Guest XenaDad Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hi Greytalk. I've been on and off these forums over the past month mostly in Google searches. I just got my new not-so-little girl, renamed Xena, a week ago tomorrow. She's a beautiful 1.5 year old girl who never raced, probably due to the lack of prey drive that allows a gentle tap on the leash to break her attention to local squirrels. She's a sweetheart who loves to cuddle. She's also pretty tall and long for a girl and weighs in at about 62 lbs. Still working on her house manners, keeping her nose where it belongs, like off of tables and out of our dinner. Lol. We've taken lots of walks. She's sleeping free on my bedroom, as she's clearly identified my room as part of her den. Has to be crated during the day because my one attempt at leaving her loose in my room, today, let to my night stand being gnawed on. Separation anxiety is our biggest current struggle. She doesn't like being alone. Whines, cries, balls and howls off and on all day. Trying some pheromone anxiety stuff and just ordered her a thunder shirt to see if that helps. I live in an upstairs condo, and she had gotten pretty good at the stairs. Hope for greater confidence as time goes by. She doesn't like going out at night though. It's like she's scared of the dark or the darkness makes her hypersensitive to lights, movement and sounds outside setting off her doggie ADHD. Anyway, that got long winded. Looking forward to a dog park trip to hopefully let her run a little early tomorrow to take advantage of a lovely unseasonably warm Southeastern Virginia day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenbo Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Welcome! Quote Camp Broodie with tuxedo Summer 12 and tuxedo Dio 6 Missing KC Kitty 2000-2016, Myka and part of my heart 2006-2020, and Saint YellBoy 2014-2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Welcome from Delaware. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmettobug Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 You'll find lots of company here with SA and/or noise anxiety greys. We're up to Prozac and Thundershirt here. Quote Current Crew: Gino-Gene-Eugene! (Eastnor Rebel: Makeshift x Celtic Dream); Fuzzy the Goo-Goo Girl (BGR Fuzzy Navel: Boc's Blast Off x Superior Peace); Roman the Giant Galoot! (Imark Roman: Crossfire Clyde x Shana Wookie); Kitties Archie and Dixie Forever Missed: K9 Sasha (2001-2015); Johnny (John Reese--Gable Dodge x O'Jays) (2011-19); the kitties Terry and Bibbi; and all the others I've had the privilege to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSnoozing Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Welcome - looking forward to hearing how your lovely new girl settles. Quote Dippy (Dinky Dipstick) and Velvet (Redbrick Velvet). Remembering sweet handsome Rebel (Emporio Rebel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest XenaDad Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Thanks All, for the welcomes! You'll find lots of company here with SA and/or noise anxiety greys. We're up to Prozac and Thundershirt here. Thundershirt arrives Monday. We'll see how that goes, then it's off to the vet. She complains anytime she's left alone in the crate, but if I leave her alone out of it even to go to the bathroom, there's a pretty good chance she'll get antsy and get into trouble. Grabbed my glasses from my nightstand and popped out a lense during a bathroom trip just this morning and found a USB cord to chew up while I showered. Got my lense popped back in. Could've been worse. Lol. Edited February 24, 2018 by XenaDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Welcome from the SW part of Virginia to you and your cuddly sweetheart. Some other things to try for separation anxiety: leave tv/radio on for "company," and since she likes to chew, a big nylabone or fill a hollow kong toy with something that will take her a few minutes to get out (frozen peanut butter, etc.). Even an almost-empty peanut butter jar. For some anxious dogs, getting them past that first 15 minutes alone helps a lot. Some dogs like to chew plastic, especially plastic that has their humans' scent on it, so besides your glasses, keep anything like a cell phone, tv remote, and especially eyedrop/medicine bottle or asthma inhaler out of her reach. Leave the crate door open when you're not training her in it, and put delicious, fun things in there so she'll see crate = good. If you're not working this weekend, it's a great opportunity to work on alone training, starting with just a few seconds at a time. It's also a good time to talk to/leave note for your condo neighbors. Letting neighbors know you're working on the noise problem goes a long way to relieving potential neighbor hostility. Especially if it's accompanied by a plate of cookies. As for her being upset when you leave her for the bathroom, you might as well resign yourself to never being alone again in the bathroom. It's in dog DNA to guard their humans from escape, being sucked down the drain, or alien abduction when in that mysterious little space. Edited February 24, 2018 by EllenEveBaz Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaFlaca Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 from Miami, Florida! Congrats on the addition of Xena to your 'pack'. It's been my experience that the chewing of inappropriate items tends to lessen over time. Try to set your girl up to succeed by dog-proofing the house as much as possible. As for S.A., it can be quite a mission training Xena that you'll always come home to her. I highly suggest the booklet by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., I'll Be Home Soon!. It's a little over 30 pages of easy to follow advice and alone training tips. It helped me turn my Lola from a raving lunatic to a calm pup when left alone. Enjoy your girl! Quote Irene ~ Owned and Operated by Jenny (Jenny Rocks ~ 11/24/17) ~ JRo, Jenny from the Track Lola (AMF Won't Forget ~ 04/29/15 -07/22/19) - My girl. I'll always love you. Wendy (Lost Footing ~ 12/11/05 - 08/18/17) ~ Forever in our hearts. "I am yours, you are mine". