New and need advice please ...

[houndlover33]

Hi all,

I have a full-time job and live alone although I have a partner who lives in Manchester which I visit during the weekends. We alternate our visits and we respect each other's need for work during the weekdays.

I've seriously wanted a Greyhound, a retired racer to adopt. I feel that I am ready and have been reading up for some time now. Like all anxious first timers, I have a few questions. I have helped kept a family dog before (we actually had 3 different dogs, cross breeds and a siberian husky who still lives with us). But as I now live alone, I'd like a dog to spend my life with.

Here are the questions and hope you can advice:

1. I live in a one-bedroom flat. It's not large by any means but decent and the living room would be "spacious" enough for the Greyhound. Am I wrong? would a one-bedroom apartment be suitable?

2. I live on the second floor and have been told that stairs might be a problem for some Greyhounds. Can they be trained or as a rule of a thumb, stairs should be avoided?

3. Toileting - I don't have the luxury of a fenced garden or a garden but the parks and waterways are all within walking distance. But for toileting, has anyone used the bathtub or the toilet for dogs? It might sound gross, but I'm exploring options. My flooring is a parquet veneer (wood board) flooring in the living room and toilet; while carpeted in the bedroom.

4. Taking for walks - I plan to do this in the morning and when I get home by 5 in the evening. And as I live close to where I work, I will be able to drop home for lunch and do a quick walk. What would you think of this arrangement? I've also made plans with a friend who's a retiree and does the odd pet sitting to take care of the Greyhound when I am away (which i think will be very rarely).

5. Apart from walks, getting a good petplan pet insurance and the occasional visit to the vet, what other things do I need to be aware of? Possibly a multitude of things that could happen, but say what are the common things to be really aware of?

6. Apart from the standard kitchen drawers and the tables, I have a plush sofa. Do I need to put the sofa away just in case the Greyhound ravages it? Or will this no happen?

Thanks, and I appreciate your time.
Houndlover33

[kamkay]

Your plush sofa is more likely to be taken over by the greyhound than ravaged by it in my experience!! No advice to offer I'm afraid , but I'm sure there will be someone along soon who is more knowledgable than I.

[sassbu]

Hi there, I think you will find there are lots of members here that work full-time and pop home at lunchtime or have someone do that for them. Also there are members here living in flats too.

Whilst having several rooms at my home, my greyhound and any fosters I've had can virtually ever be found in only two of them - the bedroom on my bed and the lounge on the sofa, which he never ravages or would even dream of I'm sure - that's far too much effort for your average greyhound plus they generally take care of what they perceive as "their" precious beds ;D

Probably the worse that'll happen to your sofa is that you'll never get to sit on it, or just get a tiny corner at the end of it to squidge on to

Now if you were talking about Lurchers......... ;D ;D

[just jackie]

Hello Houndlover33 and welcome to the wonderful world that is Gap.

You seem to have given quite a lot of thought to the possibilities of adopting a greyhound, and from what you have written I would say that it seems 'doable' to me.

I have certainly known people occupying flats to adopt before now so I don't see why that in itself should be a problem. I'm sure your canine companion would find room to make him or herself at home.

Some greyhounds have problems getting used to stairs and others take to it quite readily so I think that could be overcome with the right hound.

Pity there isn't a garden of some description, even a shared area, so long as the others sharing didn't object, would be useful. I would suggest that you would need to be on the ball first thing in the morning, lunchtime and before bedtime, and get used to taking your hound out around the block so that it could toilet. Not sure you could train it to hop in the bath, or to squat on the toilet , although it could prove a very useful trick if you could. Your parquet flooring might suffer a little if it were repeatedly wee'd on. Maybe even consider investing in a couple of cheap rugs, although of course there is no guarantee that if your hound needed to relieve itself indoors it would choose the rug to go on, although usually the case when you don't want the to.

Greyhounds need a minimum of 2 x 20 minute walks daily. They will of course generally go further, but that is the minimum amount of daily exercise we recommend. Morning and evening for main walks should be fine, but a short walk at lunchtime as well would be even better, especially as you have no garden to just let the dog out into. Great that you have a friend who is willing to help out, maybe he could call in occasionally during the day?

Your sofa may well prove a big attraction, hopefully not for ravaging, but certainly for sleeping, roaching and generally reclining. Greyhounds are very good at occupying sofas. Might be worth investing in a couple of cheap, washable throws to put on it .

Good luck, and don't forget to post pictures of your new hound should you go ahead and adopt.


Jackie
x

[89jamiewilson]

Both our Greys do stairs, Paddy didn't at first but on lead with a treat as encouragement he soon caught on. Pippa lept up within 10 seconds of being on the house no problem! We both work full time, we take the dogs on a long walk before work and straight away when we get home, if we can we nip home at lunch to let the dogs out and my Mum lets them out at lunch twice a week.

We are with Petplan with both of them, although we have been looking around for a cheaper option. Petplan have been excellent with paying out so we may stay with them. (£34 per dog, we have a 6 year old and a 5 year old).

I'd be impressed if you trained your dog to use the toilet or bath!

