Guest Mad_Irishman Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Hello, I am going to adopt a Greyhound here shortly and I wanted to see if anyone can provide some tips and tricks to a successful integration into my household. A little about myself and my family. I work from 2pm to 12am four days out of the week. My days off switch every month. I have a nine year old son who goes to school around 7pm and returns home around 4pm. My wife is in the Army and is about to be deployed to Iraq for a year or more. My question is, what would be a good program to introduce the Grey to. I was going to get the dog on one of my three day weekends so I could spend time with it, getting it familiar with the house and its surroundings. My schedule would be as follows, wake my son up at 6am, so I would take the dog out for a morning potty break. I would feed the dog in the mid morning, let it potty again, and then take it out for a walk. My son gets home around 4pm, he can then let the dog out for potty. I then get home around 12:30am or so, I'd let the dog out again, maybe a short walk outside, then bedtime. I'm concerned with my work schedule and I want to let the dog have free reign of the house, but crating is most likely what I'll do. Any tips or schedule arrangements from you folks to help me out. I feel a grey would be a great dog, I just hope those four days I work would not be too much. Also, I am quite concerned with the separation anxiety. Any tips or help would be most welcome. I would be adopting a retired grey from a foster home, so it would not come straight from a kennel. -Ian O'Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vjgrey Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 (edited) Congrats on the upcoming adoption! Greyhounds are such fantastic dogs (although most of us around here tend to be pretty biased ). And good for you for putting so much thought into this ahead of time. I have three greyhounds now and with all of them, I've initially tried to limit their time between bathroom breaks to around four hours. Eventually, he/she should be able to go much longer if needed (my hounds can go up to nine or ten hours at a pinch, although I don't do that to them unless I absolutely HAVE to). Mine all came straight from the track or kennel, though, so it may be different for a hound who comes from a foster home. As for the separation anxiety, you should do a search on this board for "alone training." Taking the time initially to ease them into it is definitely worthwhile. Kongs are a GREAT help with a lot of hounds. Put in a little food in - kibble, yogurt, pumpkin, dog biscuits, peanut butter, whatever you have on hand - and freeze them. Give the Kongs only when the dog is in the crate. I think my hounds actually look forward to my leaving sometimes. Good luck with your adoption. Greytalk is a wonderful resource. We'd LOVE to see photos once you have your hound home. Edited April 19, 2009 by vjgrey Quote Valerie w/ Cash (CashforClunkers) & Lucy (Racing School Dropout)Missing our gorgeous Miss Diamond (Shorty's Diamond), sweet boy Gabe (Zared) and Holly (ByGollyItsHolly), who never made it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 If you haven't gotten the book "retired racing greyhounds for dummies" yet, I highly recommend it. It really helped us get into the mindset of being greyparents. Greys are adaptable. Routine is important and comforting but there is no hard and fast rule about what the routine must be. Once you get your dog, you will get to know him/her and know what works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mad_Irishman Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I have the Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies, a very good book. I know each dog is different, but I hope my 9 year old and I can take care of the dog until my wife returns to help. I do not see any problems, but I just wanted tips from folks who have gone through the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I work 13-14 hour shifts (some days, some nights) and my husband is often out of town. We keep our three greys babygated in the living room when we leave. It is easier to dog-proof one room than it is the whole house. You would be amazed at what they can find to get in to. We feed at 6a and 6p. Potty times are usually 6a, 12p, 6p, and 10-11p. They get a walk around the neighborhood most days but the time varies. When DH is away, I have a dog walker come for mid-morning turnout and for dinnertime. He hasn't been away while I am on nights but I expect if he was that I would sneak home at about midnight for a quick turnout. When we adopted our first, we put her crate in the kitchen and left the door open. We got her on a weekend and worked on alone training right away. She didn't show any signs of SA. We babygated her with her crate in the kitchen when we left the house. That way it would be easy to clean up if there was an accident. She spent most of her time in the crate even though the door was open. We did the same when we added our second - two crates in the kitchen. By the time we added our third, we had moved and didn't have room for crates in the living room. We do have one crate set up for whoever wants some time to be alone. Good luck as you embark (he he) on this greyt adventure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Congrats and welcome. When you say your 9 year old will let the dog out. I presume you have a fenced in yard? Can the person who is looking after your son can let the dog out sometime between the time your son comes home and when you get home? That would be the most ideal. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fatesrelease Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Congrats! I hope everything goes well for you. No advice, just good wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mad_Irishman Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) Well I think I found a person to let my soon to be new grey out when I'm at work to limit crate time. Once Arial comes to the house, I'll send some pictures of her. Thanks for all the replies. -Ian M. O'Connor Edited April 22, 2009 by Mad_Irishman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jcbradley11 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) Hi Ian!! Glad to see you here! Thought I would post Arial's pic from the website so everyone can see her. Don't be too afraid of separation anxiety. A crate will help a lot with that until she adjusts, which since she's being fostered by Bob, she shouldn't have too much of an issue. He never crates any of his dogs. I would be more concerned with space aggression. None of mine have it, but some do. I believe the book you have talks about it, and there is a lot of info here, too. Good luck!! Julie Edited April 23, 2009 by jcbradley11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest snaphappy Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Welcome, Ian! I'm also part of AGA, so hopefully I'll get to meet you someday soon. We are dealing with some minor space aggression issues with one of our girls, but we are working through it. In the meantime, when we miss cues and get inside her desired space bubble, she's very good about giving a warning growl, and we all respect that. While we do have a stay at home parent here, there are times that we have to be gone for up to 10hrs at a time (when visiting my father in law), and the girls have done just fine in the house