jumped off but had a really scared look. I don't want to feel intimidated by Charlie and in every other respect he's the ideal dog. He loved nee cleaning his ears on the sofa yesterday. Just wondering what people think the best way forward is. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Hi, I just wondered if it common for greyhounds to be nervous about their back legs being touched? I ask because this is our second gh who gets anxious around this area. Exactly the same behavior: loves being stroked and it's only if you stop with your hand resting on his back legs that he growls briefly and walks off. He has a clean bill of health but just wondered if this is common? M

Hey everyone. Unfortunately the tumour seemed to suddenly take hold and grew incredibly fast. Cait was put to sleep this afternoon. I just thought I'd share this link to one of the last pictures I took and thank you all so much for your thoughts and kind words. https://www.flickr.com/photos/120169833@N05/13248209903/ M

Hi again everyone. Cait has been back to the original vet and sent for a second opinion to a different practice. Sadly they have found a tumour around her neck area and there is nothing that can be done. The tumour became more apparent as she has lost weight. Ironically she's had a good couple of days, been a bit more mobile and been eating a more and looked a lot more like herself. She has been prescribed painkillers and we will give her lots of love until the time comes. Thanks so much everyone for your support and good wishes - I was trying to post a picture but this wasn't as straightforward as I thought. M

Thanks so much for all your responses, much appreciated at this horrible time. The vet dealing with her (Cait) is very nice and has some experience of osteosarcoma in greyhounds and in her mind this seems to have been ruled out but we will request more. I have e-mailed Dr Couto so thanks for that suggestion. It feels like time isn't on our side as Cait's pain seems to be getting worse and her appetite and mobility are decreasing. It's so sad and I can't believe this has happened so suddenly and I didn't realise that oseo was so prevalent in greyhounds. We originally thought it could be a pulled muscle or something along those lines as she has recently managed to squeeze past a child gate on our stairs.

Hi, I'm writing out of desperation..... We've got a 10 year old greyhound who's been in great shape up until the last 6 weeks when she suddenly developed a limp in her front right leg. We took her to the vets who said 'arthritis' without any diagnostic tests and put her on anti inflammatories. After 10 days absolutely no improvement so she had an x-ray (dental work done at same time - some teeth removed) and said that although she did have arthritis this was fairly minor. The vet prescribed steroids at this point and said this would also help to improve her appetite. She's in a lot of pain and has lost a lot of weight, we're having to help her get up to go outside at the moment and this is very distressing (for all of us). We've had a lot of dogs (other breeds) who've got arthritis in their later years but this has been a gradual process, not like this which seems to have come on overnight. I'd appreciate any suggestions or sharing of any experiences others have had as we're at a loss and hate to see her in pain. Matt