Greyhound Dogs--Training Update #244

[ducklite]

That's great to hear Anne! Really go with a open mind, and don't be sold on looks. When we lost our last one, we went back our group and requested the 2 that needed a home the most. What'd we get? A big ole' 80lb male brindle, and a fawn with scars all over her. Very different from our previous 2 Greys, but they are absolutely wonderful dogs. No one wanted the Brindle because he was "too big" and no one wanted the Fawn as she "had scars" and they were both older. Wow, their loss, because they are incredible. Sometimes it's the older dogs that are more laid back, and may not need the runs as much as the youngn's. There is the perfect Grey for you, just take your time and research as you are doing, you are doing everything right!

The only reason I'm shying away from a larger male is the size factor--this is a big step for me, as I haven't owned a dog in 25 years. I don't really care male or female, color doesn't matter at all to me, nor does an animal with scars or even certain handicaps. (One of the ferrets I have now is stone deaf, it just doesn't matter to me--I've adapted to his abilities ) I would definitely prefer a 2-4 year old dog, I'd like a dog who still enjoys play, but is over the hyper stage. But the brindle pattern on ANY animal makes me nervous, and that's not a good way to begin a long-tem relationship with a pet, KWIM?

Good luck, hope you can update us with how it works out. Be prepared to be charmed, as they are charmers. Can you believe it used to be illegal for a commoner to own a greyhound in old Europe? Only Royalty could own them. Pretty cool that it's now as easy as your local Greyhound rescue group.

That's really funny! I just hope that we aren't automatically denied because of the lack of fenced in yard. I know we'd make a good home for the right dog, we would be a great home for a shy or skittish dog because it's very quiet and we are three adults. I know what you mean about the right dog being out there, and I'm in no rush--I'm happy to wait for the right one to come along. And sadly I know that there are plenty who will come along. I'll keep you updated--like I said, I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions!

Anne

 

[LoriKay]

I volunteer for a greyhound adoption group called KCREGAP. I also have 3 greyhounds of my own. They are all unique and have their own personality. Two of mine are very shy and storm scared but my other one is very outgoing not storm scared and doesn't know a stranger. It is very different than having other breeds of dogs. They must always be on a leash or in a fenced yard. They are sight hounds and when something catches their eye they lock on it. You will need to be careful when people come over and watch the door closely. They are big couch potatoes most of the time. Very Very loving animals.

Oh my stars! We got our grey from KCREGAP 6 years ago! I can't add much about a greyhound owning you (!!) but I will absolutely agree with what the grey owners here have said. Our Chloe is a beautiful 8 year old brindle girl that we adore. Such a personality and definitely a couch potato although once in a while when she gets out in her yard she will let go and give us a show! She loves her squeaky toys, going for walks and rides. We were told that many of them don't bark so the first time Chloe barked I was shocked! We were told that some like their crate for security but Chloe saw things differently. She has had complete run of the house almost since the beginning. We started out slowly where I would leave for maybe 10 minutes then come back and once we learned that she would steal bar soap (???) and we replaced it with Softsoap she has never bothered anything.

 

[gallaj0]

Sorry to be late to the party, but I'm also going to chime in.
I've had greys for almost 30 years, and have one right now. She (Lilly) goes for a run around the yard once every couple of days, but she'd be happy with a walk once in a while too.
She's great with cats and other small animals (guineapigs and parakeets), never noisy unless we're playing "Lassie" (did Timmy fall in the well?).
I can't recommend the greyhound enough. You'll love them.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I adopted a greyhound We got him in June, 2004. His name was Bootlegger and he was the biggest couch potato that you could meet! He was so beautiful and sleek and such a good boy. He had to be put down last year (March, 2006) because he had cancer
Here is Boots:

 

[dhcoffey]

We're on our second greyhound. They are wonderful dogs. We adopted our first one from the pound and now this one we got from someone in town who just didn't want her anymore. Her name is Lady. She's so smart. We don't have a fenced-in yard but have an invisible fence and she's never left the yard. She likes to run once in a blue moon, otherwise leave her in the house with the air-conditioning and she's in heaven. She only barks when she wants to go outside and then to tell us she's ready to come back inside. Most of the exercise she gets is to move from her dog bed in our bedroom to her dog bed in the living room and back.

She's having surgery Friday for a cancer on her side, so good thoughts would be appreciated.

Heather

 

[Rozzie]

We're on our second greyhound. They are wonderful dogs. We adopted our first one from the pound and now this one we got from someone in town who just didn't want her anymore. Her name is Lady. She's so smart. We don't have a fenced-in yard but have an invisible fence and she's never left the yard. She likes to run once in a blue moon, otherwise leave her in the house with the air-conditioning and she's in heaven. She only barks when she wants to go outside and then to tell us she's ready to come back inside. Most of the exercise she gets is to move from her dog bed in our bedroom to her dog bed in the living room and back.

She's having surgery Friday for a cancer on her side, so good thoughts would be appreciated.

Heather

Many thoughts and well wishes for Lady. I lost my Inky, our 2nd greyhound, to Bone Cancer last month. It is hard, but these dogs are fighters, and I wish you a speedy road to recovery.

 

[ducklite]

I slept on it overnight, and woke up feeling even more convinced that not only is this the right breed for me, but the time is right to adopt. I had called a local group yesterday, and got a call back this morning from someone who answered my questions and made me feel assured that they will work with me to find the right dog for me, and my ferrets.

