what we've learned so far

[Ellen]

Only 4 weeks in, but although it's a bit of 3 steps forward, 2 steps back definite improvements, and I take encouragement from previous posts reminding us that the dog I have now  is not the dog he can be in 3 to 6 months.

What I've learned

• Don't take a dog with a high prey drive a stroll through the local botanical gardens- semi-tame squirrels everywhere- not relaxing !
• Never leave food unattended on the kitchen counter and turn your back.
• Invest in good quality poo bags( Found the corn starch based ones are  deep and strong ). Know where the bins are situated on our usual routes and wear long sleeves- seems to delight in doing his business in the  biggest patch of nettles he can find'
•  Muzzles are great. On the whole other dog owners see you coming and get their own dogs leashed tout de suit .
• Found out that even an 84 lb dog can sleep in the smallest place. I was determined Ally would sleep in the kitchen, as we have very limited floor space in the bedroom. After 4 sleepless nights, on both sides, got a piece of foam cut to size(about 1/2 the size of his kitchen bed) Much happier young man  and sleeps to about 8:30 am.
• Found out a black dog with a ripped dew claw does not go well with a cream couch, on the plus side found that a lightly applied cohesive bandage stays on well although he looks like reject from the 80's with a leg warmer on.
• Relax, relax, relax

Here's to finding out what the next month brings.

[MerseyGrey]

😂😂😂 there is another thread...’things you wished you been told when you got a greyhound’ and these would fit very nicely in there! It sounds like Ally is settling right in

[Remolacha]

 Sounds fairly typical! It is always hard to relax with the first one, soon you’ll be a pro 

[HeyRunDog]

14 hours ago, Ellen said:

Only 4 weeks in, but although it's a bit of 3 steps forward, 2 steps back definite improvements, and I take encouragement from previous posts reminding us that the dog I have now  is not the dog he can be in 3 to 6 months.

I'm glad you've got past the first few hurdles and now you have the confidence to get over the ones to come. Grace has been keeping me on my toes with new quirks for over two years and counting.................

[Ellen]

Here's hoping, I think the hardest thing is learning to relax and realising  we might not always get it right but can learn by our mistakes. He's a lovely boy and very placid in the house. Appears to have quite a high prey drive and still very easily spooked when out side by unexpected noises esp. large trucks passing but I think there are small improvements there. Iv'e  got to realise he's still very young though and all so new to him

[Feefee147]

21 hours ago, Ellen said:

Only 4 weeks in, but although it's a bit of 3 steps forward, 2 steps back definite improvements, and I take encouragement from previous posts reminding us that the dog I have now  is not the dog he can be in 3 to 6 months.

What I've learned

• Don't take a dog with a high prey drive a stroll through the local botanical gardens- semi-tame squirrels everywhere- not relaxing !
• Never leave food unattended on the kitchen counter and turn your back.
• Invest in good quality poo bags( Found the corn starch based ones are  deep and strong ). Know where the bins are situated on our usual routes and wear long sleeves- seems to delight in doing his business in the  biggest patch of nettles he can find'
•  Muzzles are great. On the whole other dog owners see you coming and get their own dogs leashed tout de suit .
• Found out that even an 84 lb dog can sleep in the smallest place. I was determined Ally would sleep in the kitchen, as we have very limited floor space in the bedroom. After 4 sleepless nights, on both sides, got a piece of foam cut to size(about 1/2 the size of his kitchen bed) Much happier young man  and sleeps to about 8:30 am.
• Found out a black dog with a ripped dew claw does not go well with a cream couch, on the plus side found that a lightly applied cohesive bandage stays on well although he looks like reject from the 80's with a leg warmer on.
• Relax, relax, relax

Here's to finding out what the next month brings.

"he looks like reject from the 80's with a leg warmer on" ......hahahahaha brilliant! 

They're definitely not easy dogs to start with. But so worth it. And it's so true - the dog I have now (8 months) is so different to how he was at 1 month/3months/6 months. I could kiss whoever on here gave me that bit of wisdom in the early days! 

Deep breaths and enjoy!

[Ellen]

When I was doing research on the best breed of dog to have as a 1st time owner, greyhounds came out top.

