Ragsysmum

Had quite a few dogs (fostered and/or adopted) which did not tolerate chicken or chicken kibble. They were all fine on beef based kibble and various brands of tinned dog food without chicken. I think this intolerance is more common than people realise but vets still often recommend chicken based meals for dogs having problems.

Could he have fallen back to sleep again before your partner greeted him? Mine often sleeps with his eyes open so you think he is awake but he suffers from sleep startle so we are extra careful to make sure he is really awake and moving before getting too close.

People and kennels are running out and struggling to get more especially if they stick to one brand only here in the UK. Don't know how bad it will get with you folk but I reckon getting an extra sack wouldn't hurt.

When we get new rescue dogs into kennels I clip on and walk so fast they never get chance to freeze!

With new kennel dogs that seem a bit hesitant I just set off walking at a pretty fast pace and keep going, so they don't have time to think about stopping! As they get more confident we stop and look at anything they want to see and then move off smartish again. Works fine for me and the dogs are soon perfectly OK with walking out past most things.

We don't use crates much here in the UK. All our many fosters and adopted greys have had full run of the house from day 1. We do intensive alone training from the start, going in and out of rooms and house for a couple of minutes at a time many times each day initially till the dog gets so tired of this behaviour they lose interest and stop bothering about us.

I would think his food is upsetting or at least not satisfying him. Rice and lettuce don't sound like proper food for a hound anyway. I'd change his kibble, mix some tinned dog meat, sardines or chicken with the kibble twice a day and a couple of biscuits at bedtime and see how he goes.

Sounds like a lovely, easy dog you have there. Just relax, enjoy him and give it time. Be lovely to hear from you in 6 months time when he has wormed his way into your heart and you can't imagine life without him!

I'd bet on a corn!

Thinking of you both.

What sort of ground is she standing on near the car? I have had several greys who would jump in if the car was backed up to grass, or if the ground was smooth paving or tarmac but were very reluctant to jump up off gravel which our drive is. Guess it hurt their feet to put on the pressure for a jump up.

I think I'd try making his kibble a lot wetter in case he's actually trying to soften it because he's having trouble eating it hard with his teeth problem. Presume you are sorting out a dental for him anyway.

Could always just muzzle him on walks if picking stuff up is a regular occurrence.

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I'd steer well clear of the dog parks and avoid possible trouble.

I'd give her a bit more to eat as late as possible before you all settle down for the night.