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Post by greybeard on Aug 26, 2014 17:30:28 GMT -5
Good luck - I know how easy it is to listen to your heart,then the practicalities kick in.Cath
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Post by lurcherlot on Aug 27, 2014 3:14:32 GMT -5
Hi All - I'm a guy by the way - some of us love hounds as much as any of you girls - probably too much in my case hence the current predicament ! Apologies - quite wrong to assume you're a girlie! I'm sure fellas are equally attached to their hounds ....  |
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Post by lakers on Aug 27, 2014 14:49:35 GMT -5
Well we got through the day. Left him at 8am and the howling had begun before I had opened the car door. Managed to return at 11.30 to tangled blinds and lots of nose marks on the window and patio door and a very excited hound that I ignored until he had calmed down which took some time. In laws spent the afternoon with him and as he had not met them before he hid away until coming out and putting his head into their lap - refused to allow his lead on to be taken for a walk though. Walk done now and he is rolling around and rubbing his face in the furry rug. One day at time.
Can anyone advise if he starts to get better when I go to bed (less howling etc.) will that mean he is getting better when I leave him of a morning ?
If anybody can tell me how I will post a picture (of the hound not me)
Thanks all
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Post by kizzeysmum on Aug 27, 2014 15:13:28 GMT -5
So pleased to hear that you have made it through the day.
I am so praying that this works out for the sake of both you and your boy.
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Post by Nettie on Aug 27, 2014 17:22:50 GMT -5
To post photos you need to use a website such as Photobucket or you can use Facebook if you are member. You need to post the photo 'url' and then highlight it, then click on the photo icon which is above your text, the 5th one in from the smiley. A box will pop up. click ok and then click on the Preview box at the bottom of the text box to see if it works. Good luck.
I do hope he does start to settle.
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Post by Lisa on Aug 28, 2014 2:58:10 GMT -5
Might be worth asking the in laws to ignore him as well x I know its hard for new people but at the moment you need to act a little like he is invisible dog and not in the house. If you ignore him then they fuss him that means they are undoing all you will be working towards. If you want to inbox me your number I am more than happy to give you a call x
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Post by lakers on Aug 29, 2014 2:55:32 GMT -5
Hi All. No time to post yesterday. The 'Hound from the Pound' had two separate blocks of three hours alone at home yesterday and seemed to cope well with the first but on my return in the later afternoon he had destroyed a copy of the RGT 'Homer' magazine that had arrived that morning but nothing else !!! Was he telling me he is home now ?
Took him to a friends in the evening who has a huge safe fenced garden and he let off steam with lots of sprints - I also confirmed something I had noticed from the first time I had walked him on a lead - he has injury/problem with his right rear leg - it almost barrels out as he runs but does not appear to cause him any discomfort. Anyone seen this before.
The last two nights there as been little or no howling but as soon as I leave for work and he is alone neighbours confirm the howling commences.
Investments yesterday. Two squeaky toys and a DAP Diffuser.
Thank you for the offer and I will inbox my number when I work out how to do it.
I'm going to post a daily diary under a new thread 'The Hound from the Pound' as I hope it will help others by sharing my experiences of settling in this hound and I find it good just to write about him and the challenge of trying to settle him.
Could someone propose what section I should start the thread in ?
Doesn't matter if nobody reads it - its good for me to write !!!
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Aug 29, 2014 3:33:28 GMT -5
Hi and welcome,personally I would put the post on the Dog Talk-Members,but that is just me. So glad that you have chosen this Forum as we need all the support we can get to keep it going!
We rescued a lurcher some years ago who had this same problem but had a staffie X to keep her company and I only used to leave them for no longer then 3-4 hours,we tried everything and in the end things did settle down on their own and she became the most wonderful pet, sadly we lost her suddenly last October and adopted Moss a lurcher from the Greyhound Gap hence being on the Forum.
The Forum is great to post on and I think that you will find that quite a lot of people will read your updates and love to see pictures which I am ashamed to say I have not mastered the art of putting them on yet and it is nearly a year very naughty.
Regarding the howling I used to have a voice activated recorder so I could listen to how long it went on and what triggered it,we also used to leave the radio on as she would start when she heard the next door neighbour's car because she thought it was us and when she realised we were not home then she would start the howling, we also had to put the phone on silent as she used to like to sing to it!
I hope you get sorted and things settle down quickly, in the end it is patience and I would probably pop him along to let the Vet have a look at his leg.
Shazx
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Post by lakers on Aug 31, 2014 2:59:52 GMT -5
Friday somebody had to stay in all day so the 'Hound from the 'Pound' had company all day. When he is with someone in or out of the house he is calm, and relaxed...unless it's me. Then he has to follow my every move, into the kitchen, across the lounge, no step can be taken without a big black nose being an inch away. Yesterday I was around most of the day and left him to get some things for about an hour and half - he didn't hear my return and when I peeked in through the window he was lying flat on the rug snoozing - I did hear from next door that he was at the window howling for a bit when I left though.
Bed times are quiet now with last night being the first that not even a wimper was heard when we retired upstairs.
He will only lie in spaces where he is enclosed on almost three sides ! His back especially always has to be pushed up against the wall or some other surface when snoozing - I wonder if this linked to his rear leg problem as he does not like anyone coming to him from behind - I'm starting the think he has receive kicks from behind in the past.
