Greyhound Dogs--Training Update #244

[ducklite]

I know how overwhelmed you feel, I really do. we had a rough start with Dasher, but now it takes hearing things like what you're posting to remind me how far we've come. We were welcomed home with poopy smelly crates almost every time we went out. Now we're welcomed with noses in our butts and a tail lashing. And yes, that is a good thing.
As far as the lamb/rice food, who told you that you can't keep him on it? Greys have a very fast metabolism, lots of owners have great success with that. Even if you do decide to switch foods, do it slowly, otherwise you'll be right back where you started from.

I was reading on greytalk.com and people were saying the first four or five ingredients should be meat--the Lamb and Rice only has one meat ingredient in teh first five, the lamb, which is listed first. But then again it seems taht jsut like the Dis, some of the people over there like to argue for the sake of arguing.

I'm planning on keeping him on the lamb & rice until he puts on some weight, right now I can count every rib and bone in his spine from ten feet away--too skinny, even for a track grey. If I do change to a different Nutro blend, I'll do it slowly over the course of a week or two by adding a bit in with the L&R, gradually changing the ratio.

And I've fallen victim to a tail lashing already--you're right, it's not such a bad thing.

Thank you again for all of your advice and support. It's been truly appreciated more than you can imagine. It's good to hear from people who have been through it and have survived.

Anne

 

[Magickndm]

But then again it seems taht jsut like the Dis, some of the people over there like to argue for the sake of arguing.

That really is the truth and the reason I just mainly read there and don't participate much.
And yes, I've been through it, survived, and have the best dog I've ever had in my life. You'll get there too.

 

[Dodie]

Just wanted to add that there's no reason a dog can't stay on lamb and rice dogfood for life if that's what's needed.

We have a dog (White German Shepherd in signature photo below) with a delicate digestive system. Lamb and rice works for her, so that's what we feed all three dogs (just because that's easier). We don't overfeed them, they get exercise, and we watch for weight gain.

If that continues to work for you, just know that it is an option.

 

[ducklite]

The trainer came yesterday, wow! As I said very early on in this thread, I haven't owned a dog in almost 30 years, and really don't know the first thing about training them. Honest to God that was the best thing I've ever done, not bothering with a group training class but opting instead for a private, in-home lesson that could specifically address my dogs needs.

In a 3.5 hour session we've got Skeet going to his bed/crate (his choice) when told to "go lay down," coming to me when I call him every time--regardless of what he's doing, and beginning to understand "stay." We've also got some of the seperation anxiety under control.

The trainer feels that Skeet is a very smart dog, and will easily learn further commands should I choose to want him to.

The one thing the trainer was stumped on was "greyhound statue" while walking. Anyone have any ideas?

ETA: The Lamb & Rice has taken care of the other issue!

Anne

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Anne, just wanted you to know that I have been following your journey with Skeet from day one. DH and I received a puppy into our lives a year ago and now we wonder what we did with our lives before she arrived. Dogs are awesome! In my eyes, you are doing a GREAT job with Skeet and wish you two nothing but the best. I look forward to continue to watch for your updates.

 

[Magickndm]

The one thing the trainer was stumped on was "greyhound statue" while walking. Anyone have any ideas?



Anne

I'm not sure what you mean. Does he just stop, then not move? Dasher does this if scared or in trouble.
Glad to hear the training went so well! Does the lady travel to Jacksonville?

 

[ducklite]

I'm not sure what you mean. Does he just stop, then not move? Dasher does this if scared or in trouble.
Glad to hear the training went so well! Does the lady travel to Jacksonville?

It was actually a guy, the company is barkbusters.com, check them out, I'm thrilled with them so far! They teach you to think like a dog, so you can understand how to give commands that the dog will understand and obey.

And yes, when we're walking if he doesn't want to go he just freezes. nothing will get him going again, not a treat, not pulling, nothing. He just freezes. And it's not always fear (although sometimes it's lawn sprinklers=fear), sometimes I have no idea what it is.

