Help!

[Guest kkaiser104]

I just brought Teddi home yesterday, and he just seems so bored today and I'm not sure how to help him with that. We got up, went potty, ate breakfast, and then went on a nice long (30 minute) walk. When we came home he napped for an hour and a half and now he just keeps getting up, pacing around the room, and laying back down. I tried to interest him in a toy, but he wasn't interested in playing. I gave him a bone last night and tried to give that to him but he's not interested in that either. Linda at GAO gave me an everlasting treat ball, but I need to buy the inserts for that so I can't give it to him right now. Any advice? He seems anxious and I don't want him to be bored! He's 2.5 so I know he has lots of energy, but I'm not sure what we should do today. It's 90 degrees here so I don't know about another walk this morning--I'm afraid he'll overheat.

[JAJ2010]

So this is day #2 in your home? You could work on alone training, some fun obedience games with treats, etc. He also might have to potty again. Sometimes when they are in new places they have to potty more often since they are a bit anxious. When we travel I always take the girls out a few more times each day. Other than that just let him slowly figure things out. It's day #2 and his entire world has been turned upside down. He's allowed to be a little off kilter.

 

This article might help you understand him a bit better

 

 

What is your new adopted Greyhound thinking?

 

This breed has never been asked to do anything for itself, make any

decisions or answer any questions. It has been waited on, paw and

tail. The only prohibition in a racing Greyhound's life is not to get

into a fight----------------or eat certain stuff in the turn out pen.

 

Let us review a little. From weaning until you go away for schooling,

at probably a year and a half, you eat, grow and run around with your

siblings. When you go away to begin your racing career, you get your

own "apartment," in a large housing development. No one is allowed in

your bed but you, and when you are in there, no one can touch you,

without plenty of warning.

 

Someone hears a vehicle drive up, or the kennel door being unlocked.

The light switches are flipped on. The loud mouths in residence, and

there always are some, begin to bark or howl. You are wide awake by

the time the human opens your door to turn you out. A Greyhound has

never been touched while he was asleep.

 

You eat when you are fed, usually on a strict schedule. No one asks

if you are hungry or what you want to eat. You are never told not to

eat any food within your reach. No one ever touches your bowl while

you are eating. You are not to be disturbed because it is important

you clean your plate.

 

You are not asked if you have to "go outside." You are placed in a

turn out pen and it isn't long before you get the idea of what you

are supposed to do while you are out there. Unless you really get out

of hand, you may chase, rough house and put your feet on everyone and

every thing else. The only humans you know are the "waiters" who feed

you, and the "restroom attendants" who turn you out to go to the

bathroom. Respect people? Surely you jest.

 

No one comes into or goes out of your kennel without your knowledge.

You are all seeing; all knowing. There are no surprises, day in and

day out. The only thing it is ever hoped you will do is win, place or

show, and that you don't have much control over. It is in your blood,

it is in your heart, it is in your fate-- or it is not.

 

And when it is not, then suddenly you are expected to be a civilized

person in a fur coat. But people don't realize you may not even speak

English. Some of you don't even know your names, because you didn't

need to. You were not asked or told to do anything as an individual;

you were always part of the "condo association"; the sorority or

fraternity and everyone did everything together, as a group or pack.

The only time you did anything as an individual is when you schooled

or raced, and even then, You Were Not Alone.

 

Suddenly, he is expected to behave himself in places he's never been

taught how to act. He is expected to take responsibility for saying

when he needs to go outside, to come when he is called, not to get on

some or all of the furniture, and to not eat food off counters and

tables. He is dropped in a world that is not his, and totally without

warning, at that.

 

Almost everything he does is wrong. Suddenly he is a minority. Now he

is just a pet. He is unemployed, in a place where people expect him

to know the rules and the schedule, even when there aren't any. (How

many times have you heard someone say, "He won't tell me when he has

to go out." What kind of schedule is that?) Have you heard the joke

about the dog who says, "My name is No-No Bad Dog. What's yours?" To

me that is not even funny. All the protective barriers are gone.

There is no more warning before something happens. There is no more

strength in numbers. He wakes up with a monster human face two inches

from his. (With some people's breath, this could scare Godzilla.) Why

should he not, believe that this "someone," who has crept up on him,

isn't going to eat him for lunch? (I really do have to ask you ladies

to consider how you would react if someone you barely knew crawled up

on you while you were asleep?) No, I will not ask for any male input.

