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Post by kizzeysmum on Aug 13, 2013 15:27:09 GMT -5
Whooooops I think that a harness may be a good investment
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Post by greybeard on Aug 13, 2013 16:35:28 GMT -5
Harnesses are great - Chris is a big fan.Unfortunately ( and I'm sure it's just me)I can manage Perry better on a slip lead or martingale.When we were in Whitby recently on holiday and Chris lost Perry's muzzle I found in that I hadn't got the close control in the harness,especially when there was so much tempting food around!OK we haven't got the double ended lead - but we never walked our previous grey on her rather posh traditional hound collar.I just got used to slip leads.
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Post by RulusMum on Aug 14, 2013 3:22:39 GMT -5
Hells bells little devil you must have been frantic, our Sandy was a devil for being able to flick her head out of the collar when she saw a rabbit, didn't matter how tight it was! Might be worth trying the harness. Lovely to hear Layla has found the sofa!
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ReggieK
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Human slave owned by Layla
Posts: 257
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 14, 2013 5:07:00 GMT -5
Thanks for comments, I'll consider a harness. But will try the slightly tighter collar first and see how we get on. I can still just about get 2 fingers under it, but it turns OK on her neck so it is not too tight. But I think biggest lesson learned is to be aware she can possibly get out, I thought she was safely confined. I think we need some obedience classes to work on that non existent recall! I was so glad that once she stopped and I got to her she was quite happy for me to re-collar her. She never fought or struggled to be away again. It is first time I have seen her get quite so excited. She doesn't seem to care about rabbits, cats or squirrels. But after meeting off leash dogs, who then bound away, she just wants to run with them. On the good news front, she spent the evening laying beside me on the sofa. Followed by sleeping all night on it too. Expensive bed still getting no use, but it's progress at least If still not used in a month I'll bring it to kennels where it will surely be more appreciated
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Post by RulusMum on Aug 15, 2013 2:54:18 GMT -5
I bet you had a huge smile on your face with Layla on the sofa with you, progress indeed xxxxx
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ReggieK
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Human slave owned by Layla
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 18, 2013 8:10:47 GMT -5
Afternoon fellow gappers Layla has had some visitors this weekend. My friends came up from Berkshire and brought my original princess up with them, a little whippet/collie x called Missy. Missy was rescued from a bin in a service station car park and has overcome many mental scars but is now a lovely girl (4 years later). It was all new to Layla, having company, but the pair of them were chasing each other around the garden within minutes. Missy has also taught Layla how to play with toys. I still don't think she gets it properly but she was throwing ball up in air and biting it again when it hit the ground yesterday. Tennis ball number 1 in the bin! Earlier today we went for a walk and because Layla follows Missy all the time, and we were in a pretty closed off field, we let her off the lead. She had great fun chasing Missy as Missy chased the ball. She had one mad moment, when she just hared off for no reason other than, what looked like, the joy of running. She flew off across the field like a speeding bullet, disappeared out of view for 3-4 seconds, then turned around and ran back to us. Boy, is she fast. The look of joy on her face made it a special event. Not sure I'd be comfortable letting her off on her own at the moment, but small steps, and it is good to know that she normally comes back to me. My friends have just left and Layla has collapsed onto carpet. I think she might be a touch tired I have the week off so thinking about what trips we can take together. Will pop over to Barton Marina tomorrow as our first effort to keep it local. After that we'll have to wing it. Check in with you all later
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Post by deborahburt on Aug 18, 2013 8:24:51 GMT -5
How wonderful that Layla has had her first friend to stay. Before long you'll constantly be picking up toys and balls abandoned willy nilly and lovely to hear she's had a blast and came back.