Good luck!
Jamie.

[houndlover33]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the advice and what a lovely group this is.

My dream is to teach the hound to flush the toilet and to share some of the household chores, but I think that would be too much for a retired racing greyhound. So I'll be contented if the hound is able to do proper toileting and climb the stairs. Here's some further questions:

1. The main reason that I asked about the sofa and furniture is that the furnishings belong to the landlord, so perhaps I might get a big rug to cover it up. What other pieces of furniture should be protected? I have had cats at home and get need a scratch post! Will Greyhounds scratch the floors or doors? Would you recommend protecting them?

2. Assuming that I am out at work, would you recommend leaving the lights and radio on? It would seem very depressing to be all at home with no light and sound! So apart from a DAP diffuser (my guess), and access to clean water, what else could be done?

3. Toilet training - I've come across advice that says once the moment the hound enters the house, it should be taken to the toilet and left until he does his business. Is this for real? I'm not sure how long I will be able to wait, knowing that the 'toilet' is literally going to be my bathtub! Simply because I dont have access to a garden space. Could some advice further on this?

4. I've completed the assessment forms and now awaiting to hear back from Admin. Is there anything else I need to do at this point?

5. Having read quite a bit, there's the greyhound, the lurcher and the whippet. Considering my quiet / city lifestyle and relatively small living space, which of these would be the most suitable?

5. Any particular good books to recommend?

Most appreciated, and thanks ever so much.
HL33

[james]

Hi
My lurcher and I live in a studio flat on a housing estate near the city centre and we do very well.I do have the luxury of grassed areas between the blocks which does fine for toileting first and last thing. They don't really need that much space indoors and will certainly find the most comfortable spot if left to their own devices. Mine is banished to floor level on her own comfy bed except when I'm not in and forget to 'mine' the bed and sofa.
Re toilet training the only slight problem I had was that she was a bit reluctant to pee and poo while on a lead as she had previously been loose in a yard. A bit of patience and needs must sorted things out in a couple of days.
Years ago I did a job for a guy (ex army dog handler) who trained and worked security dogs.He always had radio 4 on in the kennels and reckoned that this had a calming influence.
I am very lucky in that my time is mostly my own and I am out and about most of the time with my dog.My vote is for lurcher every time but I admit to being biased.Whether lurcher,grey or whippet the most important thing is a temperament that will fit in with your lifestyle and I am certain that Gap will point you in the right direction.My bonkers bitch would not be for you!
Even though you don't have a cat I would recommend a dog that would at least be cat tolerant. I meet some friends whose dogs spend all of their lives in a state high tension always looking around trying to find cats.This is just no fun for either you or your dog as there are plenty of cats out and about even in the city.Most dogs will chase a cat or anything else if they run but having a snake on a string if they even see one will take a lot of the pleasure out of dog ownership.Don't be tempted to be too ambitious with your first skinny dog.
I look forward to reading all about your new addition. Be prepared to meet a lot of new friends with two and four legs.
It's all about temperament

James

[houndlover33]

Hi James,

Thanks for sharing your experience about your lurcher. I don't have the experience of knowing more about the different temperaments of the three types - greys, whippets and lurchers but I think personally I'd like a retired greyhound. Would this have a certain temperament already?

How do you juggle your time? Do you take the dog for a walk each morning and evening plus the lunch hour?

I'm really looking forward to having a Greyhound as a life companion. How quick will the whole process from submitting an application to Lisa, to the house visit and the confirmation take?

Thanks.
HL33

[nataliesian]

Hi, mak the cat, the husband and I all live in a 3 room flat. And mak is mug happier than when we lived in. 4 bedroom house. He's adored by the neighbours ! We have no garden but take him out regularly. We've made a few adjustments here- most of our furniture belongs to the landlord. We have 3 sets of steps, their all carpeted but the kitchen isn't. We found mak was skidding a he went up into the kitchen so we have a rugged area with anti slip on the back of the rug so he can't slip. We also take great care to keep the stiairs clear and don't go up or down them too late at night as their over downstairs's front room.

We have also covered the sofas with throws.

One thing to think about is how you will manage if the new fella hurts himself and can't manage the stairs. Mak pulled a muscle and he just couldn't do it- husband carried him up Nd down for 3 days. He definitely wouldn't hVe gone in the bath even though the cat does. Our bathrooms not even big enough for him to jump in or out safely plus the nth is old and I think he would scratch is despite the mat. Perhaps you might be better of with a hound you could lift if you needed too?

We also have a plan in the event of a fire or emergency. We know who takes what animal and where emergency leads are. This sounds a bit daft but theirs no way mak could walk down the metal fire escape. He would have to be carried.

Hope that helps, totally do able though. We're really happy with it :0)

[houndlover33]

Yes, I wouldn't mind carrying the Greyhound up and down the stairs. I don't see it as a problem, but how about the home visit guys? I'm also committed to buying a few necessities such as a couple of rugs and throw-overs for the sofa. Still haven't heard back from Lisa. I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens next.

[mrhoads]

Hi HL33,

On the whole it looks like you have really thought this through.