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest XenaDad Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Welcome from the SW part of Virginia to you and your cuddly sweetheart. Some other things to try for separation anxiety: leave tv/radio on for "company," and since she likes to chew, a big nylabone or fill a hollow kong toy with something that will take her a few minutes to get out (frozen peanut butter, etc.). Even an almost-empty peanut butter jar. For some anxious dogs, getting them past that first 15 minutes alone helps a lot. Some dogs like to chew plastic, especially plastic that has their humans' scent on it, so besides your glasses, keep anything like a cell phone, tv remote, and especially eyedrop/medicine bottle or asthma inhaler out of her reach. Leave the crate door open when you're not training her in it, and put delicious, fun things in there so she'll see crate = good. Thanks for ideas. I have been doing a Kong with peanut butter, but I should her some more chewy bones this weekend. I also dragged a TV out of the attic and started playing 6 how dog calming videos from YouTube for her yesterday. I have also started putting things in my night stand drawer. As for her crate, happily even despite hating being left alone in it, she still likes it. I have a camera set up, and she actually sleeps much of the night in there despite being free. As for her being upset when you leave her for the bathroom, you might as well resign yourself to never being alone again in the bathroom. It's in dog DNA to guard their humans from escape, being sucked down the drain, or alien abduction when in that mysterious little space. LOL Edited February 24, 2018 by XenaDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackieDog Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Awww, I have a Xena too . I have no specific advice to give, but welcome. They do learn, adapt, settle, but some do need more help than others. My Xena (who's baseline is 'basket case' for many reasons) was at a big loss when our old Jackie passed away even though I didn't think they were all that bonded. Getting Homer has settled her a bit, but I'm not suggesting another dog as a solution. Of course there's nothing WRONG with another dog...and perhaps an older fellow who has lost a home for some reason and already has manners/adapted would help her settle too.... Quote Suzie aka CBJ Fly Sonic (b. 07 Feb 2015) and missing: Homer aka Atoscocita Homer (05 Oct 2010- 16 Nov 2021) Xena the Galgo aka Xene the Bean (? 2009- 6 Sep 2018) Jackie aka Katie aka Sun Blaze (16 April 2001- 14 April 2014) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest XenaDad Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Edited February 24, 2018 by XenaDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyE Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Congratulations! She is beautiful! Quote Patty, Mom to Jaxson 5/12/2017 Forever in my heart: Joey 11/01/2007 to 12/06/2018, Scout 11/19/2005 to 07/15/15 and Jack 01/03/2004 to 06/11/2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 She’s gorgeous! Welcome to you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastpointydoge Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 She's a striking dog! Welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience here and hopefully you can help Xena become more at ease. Quote Sarah with P Kay Ruger "Rogue" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hidoey Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Oh, a cow girl!! She's so beautiful! Welcome from Philadelphia Quote Jackie with Tangerine and Chimes Always missing Gracie, Steely, Annie, Payne, Twilite, Janey Bug, Bindi, Sophie, and Dazzle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 She is lovely! CONGRATULATIONS! You are in for one of the most wonderful experiences of your life. Love like no other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket57 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Welcome from South Carolina! I have a Xena as well - and she's black & white as well! Quote Cricket, mom to Mulligan (Kycera) and Xena (Kebo Tina Turner ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgirl2 Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Cow doggie!! Welcome from Maryland! Quote Jeannine with Merlin, the crazed tabby cat and his sister, Jasmine, the brat-cat With Angel Cody(Roving Gemini), and Weenie the tortie waiting at the Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Be still my beating heart! She's gorgeous. 6 of my 10 girls have been white and black. If you're anywhere near PA, Greyhounds in Gettysburg is the last weekend in April. 20th anniversary this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 (edited) Welcome. Xena is so beautiful. Edited April 2, 2018 by greytpups Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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