Greyhound Dogs--Training Update #244

[Sherri]

Congratulations to you and everyone else who chose to rescue a grayhound. I hear nothing but the best things about them and their appreciation of having a good home. They sound so loving and loyal.

 

[chyam]

Congradulations! I was very involved in greyhounds and was instrumental in starting the programs at the track here before GPA. At that time adoptions were just beginning and many trainers and owners were reluctant to place their dogs, but with the younger trainers came the compassion to find homes for them. There were times when I had up to 7 greyhounds in my home waiting for adoption. One year I had 190 come through my home and out of those only 3 would defineately kill a cat. Greyhounds are very naive to alot of things, I don't know that I would trust them not to go after a cat running through the yard but most are now fostered and cat, small animal, and child tested.
They make wonderful pets, but be forewarned that alot of people who adopt one will eventually get another They tend to like stuffed animals too. My first even had a stuffed bunny and an afghan that she kept in her crate.
These dogs are very social since they are handled by SO many people, either at the training farms or in the kennels or at the track. They do great on a leash, getting them to sit sometimes is comical, they would rather lay.

You will find that they also like to follow you around and be with you.
Good luck.........it will be love!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Congratulations

 

[MushyMushy]

Congratulations! He's absolutely gorgeous. How big is he? He looks really big in that picture. And how old is he?

How exciting for you! What does your son think?

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

He's beautiful Anne. Congratulations!

 

[ducklite]

Thanks everyone!

Skeet is a smaller male, about 55 pounds. He's at a track weight right now, so he needs to gain 5-8 pounds to fill out those ribs a little. He's four years old, which is one of the reasons he's mellow. He's one week off the track.

He's completely housebroken, but we need to take a training class so he can learn basic commands.

I woke up this morning thinking "what have I done?" I'm not worried about the commitment, the rescue people were amazed at how my guy and I instantly bonded yesterday, Skeet wouldn't leave my side, even with all the other people there. But yikes! I have realized that I know NOTHING about caring for a greyhound! Well, except the obvious, you never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever trust a grey for one single minute off leash unless it's in a securely fenced backyard or dog park.

I'm getting the Greyhound for Dummies book, it comes with Skeet from the rescue, so I've got some reading for next weekend. They also provide a soft muzzle and a lead and collar (I can't think of what they are called, but the ones that pull tighter so the dog can't slip it.)

Todays mission is to order a crate, a crate pad, dog bed, bowls, toys, food, etc. for my new guy. The foster mom says he really likes his crate, and generally chooses that over a dog bed.

What type of food are you all feeding your dogs? They told me any high end food would work--Iams, Science Diet, Nutro, etc.

I'm going to get him a Kong, and probably a squeaky toy of some sort, and a stuffed toy as well. My friend puts peanut butter into the Kong and freezes it over night, then gives it to her dog in the crate in the morning as something to keep him occupied through the day, so I might try that.

Here's another question--I need a crate pad and dog bed with NO CEDAR. The fumes that cedar gives off does a major number on ferret lungs--it's deadly over time. Any suggestions?

Also, I noticed that none of the hounds sat, they either stood or were laying down, and I asked about it. You're right, they have to learn to sit, and the lady said it's quite comical watching them learn. It's just not a natual position for them!

Thanks again everybody!

Anne

 

[Pooh93]

He looks and sounds like a wonderful dog. I had wanted to adopt a greyhound, but we only have an electric fence and live about a block from a very busy 2 lane highway. I didn't want to take that chance of one zipping through the fence as we do have many rabbits around here and I am fearful the temptation would be too great. I always figured we wouldn't be considered for a rescue, but I think they would make a terrific pet.

 

[DawnCt1]

Congratulations. We have seen a few greyhounds in our town walking with their owners. There is no better organization that greyhound rescue. I am glad that you and your beautiful boy found each other!

