greying-fast

I have his brother BB with me as a foster dog. His coat was extremely dreary until I started supplementing with Thrive D (which I was actually using to try to put condition on the other foster dog but he didn't improve at all). BB never had a particular problem with scurf. He's also bathed no more than once every six months. :D Hope you find a solution to the problem and good luck in the ring.

Um, it seems to me that you were instrumental in, um I can't exactly remember, but at least one of my transports east ... I know it was hot and mid-summer ... Anyway, your posts are always very thoughtful and well-considered, so I think you qualify more than you indicate.

There's a few recipes in the general info post pinned at the top of the this forum. Lamb flaps (lamb offcuts) are also recommended for general weight gain, but not sure that something that fatty would be suitable for a diabetic dog.

Thank you for the lesson, I will ensure I never again learn anything from the vets who treat my dogs (and who have practised in the racing industry), nor from the behavioural trainer who was sent out by GAPVic when I adopted from them several years ago, nor from reading reports on the industry, nor from the threads in the rescue section. I will therefore not waste any more of your time with my ill-informed comments - except to state that perhaps one reason why many more greyhounds are rehomed by industry could be that the industry should have some responsibility for these dogs (just as they have had the revenue from them)? And the many greyhounds that never need rescue, does that include the very significant numbers that make their final trip to the vet simply because they're not fast enough? Sorry, no answer is necessary as I am obviously too ignorant to learn.

Sorry, I'm not interested the greyhound racing industry, I'm only interested in rescue greyhounds (and the thousands that aren't rescued) and the setting-in problems rescue greyhounds can have. Maybe the mainstream industry is all you say it is, but there are plenty of back-yarders, thousands of dogs and therefore statistically 'good' chances that best practise isn't universally followed - in fact Fang says 'Apparently the trainer who had her before she was at the RSPCA is going to lose his license because he was not very nice to her.' Rescue greyhounds don't just come into the mainstream GAP programs from the best breeders and trainers, they can be dumped into pounds and shelters pre- or post - a racing career (many never even make it onto the racetrack). Ask some other people involved in greyhound rescue as to whether the dogs they've saved are universally well-fed and well-washed. I saw and transported several pre-racers recently (8 greyhounds thread) that had quite clearly never been washed (the filth on my clothes and car bore witness). The condition of their teeth, and also the teeth of all my previous adopted greyhounds also indicates that greys are usually given a soft diet - fine that they will be supplemented for calcium, but not being given bones is not good practise in feeding dogs, not only for their teeth but also their emotional well-being. You want to promote the industry that's fine, but Fang was seeking insight into why her rescue greyhound could be reluctant to sit and why her coat was in poor condition - the suggestions are there, whether it fits with the industry is irrelevant, its whether it fits with rescue greyhounds (and not just the lucky few who make it into the racing industry sponsored programs).

Training a dog to come out of the boxes is all about encouraging the dog to come out quickly (positive reinforcement). It is not about discouraging or punishing a dog at all. Agree entirely that that's what the good trainers do, but I've heard from vets and a trainer involved in the industry that sadly some trainers aren't so enlightened.

Stand, stay would be good for mine - at least they'd get half of it right! But Paula is right about them often being discouraged (even punished) for sitting in the boxes - and with those bunched up thigh muscles it certainly doesn't look comfortable. The only one of mine that is comfortable sitting is the one who was never trained for racing.

Can I add that getting a rescue greyhound often has 'hiccups' for a while, simply because the dogs are still learning what it is to be a pet instead of a racer. Their condition can also be less than ideal as they are 'conditioned' to race (to my untrained eye, can look semi-starved), often have never even been washed while in training, and I have my doubts about the diet they've been fed (even though you would think giving them the best nutrition would give them the best chance at racing) so their coats can be quite poor. So it takes time to build a relationship with these dogs (who are so gorgeous) and there will be settling in issues. Hang in there, a bit more time and TLC is probably needed, but I know its nerve racking. And about greyhounds and speed - its not just speed over a distance but their lightening quick reflexes. From a 'standing start' they can immediately take anything within their reach (including heightwise standing on 2 back legs - which is very high). This is not to suggest that your grey will do that with your cat, its just a comment on the earlier post about the speed of greyhounds and cats over distance.

Also the pack mentality seems to come into play - once one does it they're all into it! I have 3 of my own (supposedly house trained) and 2 fosters. We can go days without any 'accidents' inside but once there's one 'accident' it's like a full-on p*ssing contest has been unleashed (which includes the 2 bitches). My lovely loungeroom rug is securely rolled up and tucked away for the time being, but it is a pain in the proverbial. :p edited to add - poor eclecticgirl, you must have been devastated.

I'm so sorry Paula. It's hard enough when you have lots of time with them and are expecting the end, but absolutely devastating when it happens so suddenly. But she was so well-loved. My youngest still talks about Shadow, and we only met her for a few minutes, over 6 months ago.

Sorry, I misunderstood your post offering to take on the greyhound Reggie (Rescue section) where you said you were already fostering a grey until it was accepted by an organistion. Personally I wouldn't compare greeting an animal with giving it anything it wanted but never mind.

As I understand it, this dog is a foster dog that is meant to be rehomed once he is accepted into a rescue group or a forever home is found for him. Given the sorts of people that adopt greyhounds are unlikely to crate him at night or pen him during the day, maybe enforcing this treatment is not particularly setting him up for life as a pet? Most of us when we get home immediately greet, romp with, or cuddle the dogs (then kiss the kids and say hello to the OH) who are obviously just as pleased to see us. Is it natural to leave him penned outside with you going into the house? Maybe it works for your GSDs because they are of that discipline, but he clearly wants to be with you the minute you get home and I'd be surprised if most pet owners thought that was being sooky. Obviously the professionals can say more about training methods, temperament etc, but I don't think we should overlook what he is meant to be being 'trained' for - and that is to be a domestic pet.

I think the really interesting thing about the feedback provided in this thread is that dog breeds are not a 'one size fits all' proposition, so that what works perfectly well for GSDs will not necessarily work for greyhounds. I think Trisven's point about greyhounds being really low maintenance dogs is very true (the reason why many of us greyhound owners love greyhounds more than other dogs!) so that whatever 'maintenance' is being provided to this dog cannot be the right kind of maintenance for a greyhound if it is whining more and more. It would be really interesting to hear how he reacts to the different treatment suggested. Good luck and looking forward to any updates.

Also maybe see separate thread in dog rescue (about transport btw Albury/Gipplsland) between Trisven 13 and HannahH. The people who deal a lot with greyhounds seem to be indicating that when canine brains were handed out, the greys were off doing zoomies. Still, they're gorgeous, sensitive dogs who try hard to please, and I adore mine even if they're not super-bright : QUOTE(Trisven13 @ 5th Jan 2007 - 08:32 AM) You sure will enjoy him Hannah but he is not a smart dog . You know that line in the song "I Kissed a Girl"???? Dumb as a box of hammers but he's such a handsome guy! That describes Spotty Spencer to a T I think!!! to be honest i have meant to ask other greyhound owners, and NOT MEANING TO OFFEND ANYONE as I love the greys to bits.....but are they slightly cognitively challengend?? my lot seem to be rather "slow' on the uptake over simple things.... ! not quite as sharp as the jrt's !!! but still beautiful I think the fact that they are not quite as sharp as the JRT is for most people the attraction . Spotty Spencer really is a bit of a nong.... he is just such a puppy!