HeyRunDog

Grace is 23.75 inches at the shoulder and says that good things come in small packages. What she is trying to tell me at just over 6 feet I'm not sure

With Grace I found a firm NO and a quick tug on her lead as soon as she started to notice small furies eventually worked together with praise when she stopped looking at it.

I hope he was referring to the horse Don't the kids of today watch cowboy films any more?

Dogs pickup how to behave from their owners and I just wonder if your dad is a bit more confident with your dog. Take him for a walk together but without paying much attention to your dog so he gets to understand that he's not above you in the pecking order. When you take him for a walk and you see another dog, do you tighten the lead and change how you are walking? This signals to your dog that the other dog is not to be trusted and needs seeing off. Keep the lead slack and get your dog to look at you either with a treat and or your voice and praise them while he's ignoring it.

I found my local greyhound walks by googling greyhound walks followed by my local area. Failing that search for greyhound adoption groups near you and contact them to see if they run or know of any social groups.

Dogs love consistency because they like to know where they stand, or lie in the case of greyhounds. I think you need to decide if he is allowed into your bedroom or not and as he seems happy to sleep in the downstairs room some nights it shouldn't be to hard to remove the bedroom from his sleeping arrangements. My Grace isn't even allowed upstairs and is quite content to spend the night on the sofa. Mind you with my arthritis it would be me disturbing her sleep not the other way round

I think that is why greyhounds are so addictive. They make you wait and work at understanding and sorting out their quirks and then reward you by giving you joy. Agreed. It took Grace 2 years of meeting a husky type dog a couple of times a week during our morning walks before she even looked at her, but the collie cross lurcher got greeted with a wagging tail from day one

That's true. Never been a fan of liver flavoured toothpaste

Could be a habit like children sucking their thumb but as Houndtime says it could be arthritis. It might be worth a visit to the vet or mention it at his next check-up.

Somebody's removed the bung. Just needs reinflating.

After coming back from a walk in the rain and you and your greyhound area bit damp around the edges has anyone else used the dog's towel to dry themselves off? ... and not always before the dog? Or is it just me

I think as has already been mentioned a combination of a harness and a collar is the best solution. A harness as a backup to stop him escaping and the collar to communicate with him. If you want to meet other experienced owners face to face and see what they have to suggest as well as socialising him have a look for greyhound walks in your area. Most of The Greyhound Trust branches have a free monthly walk.

Well done Lavida. Just get them to sign the adoption papers and stop with the foster pretence

Just proves the theory that greyhounds are part cat

That's what you get in a half price sale... only half a hair cut

Hunnyboots get a good recommendation in this thread

I think some of the problem is when he's touched by someone something is done to him which he doesn't like. Grace doesn't like her feet being touched which makes trimming her nails difficult. Luckily I have an understanding vet who will trim her nails while they are planted firmly on the floor. I have either been gently stroking her feet or holding them while she's been laying next to me on the sofa and after a year of doing that she'll now lift her front foot off the floor to let the vet trim her nails. Just before you touch him try saying "friend" and then stroke him and if he doesn't snap give him a reward. When he's comfortable with that progress onto stroking him first then while you do that are get another person to stroke him and at the same time reward him. As soon as he shows discomfort stop.

That does sound excessive. Before you name the vet in question can you get quotes from other vets in your area?

Getting some in today's food delivery. Hope Grace will let me share it

Just a couple of thoughts. I see they are both boys, perhaps a confident female would get on better with Wonder. Also as George is the new boy have you been giving him a little more attention? Perhaps he thinks he's slightly higher in the pecking order than Wonder. Hopefully they will sort it out amicably and well done for taking the plunge in getting a second greyhound. I haven't been brave enough...yet.

I've heard of them for humans but didn't realise they were available for dogs. Hopefully it means our hounds won't have to be anaesthetised to have their teeth cleaned removing the risk of the anaesthetic and of emptying our pockets

Yes I agree. It does sound like attention seeking. He pees and you interact with him,,,result. You could try when he pees to calmly grab him by his collar and lead him out of the room and shut the door on him. He'll probably whine or scratch the door but the split second he's quiet and calm immediately open the door with a lot of praise and a treat. After a few repeats he should get the idea that peeing is the wrong way to get your attention.

Reminds me of that old joke when a student showed the art teacher a blank piece of paper entitled "White cat in a snow storm." Grace is the same. If I put her coat on, unless it's several degrees below zero, she'll take a few steps and stop dead until I take it off. Rain doesn't bother her unless it's coming down that hard it hurts. They build these Irish greyhounds tough.

Does that mean her poop comes out ready bagged?

Changing to a different kibble won't be a problem if you do it gradually over a couple of weeks. I guess you are in the UK? If you are you could try either the kibble from the Greyhound Trust at £40 for two 15kg bags with free delivery or Gain Maintenance from Millbry Hill for two 15kg bags at £32.99 (£13 each plus £6.99 delivery) Both are specially made for retired greyhounds and Grace has either or a mixture of both without any problems.