Quite a few people seem to have come to this blog to find out more about why some people who have dog allergies are not allergic to greyhounds.
There seems to be a lot of myth and misinformation around dog allergies - and the cause of my dog allergy is still a bit of a mystery to me.
I discovered that I wasn't allergic to all dogs several years ago, when - to my initial horror - I found that I had to spend Christmas in a house with a dog that was, at least partly, Irish wolfhound. He was certainly Irish wolfhound in size and had a wiry coat, however, he definitely was a bit of a mix of other breeds. Probably several. And a total loony.
No-one had warned me, I had no asthma inhaler or anti-histamines with me (the anti-histamines don't tend to work for me anyone), and all the pharmacies were closed for the festive season. To add insult to injury the next door neighbour's poodle seemed to spend most of her day lounging around with the Wolfhound. I resigned myself to a miserable Christmas.
The allergies never appeared, and I spent most of the holiday either tickling the Wolfhound, or sitting with the poodle staring mournfully into my face, begging for cuddles.
Since starting to walk greyhounds from the local rehoming kennels it also seems that I'm not allergic to these dogs.
I've recently discovered that greyhounds and poodles have something in common - they both have just a single coat. Most dogs have a undercoat underneath their top-coat, so I think it may be this undercoat that I'm allergic to.
However there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the dogs people are allergic to - a friend's son is OK with golden retrievers. I am not. Wheaten terriers are often named as good dogs for those with allergies. I come in bumps when I touch them.
So, the only advice I can give to those looking for a dog that will not trigger their allergies is spend tons of time with different breeds. And don't forget the anti-histamines.
Friday 28 November 2008
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Parting is such sweet sorrow
My darling boy Nicky is being rehomed. It's brilliant news, but also a little sad.
Our last walk - well unless anything goes 'wrong' and I really hope it doesn't - was today. Tomorrow Nicky will be going to his new home. He has another small dog for company, ideal as he is still quite young and can be nervous at times. I was overjoyed at the rehoming kennels, but now I'm feeling maudlin.
My husband and I did discuss taking Nicky home with us, but for various reasons - not least because I thought he would be better off with another dog - we decided not to take him.
As the months went by I thought that perhaps no-one would take Nicky on board - he's a black boy and they always seem to be last in the rehoming queue - and that perhaps we'd have many more months of walks together.
Anyhow, a home is the best place for him. So, with Pretty rehomed recently too, I have a couple of favourite dog vacancies.
There are plenty of contenders and I'll have hours of fun meeting lots of new dogs, learning all about their unique personalities, and their funny habits.
Our last walk - well unless anything goes 'wrong' and I really hope it doesn't - was today. Tomorrow Nicky will be going to his new home. He has another small dog for company, ideal as he is still quite young and can be nervous at times. I was overjoyed at the rehoming kennels, but now I'm feeling maudlin.
My husband and I did discuss taking Nicky home with us, but for various reasons - not least because I thought he would be better off with another dog - we decided not to take him.
As the months went by I thought that perhaps no-one would take Nicky on board - he's a black boy and they always seem to be last in the rehoming queue - and that perhaps we'd have many more months of walks together.
Anyhow, a home is the best place for him. So, with Pretty rehomed recently too, I have a couple of favourite dog vacancies.
There are plenty of contenders and I'll have hours of fun meeting lots of new dogs, learning all about their unique personalities, and their funny habits.
Monday 24 November 2008
The strange case of the bites in the night time
Considering that there are 50-60 greyhounds in the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels at any one time, the dogs are generally incredibly good natured with one another.
There are some dogs like Mark, currently on home-trial, who will have a growl and bark at some other males. However, these dogs are well-known for their behaviour, and we make sure we don't bring them into the yard when there are male dogs about.
If I meet another dog while out on a walk with one of the growly dogs, I simply keep him on a short lead, make sure we pass walker to walker - so that the dogs are on the far side of one another - and speak gently to him as we pass. It usually works, but if the dog gets worked up, I just calmly walk on with him barking and growling. The other male is soon forgotten.
However, in the past week, there has been a strange spate of dogs biting their kennel-mates at night. Well, when I say a spate, there have been two incidents. It's remarkable, because it's unusual. Both pairs were long term partners, and in both the males were previously bitten by other partners.