The lady said that my home sounds ideal for a greyhound, even with the lack of a fenced in yard, as I have no problem committing to walking the dog, and taking it to a fenced dog park every week or so for an hour of unleashed excercise.

After my conversation with her I felt even better about the idea. As of ten minutes ago, I've formally applied to adopt a greyhound!

Anne

 

[Magickndm]

Can't wait to see pictures!

I have no problem committing to walking the dog, and taking it to a fenced dog park every week or so for an hour of unleashed excercise.



Anne

As any grey owner can tell you, you probably won't be needing an hour at a park. These guys go full throttle for...oh....maybe 3 minutes tops. Then they're ready for their nap.

 

[dhcoffey]

Many thoughts and well wishes for Lady. I lost my Inky, our 2nd greyhound, to Bone Cancer last month. It is hard, but these dogs are fighters, and I wish you a speedy road to recovery.

Thanks so much for the well wishes. Very sorry to hear about Inky.

Heather

 

[Jennasis]

Woohoo! Yopu'll be so happy when you've got your new grey buddy. When we applied for adoption many years ago of our Janky, we weren't able to "choose" her. The adoption group assigned her to us based on our personality profile and lifestyle (which was great. I cannot imagine walking into a kennel full of those sweet faces and being told "you can only take ONE!"). I had this vision in my mind of what I wanted and , like you, it wasn't a brindle colored dog. Like you I associated that color with "bad dogs" like pit bulls, and my BIL's lunatic boxer who was put down for repeated attacks. Well, once I met my brindle JANKY, color was so far back on my mind...

Dh was walking Janky one day after work and there was a little boy watching him from his yard. The kid yelled out "Hey mister!!" to him. Dh stopped and turned toward him "yeah?" he answered...The kid stared wide eyed at Janky and said "That sure is one beautiful dog ya got there."

Adorable!

 

[lesroi]

I slept on it overnight, and woke up feeling even more convinced that not only is this the right breed for me, but the time is right to adopt. I had called a local group yesterday, and got a call back this morning from someone who answered my questions and made me feel assured that they will work with me to find the right dog for me, and my ferrets.

The lady said that my home sounds ideal for a greyhound, even with the lack of a fenced in yard, as I have no problem committing to walking the dog, and taking it to a fenced dog park every week or so for an hour of unleashed excercise.

After my conversation with her I felt even better about the idea. As of ten minutes ago, I've formally applied to adopt a greyhound!

Anne

Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you! You are welcome to come over to my yard and bring your Grey to run with my Dobe. All of our other dogs are lazy-bones so he only gets to play and run fast when friends come over, lol!

Congrats again, I am so happy for you!!!

Tracy

 

[Rozzie]

After my conversation with her I felt even better about the idea. As of ten minutes ago, I've formally applied to adopt a greyhound!

Anne

This is awesome news!! You are simply going to be amazed at these wonderful babies. You might find yourself Chippin'! (can't have just one!! ) I also agree to what Magickndm said, my Greys take 15 minutes tops outdoors, and then they lay in their baby pool to relax, what a life.

 

[ducklite]

Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you! You are welcome to come over to my yard and bring your Grey to run with my Dobe. All of our other dogs are lazy-bones so he only gets to play and run fast when friends come over, lol!

Congrats again, I am so happy for you!!!

Tracy

Thanks for the kind offer, and I'll probably take you up on it now and then!

I'm really excited!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Meet Skeet, my greyhound!

He's not home with me yet, he's (hopefully) coming next Friday evening to his forever home.

He's an absolute lovebug. The rescue group was in PetCo today, so I went over to meet the dogs. I walked him around, showed him the guineau pigs, the ferrets, the birds, he had no interest. So we put the muzzle on, and I took a ferret out of the tank. Skeet took a submissive stance and turned his head. He wasn't afraid, but just didn't give a hoot. Put that ferret back in, and took out another who was pretty rambunctious. I got the ferrets face right in Skeets face, he took a sniff and then turned away. He wasn't afraid, just completely indifferent. The foster home he's in has a couple of cats, and he acts the same way towards them.

He did like watching the fish in the aquariums though.

He had no problems with any kids that came up to pet him, he just looked at them and gave a little wag of his tail. Other dogs--he didn't care, maybe a sniff here and there.

He's just a big speedbump!

That photo is his Petfinder photo, I'll put more up next weekend!

Anne

 

[Stimpy]

Congrats! He looks like a handsome boy. Best wishes to you and Skeet!

 

[Magickndm]

Awww, he's a beauty! Congrats!
I forgot to mention another bonus with greys, most usually have zero interest in other dogs.When I walk Dasher, other dogs who pass us start yipping, pulling on their leash, etc., but Dasher doesn't even seem to notice the other dog.
Time for you to stock up on squeaky toys, a nice big bed, and a few large Kongs!

 

[dhcoffey]

Congratulations!! He's beautiful. I hope you have a happy life together.

Heather

 

[kayeandjim00]

Kongs are a life saver especially with dogs who have separation anxiety which is common with adopted dogs. It's made all the difference for one of ours. Congratulations on the new addition - your life will change but definitely for the better1

 

[lesroi]

What a beautiful boy!!! Congrats!
Keep us updated on his progress...


Tracy

 

[nhrenee]

He sound (and looks) like such a sweetheart! Congrats!!