New and need advice please ...

[debdabble]

Sorry to post a negative here, but although you have obviously given it a lot of thought, I personally think this is going to be difficult.
My greyhound Clive would not entertain being lifted (you may have heard of the' greyhound scream of death'), that is what I get if I ever try to lift him) Admitedly my boy is 35kg, but these dogs are so sensitive even a small one may not like it. He would hate being in a bath even if I put a rubber mat in there, I doubt whether he would wee or poo because his natural inclination is to have a good sniff around before finding an area he chooses to use, not where I want him to go. I think doing that would scare him and then you are in for problems. Also lets say you decide to toilet him outside, do you realise you are going to be up and down your stairs 6 or more times a day (are those communal by the way? if they are, a dose of dog diahorrea is not going to endear you to your neighbours no matter how lovely the dog is - you need to very considerate of them.
You have mentioned you have had dogs before, therefore you know what a huge responsibility it is, and as I know sometimes it can be hugely inconvenient. If I didn't work for myself and Clive was ill, I would have a huge problem.
I know what it's like to really want one of these dogs, it took 4 years before I felt I could really accomodate one in a way that was was fair to both of us. They are when settled the most gentle dogs generally, but they can become stressed extremely easily too.
I have read your post though many times and personally I feel uneasy about whether this would work no matter how much you want it too.

Sorry to 'rain on your parade'.

If you go ahead I wish you well

Debbie

[lurcherlot]

Can you telephone me please on 01473 623343. As you didn't put a contact number on your Pre-Adoption form, we obviously cannot contact you!
Liz

[houndlover33]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the kind advice. I'm trying to look at all options and to get as much info as possible. I think stumbling across this forum is such a great thing because it offers that interaction that books cannot offer. Hopefully if I have the chance to rehome one, I hope that the Greyhound takes to climbing up the stairs. As for toileting, I know that doing this in a flat is not a hygienic thing, but I'm also concerned about our weather. Like Jackie said that even though it's raining or -10 degrees?

I've also been looking at aspects of separation anxiety - what methods do you guys use? I've seen the use of turning on the radio, leaving the lights on, getting a second greyhound (not an option at the moment), having toys and DAP diffuser. Which of these would be particular helpful and why?

Thanks,
HL33

[Andy & Justine]

Our Lucy - greyhound - was an avid listener of Radio 4 left on low on our landing while she slept on her bed at the bottom of the stairs with our landing light on up above. We put the radio on for the first couple of nights then tried her without but had to put it on again after about 15 mins as she got up and started crying. It wasn't a problem for us as it was only just about audible. We didn't want her upstairs as this was to be our area and we were fairly certain her separation would have been worse if we'd let her spend all night upstairs with us too. We probably kept the radio on for the first couple of weeks in the end until Lucy got into the 'going to bed and staying there til morning' routine. She was ok after that. 7 weeks after we had her, we got our Ben - also a greyhound - so all was fine after that as she had company anyway. The best thing with the separation just seemed to be keeping things calm and sticking to a routine until she'd settled. Even now, we'll leave a radio on for company for the dogs if we go out in the evening for a few hours or something as there seems to be less evidence they've moved very much if they've got something to listen to while we're not there. Both Lucy and Ben followed us around the house a bit in their first few days as they must have thought we were leaving them if they couldn't see us - even Ben did this and Lucy was there and settled already.. then again, he's a daft thing and likes his 'pack' accounted for. . I think once the dogs realised we weren't abandonning them if we went into another room, they got over it. We just pretty much carried on and let them hover in the background and then gradually settled them on their beds on the front room, pulled the door almost closed and left them for a little while before coming back and they got used to the fact we soon would be back. Greyhounds really do make an art form out of settling and snoozing - and make it look a very appealing option most of the time. Please be aware they can be stubborn - our Ben would try the patience of the saint at times, especially if it's cold or wet and he doesn't really fancy getting his regal paws cold or damp or he gets bored of the same walk twice in a row and this has led to having to pick him up - he's about 5 stone - and Lucy has had to be picked up when frightened by fireworks part way round her walk - she's 4 stone -and I really wouldn't recommend having to do that on a regular basis - especially for toilet issues. We'd never kept dogs until we had Lucy and Ben but I would definitely recommend greyhounds as a lovely breed. They are not walk overs and ours suffer 'selective deafness' so we never let them off-lead as we live near a canal and main roads, with cats, rabbits, ducks and squirrels around and there would be carnage. In all fairness though, they don't ask a lot - just some company, somewhere soft to snuggle and stretch out on, feeding and a couple of walks a day. Hope it all works out.

[houndlover33]

Hi Andy & Justine,

Leaving the radio and some lights on seems to be one of the solutions to separation anxiety, but as all dogs are different and have their temperaments, I guess it's just worth knowing the options there and then trying those ideas out. As I live in an apartment, I've got to mindful that I do not disturb the neighbours and would worry if the separation anxiety escalates into barking when I am out at work. There's only so much time I can spend at home and being back for lunch for an hour or so. We have to juggle our careers, but I am still keen to re-home a Greyhound having heard of some sad stories, knowing how wonderful they are, and would also give me a better quality of life.

HL33

[rosierecorder]

Hello houndlover33!

I have two retired greyhounds - we got Joey first just over a year ago and added Milly last February.

We picked Joey up on a Saturday and were both back to work on the Monday. I followed all the advice on this forum about seperation anxiety - didnt spend too long with him, left him for short periods during the weekend, we went to church on Sunday morning which was just 2 hours but gave us an idea of how he would cope. We left (and still do) radio 4 on for him and also left him a Kong filled with peanut butter. He was fine from day one and fine to be left on the Monday whilst we were at work!

Milly was the same - but I think its easier when they have company.

I can't imagine either of them toiletting in the bathroom....neither do poos much in the garden though only on their walks, but I cant imagine anything worse than having to put their lead on at 2 in the morning to take them out for a walk when they are crying!! But you seem aware that this might be the case for you.

When I feel guilty about leaving them whilst I work I try to remember the lives they had before and how long they spent shut away in a kennel during the day/night. Greyhounds are ideal for full time workers and I know mine hardly move whilst I am out. I give them a good walk am and pm and then try and get them out somewhere different and exciting every weekend.

Fleece coats are great - Milly gets very cold and cries in the night as soon as she is wrapped up she settles much better.

Lurchers vs greyhound - Lurchers are a sighthound breed crossed with another dog breed, collie, staffy, terrier etc etc or crossed with another sighthound. It adds an extra dimension to the personality!! Greyhounds are totally chilled out relaxed, sleepy dogs - obviously with some personality variations. Lurchers will have some traits of the other breed - eg. collie will make it more intelligent/want more exercise - and in that sense may be a slightly more demanding dog. So it depends what you want from your dog! I find that dogs are happiest when you work with the breed and let it do what it is bred to. eg. train and encourage a retriever to retrieve! It makes for a happier a dog (this doesnt seem to apply to greys who despite being bred to race just want to sleep!!! I guess they are sprinters though....!)

Don't know if thats of any help - Kongs are brilliant though. Seperation anxiety tends to happen in the first 20 mins of leaving a dog and the kong keeps them occupied for some of that time.

Good luck