One of the dogs involved is my favourite Nicky. He'd been bitten several times previously, but this time the worm turned and he bit his partner Becky.
Poor old Tim - a lovely bay boy - was also bitten by his long-term partner.
Two mysteries - why do these boys always seem to get bitten? One answer could be that the females are often more dominant and these guys are just a bit wimpy. Another answer that a kennel-hand gave, probably only partly tongue in cheek, is that the dogs are just really annoying.
The other mystery is why now, when the dogs have been happily kennelled together for several weeks? One theory is it could be those pesky fireworks, which are still going off around the kennels.
All the dogs have new kennel-mates so hopefully peace will once again reign.
There are some dogs like Mark, currently on home-trial, who will have a growl and bark at some other males. However, these dogs are well-known for their behaviour, and we make sure we don't bring them into the yard when there are male dogs about.
If I meet another dog while out on a walk with one of the growly dogs, I simply keep him on a short lead, make sure we pass walker to walker - so that the dogs are on the far side of one another - and speak gently to him as we pass. It usually works, but if the dog gets worked up, I just calmly walk on with him barking and growling. The other male is soon forgotten.
However, in the past week, there has been a strange spate of dogs biting their kennel-mates at night. Well, when I say a spate, there have been two incidents. It's remarkable, because it's unusual. Both pairs were long term partners, and in both the males were previously bitten by other partners.
One of the dogs involved is my favourite Nicky. He'd been bitten several times previously, but this time the worm turned and he bit his partner Becky.
Poor old Tim - a lovely bay boy - was also bitten by his long-term partner.
Two mysteries - why do these boys always seem to get bitten? One answer could be that the females are often more dominant and these guys are just a bit wimpy. Another answer that a kennel-hand gave, probably only partly tongue in cheek, is that the dogs are just really annoying.
The other mystery is why now, when the dogs have been happily kennelled together for several weeks? One theory is it could be those pesky fireworks, which are still going off around the kennels.
All the dogs have new kennel-mates so hopefully peace will once again reign.
Friday 21 November 2008
The problem with puddles...
The fields at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels are still a bit of a quagmire, and I was really pleased that I remembered to take my wellies today.
You see, some of the greyhounds are really picky when it comes to wet ground. Yes, while some seem to relish splashing in the puddles and come back from their walks exhilarated and covered in mud, others are prima donnas when and won't get their paws wet.
Nicky doesn't make too much of a fuss and will walk through puddles. However, he does seem to prefer dry ground beneath his feet. In fact he's quite good at finding it.
It's not always apparent which bits are sodden and which give a firm footing - so if I have Nicky with me, I'll send him ahead, and he'll me on the driest path through the fields. What a smart lad!
Just as well really, as his new girlfriend, Tootsy, can't stand puddles. She looks completely mournful if she has to walk through one, and casts you a look of "Oh, do we have to? And where can I get some greyhound wellies," before trudging on, the martyr.
Horace, an elderly brindle boy, doesn't stand for any nonsense at all and just refuses to go on if the ground looks wet.
The worst - and the reason why it's crucial to wear wellies while working with the hounds - are the princesses. These dogs, like little black and white Lucy, are usually female, and will not get their paws wet for anyone.
Unlike Horace, they won't refuse to walk in the field, it's just if there's only enough dry ground for one set of paws or feet, they'll claim it and shove you into the puddles. And, it's amazing how adept at pushing you to one side a greyhound will be.
A single plank through a particularly muddy piece of ground? You'll spot it, you'll think you've stepped out towards it, and then you'll find yourself ankle deep in mud, with a greyhound tiptoeing along said plank.
Outfoxed by a hound? Honestly, I don't know how they do it.
Any tips gratefully received, or should I just carry a cape, Walter Raleigh-style, so that I can lay it across offending puddles?
You see, some of the greyhounds are really picky when it comes to wet ground. Yes, while some seem to relish splashing in the puddles and come back from their walks exhilarated and covered in mud, others are prima donnas when and won't get their paws wet.
Nicky doesn't make too much of a fuss and will walk through puddles. However, he does seem to prefer dry ground beneath his feet. In fact he's quite good at finding it.