on their own (well, with the sheltie and the cat). I feel confident that once Ariel gets used to your routine, you won't have anything to worry about. Make sure your son learns all the rules and gives Ariel the respect she needs. If he does that, I'm sure they'll be wonderful friends, just as my kids are with our dogs. I've heard differing opinions, but I think greyhounds are wonderful dogs for kids. Tell your wife thank you very much for service to our country. She will be in our prayers during her deployment, as will your whole family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jcbradley11 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I think the best phrase that you can teach your son to live by is "let sleeping dogs lie" until everybody gets used to each other and you learn more about her. This would apply any time she is on her bed or in her crate. They can have space or sleep aggression. I don't want to scare you off, but I don't want anybody to get bit either. IF they have it, and not all greys do, but IF they do, it's only because at the tracks they have their own space and are not used to being bothered while they are in their 'space'. They are not used to being awakened with a human standing over them. Best thing to do is MAKE SURE she is awake before anyone touches her. Some greys sleep with their eyes open, so you don't know. I have tought my kids to only pet them if they're lying down if their head is up...cuz they wouldn't know if they are asleep or not. We have never had an issue though and we have 3 greys. I am sure everything will work out fine. You are doing your research and I can tell you will be an excellent greydaddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fatesrelease Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Oh she is just gorgeouuus! Wow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIGreyLady Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hi Ian, Sounds like you've done your research. I'm sure you all will do fine - they are incredible dogs. Your Ariel is a beauty. Quote Mimi- mom to Burdette (KB's Burdette), Sophie (LL's Stupid Is) and bridge babies Kelsey (Kelso's Logo), Sterling (Cold B Tiger), Fritz, Tasha, Chloe and Molly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mad_Irishman Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Well we just got Arial today. So far she seems very well mannered, except for chasing one of the cats. She knows what "no" means and has found a place outside to do her business. We are about to head out to eat and get her a few more items to make her new home more comfortable. Hopefully she'll do ok on her own for a few hours. I'll post more pictures when I get them and figure out how to put them on the website. Thanks again for all the words of encouragement. -Ian M. O'Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest houndstooth4 Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Congratulations! I'm sure everything will turn out fine! We need pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieProf Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 (edited) Congratulations, but -- You're leaving her for a few hours when you just brought her home today??? Generally you want to work up to that with focused alone training starting with a minute or two (or even seconds, if the dog shows signs of anxiety). Good luck with that, I hope it works out. And I certainly hope she's crated or otherwise confined where she can't get at the cat! Edited April 26, 2009 by PrairieProf Quote With Cocoa (DC Chocolatedrop), missing B for Beth (2006-2015)And kitties C.J., Klara, Bernadette, John-Boy, & Sinbad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DebR Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Congrats! They are such awesome dogs, you're going to love having one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jcbradley11 Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 (edited) Congratulations, but -- You're leaving her for a few hours when you just brought her home today??? Generally you want to work up to that with focused alone training starting with a minute or two (or even seconds, if the dog shows signs of anxiety). Good luck with that, I hope it works out. And I certainly hope she's crated or otherwise confined where she can't get at the cat! Yes Ian is crating her and she came from a foster home where the foster dad would leave her for around 10 hours a day and he never crates...I think she will be ok for a couple of hours in her crate. Edited April 26, 2009 by jcbradley11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rschultz Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 helllo and welcome. routine is key Quote Lexie is gone but not forgotten.💜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mad_Irishman Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Well, now she stopped doing her business. It's been about 6 hours since she's gone last and she has had a lot of water and a bit of food. I take her out every hour or so, but she will not go. Must be nerves. I gave her two cups of dry food and she practically inhaled it. Oh well, I must be vigilant. Oh by the way when we left for a few hours, no problems. So far so good besides the potty issue. -Ian M. O'Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jcbradley11 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 It's not abnormal for her to not potty for a day or two while she's adjusting. She will be ok...just keep doing what you are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mad_Irishman Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Well here are some pictures of Arial. Enjoy! -Ian M. O'Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurnerMiller01 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 HI There,,, i am new to this website and to having a greyhound too... we just adopted our 4yo last friday.. he is pure love.. all 70 pounds of him.. just pure love from the minute we first met him... i have a husband,, and two small boys.. 6yo and 3yo... my new greyhound loves them.. loves us.. has no sleep agression... and is the best dog i have ever had.. i have had GERMAN sheps.. cockers... but by far.. this is the sweetest thing i have ever come across. Turner we love you!!!! Also, our greyhound is crated during the day while we our at work.. he is just fine... he was unsure of us and the surroundings for about 5 days.. then after 6-7 days here.. he is relaxed and now playing more and simply just the sweetest thing... He is in the crate during the day.. from approximately 0730 until 4pm.. and he is just fine... i take him for a 60 min walk every day... and we are installing our fence next week.. i am so excited to get the fence... so we can let him run around... We love you TUrner...my new greyhound has stolen my heart... we really love him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jackiekbowen Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 From Michigan. I can say that to "Leave a sleeping Greyhound Alone" is greyt advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytfulJack Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 This is a wonderful site and everyone here is very supportive and helpful! Also, aside from all the other important advice there is...love, love and more love does a greyhound (and their owner) good! Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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