 

[Dana49]

Congratulations! We own two greyhounds and have always fed them a mixture of cooked hamburger, boiled rotelle, and steamed carrots. It's a lot of work to prepare the food, but their health has always been great. Both dogs are currently 12 years old and still chasing each other around the backyard. Enjoy!

 

[salal]

Do you have a fenced yard? I thought seeing your yard adjacent to a golf course and no one had fences.

Are you just going to keep him inside?

 

[ducklite]

Do you have a fenced yard? I thought seeing your yard adjacent to a golf course and no one had fences.

Are you just going to keep him inside?

I don't have a fenced backyard, but greyhounds don't need one as long as the owner is committed to walking the dog 3-5 times a day, with one of the walks being a longer walk. I've had offers for "play dates" from several people with fenced in backyards, and there is a fenced dog park about 20 minutes from me that we'll visit as well, Skeet will get regular time to sprint for a bit.

Greyhounds, especially the older ones like Skeet, do not need to sprint every day. And they don't tolerate heat or cold well at all, they are used to a climate controlled kennel, so they are "inside" dogs.

Anne

 

[chyam]

I don't have a fenced backyard, but greyhounds don't need one as long as the owner is committed to walking the dog 3-5 times a day, with one of the walks being a longer walk. I've had offers for "play dates" from several people with fenced in backyards, and there is a fenced dog park about 20 minutes from me that we'll visit as well, Skeet will get regular time to sprint for a bit.

Greyhounds, especially the older ones like Skeet, do not need to sprint every day. And they don't tolerate heat or cold well at all, they are used to a climate controlled kennel, so they are "inside" dogs.

Anne

I think the reason most placement groups require fenced in yards is because most people are not committed to the walking bit, I know when I was doing it I had no problem with placing a dog with either a retired person or someone who has a flexible schedule or stays home. People do not realize that these dogs spend most of their day in a crate, they are turned out into a pen 3-4 times a day for about 45 min to an hour. They only race twice a week, therefore a trip to a dog park at least twice a week is about right. Anne is also right these dogs do not tolerate heat or cold all that well, they have very little body fat, dogs placed up north usually wear a jacket. The body fat issue is also a good thing to know when finding a vet, most vets now days do know about the special requirements, when doing surgery they need way less anesthesia? and it's also another reason why flea collars should not be used with these dogs.

 

[salal]

Greyhound site I looked at says they need to run at least once a week without a leash in a fenced area. Maybe you can find a dog park locally?

 

[ducklite]

Greyhound site I looked at says they need to run at least once a week without a leash in a fenced area. Maybe you can find a dog park locally?

Maybe you should go back and read my original reply to you where I mentioned that I already had located a dog park near me and Skeet will be a regular fixture there. The rescue organization is well aware that I have no fence around my backyard, and have no problem placing that dog with me. They have others that are much younger and still pretty hyper, and those dogs wouldn't have been a good match for a variety of reasons, the lack of a fenced yard being one of them. In fact one of the dogs I was drawn to I was told was a "no way" for me for that reason. I had to fill out a pretty lengthy questionaire and answer some pretty pointed questions about my home, where I work, give references, etc. I'm sure if they rescue thought I wasn't a good candidate to give a greyhound a forever home they wouldn't have chosen a dog for me.

Anne

 

[MushyMushy]

You'll probably get a lot of different opinions on dog food! Personally, I prefer feeding my dogs the Nutro brand, but I'll also buy Iams in a pinch. If you can find it where you live, I've heard a lot of good things about Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul food. It's supposedly good enough for humans to eat!

 

[clh2]

It has been almost 1 year since I've done research on dog foods. (I found one at that time, and we've been using it since.)

Like another poster said, Chicken Soup is a fine dog food, and is on the "lower" end of the price scale for good dog foods. We currently use Ultra Premium from Natural Balance.

There is some great info on this dog forumL http://forum.dog.com/asp/ about dogs in general and nutrition in particular.

There are some people there who own greys as well. Very friendly group of people.