It's not always apparent which bits are sodden and which give a firm footing - so if I have Nicky with me, I'll send him ahead, and he'll me on the driest path through the fields. What a smart lad!
Just as well really, as his new girlfriend, Tootsy, can't stand puddles. She looks completely mournful if she has to walk through one, and casts you a look of "Oh, do we have to? And where can I get some greyhound wellies," before trudging on, the martyr.
Horace, an elderly brindle boy, doesn't stand for any nonsense at all and just refuses to go on if the ground looks wet.
The worst - and the reason why it's crucial to wear wellies while working with the hounds - are the princesses. These dogs, like little black and white Lucy, are usually female, and will not get their paws wet for anyone.
Unlike Horace, they won't refuse to walk in the field, it's just if there's only enough dry ground for one set of paws or feet, they'll claim it and shove you into the puddles. And, it's amazing how adept at pushing you to one side a greyhound will be.
A single plank through a particularly muddy piece of ground? You'll spot it, you'll think you've stepped out towards it, and then you'll find yourself ankle deep in mud, with a greyhound tiptoeing along said plank.
Outfoxed by a hound? Honestly, I don't know how they do it.
Any tips gratefully received, or should I just carry a cape, Walter Raleigh-style, so that I can lay it across offending puddles?
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Greyhounds are addictive
There's been another rash of rehomings at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels with Greg, an eight-year old black and white boy, going on home-trial and two black and white girls - Pretty and Poppy - being signed for today.
It's the two girls that have made me absolutely certain of one thing. Greyhounds ARE addictive. Both are going to homes that have at least one other hound in residence.
And hey presto, after a quick search on the internet, I've found that there's even a term to describe it: chipping. As with potato chips - the US name for crisps - when you've got a greyhound it's almost impossible to stop at one.
I'd long since suspected this was the case, having met many people at the kennels who have 2,3, 4 or even more dogs. They're often nosing around to find another hound to add to their happy gang.
The most embarrassing discussion with a multi-dog owner was when I was discussing the best way to handle two dogs. I'd recently discovered that in most cases it was easiest to hold both leads on the same hand and walk the dogs on the same side as each other.
The kennel hand I was talking with agreed and said that she always walked her dogs like this. She said it meant that she could put one onto the other side of her if one of the dogs was misbehaving. I commented that I'd found this useful as well.
Only later did I discover that she has SIX dogs. Oh dear, I am such an amateur.
It's the two girls that have made me absolutely certain of one thing. Greyhounds ARE addictive. Both are going to homes that have at least one other hound in residence.
And hey presto, after a quick search on the internet, I've found that there's even a term to describe it: chipping. As with potato chips - the US name for crisps - when you've got a greyhound it's almost impossible to stop at one.
I'd long since suspected this was the case, having met many people at the kennels who have 2,3, 4 or even more dogs. They're often nosing around to find another hound to add to their happy gang.
The most embarrassing discussion with a multi-dog owner was when I was discussing the best way to handle two dogs. I'd recently discovered that in most cases it was easiest to hold both leads on the same hand and walk the dogs on the same side as each other.
The kennel hand I was talking with agreed and said that she always walked her dogs like this. She said it meant that she could put one onto the other side of her if one of the dogs was misbehaving. I commented that I'd found this useful as well.
Only later did I discover that she has SIX dogs. Oh dear, I am such an amateur.
Monday 17 November 2008
Mud glorious mud
Today I decided to take my walking boots and not my wellies with me when I went to walk the greyhounds at the local greyhound rehoming kennels.
Big mistake. Silly me thought that, as it had been dry for the last few days, the ground would be relatively firm. I had forgotten that we'd had several days of torrential rain in the past two weeks.
Ooops - part of the field was more like a swamp. There was no way I was getting round it, so I decided to take the dogs around a smaller overgrown field. Larry was the first hound I walked, and after trying to skitter back to the kennels after seeing A BLUE VAN, he settled quite nicely onto the lead and LOVED going around the overgrown field.
