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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2010
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 11:30 am: | 
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I adopted a 4 year old retired racing greyhound home this Saturday. Does anyone have any experience with this?
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1234
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 12:37 pm: |
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REALLY? My neighbors had one. I remember the dog had a hard time with stairs -- greyhounds have no stair experience. Also, their necks are sort of weak -- so don't leave them tethered in the backyard. And they run REALLY fast. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2011
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 12:58 pm: |
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Yes, I am teaching him the stairs, and his neck is very thin. I let him run around the yard (it's fenced), but he mostly likes to lie on his dog bed and be petted. I am worried about him in the crate all day, but the Greyhound documentation reports that they should be OK for up to 9 hours, since they already spent much of their life in a crate. He seems to be a very gentle dog so far, house trained, well behaved and is good with the cat so far. If things remain this way, I would recommend it if anyone is looking to rescue a dog(s).
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2012
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 12:59 pm: |
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Alg - Not THOSE neighbors?
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 252
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 1:52 pm: |
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Where did you adopt the greyhound? We're thinking of doing the same and in fact saw several lovely dogs at the Philly chapter of Greyhound Rescue organization 3 weekends ago. |
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1235
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 2:14 pm: |
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Yes, THOSE neighbors!
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2015
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 2:33 pm: |
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Xavier,
http://www.njgreyhounds.org/contact.asp
I applied less about a month ago after reading how they kill 20,000 per year.
Alg,
That poor dog! What about the music?
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 652
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 5:23 pm: |
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I'm no expert, but I understand it's normal for them to take time to adjust. Ours seems to be adjusting still, after over a month! He was rather despondent at first. As a breed, they're normally sedate, so don't expect him to be peppy ever. Ours gives us the "happy to see you've come home" dance but only for a minute, then he lies back down.
He also had problems with his stool for the first week or two. The vet found he had parasites. I recommend Dr. Malampati on Springfield Ave.
I'm on a mailing list of greyhound owners all over. They are very responsive and warm. Visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/allthingsgreyhoundii/
if you'd like to join. The folks there have helped me a lot. And the dummies book is good, too.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 377
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:07 pm: |
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I've seen a man walking a greyhound in Maplewood Village - I've met him a few times in the parking lot on Highland Place. Maybe you could find him there.
I've heard from other people that greyhounds have to be muzzled when they are around other greyhounds as they are excitable and may snap. They are supposed to be nervous at first, then very home and people oriented. As they are sight hounds, they should never be left in an unsecured area and can easily jump a fairly high fence. They tend to chase little fast things, like squirrels and rabbits and may not notice hazards (like traffic) once they are caught up in the chase.
They are described as couch potatoes once they have gotten used to a home. I'm sure there are some greyhound web sites where you could find people to give you much more specific info - I have a pug and belong to a pug site and the people there are very supportive and knowledgeable - bet the greyhound people have a comparable site. Good luck with your new pet. I'm glad that's one greyhound that will have a loving, forever home! |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 1969
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:11 pm: |
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Mem:
There is a good article about greyhound pet adoption in the Summer, 2003 issue of Healthy Pet Magazine. It is full of tips on how adopted geyhounds and their adoptive families can best acclimate to each other. I still have the magazine. PL me if you would like it.
Joan |
Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 61
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:24 pm: |
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Welcome to the greyhound world, Mem! We were adopted by our dogs >5 years ago. Inca is our 9-year old retired racer (who was abused by her trainer) and Maya is our 4-year-old-never-raced-puppy-at-heart dog.
Inca came to us when we lived in Colorado (highly unregulated racing state) and Maya joined our family when she was 3 months old (her mother was rescued pregnant).
If you haven't already visted a vet with your grey, do so as soon as feasible. Some dogs are adopted out in very good health while others have more problems (as Tom found out with the parasites) that are easily treated but can be a serious problem if left untreated.
Most rescued racers are affectionately known as "40 mph couch potatoes." Some are more active than others, but most love to lie around and/or be petted until your arm drops off. Some do quite well with cats and other dogs (our cat rules the house), while others are intolerant of one or the other or both.
It's true that many greyhounds are a bit nervous and even agoraphobic when they first come home. Keep in mind that these dogs were raised in isolation, in cages, not socialized with other animals, and were let out of their cages only to "do their business" and to eat. They spent >20 hours a day in a cage when they weren't racing. The most common reason greyhounds snap at each other is in establishing dominance in a pack. When they're turned out to potty, they're generally turned out 10-15 at a time in a small area. Hence, the propensity for that behavior. Also, the only time we've muzzled Inca is when she ran with other greyhounds at a greyhound gathering. Their competitiveness may make them over zealous in the behavior department.
Most greyhounds aren't jumpers. In fact, ours rarely look above their heads unless watching a squirrel climb a tree. We have a 4-foot fence and absolutely no worries. We also have a dog door, which gives them run of the yard all day. I have absolutely no worries about that either.
One of the best websites I've found to help new owners is: http://www.greyhoundgang.org. There's a Greyhound Guide there that's full of good information. Another very good one is: http://www.gcnm.org/index.html. Coincidentally, they're both out of New Mexico.
Well, I've rambled on way too long here. If you or anyone else would like to talk in more detail, you can private line me. I'm happy to spread the word about these gentle creatures.
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OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 653
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 10:44 pm: |
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I believe the main reason people muzzle their greyhounds is to protect them, not to protect others from them. And as Barb said, they rarely jump. Contrary to what you'd think, greyhounds are far from high strung.
We've had ours only a few weeks, and he is pure joy. He doesn't play like other dogs. Maybe he will learn, and maybe he won't. I haven't found a toy he likes yet. But I haven't given up. He is very sweet. Everyone can tell right off that he would never harm anyone. You can see it in his face.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2018
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 12:12 pm: |
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Thanks to all for the helpful links and comments. I adopted Jack from NJ GAP, and he is on his 4th day with me. According to NJ GAP, he needs to put on 5 - 10 lbs, he is really thin and always hungry. He is very affectionate and learns quickly, so far so good.... My only worry is my need to get someone to let him out during the day, my friend will be going back to work soon and I'll need to look elsewhere. If anyone can recommend someone please let me know. I don't need a full service dog walker, just someone to let him out midday and spend 10 minutes with him.
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 657
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 12:21 pm: |
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My daughter could walk Jack on her way home from school. Would that work for you?
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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