vsrenard

I float the kibble. Zola was not drinking enough water for years so this is how I conned her into getting reasonable fluid intake. Now it's just habit.

My experience, I am no expert so take it for what it's worth: I have two GHs. Zola I have had for 7 years. She is now 9, and she and I are very in tune with each other. I have never taught her any commands but always spoke to her in a normal tone of voice--please do this, don't do that. She does not know the words sit or stay, or even leave it, but will do as I ask (in a conversational tone) because she has gotten used to me. She's really laid back but she still has a mischievous style. I let her get away with a lot so long as she listens when I need to her to (and she does, based on tone of voice). For example, when I am eating and she is begging ( a no-no here), i will tell her to go to her bed. She knows what I want but she'll sit on the spare couch--just to get her own way. I just got Brin 3 weeks ago. She is a lot more stubborn and we don't have a bond yet. Her foster family taught her 'sit,' which i have been reinforcing. With her, I will definitely use commands as a way of setting expectations and giving praise as I think this will strengthen our bond. But already I can tell she does what she wants when she wants--it is up to me to set the boundaries of when and how that is acceptable. Our house is a quiet, be-yourself kind of place. I demand obedience only for certain situations, conveyed by tone of voice. In other cases, I request and make it worth their while to comply. From my experience, this style works much better than the standard training I have used with other breeds.

Zola has been on Proin for about 3 years. She does well on it, ha never had a problem. She is 9 now, with a low thryoid but no other health issues.

I know well the pain of not being there with your heart pup when he moves on. I hope you can take comfort in that he loved you and knew you loved him. Gentle hugs and warm thoughts.

Thank you. I hadn't really thought about hounds needing privacy.

I'm trying to work through some housebreaking issues with Brin and could use some advice. Specifically, she has not once yet pooped while leashed. She paces the house when she needs to go and will poop if let out in the backyard. But if we take her on leash (last time we were out or 40 min with her), she will not poop. I am ready to give her lots of positive reinforcement when she does, but I have no idea how to make her go while on leash. She pees while leashed, but it's reluctant. Any ideas? Thank you!!

Oh, Chrissy. I was just thinking about Speck a few days ago and felt a renewed sense of loss (for a houndie I never met, mind you!). My favorite pic of him and handsome Gino is the one of them with noses touching. Gentle hugs and bright smiles, my friend.

Oh, I miss hearing about these two. Very special dogs. Happy birthday bridge pups.

Zola's runs high but in normal range for a greyhound all the time. Her kidney function is always high so I add lots of water to her food. It's the only way to get her to drink water.

Poor baby. Lots of good thoughts coming your way.

thank you!

yeah, we gotta talk about you, me and that book tour! zola misses her girls.

d- I know, I know. tonight or tomorrow, i promise! (grumble grumble, hate being on work travel)

Last night, Zola somehow musthave turfed it in the backyard and banged herself up pretty bad. She was agitated and walking around all ngiht, moving from bed to bed (normally she zonks out with mouth open and tongue hanging out). I checked on her a few times but couldn't figure out what the problem was. Well, in the light of day, I found that she had torn her skin off in a big patch (1.25" by 2"), and has some scratches and bruises on her belly. I am not too concerned as she doesn't seem to have any internal pain (doesn't squawk when I palpate her organs) and jsut seems down and ginger with her leg. There's nothing to suture; I think I just have to care for the open wound. I've cleaned it with antiseptic, neosporin-ed it, and covered with gauze and vetwrap. Also gave her some uncoated aspirin. Anuthing else I should be worrying about? And yes, I tried to lift her spirits by hand-feeding her some Colby Jack. Thanks!

I am so so sorry Deanna.

I am so sorry.

I am so sorry. What a precious little cutie.

Thanks, everyone!

Zola has been limping off and on for the last week and naturally, I have been very worried. Made an appt for her--had to get her annual exam and bloodwork (I go for the full physicals because I am a nut). I was hoping it was just arthritis, but preparing for the worst. Turns out it was...a muscle strain. I am a very happy, somewhat broke houndie owner.

Ah, they have wings and they squish. Well, I guess I know it's gnats plaguing my dog's butt. thanks!

Maybe gnats. What gets rid of those?

Hello, Zola got fleas a few weeks back and I'm pretty sure I got them all out with a combination of a Dawn bath and her Advantage. She's not itching, I haven't picked up any fleas with her comb or my fingers, and she has no flea dirt. But... she does have some small bugs that seem to like hanging around her butt. I bathed her again but the bugs are still there. They are tiny, brown, maybe have wings. They don't look like fleas; moreover, no flea dirt. Help!! A frustrated houndie and her frustrated human

Zola doesn't seem to like walking. She droops after 5 min (for no good reason) and is excited to go home. But take her to the beach and she'll zoom around for hours. We live in an underdeveloped area with a sizable backyard. Zola runs back and forth in our yard chasing things she'll never catch (trust me ) throughout the day. She and I play in the mornnig and the evening, which involves some running, tug, donuts, and the like. We take her to the beach 1-2/week during the winter, 3-4/week during the summer. I'm sure she'd like nothing but to go to and from home to the beach several times a day but...

Oh, Chrissy. I can't stop crying, I just read this. My heart goes out to you. Gentle hugs. Speckles and Gino are talking about their mudder now, together.