I wasn't sure of the path through the undergrowth, and Larry took advantage of this by sniffing every single tussock of grass to be seen. He thought it was all WONDERFUL. It was the same story for all the other dogs I took out - so I've made a mental note to make sure I vary their routes a little bit more in the future.
Big mistake. Silly me thought that, as it had been dry for the last few days, the ground would be relatively firm. I had forgotten that we'd had several days of torrential rain in the past two weeks.
Ooops - part of the field was more like a swamp. There was no way I was getting round it, so I decided to take the dogs around a smaller overgrown field. Larry was the first hound I walked, and after trying to skitter back to the kennels after seeing A BLUE VAN, he settled quite nicely onto the lead and LOVED going around the overgrown field.
I wasn't sure of the path through the undergrowth, and Larry took advantage of this by sniffing every single tussock of grass to be seen. He thought it was all WONDERFUL. It was the same story for all the other dogs I took out - so I've made a mental note to make sure I vary their routes a little bit more in the future.
Friday 14 November 2008
Potential homes for tough-to-place dogs
Well it was all change when I went to the local retired greyhound kennels today - two of the tougher-to-rehome dogs have gone on home trials.
As I've said many times, most greyhounds docile, gentle and quite laid back. (Check out the about greyhounds section on the RGT website).
Most walk on the lead without pulling, and some can live with cats, small dogs, and other small pets. I've seen figures which suggest somewhere between 60-90% of hounds can be trained to live with smaller animals, depending on the rescue home you talk to.
On cats in particular - apparently 1 in 10 have no chase instinct whatsoever (ie they'll either be terrified of your cat, or take no notice), and the other 5-8 in 10 can be trained to live with a cat. Check out this link.
Anyhow that leaves some that cannot be trusted with cats or other small animals at all. Perhaps understandably, people are often reticent to take these dogs on, and they are left in the kennels for months and months.
I've already mentioned Sal who was rehomed last month. Now Jay and Mark - both with strong chase instincts - have gone on home trials.
Jay, a very friendly, brindle boy is apparently doing well in his new home with three other greyhounds. Mark a sweet - but nervous and growly around large dogs - white and brindle went to his new home sporting a natty new box muzzle today.
Good luck to you both boys. I really hope I don't see you again - unless it's at one of the kennel jollies and you're back to visit.
As I've said many times, most greyhounds docile, gentle and quite laid back. (Check out the about greyhounds section on the RGT website).
Most walk on the lead without pulling, and some can live with cats, small dogs, and other small pets. I've seen figures which suggest somewhere between 60-90% of hounds can be trained to live with smaller animals, depending on the rescue home you talk to.
On cats in particular - apparently 1 in 10 have no chase instinct whatsoever (ie they'll either be terrified of your cat, or take no notice), and the other 5-8 in 10 can be trained to live with a cat. Check out this link.
Anyhow that leaves some that cannot be trusted with cats or other small animals at all. Perhaps understandably, people are often reticent to take these dogs on, and they are left in the kennels for months and months.
I've already mentioned Sal who was rehomed last month. Now Jay and Mark - both with strong chase instincts - have gone on home trials.
Jay, a very friendly, brindle boy is apparently doing well in his new home with three other greyhounds. Mark a sweet - but nervous and growly around large dogs - white and brindle went to his new home sporting a natty new box muzzle today.
Good luck to you both boys. I really hope I don't see you again - unless it's at one of the kennel jollies and you're back to visit.
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Boing said Madge
For weeks after starting walking dogs from the local retired greyhound kennels I wondered why prospective adopters were required to have a six foot high fence around their garden.
Greyhounds are usually placid dogs - often described as couch potatoes - and even the biggest of them (the biggest are usually about 30 inches at the shoulder) shouldn't be able to get their snout much higher than 4 foot surely?
Then I met Madge, as I walked into the yard Madge said: "BOING!!!!" and then launched herself several feet into the air. From a standing start. "BOING," said Madge, "BOING, BOING, BOING."
I wondered whether, a bit like Zebedee from the Magic Roundabout, all four paws had been fitted with springs, but no, once she had calmed down, I saw her paws were normal. She's just quite excitable.
Since then Madge has proven she is quite adept at the Harrier jump-jet take off in any circumstance. She's quite a small dog, so if a hedge or bramble bush gets in the way and there could be a rabbit or another dog on the other side - what better way to check than the vertical take-off?
