samrx
I'm New Here
Posts: 15 
|
Post by samrx on May 22, 2016 11:43:34 GMT -5
Hi there, we have just rescued an ex racer from the kennels this weekend. I just had a few questions that might seem daft but this is the first grey and dog I've had as my responsibility! I was just wondering when we are going to bed is it best to have his water bowl in with him or will he be okay? He is going to sleep in our room with his own bed so I'm hoping he will settle through the night.
I am trying to do some alone time with him so that when we go to work he won't be freaked out and get SA. He's been in kennels for over a year so I know it will take some adjusting from his part but just wondered if anyone could offer some handy tips that we can go with.
He does seem to follow us where ever we go and settles in the living room with us when we are there, his blanket is at the other side of the room so not right at our feet etc which he seems happy with.
Again any tips/advice would be great.
|
|
|
|
Post by lurcherlot on May 22, 2016 13:52:31 GMT -5
Well done for adopting a greyhound and welcome to the forum.
I think it's wrong to withold water - they may not want to drink during the night, but it should be available for him. I also think that he will settle better in yout room at night, and a good idea to leave him for a short while a few times a day.
He will follow you about until he feels more confident - his world has changed a lot, so time and patience is what's needed .... he may follow you for some time!
|
|
alfiemoon
Ironing Piling Up
Not that new...just a selective poster
Posts: 402
|
Post by alfiemoon on May 22, 2016 14:53:43 GMT -5
We have lurchers not greys but same difference. Ours usually have a good glug of water before bed - they like routine so 'go in the garden for wees' (they've learnt what that means), have three biscuits, have a drink (if they want) then 'go to bed'. If they wanted a drink, they could come downstairs, but never had in 3+ years. I'd say have water available, but it doesn't have to be in your bedroom. Are you crating for bedtime? Not sure on how best to provide water in that case.
|
|
|
|
Post by greybeard on May 22, 2016 15:45:14 GMT -5
Just wanted to say hello and welcome to Gapland.Re bedtime no advice - our 1st grey and 1/2 sister had lived in a bungalow,took 1 look at steepish stairs,no thanks.Perry,our 2nd grey thinks the same,little Jem has no problem with stairs but chooses to sleep downstairs with Perry.They have free run downstairs so can have water as needed.As previously said,greys need routine - as ex racers that's what they're used to.I still miss a snuggly dog on the bed - but it's their choice.
As for SA - Lisa has great advice on this on advice and help.Have a trawl through and follow it to the letter cos it really does work.Good luck with your boy - just be aware our very special hounds can be addictive.Cath
|
|
samrx
I'm New Here
Posts: 15
|
Post by samrx on May 22, 2016 16:36:22 GMT -5
No we aren't crating him, I think if he struggles with SA then that will be out next move. My OH is a gadget guy so we have a camera in the room just to see how he is alone and we managed an hour out with some whining and a bark, he settled and only stirred when someone was at the buzzer system(this can be muted so that will happen from now on) I've read a lot and have ordered a baby gate, when we left him the door was closed so I'm hoping this will alleviate his stress. He's so content with us in that being away is the only thing that worries me. But knowing there are different things out there to help is encouraging and I think I tend to over think things!! Thanks for all the advice. Will definitely read some more threads.
|
|
|
|
Post by kamkay on May 23, 2016 7:45:53 GMT -5
Welcome to Gap and the wonderful world of greyhounds-they really are a breed apart. Please do read and follow Lisa's advice: it works. Your hound has much to learn if he's come straight from kennels, but they do respond well to routine. My lad Guinness sleeps downstairs and has access to water at all times. Goodluck with your new hound and let us know how you get on
|
|
samrx
I'm New Here
Posts: 15
|
Post by samrx on May 23, 2016 8:47:22 GMT -5
Thanks kamkay, I've read Lisa's posts and we are trying more alone time, just being in a different room from him for 20 minutes ish. I'm on nightshift this week so will be home during the day-sleeping I hope, I'm worried he'll get used to be me being there. Also, his bed is in our room and he sleeps there at night. Would I be best to move his bed to the spare room where he will be when we are out? We have a spare bed that's he's been going on to when he's in that room but maybe he'd prefer his bed? I definitely know I'm overthinking things haha!
|
|
|
|
Post by ragsysmum on May 24, 2016 3:44:47 GMT -5
For alone training you would be better actually going out for 1/2/4/6 mins etc. and coming back into the room, gradually extending the time. We do this from day 1 all the time, so the dog gets so tired of our comings and goings it stops bothering to follow us very quickly. Just being in another room doesn't always work as the dog will know you are still somewhere in the house and get upset because he can't get to you. If he doesn't actually do any damage I would give him the run of the house, as we do from the start with all our fosters and new dogs, so he can choose where he wants to spend his time and move from one bed to another if he feels like it. Leave the radio on to drown out any outside noises a bit when you go out.
|
|
|
|
Post by kamkay on May 25, 2016 5:38:27 GMT -5
Oh yes, Sue - the amount of time I have spent sitting outside the house on the front garden wall, but it really does work and is worth the effort. Used to love it when the time out was long enough for me to actually do something useful!! Guinness particularly likes to listen to Classic FM when we are out - he is in the kitchen when we are out during the day and has free range downstairs overnight. We all have slightly different ways of doing things , but you will soon get to know what works best for you and your hound.
|
|
|
|
Post by Letty's Mum on Jun 1, 2016 11:54:45 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new addition to your family  Lots of great advice on here so I won't add to it. Just enjoy him and try to relax and go with the flow. The more chilled you are the more chilled he will be. Good luck with him. What's his name? Would love some pics  |
|
samrx
I'm New Here
Posts: 15
|
Post by samrx on Jun 1, 2016 15:23:00 GMT -5
Hi guys, just wanted to say thanks for all the advice, our first week of being back to work has went accident free and destruction free. The only thing he's done that's a bit cheeky is sleep on my OH's side of the bed while we've been out... Not that I'm complaining haha! We worked on alone time and that seems to have worked wonders really. My boy seems so content when we are home and away, he's now got a crate that we've made in to a den so he has all his toys in there etc. Things seem to be going well. I will upload a photo of him soon though, it only seems to let me do certain things on my phone!
|
|
samrx
I'm New Here
Posts: 15
|
Post by samrx on Jun 1, 2016 15:29:12 GMT -5
 This is Billy! |
|
samrx
I'm New Here
Posts: 15
|
Post by samrx on Jun 1, 2016 15:30:28 GMT -5
 He's already claimed a few of my ikea pillows as his own |
|
|
|
Post by gvgeam on Jun 1, 2016 16:41:52 GMT -5
Handsome hound! I'm sure you'll see more of Billy's personality as he relaxes and feels more at home over the coming weeks. Just keep it consistent for him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Letty's Mum on Jun 2, 2016 1:36:59 GMT -5
Stunning lad! So pleased he's settling in well |
|
