New dog questions

[Barneysmum]

Johanna

You seem to be doing a fabulous job, just taking on one of these precious hounds. He will in time settle and will with you continued support flourish. Sod what other people think or say, it's what you think is right that counts as it is your journey not theirs.

Maybe trying to meet up with other hounds and owners will help Pooka come out of his shell. I know meeting up with other members of this forum helped me with my Lurcher Barney and I even gained another dog too, my Foxy Loxy the looney girl with attitude.

Hope you continue to post about your experiences

All the best

Marie

[Caroline]

Hi Johanna,
Just wanted to wish you all the best with your new arrival. We've had our Greyhound Sprint for 5 weeks and it's very daunting but very rewarding at the same time. Some days you think you're getting it all wrong and that neither of you are making any progress but improvements happen all the time.
We've found a brilliant reference tool and support network here - a Greyhound bible in fact!
Keep up your positive attitude. Wishing you very happy days ahead, love from Caroline, Johnny and Sprint x

[zigzag]

Hello everyone - you really are lovely! Sorry I've been slow to reply - life is so dog now!
It really is an adventure - and it has done amazing things to my health.

He is eating ok, but still has quite a loose stool. I think it is generally because of the many things he has to get used to, and he is a timid dog. I have been taking him out in the car on errands, rather than leaving him at home alone because I think he finds this less stressful, but he is not used to being in a car - another new experience for him. I dash about the shops like a mad woman so I can get back to check he's ok! Shops are boring anyway, I'd only spend more money.

So what is it about black greyhounds? He is quite sniffy - actually starting to be a bit more playful and chew the bone and dental stick I gave him.


Can dogs see well in the dark? I am a bit scared taking him out last thing at night for toilet but I suppose if he saw somebody he would prick up his ears and alert me that way. He usually greets people we meet like long lost friends but do you think he would know the difference if they had bad intentions? He does look intimidating too I suppose. I am getting a bit tired of grappling in the dark with poop bags, torch, lead and muzzle trying not to lick my fingers to get the bag open and really hoping the bag doesn't break, which sometimes it does, ugh. Is there any way of scooping poop that doesn't involve getting poop on ones gloves/hands? Cheap way that is. I live in a new Barratts estate and have no garden so have to use nearby tree areas several times a day, so yelling 'toilet laddie' really draws attention to myself in a way I would rather not. But what the hey. I have purchased a clicker which I think he would respond really well to, (yet another thing to grapple with in the dark!) but the problem is any treats I give him upset his tummy, even lovely gammon I cooked.

I just got him an indoor zip up crate to help with toilet training and short absences - he loves it already. Also planning a mini break to my parents in the country who have cats - so should be ideal solution. It's massive and plenty of room for him to get up and make a nest etc. Anyone used one of these?

Oh, he's getting restless, walkie time!

I'm sure I have more questions - I'll be back I'm sure!

Johanna
xx

[Deleted]

Hi Johanna

Good to hear that you are both still doing well.

I'll get the poo related stuff out of the way first... If you want to firm up his poo you can try Burgess Supadog Sensitive mixer, it'll have him pooing good firm ones in 48 hours. Some people say that it produces more poo but in my experience it hasn't. Or there are specific foods for dogs with delicate digestion.

Try using a good brand of poo bag as some of the cheaper varieties are a bit flimsy. I use the Pedigree ones & not had problems to date (my husband proudly boasted on yesterdays walk that he fitted 7 lots of poo in 1 bag ) You can also get a scooper contraption to put the bag on if you are squeamish but that involved faffing around. Unless you prepared the scooper with a bag before you went out, that could work!

As for the grappling with torch, bags etc, it does get easier with experience I promise.

Right not poo related, greyhounds are not guard dogs by any stretch of the imagination. They have to be good with people due to nature of their racing life & being handled a lot. However as you say other people don't know that, to a lot of people a dog is a dog with sharp pointy teeth.

Have you tried the fish treats from Fish4Dogs some people whose dogs have delicate tummies tolerate these, or just plain roast chicken.

Keep us updated ;D

[zigzag]

Hey Wanda
Seven lots of poo - good man! Sadly, my life is all about poo these days, but hopefully it will waft on/flush by soon.

I love the way dog is so patient waiting for me, like you say good with people. It takes me ages to get ready for a walk, with all the layers I put on and remembering to bring everything. He stands there like a dobbin waiting for "gee up" and then we're off.

