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FountainLady

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Posts posted by FountainLady

  1. Welcome from Mid-Michigan! :wave

     

    When the time comes for you to open your heart and home to a senior hound or two, Dayton will steer you to the greyhounds that need you most (and you need most).

     

    Greytalk can be a dangerous place - Both my bridge boy, Doc and my Gus, came to me after I saw posts here trying to place these "special" dogs in a new home. :lol You'll just know when you see them!!

  2. Greyhounds can sit, and do it repeatedly. I understand the frustration at your dog not being able to do things as quickly and as repeatedly as the other dogs in the class. But that's okay! Since this is only your second class, remember as your classes go on, you'll be teaching new things each class, and you will spend less time practicing the sit. Each class from now on should be a review of what you have already learned - plus your new thing to work on for that session.

     

    If you do not like the trainer, then you can seek another to work with. I have always worked my future Therapy dogs in a regular obedience class and made them learn all the things all the other dogs did. When I took Gus, I did get permission from the trainer to bring a rubber-backed rug for him to do his sits, downs and stays on .... since he only has 1 leg in the back, and we found it to be a bugger for him to try to get up off of the slick gymnasium floor where the classes were held! The first class he was like Bambi on Ice trying to get up off of that floor. I had to brace his one leg with my foot and help him to stand.

     

    (Just to let you know .... Gus has mastered the art of getting up off of highly polished floors, so he can take little breaks when we visit the nursing homes.)

     

    Your trainer shouldn't make "allowances" for your Greyhound. You may need to work harder with your dog, or work smarter to accomplish the same goals, but you can do it! :) All my greyhounds ended up being the "stars" of their obedience classes by the end. When you do your testing for CgC and for being a Therapy Dog, you have a choice of doing a long down stay -or- a sit stay. Do the down stay, as your dog will be less apt to break it.

     

    I'm presently working on training Gus' sister Cricket to join him in Therapy dog activities. My hardest thing for her is going to be her leaving food offered to her by a stranger. She is SOOOO food driven - great for training purposes as she'll turn herself inside out for a cookie. Feel free to PM me if you ever have any questions on training your Therapy Dog. Both Rainy & Gus had their CgC & also certified through Therapy Dogs International. I have been doing Therapy Dog visits and activities since 2007.

  3. Soren I am so sorry for your loss! Give Haka a BIG hug for me ... it must be heartbreaking for the both of you.

    I hope the pain you are feeling now will soon be replaced with warm and happy memories of your sweet smiley girl!

    Sending hugs across the miles to you!

     

    :f_pink :f_pink :f_pink

  4. Time and practice in all different places - do you have a large Pet retailer like Petco or PetSmart near you? They are great places to take your dog to practice them around distractions and lots of different people and dogs.

     

    Don't lose hope - keep at it. It should all "click" into place soon for Milo. The more different places you take him to the better.

  5. Congratulations on being picked by Rudy! He is so handsome!! :heart

     

    I was "picked" by my first greyhound, Pup - while on vacation in Florida many, many years ago. He, too plastered himself by my side, poked his needle nose into my hand - and let me know in no uncertain terms that he was coming home with me. let me say, I did not go to this kennel with the intention of adopting a dog, it was just a sight-seeing visit ... I had to call the DH back in Michigan and let him know I was flying home with a dog! Pup was right, he was OUR dog, and we had the most amazing life together.

     

    We can't wait to hear of all the fun and adventures to come once Rudy joins your family!

     

    You will find that your greyhound is uniquely different from your other dogs. People will stop you in the street when you walk him, wanting to meet Rudy and to ask questions about him. Greyhounds also draw small children in to them like a magnet. :lol

     

    Be sure to post once Rudy comes home! :clap

  6. Where is she having the accidents? Is it in the same area of the house?

     

    Can you try walking her to empty her out before you leave (and to help tire her out)? I would also try to baby-gate her away from or close the door to the room(s) where she has a history of urinating in. I'd also leave her with a frozen peanut butter kong/marrow bone stuffed with kibble.

     

    My dogs can't wait for me to leave if there is a filled frozen marrow bone in it for them.

     

    Crating a dog that doesn't like to be crated may actually be more stress on the dog that just you leaving her in the house by herself, at odd times.

  7. Gus is a rear leg amputee.<br /><br />He does everything all my other dogs have done, we found out he can even swim this past summer.<br /><br />He is a TDI certified Therapy Dog, and the children who read to him at the Libraries will tell you that Capt. Gus is just "differently abled". He visits an area nursing home weekly right now, and Gus also really enjoys doing stress relief at the Special Olympics, among other things.<br /><br />They adjust quickly to life on three legs.<br />

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