Anne

 

[SUSIEQ]

And yes, when we're walking if he doesn't want to go he just freezes. nothing will get him going again, not a treat, not pulling, nothing. He just freezes. And it's not always fear (although sometimes it's lawn sprinklers=fear), sometimes I have no idea what it is.

Anne

I call this "the donkey", and, no, I don't know what to do about it. Been putting up with it for years.

 

[ducklite]

Instead of pulling, I've been getting behind him with one palm on each side of his butt and giving him a push. That usually gets him walking again.

One thing I've noticed is that his skin is super dry and flaky. My black dog looks half white with the dandruff. I've been rubbing him down with a grooming glove, and have been dropping two fish oil capsules into his food each morning, I'm hoping to see some change soon. Did anyone elses dog go through a stage where they were so flaky you thought they were a snake? What did you do?

Anne

 

[Rozzie]

Anne, the flakiness on Skeet is more noticeable because he is black. Inky and Gracie were both black, and it would drive me nuts, I tried everything. In the end, every Grey material I read said black grey's just simply have more dandruff, and it shows up more. (Kinda like the old Head & Shoulders commercial, LOL) I do the water free wipes that you get at PetSmart, and it seemed to help.

Greyhound statue, oh yeah, know that! My Honey does it when she see's something she is not sure of, or something that has peaked her interest. I have read where usually it's that high prey drive button that is pushed. Not that they are going after the object, but the button get's pushed all the same.

Just a side note, I took Tater, our big 80lb brindle male, into the Vet for GI issues. Some loose stool, but mainly a regurging food after eating. Off and on, for several weeks. I would do rice and pepto, and it would be final for several days. She thought he might be getting some gastritis and/or cholitis. She is a really knowledgeable Grey vet, and does all our area's Grey adoption workups, and also did a lot of research on them in Vet School. Anyway, she is the famous "Grey Vet" in our group, LOL. She put Tater on a food called EN, it's for Gastro troubles and is very bland. Tater has thrived on it. He is also on 7 pills a day for a week, 2 antibotics, (for possible different GI infections) and carafate every 8 hours. Wow, what a difference. I am even a nurse, and did not think about putting on a antibotic to see if it's clears up the GI troubles. She said a lot of times, it's hard to diagnose these GI upsets, and by seeing if they clear up on the botics, is the only way to see if that was the culprit. So make a long story, a little bit longer, no puke, firm solid stool, and a very happy different dog. Just a little food for thought.

The training session sounds great! The recall thing is a joke in our house too. Our greys have always recalled in our yard, but dog parks are a joke! You asked about muzzling, so one more story from my experience. I don't muzzle mine when we are at public dog parks (but do muzzle at Grey meets) . I saw a horrific scene where a Grey was attacked by a lab mix, and it was really awful. The Grey was only playing, and used to the happy go luck of other greys, and really got tore up. It really has curbed my fun for public dog parks. Greys tend to get overwhelmed by other breeds, and not very good at defending themselves. All Greys are different, but I have found this as a general rule. Now our Honey is a spitfire, and I think she could hold her own, but I am over cautious. We still go to the public parks, but I will survey first to see what's inside, and then leave if I see a dog come in I get a bad feeling about. Most of the time, it's a great fun to see them interact with others.

Sorry so long. I have really enjoyed the updates on Skeet, you are a very patient person, and Skeet is so blessed to have you as his mom.

 

[Magickndm]

Dasher had skin issues as well, his food has helped a lot, it has salmon it it, he also get a fish oil pill supplement daily. I used to use Missing Link,(you can get it at PetSmart) but it got pricey, and once we switched his food he didn't need it as much anyway.
I don't know anything about dog parks, they scare me really. With our fenced yard there's no need for them, but I don't think I'd muzzle Skeet either. Like Rozzie said, if he was attacked, he couldn't defend himself.