 

Now he is left alone, for the first time in his life, in a strange

place, with no idea of what will happen or how long it will be before

someone comes to him again. If he is not crated, he may go though

walls, windows or over fences, desperately seeking something

familiar, something with which to reconnect his life. If he does get

free, he will find the familiarity, within himself: the adrenaline

high, the wind in his ears, the blood pulsing and racing though his

heart once again--until he crashes into a car.

 

Often, the first contact with his new family is punishment, something

he's never had before, something he doesn't understand now,

especially in the middle of the rest of the chaos. And worst of all,

what are the most common human reactions to misbehavior? We live in a

violent society, where the answer to any irritation is a slap, punch,

kick, whip, or rub your nose in it. Under these circumstances,

sometimes I think any successful adoption is a miracle.

 

He is, in effect, expected to have all the manners of at least a six-

year old child. But, how many of you would leave an unfamiliar six-

year old human alone and loose in your home for hours at a time and

not expect to find who knows what when you got back? Consider that if

you did, you could be brought up on charges of child abuse, neglect

and endangerment. Yet, people do this to Greyhounds and this is often

the reason for so many returns.

 

How many dogs have been returned because they did not know how to

tell the adoptor when they had to go out? How many for jumping on

people, getting on furniture, counter surfing, separation anxiety, or

defensive actions due to being startled or hurt (aka growling or

biting)? So, let's understand: Sometimes it is the dog's "fault" he

cannot fit in. He is not equipped with the social skills of a six-

year old human. But you can help him.

 

written by Kathleen Gilley and is an excerpt from a seminar she gave in '98

 

Congrats on your new boy!

[mychip1]

Don't panic. Some of that pacing and walking around is just adjustment. My Jack spent the first few days in the kitchen because he refused to go anywhere else in the house. (needless to say - I slept on my kitchen floor for a few nights...)....

 

Some greys are not playful....and are very content just to lay around all day.

 

Best wishes with him!

[robinw]

He might just be nervous and restless. It may take a little while for him to settle in. Be patient and let him do his own thing.

 

Congratulations! Linda knows what she's talking about; Treasure came from GAO, also.

[Guest kkaiser104]

So this is day #2 in your home? You could work on alone training, some fun obedience games with treats, etc. He also might have to potty again. Sometimes when they are in new places they have to potty more often since they are a bit anxious. When we travel I always take the girls out a few more times each day. Other than that just let him slowly figure things out. It's day #2 and his entire world has been turned upside down. He's allowed to be a little off kilter.

 

This article might help you understand him a bit better

 

 

What is your new adopted Greyhound thinking?

 

This breed has never been asked to do anything for itself, make any

decisions or answer any questions. It has been waited on, paw and

tail. The only prohibition in a racing Greyhound's life is not to get

into a fight----------------or eat certain stuff in the turn out pen.

 

Let us review a little. From weaning until you go away for schooling,

at probably a year and a half, you eat, grow and run around with your

siblings. When you go away to begin your racing career, you get your

own "apartment," in a large housing development. No one is allowed in

your bed but you, and when you are in there, no one can touch you,

without plenty of warning.

 

Someone hears a vehicle drive up, or the kennel door being unlocked.

The light switches are flipped on. The loud mouths in residence, and

there always are some, begin to bark or howl. You are wide awake by

the time the human opens your door to turn you out. A Greyhound has

never been touched while he was asleep.

 

You eat when you are fed, usually on a strict schedule. No one asks

if you are hungry or what you want to eat. You are never told not to

eat any food within your reach. No one ever touches your bowl while

you are eating. You are not to be disturbed because it is important

you clean your plate.

 

You are not asked if you have to "go outside." You are placed in a

turn out pen and it isn't long before you get the idea of what you

are supposed to do while you are out there. Unless you really get out

of hand, you may chase, rough house and put your feet on everyone and

every thing else. The only humans you know are the "waiters" who feed

you, and the "restroom attendants" who turn you out to go to the

bathroom. Respect people? Surely you jest.

 

No one comes into or goes out of your kennel without your knowledge.

You are all seeing; all knowing. There are no surprises, day in and

day out. The only thing it is ever hoped you will do is win, place or

show, and that you don't have much control over. It is in your blood,

it is in your heart, it is in your fate-- or it is not.

 

And when it is not, then suddenly you are expected to be a civilized

person in a fur coat. But people don't realize you may not even speak

English. Some of you don't even know your names, because you didn't

need to. You were not asked or told to do anything as an individual;

you were always part of the "condo association"; the sorority or

fraternity and everyone did everything together, as a group or pack.