Only problem was I was reading all the info. from the various  greyhound charities ( from around the world) and while what they said was true on the whole- they don't really tell about any of the negatives. No socialisation  as pups, a jogger or cyclist  approaching from behind can make him leap in the air, though that is getting better. Even managed to clean and dress his wound on my own today- it's been a 2 man job up to now.I'm almost wishing my life away as I can't wait to see the improvements over the next few months

[Feefee147]

9 minutes ago, Ellen said:

When I was doing research on the best breed of dog to have as a 1st time owner, greyhounds came out top.

Only problem was I was reading all the info. from the various  greyhound charities ( from around the world) and while what they said was true on the whole- they don't really tell about any of the negatives. No socialisation  as pups, a jogger or cyclist  approaching from behind can make him leap in the air, though that is getting better. Even managed to clean and dress his wound on my own today- it's been a 2 man job up to now.I'm almost wishing my life away as I can't wait to see the improvements over the next few months

As someone who has grown up with, looked after, fostered many breeds...greyhounds are (in my opinion - don't shoot me, good people, I come in peace!) DEFINITELY the hardest breed! Especially for a first time owner. 

Any other dog will adjust to a new life in days/weeks, irrespective of any past life and horrors. Whereas these lovely greys take a VEEEERY long time to adjust. Add in the size of them, chase drive and their lack of social skills ... it's quite a challenge!

I did in the first few months quite often panic, wonder if I was giving him what he needs and think 'ohmygodwhatthecrappinghellhaveidone'! That said, watching my boy go from a terrified, aloof, panicky (and sometimes snappy) freezing alien into a lovely, farty, gentle, cheery bundle of toy tossing sweetness has been an absolute joy and I wouldn't change anything. I love the smelly bones on him 

Well done on cleaning and dressing his wound - see, improvements already 

[Ellen]

You are so right, I grew up with  many dogs as well but hadn't owned one in my adult life. 

I always promised myself a would re home a rescue dog when I retired. but most of the rescue sites advised previous experience of the  various breeds required, apart from the greyhound charity which advised great dogs for 1st time owners.

It's a steep learning curve, esp. with an 84 lb young man who has never been a pet before, and even today he went to his bed in another room  to sleep after his walk, and I was thinking something must be wrong as he doesn't tend to let me or my husband out his site for any longer than 5 minutes.

Cheers again

[Feefee147]

9 minutes ago, Ellen said:

You are so right, I grew up with  many dogs as well but hadn't owned one in my adult life. 

I always promised myself a would re home a rescue dog when I retired. but most of the rescue sites advised previous experience of the  various breeds required, apart from the greyhound charity which advised great dogs for 1st time owners.

It's a steep learning curve, esp. with an 84 lb young man who has never been a pet before, and even today he went to his bed in another room  to sleep after his walk, and I was thinking something must be wrong as he doesn't tend to let me or my husband out his site for any longer than 5 minutes.

Cheers again

84lb - wow! He's even bigger than mine!!  Still - plenty of limbs to cuddle (if he ever decides he likes cuddles)

[BatterseaBrindl]

6 hours ago, Ellen said:

You are so right, I grew up with  many dogs as well but hadn't owned one in my adult life. 

I always promised myself a would re home a rescue dog when I retired. but most of the rescue sites advised previous experience of the  various breeds required, apart from the greyhound charity which advised great dogs for 1st time owners.

It's a steep learning curve, esp. with an 84 lb young man who has never been a pet before, and even today he went to his bed in another room  to sleep after his walk, and I was thinking something must be wrong as he doesn't tend to let me or my husband out his site for any longer than 5 minutes.

Cheers again

I think this is a good sign...he is figuring out that he doesn't need to be glued to your side and is starting to be more independent.  

[MerseyGrey]

5 hours ago, BatterseaBrindl said:

I think this is a good sign...he is figuring out that he doesn't need to be glued to your side and is starting to be more independent.  

That is just what I would have said. It took about 18 months for ours to take himself off to a bed in another room but I took it as him being happy to be on his own, which meant he felt safe and confident. It was a momentous day!