Thanks for the product tips, I will try the fishy treats - I heard cheese is good but am not sure it would be a good idea yet.

How many dogs do you have and what are they like?
Best wishes
Johanna

[zigzag]

Marie - thanks for the support! It really helps. Are there any Bristol greyhound owners on here? I would love to know a place where I could take my dog (I've decided to stick with his given name, Lad) for a secure run.

Your dogs look really cute in the pic. I am learning to ignore other people's opinions - somehow you become visible with a dog - most people smile though - cos greyhounds are lovely. Actually I think there is no point in having any other kind of dog - they are perfect! And plentiful, and needing homes, so why bother with anything else - if I can do it anyone can!

cheerio
Johanna

[Deleted]

Johanna, I forgot to include the link for Fish4Dogs it's www.fish4dogs.com (oddly enough ). I think they do free samples which may be worth a go if you are unsure how Lad will react to the food. You could try cheese but if he is lactose intolerant it may upset his delicate tummy.

I have 3 hounds, all from Gap.
Dan - my first, huge black hound, big heart but very little brain; Ellie - my 2nd, attitude all the way, way too clever for her own good; and Pixie - my 1st foster dog, erm she didn't quite leave as planned Also have foster hound Duncan staying at the moment, who is turning out to be Dan's mini-me

Lad sounds like a real treasue ;D

[kirstyandstuart]

Hi Johanna,

Just been reading about your big black boy, congrats on joining the world of Greyhound owners.

I have two black bitches but had a big black boy as well till last year. They really are characters.

Both of my girls have very sensitive tummies and so I feed them on Burgess maintenance mix, and some boiled rice with chicken. This seems to have settled both their tummies down too.

Look forward to seeing photos of Lad!!!

[ailsa]

Hi Johanna

It sounds like you and Lad are doing just fine. It's an amazing learning curve, but an incredibly fulfilling, worthwhile one. I, too, am the owner of a big black moron boy, and he makes my heart swell with pride every day! ;D

And lordy - you have yet to learn the joys of discussing poo at every opportunity! Believe me, it'll be the major topic of conversation for months - if not longer! Who knew?

Archie suffered with soft poo syndrome for quite some time. We were feeding him Burns chicken and rice, but something about it clearly wasn't right. I heard so many of the fine people on here talk about Fish4Dogs that I decided to give it a go myself - with instant results. It's much easier to pick up now - it's amazing how much you suddenly begin to value these simple things!

He also has a bit of a sensitive tum, but gets on well with Burns Kelties and James Wellbeloved fish biscuit things, as well as Fish4Dogs fish jerky, so I'm sure you'll find something you can give him as a little treat.

Please post some pictures of Lad soon!

[Nettie]

Johanna, you can ditch the torch by getting lad to carry it

www.enjoyablewalkies.co.uk/puplight.html

The light is on a collar and throws at beam 20-30 ft.

[zigzag]

Nettie that dog light looks just the job! Thank you

[zigzag]

Thanks for the food advice

Kirsty & Stewart and Wanda - Is this Burgess Supadog Sensitive Mixer and the Burgess Maintenence Mix the same thing? Is this the Greyhound & Lurcher food? Where do you buy it from? I am also interested in feeding fresh offal, and chicken wings, maybe tripe. I just don't have much income and can only afford about £10-15 a month, which is what Wagg costs, and I thought it looked ok with chicken & veg but seems not. Perhaps it's the wheat.

Wanda - you have your hands full there with fostering too, and you must have a big heart! ;D You must get attached to them - how long do they normally stay? Oh, I see - Pixie stayed home, bless. And you have to housetrain them? Do you ever use a crate? I suppose this doesn't teach them anything, just keeps them out of trouble. I thought Lad was doing ok the last couple of days and then he did a big poop in the hallway this morning before I got up. But of course I didn't catch him doing it. He did look very sorry but I think it happened because he has a bad tummy and I don't yell, he doesn't know sentences in English, only "no" an dhe really takes that personally, however softly I say it! Plus, who feels like yelling first thing in the morning? I think he must have been yelled at a lot before, bless him.

I'll get there in the end - all advice really appreciated!