The only time you did anything as an individual is when you schooled

or raced, and even then, You Were Not Alone.

 

Suddenly, he is expected to behave himself in places he's never been

taught how to act. He is expected to take responsibility for saying

when he needs to go outside, to come when he is called, not to get on

some or all of the furniture, and to not eat food off counters and

tables. He is dropped in a world that is not his, and totally without

warning, at that.

 

Almost everything he does is wrong. Suddenly he is a minority. Now he

is just a pet. He is unemployed, in a place where people expect him

to know the rules and the schedule, even when there aren't any. (How

many times have you heard someone say, "He won't tell me when he has

to go out." What kind of schedule is that?) Have you heard the joke

about the dog who says, "My name is No-No Bad Dog. What's yours?" To

me that is not even funny. All the protective barriers are gone.

There is no more warning before something happens. There is no more

strength in numbers. He wakes up with a monster human face two inches

from his. (With some people's breath, this could scare Godzilla.) Why

should he not, believe that this "someone," who has crept up on him,

isn't going to eat him for lunch? (I really do have to ask you ladies

to consider how you would react if someone you barely knew crawled up

on you while you were asleep?) No, I will not ask for any male input.

 

Now he is left alone, for the first time in his life, in a strange

place, with no idea of what will happen or how long it will be before

someone comes to him again. If he is not crated, he may go though

walls, windows or over fences, desperately seeking something

familiar, something with which to reconnect his life. If he does get

free, he will find the familiarity, within himself: the adrenaline

high, the wind in his ears, the blood pulsing and racing though his

heart once again--until he crashes into a car.

 

Often, the first contact with his new family is punishment, something

he's never had before, something he doesn't understand now,

especially in the middle of the rest of the chaos. And worst of all,

what are the most common human reactions to misbehavior? We live in a

violent society, where the answer to any irritation is a slap, punch,

kick, whip, or rub your nose in it. Under these circumstances,

sometimes I think any successful adoption is a miracle.

 

He is, in effect, expected to have all the manners of at least a six-

year old child. But, how many of you would leave an unfamiliar six-

year old human alone and loose in your home for hours at a time and

not expect to find who knows what when you got back? Consider that if

you did, you could be brought up on charges of child abuse, neglect

and endangerment. Yet, people do this to Greyhounds and this is often

the reason for so many returns.

 

How many dogs have been returned because they did not know how to

tell the adoptor when they had to go out? How many for jumping on

people, getting on furniture, counter surfing, separation anxiety, or

defensive actions due to being startled or hurt (aka growling or

biting)? So, let's understand: Sometimes it is the dog's "fault" he

cannot fit in. He is not equipped with the social skills of a six-

year old human. But you can help him.

 

written by Kathleen Gilley and is an excerpt from a seminar she gave in '98

 

Congrats on your new boy!

 

Thanks for the article! That definitely helped some. I think I'm just so worried about doing something wrong that I'm a little nervous. Right now he is in his crate with a peanut-butter filled kong and I'm in the next room working on the computer. I know GAO's adoption book says it can take up to a month to adjust to a new home.

[ShebasMom]

Good luck with the everlasting treat ball, because Sheba gets the treat out from that rubberized holder within 15 minutes and devours the treat in an instant (and in lots of messy pieces). Yes, I get it seated in there properly--she's just a determined stinker. I don't buy them anymore since they don't last with her, but they last for a friend of mine's hound. The bully sticks last longer with Sheba.

[Guest kkaiser104]

Thanks for the advice! I'm planning a trip to the pet store today to try to buy the inserts there (otherwise, I'll have to get them online and wait for shipping). I'll try to pick up some bully sticks also.

[Yamaha_gurl]

You are aware that greyhounds are a lazy breed right? So he may be tired rather than bored.

[GeorgeofNE]

First of all, you should ALWAYS feel you can call your adoption group with questions.

 

I laughed when I got to "he seems bored." He's a Greyhound. Most of them sleep most of the time. Sure, they like their walks, their meals, and SOME of them are playful, but generally speaking, compared to your typical house pet dog, they are EXTREMELY lazy (or laid back, if you prefer). I can't tell you how many new adopters post on GT frantic that there is something wrong with their dog, or they think it's unhappy or even sick because all it does is lay around.

 

Welcome to the world of Greyhounds as pets!