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Post by RulusMum on Aug 19, 2013 3:16:56 GMT -5
How lovely Layla finally played and her new friend has obviously shown her what fun life can be! Have a fabulous week off together xxx
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ReggieK
Ironing Piling Up
Human slave owned by Layla
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Post by ReggieK on Sept 1, 2013 9:34:23 GMT -5
Hi all Not a lot to report but it's been a while so thought I should give you a general update. She seems to be getting very comfortable with her new life, she sleeps anywhere at the drop of a hat. That deep sleep they do, the kind with the legs moving and hrrrwoofing noises being made. Obviously dreaming of chasing other greys, but ever so cute to watch As I write she is flat out on lawn and ignoring all the noise going on around her. One neighbour is mowing his lawn and on the other side their border terrier is out barking at him. She sleeps downstairs on sofa overnight, which I am happy with, as am too light a sleeper to have her on the bed. That said, after I let her out for morning loo break 630-700, she always come up and sleeps on bed with me for an hour before we go for walk at 8am. Got to admit I love this bonding hour However, when I had a mate stay last week, she went into his room and slept on his bed instead. Traitorous little beggar! She has started playing more with her toys, chief of which is a tennis ball, which she'll throw in air and run after. It's a joy to watch, even if the lawn is not a happy bunny! Out on our walks she is normally as good as gold. No reaction to cats, squirrels or rabbits. She is even very friendly to other dogs, all sniffing each other very nicely. It's only if they are off leash and they run off after than she gets a bit too excited and wants to run after them. We then get the jumping and spinning on the lead, but being aware of it now I can calm her down before it gets out of hand. She can also get a little petulant on walks if I make her go in a direction she doesn't like and ends up biting the lead, but she is only 2 so have to forgive the odd tantrum. Today I let her off the lead, first time with just her and I, and she was quite good. We had a lot of her zooming off on her own but she always zoomed back. It's clear she has no recall, at all, but I guess that is to be expected. Will try again with some treats. May even sign up for some obedience classes. Going to be a hard week coming up as I have to go away for work. Will be leaving her with a friend who has a dog holiday boarding business. It's not kennels, it's where the dogs live with her in her house. We've been round and they get on OK, Layla even went to sleep on her sofa, so am sure she'll be fine. But I think I will miss her loads Taking her over about 730pm tonight as I have to leave early tomorrow. Will be a strange evening. Some pics to leave you with.... Please ignore all the mysterious crop circles on the lawn!
Chillin' after our long walk around local reservoir...
Assuming the usual position
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Post by deborahburt on Sept 1, 2013 14:21:02 GMT -5
Aww lovely update. If she's anything like Cas with tennis balls, best you get yourself off to Sports Direct, they do a grand deal on Slazenger's. I'm sure your week will be hell, Layla's however will be wonderful.
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Sept 2, 2013 5:21:57 GMT -5
I think you are right. Layla wandered off with my friend as soon as i handed her over without a backward glance. Heard that she slept all night OK, went out to loo as usual this morning, and is now back sleeping again. Missing me much? I don't think so! Gonna be a long week!!
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Post by RulusMum on Sept 2, 2013 8:06:31 GMT -5
greyhounds have no loyalty Kevin LOL....
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ReggieK
Ironing Piling Up
Human slave owned by Layla
Posts: 257
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Post by ReggieK on Sept 25, 2013 11:23:31 GMT -5
Hello all It's been a while so thought I should report in... Where did I leave off last time? Oh yes, I had dropped her off at her holiday home so I could travel for work for a week. I must admit that I missed her terribly and was constantly texting my friend asking for updates. Turns out that she had a great time and really enjoyed herself, settled well, ate up and had fun running around the garden/small field they have. Only blip was she tried to tunnel to Australia to escape this torture I went to pick her up on the Friday evening, really looking forward to seeing her again. When they opened the door, here was me looking for an excited "welcome home", oh no, she came out and totally ignored me. How deflating is that! She lolloped around the yard for 5 mins completely ignoring me, even jumping up at some other people who work there. I hid my heartbreak with a manful sigh (if such a thing is possible ) and chatted to my friend, then felt Layla plonk her chin into my hand for a stroke. I truly think she was in a sulk. Women, hey! Since then we have just been getting on with life together. I have noticed that she seems to be very forgiving on changing routines. One day we'll go for a walk at 0800 and eat at 0930-1000, the next she'll eat at 0830 and we won't walk until lunchtime. Sometimes it's her that forces this change, ie she doesn't feel like getting up, other times it is my work with early morning tele-conferences. We are getting in more and more off lead time, most of which she just trots beside me. Though so far I have chickened out whenever I see another person or dog come into view and lead goes back on. Whilst there is nothing else to distract her, her recall is fantastic, but the other 50% of the time I might as well whistle dixie We also had a night away at my brothers, as they will look after her next time I travel, and she was as good as gold. Slept downstairs all night, only waking about 0630 needing to go out. So far I cannot think of a single problem to report. Oh, we are having a "poo" issue at the moment, in that her last of the day seems to be coming out with a porridge like consistency (sorry, hope you weren't having breakfast! : but it's not her fault. I think we have been over doing the treats. She's been stripped back to basic meals now with one fish strip treat in evening to see if we can settle her tummy down. Though lunchtime is a little heartbreaking as she looks at me with those hurt eyes looking for the pigs ear she has had every day since she arrived. That's all for now folks. Layla says woof
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Post by RulusMum on Sept 26, 2013 4:41:28 GMT -5
Oh dear greyhounds can be so disloyal and unfaithful LOL. She probably was sulking as well. Sounds like all is going great and at least you know you can go away and she'll be just fine.
Huge hugs to you both suex
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Post by kamkay on Sept 26, 2013 11:11:47 GMT -5
Layla is doing a stand up job of solving your separation anxiety by ignoring you when you first arrive back:-)
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