New Greyhound Owner - Under Whether It Is Anxiety Or Boredom?

[Guest eugeneclh]

Hi! I've been through every thread and thought i'd post my own situation as it is confusing me on what i should really be focussing on...

 

I just adopted Archie, a 10 yr old greyhound just slightly over a week ago. He was fostered during his time at the rescue centre and was matched to me because he was so chilled and docile and the rescue centre was convinced he could be left alone and sleep most of the day (as long as i got a dog walker).

 

First week - as per the rescue centre - so chilled. I spent 3 days settlign him in and then started the work routine. I have a pet cam and regularly checked in on him. He slept most of the day. Woke up for his long walk with the dog walker (c1.5hrs) and then slept until i came home.

 

Second week . Monday: whined a bit (c 10seconds) when i left home. Then went straight to his bed and sleep. Was sleeping most of the day with the only interruption being his midday walk. When i came home, heard him bark once before i got to my door. I entered and he was hyper and jumping around (i ignored him). When i took him out shortly after, most energetic i've ever seen him.

 

Tuesday. distracted by treats/kong when i left. Whined a bit when he realised i was gone (probably 20secs max) and then went back to bed. Slept for 3hours and then woke up and then every 30mins he would get up and bark/howl loudly for 1min max. He would then settle back to bed and repeat until the dog walker came back. I came home early then.

 

Wednesday (today): Distracted by the 'hide and seek' of treats. New toys. Kong Puzzle. Went to sleep for 3.5 hours. Woke up and every hour he would get up and howl and bark for 1-2mins max. Lie back down to bed/floor. Dog walker came - took him for 2 hours where he was exhausted. Left him with his frozen kong. After an hour, he would revert back to the cycle of howling/barking for 2mins and then lying back down for 30-45mins.

 

 

It might be boredom so i've just bought more puzzle toys and an automated treat dispensing system to help out.

 

It might be separation anxiety so i've tried intense alone training these past three days. However, his behaviour is strange. Initially he would jump up and stand at the door and whine immediately when the door closed. So i would take a step back and go bakc to just getting up, grabbing keys and opening and closing doors (ie. stop him whining).

 

In the space of 30mins in one session, he got down to sitting on his bed, even though i grabbed keys and closed door. Locked. and stood outside for 5minutes.

 

I'd also like to add - fully house trained - no accidents and no destructive behaviour.

 

Keen to get some thoughts on what i should continue doing? I can track his movements because i have his cam on my desk on constantly...

Edited June 6, 2018 by eugeneclh

[Time4ANap]

He's simply still adjusting. His world has been turned upside down I'm assuming that at 10 years old he had another family that he somehow lost before being adopted to you. That's a very hard adjustment.

 

Try leaving a radio or TV on for some background noise, It may make him more comfortable with being alone until he adjusts to his new surroundings and routine. Good luck and thank you for taking in a senior boy.

[Guest eugeneclh]

He's simply still adjusting. His world has been turned upside down I'm assuming that at 10 years old he had another family that he somehow lost before being adopted to you. That's a very hard adjustment.

 

Try leaving a radio or TV on for some background noise, It may make him more comfortable with being alone until he adjusts to his new surroundings and routine. Good luck and thank you for taking in a senior boy.

 

Thanks - have the radio & TV on during the whole day.

 

We also haven't deviated from his routine.

 

So it sounds like just continue and forge on and it is just adapting to a new environment still?

 

Because of his howl/barking - I made Archie write a letter to all our neighbours apologising

[greysmom]

Yes, probably normal settling in anxiety. Plus he's becoming more bonded to you over time, so he will notice you gone more often. Just keep on a strict routine with him and he should get back to just sleeping.

 

Writing the neighbors is always a good idea - that way they know you're working on it and it should get better.

[XTRAWLD]

I'd say you are doing great. Having him only whine for about 2 mins between long, quiet stints, nothing to worry about. I agree he's still adjusting.

 

He's 10 so who knows what kind of life he had before. I assume he wasn't at the rescue for all his life, so a previous owner could have had a different routine than he's used to. They are pretty adaptable, and you are doing things right. Postive reinforcement is great, and a mid day day walker is awesome. Good job!

[Guest eugeneclh]

thanks all - i'll just continue to forge ahead!!!

[robinw]

Relax and all will be fine It's a whole new world for him.

[gracegirl]

 

Thanks - have the radio & TV on during the whole day.

 

We also haven't deviated from his routine.

 

So it sounds like just continue and forge on and it is just adapting to a new environment still?

 

Because of his howl/barking - I made Archie write a letter to all our neighbours apologising

The letter idea is cute. Keep doing what youre doing. Archie sounds like a sweet old man. Thats quite a bit of activity for an old guy, too! Just make sure its not too much, as he could be sore and painful.

[Guest eugeneclh]

Thanks - i'm conscious of too much activity. So its a very quiet, slow plod in the mornings and evenings..mainly for toileting really...so he gets his big walk in the middle of the day (with other doggy friends so he gets some socialisation!)

 

I don't get a sense its separation anxiety (hence why he can sit on his bed after 30mins and i reckon if i went away for a few hours to the coffee shop, he wouldn't howl/bark). In addition, from Day 1, hes slept in the living room and me in the bedroom. And he has never howled/barked if i was in the bedroom and he was chilling in the living room.

 

My gut feel was boredom/settling into a new routine still - grateful that you all believe i'm on the right track..really reassures me

Edited June 6, 2018 by eugeneclh

[MaryJane]

Since the barking is after he wakes up, I would think it is his way of checking whether anyone is around.

[Guest eugeneclh]

Since the barking is after he wakes up, I would think it is his way of checking whether anyone is around.

 

I don't thinkn he is checking as he would stand at the door and howl & bark every hour? ...although i'm thinking 2-3minutes per hour is probably o.k for a settling period for now (just have to make sure neighbours are fine)

[GeorgeofNE]

He's TEN YEARS OLD.

 

That's what 10 year old dogs do. Sleep. Eat. Poop. Maybe bark at a squirrel once or twice a day. Maybe move your shoes if he's feeling cheeky.

 

He's a senior citizen. He sounds like he's doing great. I'd ditch the dog walker (clearly he doesn't need one) and carry on!

 

If you were looking for a dog who bounced around like a Lab or a Border Collie, you will be perpetually disappointed. If you read anything about greyhounds before you adopted this lovely senior, then you hit the jackpot!

[Hubcitypam]

When I got my first yorkie and lived in a condo all my neighbors got bags of cookies from Axel asking them to forgive any barking as he settled in. I wouldn't sweat it yet.

[Guest eugeneclh]

thanks all still a ways to go i believe.

 

Can i check whether i'm doign the right thing - Archie gets a kong after his middle of the day walk - sometimes he doesn't really finish it or ignores it..and then once i get back home, he goes to his kong and starts working on it.

 

At the moment, i'm removing the kong and all his toys as a routine when i arrive back home. Even if he is all of sudden working on it.

 

Is this o.k?

[greysmom]

Yes. He probably doesn't really need it anyway - either the distraction or the extra calories.