 

I suggest that before it becomes an issue, you find and read the "I'll Be Home Soon" booklet by Patricia McConnell. It's a good idea to kind of let the dog just BE when he's new to the home and resist the urge to smother him with attention. Sounds like you're doing pretty well with that if you're crating him when you're home at least a bit.

 

As to the length of time it takes to adjust--I think a month is very optimistic, although a dog that young won't have such engrained behaviors as dogs who spend a lot of time at the track (like mine). My dog did not really turn into who he is now (as a pet) for 18 months. Took him over a year to get on the bed. Took him 18 months to understand he could TURN AROUND inside instead of walking backwards out of a room. What can I say? He's very handsome, and I'll leave it at that!

 

There is a good reason they're often referred to as 45 MPH couch potatos.

 

Deep breath, you're fine!

[Guest kkaiser104]

Thanks for all of the reassurance! I'm used to Siberian Huskies--the dogs I grew up with. Obviously the amount of energy differs VERY MUCH between them and greyhound and I'm still getting used to having a dog around too. He's very contently sleeping in his crate and has been for about half an hour. I'll probably sneak out to the pet store soon--as much as I'd love to take him I think it would be way too much stimulation for him this soon! I need to go grocery shopping anyway

[JohnF]

This is entirely normal for a greyhound displaced from a familiar environment when their whole world has just been shattered . I can remember Peggy pacing along the fence in the backyard like a zoo tiger and there's not a lot you can do with them until you start to bond. Sometimes it is better to keep them on a lead close to you for a while so they don't build on being too upset and try and make a break for it. A crate will help enormously in the early days. It will probably be Day 4 before you can relax.

 

This was Peggy's Day 2-3 (excerpt from the blog diary I kept that might show you how it goes and how integration started ocurred)

 

Peggy Day 2 March 14th

 

"I decided to try to make this nice calm day for her as she was so nervous and anxious.

10.00am: walked around the block and down the lane and met a few people. She’s walking better on the lead. Met a couple of dogs.

Had her out in the garden free for a while but she wants to dash indoors; I let her know she can do this. Gave her coat a thorough brushing.

 

She is getting bolder in the house coming up the hallway. Stole one of my leather boots but just licked it.

 

2.30-4.30pm went to park. She jumped in the van nicely and got out OK. Went right round the park and in the fields. Sat and had a flask of tea and biscuiyd on the bench. Lots of sports being played, lots of noise. Met several people walking dogs of various sizes, she didn’t react badly to random dogs.

 

Took her into the vets to weigh her: 29.2kg. Vet briefly checked her and said weight was OK and spaying wound was healing OK. He said make sure she has soft bed as she has tender spots of skin on leg joints. I got her a cover for a single duvet from a local second-hand shop and replaced her bed with an old duvet folded in half. The one Angel peed on and despite paying £7.50 to wash and dry it in the big machine at the launderette, it never came back to as good as new. A new life for the old duvet then…

 

Evening: she’s bold enough now to come from bedroom to kitchen for food. Then later after a short walk on her martingale collar only. She came when called for food in the lounge and found it on her bed.

 

Later in the night she came up to nuzzle for reassurance – that’s good. - That will do for day 2.

 

March 15^th

Peggy came half way to the door when called to have her lead attached; she still thinks she’s in a kennel without free will and so expects to be fetched and gently pulled.

 

A steady and better close walk on the lead this morning, around the block and down the lane. Didn’t meet any people, but did meet the 2 friendly black cats which Angel found so hard to resist thinking of as something to chase and eat after all those years.. Peggy sniffed at them, one of the cats hissed, then I told her to ‘walk on’ and she did. So far so good.

 

On returning home she ventured out into the garden on her own a couple of times when I was sat out in the sun reading the paper. She decided it was better to return to her bed indoors as she’s still nervous about things. That was the morning.

 

 

And in the afternoon we went to the sea at Widemouth Bay near Bude; it was a beautiful calm sunny afternoon about 15 C. Still needed to be steadily dragged to get her to come out of her bed; once out she’s fine and jumps in the van nicely. Hope this will improve so that she knows being called to go out is nice enough to comply with.

 

 

She liked the sand under her feet walking along the tide line, but when we walked down to the sea, which was far out at low tide, I think the very wide open spaces were a bit overwhelming for her. She didn’t know quite what to make of the incoming waves so I only let her get ankle deep and run back from the advancing lines of foam as they ran out on the sand.

 

So back up to the dunes to sit in the grass for ¼ hour and just watch, then back through the rabbit warrens to the van and a drink of water. She had to lead the way through the narrow paths between the thorn bushes.

