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Post by connorsmum on Oct 31, 2013 3:26:33 GMT -5
Hello everyone. I am a new gh owner. The other day a small dog went past us and my dog pulled me back with such force I thought I had dislocated my shoulder! He had the small dog on the ground and I was frightened I would not be Able to control him This has made me a bit nervous and I am now scared he will slip his collar. Any advice plse?
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Post by sassbu on Oct 31, 2013 3:32:41 GMT -5
Hi and welcome most of us who have reactive greyhounds either use a leather fishtail collar tightened so you can still get two fingers underneath or a harness of which there are many designs available. I found a harness much more effective to start with but now use a fishtail collar as he's less reactive these days. Also take a pocket worth of super tasty treats like cheese, liver or sausage and start distracting your dog as soon as you see something he may become fixated on. Praise and reward when his attention stays on you and not the other dog. Sorry for the quick reply before im off to work but I'm sure others will be along soon
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Post by Nettie on Oct 31, 2013 3:52:34 GMT -5
Make sure you always muzzle him when you are out too.
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Post by vickyb on Oct 31, 2013 4:05:14 GMT -5
Ruffwear webmaster harness - expensive but worth it for my peace of mind. www.muddypaws.co.uk/dog-training/dog-harnesses/2012-webmaster-harness obviously worth googling it to see if anywhere has them on offer. I've never found the leather fishtail collars secure short of having it so tight it cuts off their air supply but I've never had one slip a fabric martingale collar.
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Post by andywillow on Oct 31, 2013 4:39:54 GMT -5
As Nettie has said always keep your dog muzzled. I would highly recommend a ruffwear harness, they are expensive but last a lifetime and are so secure they cannot get out of them. One of my dogs got out of a martingale collar which as it came off took her muzzle with it, luckily we had the harness on and a double lead so she didn't get away. I've also had a dog get out of a leather collar too. Dog games harnesses are also good too, the perfect fit ones and not as expensive as the ruffwear.
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Post by just jackie on Oct 31, 2013 7:47:37 GMT -5
Definitely muzzle him, for his sake as well as other dogs. Harness is a very good idea as it distributes the weight more and gives you better control. I know they aren't cheap but the Ruffwear ones are really good, and hard-wearing. Get yourself a double ended training lead (6') and attach to both harness and collar, or use two leads one on each, for even better control.
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Post by ZoeBean on Oct 31, 2013 7:49:41 GMT -5
Dog games harnesses are also good too, the perfect fit ones and not as expensive as the ruffwear. I agree with this, Mum and Dad use these with their hounds (well, one hound now) and they are around half the price of the ruffwear.
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Post by connorsmum on Oct 31, 2013 12:50:56 GMT -5
Thank you all very much - I have muzzled him (again) since then. He had been so good, I thought muzzling wasn't necessary - how wrong can you be!! He encountered a small dog since then and had no reaction whatsoever, so I don't know what annoyed him the other day. He is still showing off (wee-ing on the floor when he doesn't get my attention even though I have just let him into the garden and he has come back in) - I mop up, deodorise and completely ignore him, but he is getting there. I will have a look now at the Ruffwear harness, and I am sure that will make me happier . Will keep you posted!!
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Post by kamkay on Oct 31, 2013 13:19:03 GMT -5
I had Jet muzzled for over a year before I was confident he would not have a pop at small dogs. Apart from anything else I can now read him so much better and know when he's going to react. He walks in a harness and martingale collar and I am so glad he does as he is hyper cat reactive and has attempted to launch himself through hedges and over walls to try to reach one Welcome to the wonderful world of greyhound ownership:-)
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Post by jenjanjo on Nov 1, 2013 1:18:17 GMT -5
Another here who has a martingale collar teamed with double lead and ruffwear harness....the harness also has a handle which is ideal to grab in extreme circumstances! Well worth the money!
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Post by Jo&Chris on Nov 1, 2013 7:48:16 GMT -5
Your boy sounds like mine, unpredictable, what I'd say is don't let him lull you into a false sense of security, Spook can react to a dog one day and completely ignore the same dog the next day. He never ever leaves the house without a muzzle and harness, I also use a martingale with double ended lead when I walk him. He caught a dog once and I got bitten quite badly, I'll never put him or me in that situation again.
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Post by futuramafan on Nov 1, 2013 10:46:06 GMT -5
Hi, I had this with Molly to the point where she tore a tendon in my hand and was so strong I couldn't let my boys walk her. In the end I invested in a canny collar- tried the halti and a few others first but they don't seem to suit greyhound slender muzzles. Anyway, this changed everything for us as she doesn't mind it at all, is simple to use and also means she can't drag us off anywhere at the sight of small fluffy things. I got a size two and it fits very nicely (Molly is a petite princess though). Really has been a life saver!
Good luck!!!
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Post by futuramafan on Nov 1, 2013 10:48:08 GMT -5
Ps forgot to add if your hound is a girly they come in a nice pink colour too as well as more traditional black. This was a bonus for me as Molly is my pink princess!!
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Post by connorsmum on Nov 3, 2013 5:51:52 GMT -5
Thanks all - we went out muzzled and harnesses today and Connor didn't much like it, but I felt more confident with him, which is what I need at the moment
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Post by vickyb on Nov 3, 2013 8:44:16 GMT -5
Thanks all - we went out muzzled and harnesses today and Connor didn't much like it, but I felt more confident with him, which is what I need at the moment He will get used to it and he'll feel that you are more confident so should relax more. Which harness did you get? Good luck
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