Also - if you are in the colder climates (I don't remember if you mentioned where you live), here is a website with clothes for greys: Needle Nose Apparel Those clothes just crack me up.

We looked seriously at greys, just love their temperments. We are not able to fence our yard, and we live too close to a rural highway. For us, we decided a grey would probably have an untimely ending. I still love the breed, though. (And, I love the dog we ended up with too!)

 

[chyam]

Congratulations! We own two greyhounds and have always fed them a mixture of cooked hamburger, boiled rotelle, and steamed carrots. It's a lot of work to prepare the food, but their health has always been great. Both dogs are currently 12 years old and still chasing each other around the backyard. Enjoy!

We used to tell people to use ground turkey, we would throw it in a crock pot with some veggies and make enough to last a few days, then we would mix it with a good quality dry food, eventually you can wean them from that, they eat a pretty soft diet in the kennels so you may want to start with something like that for a few weeks. Now we my Saluki as I did with my last greys I took a 1/3 can of wet food and mix it with the dry (usually I microwave it for 25 seconds)

 

[ducklite]

It has been almost 1 year since I've done research on dog foods. (I found one at that time, and we've been using it since.)

Like another poster said, Chicken Soup is a fine dog food, and is on the "lower" end of the price scale for good dog foods. We currently use Ultra Premium from Natural Balance.

Thanks! There's a service here in the Orlando area that will deliver food to your home or office, and they carry both of those foods.

There is some great info on this dog forumL http://forum.dog.com/asp/ about dogs in general and nutrition in particular. There are some people there who own greys as well. Very friendly group of people.

Super, I'll check that out!

Also - if you are in the colder climates (I don't remember if you mentioned where you live), here is a website with clothes for greys: Needle Nose Apparel Those clothes just crack me up.

My DH is going to kill you for giving me that link! I'm in Orlando, so obviously during the summer Skeet won't need a coat. but in the cooler months of the winter he's going to need one for those early morning and evening walks when it's only 40-50 out. I loved the hoodie style!

Thanks again!

Anne

 

[KikiFan]

ducklite congrats! He's a beautiful dog!! I don't have one yet because my landlord is a party pooper But I've been around several of them and they are lovely dogs.

One tip I've heard from other Greyhound owners - be cautious at the dog park. Even though your dog is fine with other animals -other dogs may not be as good with him -especially when he races by. Because greys have such thin skin a little "nip" from another dog - even a playful one, can be a nasty cut. That's the reason greys typically wear muzzles when they are turned out. I'd try to figure out when the slowest times are at the dog park and utilize those.

There's a message board for all things greyhound called greytalk. It's a great resource. The "For Dummies book" is a fabulous book too! I read it when I first decided to get a greyhound and was amazed at the wealth of info.

Best of luck! and keep those pics coming!

 

[ducklite]

ducklite congrats! He's a beautiful dog!! I don't have one yet because my landlord is a party pooper But I've been around several of them and they are lovely dogs.

One tip I've heard from other Greyhound owners - be cautious at the dog park. Even though your dog is fine with other animals -other dogs may not be as good with him -especially when he races by. Because greys have such thin skin a little "nip" from another dog - even a playful one, can be a nasty cut. That's the reason greys typically wear muzzles when they are turned out. I'd try to figure out when the slowest times are at the dog park and utilize those.

There's a message board for all things greyhound called greytalk. It's a great resource. The "For Dummies book" is a fabulous book too! I read it when I first decided to get a greyhound and was amazed at the wealth of info.

Best of luck! and keep those pics coming!

Thanks! Fortunately I'm generally a very early riser, so my plan is to be at the dog park in the very early hours of the morning before it gets crowded. Skeets foster mom says he only likes to be outside for about ten minutes at a time, she thinks part of it is that it's so hot right now, and it doesn't help that he's black.

Obviously once he gets settled into a routine, and then weather cools down in a few months things might change a bit as well.

Anne