GreyMatter Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 Hi everybody, time for a quick introduction while our beautiful Sable is crashed out on her bed She joined our family from the Dog's Trust two weeks ago so we're all still in very new territory. I've read a lot about retired greyhounds on various websites (and this forum) and I've got Carol Baby's book but really, there's no such thing as a textbook dog. So far, she seems pretty relaxed, apart from a little whining on the first two nights, she sleeps well, she's not possessive over toys, she seems to love cuddles and she's great with my daughters (although they are 12 and 16 so they know how to behave with dogs). She walks on the lead nicely, only pulling a bit to sniff the grass (every blade tells a story, apparently) or check her "peemail messages", she doesn't appear to have much prey drive, which probably explains why she never raced, she can be left alone if we have to go out and she's only had two little accidents indoors - when we were home, our fault for not reading the signs quick enough. So on the whole, it's been a pretty good transition so far but I'm just waiting for that to change before I get complacent - and OMG her food orientation is a force to be reckoned with!! Anyway I'm so glad I found this forum! Hoping I can pick up a few tips and then I can pass a few on when I get a bit more experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmettobug Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 What part of the UK are you from? If you haven't checked out the art of Richard Skipworth, he nails the quirks of greyhound behavior. 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...
Houndtime Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Welcome from Delaware. USA 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...
oldrunners Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Welcome from Penny, Sasha, and Sirius, also from Delaware! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Welcome from Derbyshire UK. 5 hours ago, palmettobug said: If you haven't checked out the art of Richard Skipworth, he nails the quirks of greyhound behaviour. I second that about Rich Skipworth and I managed to get a signed copy of his book "Greyhound Glossary" Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocsDoctor Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 from Ken and me in London! Quote Clare with Tiger (Snapper Gar, b. 18/05/2015), and remembering Ken (Boomtown Ken, 01/05/2011-21/02/2020) and Doc (Barefoot Doctor, 20/08/2001-15/04/2015)."It is also to be noted of every species, that the handsomest of each move best ... and beasts of the most elegant form, always excel in speed; of this, the horse and greyhound are beautiful examples."----Wiliam Hogarth, The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 You’re doing great! Congrats and Welcome! Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaFlaca Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 from Miami, Florida! 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...
EllenEveBaz Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Welcome to Sable and her family! Instead of just waiting for her signs that she needs to go out, you might want to put her on a schedule. That's what she's used to. 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...
Banjoman Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 (edited) Hellooo Sable and fambilee , sowndz lyke yu ar doing greyt! Wagz frum Chancey, Nutmeg and Mum down heer in Dorset. Edited April 28, 2019 by Banjoman Quote Miss "England" Carol with whippet lurcher Nutmeg & Zavvi the Chihuahua. R.I.P. Chancey (Goosetree Chance). 24.1.2009 - 14.4.2022. Bluegrass Banjoman. 25.1.2004 - 25.5.2015 and Ch. Sleepyhollow Aida. 30.9.2000 - 10.1.2014. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyMatter Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 18 hours ago, palmettobug said: What part of the UK are you from? If you haven't checked out the art of Richard Skipworth, he nails the quirks of greyhound behavior. Hi! We're based in Wirral so last weekend was gorgeous, balmy dog-walking weather and this weekend has been utterly vile. Luckily I found my wind & waterproofs (I was starting to panic the I'd given them to a charity shop in a moment of aberration...) and Sable and I braved the weather together and felt tons better for it. Rotten weather gives me cabin fever. Thanks for introducing Richard Skipworth! I spent all morning googling him and laughing out loud. His work is spot on and I have recognised so many of Sable's characteristics in a relatively short space of time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyMatter Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 Hellooooo everybody!! Thank you for such a lovely warm welcome from all you folks near and far! We've had a couple of good long walks today so Sable is getting to know the neighbourhood. She's had some seriously wild moments hurtling around the garden (which isn't very big but she can turn on a sixpence, this one) and regular bathroom breaks (thank you for the advice EllenEveBaz ) and now it's that winding down time of the evening, the lights are dimmed and Sable's bed is in the corner but she is on the floor by my feet. Maybe she likes the clicking of my keyboard. She will take herself off to bed when she's ready, she's started doing that the last week or so. I notice tiny little changes in her every day as she slowly settles in. I hope she's happy with us. She seems to be so far. She even let my youngest eat a sandwich in front of her today! That was a truly momentous occasion although I suspect it may have been a one-off because she was tired. I think I'll be posting for tips about managing rampant food orientation on the Training and Behaviour forum... but for now, all is quiet, everyone in the house has been fed and watered and the weekend is drawing to a close. Goodnight to those of you across the UK and to those of you across the pond, enjoy the rest of your weekend. It's really greyt to be part of this pack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Quote I notice tiny little changes in her every day as she slowly settles in. I hope she's happy with us. She seems to be so far. She even let my youngest eat a sandwich in front of her today! You'll have the pleasure over the next several years of watching her personality blossom as she becomes part of your family. My first grey, Eve, lived with another family first after her track career was over. I picked her up at their house instead of the adoption kennel. As we were loading her into the car, the husband said, "If we were doing it over again, I don't think we would feed her from the table." This was my only clue that I was about to bring the shark from Jaws into my home. I trained her to get out of the kitchen or dining room on command, and she trained me not to leave any food or trash can within her reach. Thank goodness she never learned to open the fridge. 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...
