Post by smiler on Apr 29, 2008 7:21:29 GMT -5
Hi I'm sure with all of you GH lovers out there I will get the help and support settling Tara into her new home that I feel I need.
I collected Tara,possibly 5 yrs old, from a local re homing center,she was a stray so no real information available apart from how she'd behaved with them.I spent time taking my Basset Boomer and my cat out to meet her and all got on very well.In fact she was so indifferent to the cat they weren't even sure she'd ever raced.Boomer,3 yrs old and neutered is a boy and they seemed OK with no real reaction from either of them.
I bought her home on 25th April so it's very early days.I read loads about Gh's and learnt and water spray and a firm word and consistency seemed to be the answer if I came up on settling in issues.
Well overall things haven't been too bad,Tara has got a little nippy with Boomer especially when there is a bone or chewy around which I assume is establishing the pecking order,presently he backs off and makes no attempt to put her in her place.So my first question do I ignore this and let them sort it out between themselves or should I be firmer with her ?I don't want him bullied neither do I want to get involved if this is all normal behavior.Sometimes she will growl at him for no reason when he gets up to move.
I have bought a muzzle for when she eventually comes off the lead,which won't be until I feel we have bonded and she would respond to her name, we have some good fields away from roads so that'll be something to look forward to.
She is very focused on the cats indoors,which i stop her with the water spray and a firm 'leave it' amazing how different from when we let the cat out of the basket at the re homing center.I figure in time at least indoors I'll be able to get her to become cat tolerant. Should I muzzle her and encourage the cats into the living room or let them get used to each other gradually and from a distance ?
She also hurdled the baby gate which I keep in the kitchen doorway so the dogs cannot go upstairs and it has always given the cats a retreat for when Boomer has become too bouncy with them,I just repeatedly took her back downstairs and told her 'no' she hasn't done it since but to be on the safe side I currently shut the door whenever I'm not around just so the cats and dog is safe.
I collected Tara,possibly 5 yrs old, from a local re homing center,she was a stray so no real information available apart from how she'd behaved with them.I spent time taking my Basset Boomer and my cat out to meet her and all got on very well.In fact she was so indifferent to the cat they weren't even sure she'd ever raced.Boomer,3 yrs old and neutered is a boy and they seemed OK with no real reaction from either of them.
I bought her home on 25th April so it's very early days.I read loads about Gh's and learnt and water spray and a firm word and consistency seemed to be the answer if I came up on settling in issues.
Well overall things haven't been too bad,Tara has got a little nippy with Boomer especially when there is a bone or chewy around which I assume is establishing the pecking order,presently he backs off and makes no attempt to put her in her place.So my first question do I ignore this and let them sort it out between themselves or should I be firmer with her ?I don't want him bullied neither do I want to get involved if this is all normal behavior.Sometimes she will growl at him for no reason when he gets up to move.
I have bought a muzzle for when she eventually comes off the lead,which won't be until I feel we have bonded and she would respond to her name, we have some good fields away from roads so that'll be something to look forward to.
She is very focused on the cats indoors,which i stop her with the water spray and a firm 'leave it' amazing how different from when we let the cat out of the basket at the re homing center.I figure in time at least indoors I'll be able to get her to become cat tolerant. Should I muzzle her and encourage the cats into the living room or let them get used to each other gradually and from a distance ?
She also hurdled the baby gate which I keep in the kitchen doorway so the dogs cannot go upstairs and it has always given the cats a retreat for when Boomer has become too bouncy with them,I just repeatedly took her back downstairs and told her 'no' she hasn't done it since but to be on the safe side I currently shut the door whenever I'm not around just so the cats and dog is safe.