 

Met several dogs on the beach. Tail wags for a black Labrador, not sure of a Golden Retriever, ignores Collies and Terriers; maybe she only likes black dogs?

 

Back home she went into the garden to toilet OK. (I hope she will not only toilet in the garden!). Much calmer to go there now. On the lead around the corner, stand still and let her off the lead while she performs, then slowly (no longer rush) back into the safety of the house.

 

A last short walk around the close at 7pm.

 

Evening: she’s changing freely between rooms now to see what we’re doing, allowed to come and go as she pleases though she’s still anxious. Not sure what to make of Uncle Fred yet really. Went to bed OK but kept checking to make sure I was really coming there too.

 

Monday 16^th March

Peggy is slowly becoming more confident coming out into the garden and exploring. She actually sat out there with me for a while. Still comes and goes a lot like pacing from anxiety.

 

More confident coming from room to room. Still very timid coming to the kitchen for food. Perhaps she’s still unsure of Uncle and how ‘safe’ he is."

Edited June 27, 2012 by JohnF

[greyhoundlady]

Congratulations on your new boy, Teddi. As others have said, don't worry too much about him seeming bored. But, I know how you feel. I adopted my boy 9 months ago at age 2-1/2. He seemed bored (and truthfully at times he still does) and would just lay there and look at me. It is really hard not to put human characteristics on them and think they need constant stimulation to keep them happy. Just some ideas of what I do - he gets a long walk/hike three times a day (if hot out, then only early morning and late evening). I take him for rides in the car to the drive thru bank, pet store, etc. He loves the pet store because everyone makes a fuss over him. He goes to Meet and Greets and also on a weekly Greyhound walk with a group of greyhounds (maybe there is something in your area like that). When I first got him, I had his crate up, which he used as a den and I left the door to it open. After a few months, he wasn't interested in it anymore so I have taken it down. He sleeps in our bedroom on his own bed, and has dog beds throughout the house. He plays with toys only when brand new, and then loses interest. He will run around the yard when in the mood, but not too often. Mostly he just wants to hang out with me and meet people. I do work from home, so I haven't had to deal with separation anxiety - but there is lots of advice on this site about that. Oh, and he likes to sleep.

 

I guess my best advice to you is just enjoy Teddi. Show him lots of things, bring him places when you can (people love to see greyhounds) and love him. You are doing everything right so far!

[Guest badderh]

I wouldn't worry too much My Rocky was a crankasaurus when we first got him and didn't want anything to do with us, except for the occasional cuddle, for the first week. After that he warmed right up and started playing. He still is pretty lazy prefers to lay around rather than play, but he does play from time to time but it definitely has to be on his terms, not ours lol. Rocky was 2 the day we got him and is about 2 and half now.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Congrats on Teddie!!!

 

Good advice from lots of people!

 

Patricia McConnell's booklet is excellent.

 

Just relax and let Teddie settle...he'll figure it all out.

If he wants to be in his crate ... let him.

 

Nixon spent most of his first few days laying in the crate with the door open. Every once in a while he'd come out, look at me sitting in the living room, get a pat, then head back to his crate.

 

Let us know how the next few days go!!

[Guest Arielle]

I just wanted to share my own personal experience. If you look at previous threads that I have posted about, they have basically all been me freaking out about my dog being unhappy. When I first adopted Ari, she spent the majority of her time pacing through the house and whining no matter how much exercise she got. We would go to the dog park for two hours, which is enough to send most dogs into a coma, and afterwards Ari would sleep for about ten minutes and then start pacing and whining again. I assumed that it was because she was bored because I was gone for most of the day at school, and I seriously contemplated returning her because I thought she deserved a home with more time to give her. Nine months later, and the whining only comes up when she wants to go outside. Two hours at the dog park is now enough to send Ari into a marathon sleeping session, and an hour-long walk a day is pretty much all she needs for exercise and stimulation; she is content to sleep the rest of the day away.

 

The point of this novel is, give your new dog some time. The pacing is likely just due to anxiety at being in a new place, not boredom. It took my dog a sold seven months or so to completely overcome her anxiety and morph into a lazy house dog. Good luck!

[Brandiandwe]

I have 2 greys that I got when they were just shy of 2 years old. They're now 2.5. Lots of energy! We're currently on a road trip for my work and, although they've not had as much exercise as they normally would, are both sacked out in my room at the b&b. They don't seem bored, more just resigned that this is the programme for the night.

 

Don't worry. You're doing fine.