HeyRunDog Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 9 hours ago, GreyMatter said: I think I'll be posting for tips about managing rampant food orientation Here's one tip. Don't give her any treats while you are eating, from your plate when you've finished or preparing food. Only give her food in her bowl or take your plate back into the kitchen before coming back in with her treat of leftovers. That way if it's not in her bowl she knows it's not hers. Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyMatter Posted April 30, 2019 Author Share Posted April 30, 2019 On 4/29/2019 at 3:05 AM, EllenEveBaz said: I trained her to get out of the kitchen or dining room on command On 4/29/2019 at 3:05 AM, EllenEveBaz said: Oh wow! This is the knowledge I seek! Oh please, EllenEveBaz, I beg you teach me the way of the One Who Eats In Peace!! 🙏 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyMatter Posted April 30, 2019 Author Share Posted April 30, 2019 On 4/29/2019 at 7:24 AM, HeyRunDog said: Here's one tip. Don't give her any treats while you are eating, from your plate when you've finished or preparing food. Only give her food in her bowl or take your plate back into the kitchen before coming back in with her treat of leftovers. That way if it's not in her bowl she knows it's not hers. Thanks for the advice Tbh I’ve never been one for feeding dogs from the table but honestly, Sable thinks all food is hers no matter whose plate it’s on. I’m lucky if a plate makes it as far as the table without her face in it. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t get a chance to feed anything to her before she took it anyway Definitely going to head over to the Behavior section for some food-related training (for both of us!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I see you got her from the Dogs Trust so I wonder if she's been homed before and they've fed her from their plates, which could be the reason she's so food orientated. Good luck in breaking the habit Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyMatter Posted May 1, 2019 Author Share Posted May 1, 2019 16 hours ago, HeyRunDog said: I wonder if she's been homed before and they've fed her from their plates The Dog's Trust couldn't really tell us anything about her history so I guess it's possible. They just said she had come from another centre, they didn't mention if she'd been fostered previously or returned to them. Mind you, for those dogs who were with foster families or for whom previous adoptions hadn't worked out, they were quite open about their behaviours e.g. "loves sleeping and counter surfing". Come to think of it, Sable's doggy CV did say "Will work for food" Maybe I should have taken more notice of that In any case, nothing would have changed our minds about adopting her! She's too adorable and she's one of us now. If anyone's interested, I've just poured my heart out on the Training and Behaviour forum so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some words of wisdom... PS HeyRunDog, I'm loving the Happy Face. Beauuuuuutiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad2Paisley Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgirl Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Welcome to Sable & you from across the pond in Maryland! Be sure to post some pictures of her soon!! (It's the rulez!) Quote Jeannine with Lili & Okie, the kitty sisters and Cody grey-girl waiting at the bridge (along with kitties Weenie & Merlin) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyMatter Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share Posted May 5, 2019 Well hellooooo ozgirl in Maryland! Here’s our baby ❤️ (Never let it be said that we don’t play by the rulez 😁) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgirl Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 She's beautiful!! Quote Jeannine with Lili & Okie, the kitty sisters and Cody grey-girl waiting at the bridge (along with kitties Weenie & Merlin) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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