Johanna
x

[Deleted]

Burgess do a variety of different mixers & the Supadog Sensitive is different to Maintenance. They do a smaller bag so you could try that first rather than forking out on a big sack in case he doesn't get on with it, but you are right it could be the wheat in Wagg that's the problem.

www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/dogs/index.php?page=supadog_sensitive&expand=range

I find especially with the foster dogs it firms their poo right up within 48 hours ;D

Or try the fish based mixer from Fish4Dogs, I haven't tried this but I have read good reports.

As for the fostering, I have had a good run this year & I always want to keep them but I have a very strict husband who is more rational than me. And whilst I am upset when they leave they always go to great homes & it's lovely to hear when they are settled & happy with their new families. They have stayed about 6 to 8 weeks with me on average before trotting off.

Husband keeps saying 'I think we should have a break for a bit' when one leaves, but then I go to the kennels & come back with another & he's always the one that is cuddling with them on the sofa & settling them in ;D

Yes they need housetraining but on the whole are good & get the idea within 48 hours. I have a very strict schedule of when they are fed & walked, it's the same every day & it seems to work. I don't use a crate generally only if the dog is particularly nervous.

How many meals a day do you feed Lad & at what times? Perhaps you need to adjust when he is fed & walked.
I do 2 meals a day & 3 walks. We have a street walk in the morning for 20 minutes then a small breakfast after half an hour, then a longer countryside walk at lunchtime, then a 2nd larger meal at 4:30 with a 10 minute street walk after half an hour, then they go out in the garden for last wee's around 9.

[Princess C]

Nov 13, 2008 19:19:51 GMT -5 zigzag said:

Kirsty & Stewart and Wanda - Is this Burgess Supadog Sensitive Mixer and the Burgess Maintenence Mix the same thing? Is this the Greyhound & Lurcher food? Where do you buy it from? I am also interested in feeding fresh offal, and chicken wings, maybe tripe. I just don't have much income and can only afford about £10-15 a month, which is what Wagg costs, and I thought it looked ok with chicken & veg but seems not. Perhaps it's the wheat.

Like Wanda I'm a fan of Burgess Supadog Sensitive Lamb and Rice, but I wouldn't feed the other types. My oldies are on it, and my youngsters have a mix of Sensitive and Skinners Field and Trial Duck and Rice www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk/products/field-and-trial/field-and-trial-duck-and-rice.html Other well-priced complete foods that are wheat gluten-free are Autarky Autumn and CSJ Lamb and Rice, both of which can be bought over the internet, although I haven't tried mine on those. It really is a matter of trying out to see what suits your boy

[zigzag]

Thanks for the tips, Ladies, especially on the feed times Wanda. I walk him 9.30/10am, a small breakfast, then walk 1.30/2pm and main meal after a bit, then 6/7ish and 9/10pm. It has to depend on my energy levels, and some days all we do is go to the tree areas round the houses, but others times I take him out in the car because I need to go to the doctors or something. Sometimes he is tugging at the lead to go back inside - I think he gets nervous or misses his bed. I am sure most of it is down to confusion and being unsettled. And the last two weeks there were all those flipping fireworks!

I went to the butcher yesterday and bought a big bag of chicken wings for £1.97 and cooked a kilo of rice for 73p. I fed him 4 chicken wings, some rice and some dry Wagg for his main meal, and a handful of rice/Wagg for breakfast. Not only did he munch it all up much more enthusiastically, but his poop hardened up straight away too! The funny thing is, he carefully and delicately chews the chicken wings, they go down a treat, but the tiniest sip of water makes him cough like a chain smoker! I touch his back and tell him to slow down, he seems to listen, but what a wally.

Today after going to the hair dressers I popped into a butcher shop and got him a gigantic bone the size of half a cow. I made the butcher saw it in half - he thought it was a funny joke. Lad thought Christmas had come early and it's really kept him busy. I guess he needed a weekend treat as well!

Yesterday I went for my homeopathic follow up and my homeopath gave me some remedies for Lad too to help calm him down. She sees that he is doing me to much good that he deserves special care!

I never imagined my first dog would be a greyhound, but he's top notch. We walked past two spaniels today, almost entirely covered in mud except for a patch on the top of their heads, and the lady said "they think your dog is a horse." and I thought I don't envy you when you get home keeping that lot off the carpet! I realised that Lad's long legs mean that ne's not likely to ever get that messy. Another greyhound advantage!

Best wishes
Johanna