 

[Rozzie]

Dasher had skin issues as well, his food has helped a lot, it has salmon it it, he also get a fish oil pill supplement daily. I used to use Missing Link,(you can get it at PetSmart) but it got pricey, and once we switched his food he didn't need it as much anyway..

Do you use a canine fish oil supplement, or one for human consumption? I was thinking of adding one for cardiac and arthritic concerns. TIA!

 

[Magickndm]

Do you use a canine fish oil supplement, or one for human consumption? I was thinking of adding one for cardiac and arthritic concerns. TIA!

My vet said the kind for people is fine, so I picked up a bottle from BJ's. The pills are pretty big so I was concerned we'd have trouble with him taking them, but he loves them. Only a dog, right?

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Anne, how is Skeet doing?

 

[ducklite]

Skeet's doing great!

We've got his GI system completely under control, he's on a regular walk/bathroom schedule, he's been 100% in the house. Last night I left the crate door open on his bedroom crate all night and he woke up once, around 4:00am, got out and stretched, then went back in and back to sleep. This was the first night I've left the door open, and before he'd be whining and wanting out at 4:00am.

The trainer came a couple weeks ago and he's learned to "go lay down" (his choice as to where to go--just go away, settle someplace, and get out from under my feet!), "go to your crate," "come," and we're still working on "stay" which he seems to have selective hearing on.

He's met all the other dogs in the neighborhood and either likes them or ignores them. He loves the eight year old who lives a few doors down, his tail goes crazy when he sees her! He'll let anyone pet him, he still clings to me while it's happening sometimes. Last night he came face to face with a half dozen sand hill cranes and he was fascinated and a bit timid. He had definitely sighted them, but made not a quarter inch of movement towards them, and stood stuck to my leg like super glue.

The seperation anxiety is getting a little better. Each day I can leave a room for longer and longer without him following me or whining that I'm gone.

He's filling out in weight, needs about another three pounds or so to be at a perfect weight. His coat has gotten soft like silk and sooo shiney--the fish oil caps are doing great with that. He's got less dandruff as well.

His tail wags very regularly, he does little happy dances and smiles when he's outside walking. He's been good about not taking things that don't belong to him. He seems to need to be told "NO" only once and he gets it. He doesn't chew or mark, he's just gotten to be a great dog! (Except he won't potty for anyone but me, but hopefully that will come with time.)

The "Greyhound Statue" during walks has pretty much stopped. I think a lot of it was because he was afraid, because he just wasn't used to lawn sprinklers, lawn mowers, other dogs, joggers, cars, shrubs, kids, etc. and now realizes that none of them are anything to worry about, he just goes along his merry way while we're walking.

He's gone from being a kennel dog to a houshold pet, and a member of the family.

Anne

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

That is wonderful to hear and I am so happy for you, Anne AND Skeet. Enjoy!!!!

 

[LoriKay]

I was hoping for an update and I'm so glad that everything is going so well!

 

[louey]

Congrats on adopting a Greyhound, we have had our Scooby for 4 1/2 years. She came in our house and lives with our two other breeds like she had been there from the beginning. They are one of the sweetest dogs, be careful though they say they are like potato chips you can't just have one
It seems as though you got the house training under control , I know people who foster and for the boys they sometimes use a bellyband for a short time until they figure out they are suppose to do the peeing outside.

 

[ducklite]

Congrats on adopting a Greyhound, we have had our Scooby for 4 1/2 years. She came in our house and lives with our two other breeds like she had been there from the beginning. They are one of the sweetest dogs, be careful though they say they are like potato chips you can't just have one
It seems as though you got the house training under control , I know people who foster and for the boys they sometimes use a bellyband for a short time until they figure out they are suppose to do the peeing outside.

Thanks, he really is a sweet dog, even at 4:00am when he's trying to jump on my bed (a BIG no-no!!!) to wake me up so I'll play with him.

Anne

 

[Magickndm]

What a great update! Amazing how fast they go from race dog to pet.