Other behaviours are not coming to anyone unless you crouch down - he is a little fearful of people just standing upright - crouch down though and he will trot over to even strangers.
Decisions taken this weekend.
He is staying here come what may and I will try to get him as much company through the working days as possible. Currently worst case scenario is alone from 8am to 12.30pm and then from 2pm to 5pm on odd days of the week.
Surely that is better than the alternative.
As I write the 'Hound from the Pound' is asleep in his basket.
He last raced in Ireland in April 2013 and is still registered as owned by the trainer who I have rang to see what he could tell me about him and why he had been found in an English pound when still registered to him. He must have a problem with his phone as the line went dead.................
So we have a missing 15 months between a race track in Limerick and a dog pound in the midlands.
This hound had been in a home and looked after though - tummy and elbows are smooth and soft so he has not lived on hard surfaces, coat and general physical condition is very good, not under nourished in any way and is not phased by hovers, shiny floors or anything domestic. Back legs fully covered with coat and no signs of 'racing stress' with bald patches etc
Somebody has looked after this hound and then lost him or abandoned him.
Either way they are not looking for him as I can't find anything at all.
So here is is now asleep in the corner. 'The hound from the Pound'.
The hound with the missing 15 months.
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Aug 31, 2014 3:13:51 GMT -5
Well that is quite a comprehensive update, I really hope that things can be worked out,when I first had Moss I set aside three weeks to get him settled in,it was possible because I am a full time volunteer with our local Hospice so was able to take time out and now I only leave the two of them for no more then four hours.
It sounds a bit strange that when you made the phone call that the line went dead!!!!
You sound like a very caring person as all us Gappers are,did you get in touch with Lisa for a chat as she is so knowledgable and am sure she would have some good advice to offer you.
Will keep an out out for updates and I wish you the best of luck,I think time and patience are some of the key words that come to mind.
All the Best to you and the Hound.
Shazxx
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Post by gazer on Aug 31, 2014 3:18:15 GMT -5
That's quite a positive update for your lad, he went a night without whining when you went to bed, that's good. Small steps I think, it will all take time, he needs to be able to feel confident and secure that you will return when you leave, so keep up the 'not making a fuss' of him when you are around. Have you thought of putting his bed in an alcove or something similar, he will have walls on 3 sides and will feel more secure, it might help him.
Has he got a name yet ?
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Post by emmajane on Aug 31, 2014 3:27:25 GMT -5
Awwww bless him, and well done you for trying to work around his problems. There are a few more things you could try - rescue remedy in his water (I always use it for a few months when a new dog arrives - for them and for the rest of my gang) best off trying at the start of the weekend or when you are home most of the time in case of tummy upset, but I can't say that I have had any problems with my fosters. Skullcap and Valerian is also good - I've never mixed RR and S&V so you might want to check out if that's ok lol. It's really really common for dogs to be upset as you leave so investing in a kong (that you can stuff with the most tasty things you can think of) might just take his mind off you leaving. If you go down this route its important to start giving him his kong when you are in and he is relaxed and work up to walking round the room, then out the room while he's eating it for a second. If he doesn't get up to follow you but would rather stay with his grub then you're doing well and can start leaving him to go upstairs/opening the front door etc etc. You really need to create an association with the kong/chewy to being relaxed and happy and not where as soon as it appears he gets abandoned  A couple of books for SA have been recommended on another forum (although I haven't read them myself so you'll have to check them out - but the person recommending them is a totally positive and science based trainer so I can't imagine they would be ones I wouldn't choose myself). They are Don't Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog's Separation Anxiety [Kindle Edition] by Nicole Wilde Second one is one I read over my summer holiday and is really aimed at teaching behaviourists how to treat SA and support the owners of dogs with SA - but imo, is the best book available on the subject: Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs Paperback by Malena Demartini-Price So a few things to work with over the next couple of weeks - I'm off to download the books myself |
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Post by Ted on Aug 31, 2014 11:39:17 GMT -5
It is amazing how these Greyhounds work their way into our hearts, so pleased you are able to help your latest Hound with his problems. In a couple of months he will be such a changed Hound, it does take some time for them to forget their past life's experiences. I am still working on Mickey-Finn who is an escape artist if given half a chance and I rehomed him in December 2011, definitely can't let him off the lead unless it is a very secure enclosure . I expected him to be like Merlin who I rehomed in December 2007 and Merlin from day one has been so dedicated to me that I let him off the lead in non-traffic areas provided there are no cats about, if I call Merlin he runs at high speed back to me laughing all over his face.
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Post by thedogpack on Aug 31, 2014 15:48:22 GMT -5
Full credit to you for helping The Hound from The Pound , so pleased you have decided he can stay with you .
With your patience , care and understanding he will get there , he's one very lucky boy .What these dear hounds go through , it's a wonder any of them ' come through ' , but they do , bless them .
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Post by kamkay on Aug 31, 2014 15:55:38 GMT -5
So glad you're sticking with him, but he really does need a proper name, bless him! My hound disappeared for a while between his last race and coming into rescue: I don't think it's unusual, sadly. Good luck and keep us updated-we'll all rooting for the Hound with no name:-)
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