Over the years we have had one saluki/border collie lurcher, and we are now on our second greyhound (although I won't say retired as we have no evidence that either of them raced).

Our lurcher was a very bright boy who needed a lot of mental stimulation, or he would find his own! In addition, he did have the aloof saluki genes which meant that he never saw the point of obedience classes.

Our first greyhound girlie was a medium sized brindle. She was quite lively in her younger days, but did settle down to be a steady companion. She never liked the bath as she found it too slippy (but then that was with added shampoo).

Lisa has let us offer a home to Shrew, a very small black greyhound bitch. In all it took just under two months from completing the form to bringing Shrew home, but then we needed the right dog for our circumstances, and we had a bit of a wait for Shrew to be ready to come home. Shrew is nosy, bossy, affectionate, greedy and great fun. We both work, and have organised a dog walker to take her out mid-day, and there is very little sign that Shrew does much other than sleep when we are out.

It is really important that your partner is committed to having a dog in the relationship. The last thing anyone wants is relationships splitting over the dog or the dog having to be returned to Gap because of a threatened split in the relationship.

You did mention insurance. Tigger, our first greyhound, was insured for £2,000 vet bills in 2001, which seemed massive at the time. By the end of her life we were possibly looking at MRIs and surgery, the estimated cost of which was over £4,000. Look a higher level of coverage than you think you need, because the vet bills can really mount up!

Finally, you did ask if there was anything you hadn't covered.

Firstly, there is an enormous temptation to accessorize, and we are not in the territory of bling/diamante collars. Many of us buy loads of dog beds for the entire house, and then end up sitting in them because the dogs are on the sofas. The sighthounds do have thinner fur and less body fat, so they do need their coats to help retain body heat in bad weather.

Secondly, once one has crept into your heart you begin to think 'Oh, wouldn't it be lovely to have a friend for him/her', and you are well on your way to asking Lisa for a second.

X Mary

[houndlover33]

Hi Mary,

Thanks for the lovely advice - I doubt I will want two for the home as I know my limits and do not want to think of having a second (for now), mainly also due to the one-bed apartment (space constraints).

Yes, I've heard of stories of vet bills and all, which was also a major consideration and the time to bring to the vet, etc., so hopefully with a comprehensive coverage via Petplan, that should work out.

It's difficult to get the right dog, so what happens once the a home visit takes place, will Lisa be doing a shortlist or do I make a visit to look at the dogs?

What other necessities are needed prior to having the dog at home?

Thanks.
HL33

[andywillow]

Hello and welcome to Gap. Really hope you get your new hound soon. To be honest I wouldnt get your hopes up at a greyhound using the bathroom! I know none of mine would. I've never had a problem with house training a greyhound, they are usually clean in their kennels and quickley learn where to go. One thing I would say though is that mine like to go out the minute they've finished eating so I'd be on hand with a lead to take them outside immediately.
Natalie's comments about needing to carry a hound if need be is also something worth thinking about. My biggest hound is 36kgs and I wouldnt like to carry him up and down stairs, plus he hates been picked up. He's the only one who doesnt come upstairs with us at night, the other 5 all bound up at bedtime!
I'm sure there's the right hound out there for you and Lisa will be the one to find you the perfect match.
All mine are insured with Petplan and they have never questioned any payouts, my vets also claim direct from them so I don't have to pay upfront first
You'll need a raised feeder for their meals too, it doesnt have to be an expensive one, a bucket with the bottom cut out will do with a bowl dropped in the hole.
Mine all like their fleece pyjamas when its cold and settle much better in them. A waterproof coat too is a necessity. Mine all have a large selection of collars (this will become obvious once you've been around for a while) They do only need one though ;D
When you have your homecheck ask as many questions as you like, there's probably still something we've not answered!
Good luck

Sue

[nataliesian]

Lol Sue, Mak is also 40kg. I lifted him once when he cut his legs on some wire. Dog knows where i found the strength but he would only let me near him and he needed to see mr vet ASAP.

HL33, Im sure you'll find the right hound, or rather they will find you. Best feeling in the world. Keep in touch.
I have to say though one major expense in our house is air freshener !

[jackie]

It is not always going to be easy for you managing a dog in an upstairs flat. I don't know any dogs who use human toilets. You do not have the luxury of opening the back door when your hound needs a wee and you will have to put on your boots and coat and take a trip down to the nearest grassy area at least 5-6 times a day. No matter if you are suffering from flu, or the norovirus, or have a broken ankle, you will still have to do it even if it's pouring with rain or -10 degrees!

When your hound has diarrhea (hopefully not often) you will struggle to manage without an emergency outside area, (it always seem to start at 2a.m. then you're up every hour all night!)
Bear in mind, when he is injured or ill you will have to carry him. Greyhounds are heavier than they look.

However, you are obviously thinking this through and taking on board various advice from people and if you are aware of and ok with this and are able to spend time with your dog in the evenings and at weekends, then I'm sure there will be a dog out there which will suit you. Greyhounds are fantastic non- demanding dogs who adapt very well to most home situations.


Welcome to the forum and Good luck