Should We Get A Friend For Our Grey?

[Madhen03]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am new to this forum, and was wondering if anyone has the same issues with their grey? Our greyhound Claire is an 8 yr old, ex racer who we rescued almost 3 years ago. She has settled into our home very well, although we have had some peeing inside, but that only now happens occasional. The thing we are finding with her is even though she is fed twice a day, and walked for a good 20-30 minutes a day, when she comes home from her walk she has started pacing and whining. Like she cant settle. She is very healthy otherwise, but lately just seems a little down. I am at home with her during the day, so she is not on her own, but when she has been in kennels when we have been away, she is usually in with another dog, and I am just wondering if she is maybe a bit bored and needs a friend. I am a little worried that if we introduce another dog, she wont like it, but I am also afraid we are not enough for her and she needs another doggy companion

 

Appreciate any advice, and if anyone else has the same issues with their greys

 

Thanks

 

Jenny

[greysmom]

We need more jnformation.

 

It could be that she needs/wants to go for a longer walk, and isn't ready for it to end. More exercise may actually be good for her and solve some of your "boredom" issues. A tired dog is a happy dog!

 

Has she had a recent vet exam with bloodwork, urinalysis and fecal exam? Parasites can sometimes make dogs restless due to being uncomfortable. She should not be having accidents in the house unless she has a UTI, so talk with your vet. And/or take her out more often. We are retired and home with ours and we go out about every 2-3 hours.

 

Is she completely emptying herself of pee and poop on her walks? Girls especially will sometimes not go as much as they need to, so make sure she does.

 

As far as a friend goes, most greyhounds do like to have one, but oh t sounds like she is well adapted to being a solo dog. If you *want* another dog, that's a whole other thing! Evaluate your finances and commitment and if you can afford the care and upkeep for a second dog, and the time a second would take, then theres no reason not to get one!

[BatterseaBrindl]

Good steady and practical advice above from Chris

 

Do keep in mind that most of us have multiple Greys ... the more the merrier.... and love to encourage others to follow suit

[MaryJane]

Pacing, whining, and not settling easily can be a signal that your greyhound is in pain. I suggest a vet checkup first with a greyhound knowledgeable vet.

[Madhen03]

Thanks everyone for the comments. She has had a vet checkup recently and everything was good. She sleeps really well during the day and also through the night, and the whining and pacing only seems to be when we sit down in the evening. She is in the same room as us, so its not as though she cannot see us. Maybe another trip back to the vet is required, although it doesnt seem like a pain cry.

[Bizeebee]

Thanks everyone for the comments. She has had a vet checkup recently and everything was good. She sleeps really well during the day and also through the night, and the whining and pacing only seems to be when we sit down in the evening. She is in the same room as us, so its not as though she cannot see us. Maybe another trip back to the vet is required, although it doesnt seem like a pain cry.

Our boy also has developed a tendency to act restless and whiny in the evening when we want to relax, and after ruling out a lot of medical things (important to do that first), we think he is probably just bored - especially since the weather here has been AWFUL. We try to do some training exercises, or games - like hiding tiny treats in his toy box so he has to dig for them, and are thinking about training him to chew (only on approved things) just to use up some of that energy until we can actually hang out outside again.

 

Maybe try fostering or babysitting another hound and see how that goes?