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HeyRunDog

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Posts posted by HeyRunDog

    Reassurance that things will get better!

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    15 hours ago, sian29 said:

    I already love her to bits but she's not the dog I wanted or was told I was getting - I feel a bit like I'm grieving what I thought life would be like with her.  So please tell me it will be alright!     

    I think a lot of us can relate to that and adjusting to the dog we actually have can take a bit of time. I nearly returned my first one several times because she was a nervous dog. It took a month until she stopped freezing on walks and another couple of months to get her used to traffic. She's still a nervous dog but will now go with me everywhere.

    Go back to basics and treat her as if she's just come into your life and slow things down. Imagine you've been dropped into the centre of a large noisy town in China with no translator, you don't know the rules and you can't read the signs, that's what it's like for her. She needs a friend who can guide her gently but with confidence and authority.

    Ford Fusion --> Escape with a senior greyhound

    in Everything else Greyhound

    Posted

    I get Grace and Guinness in the back of a Ford Focus with the seats folded down. Guinness jumps in and Grace will occasionally, I usually have to lift her in. I lift both out because Grace has got to that stage of life and Guinness because he broke his leg during his racing career and I don't want to risk him doing it again.

    Whatever you get make sure you can stand upright under the tailgate or that the back doors open wide enough for you to easily assist Logan in and out.

     

    Questions about behaviours in an ex-racing greyhound.

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    It can take ex racing greyhounds up to two years for their full personality to come out.

    Grace will only play with a toy when it's new and then only for five minutes then she'll ignore it. Guinness on the other hand is totally opposite and spends his in-between nap times time either chewing them or taking them from one bed to another.

    Hopefully the resource guarding should diminish with time. Give your other dog their food and treats first quickly followed by his so he learns he's not going to miss out and doesn't have to compete.

    Start alone training so he gets used to being on his own. The book often recommended is "I'll be Home Soon" by Patricia McConnell

    Ps. Your English is very good and a lot better than some of the text speak the youngsters use :D

    Freezing / Statue

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    For freezing, it might be a bit controversial but it worked for my Grace after all the other methods had failed and could be handy if he freezes in a dangerous place. I only had to do it twice and she hasn’t statued since. You stand by the side of your greyhound facing the same way and put a couple of fingers through the collar. You take a step forward and move your hand holding the collar forward with a slight upward motion at the same time, as if ten pin bowling, lifting the dog slightly. Keep waking taking your dog with you and giving the command “Let’s go.” Apparently it’s similar to how they are put into the traps.

    Mine also was nervous of traffic and to get her used to it I'd walk her nearly to the end of my road stopping just as she became uncomfortable with the noise from the main road and just stand there for a few minutes and not interacting with her before turning round and going home. Every couple of days we’d take a step nearer to the main road until she eventually took no notice of it.

    I see you also adopted your hound from the Greyhound Trust. Most of the branches do monthly greyhound walks and it's worth going on them. You can talk greyhound to other owners without their eyes glazing over and it will boost the confidence of yours.

     

     

    Two greyhounds two different attitudes

    in Cute and Funny things Greyhounds do

    Posted

    My two are very similar but very different.

    They both sleep most of the day, they both roach regularly, they both respect each other's space but come walkies time.....

    Grace quietly follows me into the hall to make sure I put on the correct shoes and pick up the keys and then follows me back into the main room and waits patiently for her collar and lead to be put on.

    Guinness runs up and down the main room like a loon throwing his toys around and making strange noises before standing in front of me to make sure his collar and lead is put on first but struggles to keep still in his excitement.

    Guinness lets Grace go through the door first to check it's safe but as soon as she's halfway through Guinness pushes past so he can claim the win, until the next door or gate that is.

    Training a Greyhound as a Service Dog - and the outdoor cat issue

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    They say that dogs can lie on the cat safe test. I've got one on his bed next to me at the moment which is why he was bounced. Guinness I'm looking at you :D I think it also depends on how the cat reacts to the dog not just the dog's attitude to the cat.

    There's a reason service dogs are usually Labradors, spaniels, GSDs etc. it's because they have been bred to work with people not for people.  Using a greyhound as a service dog is asking it to go against breed type but until you try you won't know if you've been lucky and got one that can be trained that way. But if it's a companion dog you want to bring a smile and a bit of comfort to people in care homes then go for it.

    Twerly Days

    in Cute and Funny things Greyhounds do

    Posted

    Had another twerly day yesterday. Guinness is a typical nearly 5 year old and has a habit of wanting the next thing before time. I have to keep telling him he's twerly and to wait otherwise the day is gone before it's started.

    He wanted the first walk at 6:00 instead of 7:00. Breakfast as soon as we got back instead of after my post walk coffee, lunch chew for elevenses instead of noon. And so it went on. Hopefully today will be an on time day. :coffee

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