Greyhounds are usually placid dogs - often described as couch potatoes - and even the biggest of them (the biggest are usually about 30 inches at the shoulder) shouldn't be able to get their snout much higher than 4 foot surely?
Then I met Madge, as I walked into the yard Madge said: "BOING!!!!" and then launched herself several feet into the air. From a standing start. "BOING," said Madge, "BOING, BOING, BOING."
I wondered whether, a bit like Zebedee from the Magic Roundabout, all four paws had been fitted with springs, but no, once she had calmed down, I saw her paws were normal. She's just quite excitable.
Since then Madge has proven she is quite adept at the Harrier jump-jet take off in any circumstance. She's quite a small dog, so if a hedge or bramble bush gets in the way and there could be a rabbit or another dog on the other side - what better way to check than the vertical take-off?
Monday 10 November 2008
Greyhounds and allergies
Well it turns out that my suggestion that the Obamas should take on a greyhound wasn't quite so tongue in cheek as I thought.
No, I don't have an inside line to the President-elect's office, but I do know that greyhounds can be good for some people who are allergic to most dogs. In fact it seems to be a bit of an open secret - and I've met many people at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels who find that greyhounds do not trigger their allergies.
I seem to be one of them - I am dreadfully allergic to most dogs. I don't even have to touch one and I can be wheezing and sneezing within a few minutes of walking into a room that's had a dog in it. If I touch them I come up in inflamed itchy patches on my skin, and if I touch my eyes afterwards they swell up and water. Antihistamines do not do any good.
Not so for greyhounds - after all the time spent cuddling and fussing them over the past few months I am confident they don't trigger my skin allergies.
I don't know whether they make me wheeze and sneeze, because I haven't spent any time with them indoors - however, I do know if I decided I might want to take one on I could take him home with me for a few days to test whether he triggers my allergies.
I'd strongly encourage anyone with allergies to go to their local greyhound kennels and give these dogs a go. They're likely to have their adult coat so you can be sure you won't develop allergies to them as they grow from puppy to dog - as can be the problem with labradoodles and goldendoodles.
Also it gives you the chance of giving a home to a "rescue" dog, with all the advantages of the back-up and support of the retired greyhound kennel team, a knowledge of the dog's character, and the chance to give him or her a second chance in life.
No, I don't have an inside line to the President-elect's office, but I do know that greyhounds can be good for some people who are allergic to most dogs. In fact it seems to be a bit of an open secret - and I've met many people at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels who find that greyhounds do not trigger their allergies.
I seem to be one of them - I am dreadfully allergic to most dogs. I don't even have to touch one and I can be wheezing and sneezing within a few minutes of walking into a room that's had a dog in it. If I touch them I come up in inflamed itchy patches on my skin, and if I touch my eyes afterwards they swell up and water. Antihistamines do not do any good.
Not so for greyhounds - after all the time spent cuddling and fussing them over the past few months I am confident they don't trigger my skin allergies.
I don't know whether they make me wheeze and sneeze, because I haven't spent any time with them indoors - however, I do know if I decided I might want to take one on I could take him home with me for a few days to test whether he triggers my allergies.
I'd strongly encourage anyone with allergies to go to their local greyhound kennels and give these dogs a go. They're likely to have their adult coat so you can be sure you won't develop allergies to them as they grow from puppy to dog - as can be the problem with labradoodles and goldendoodles.
Also it gives you the chance of giving a home to a "rescue" dog, with all the advantages of the back-up and support of the retired greyhound kennel team, a knowledge of the dog's character, and the chance to give him or her a second chance in life.
Friday 7 November 2008
Table manners
Most of the greyhounds at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels have impeccable manners when eating dog treats. In fact for many of the dogs, and the volunteer walkers, the best part of the walk is dog treats and cuddles in the yard after a brisk 20-minute spin around the kennel's fields.
Some walkers bring their own treats - sausages, cheese, anything from Bakers, and Schmakos always seem to go down well - and there are a couple of large dog bowls containing an assortment of treats.
Many of the dogs will wait and eat the treat gently out of your hand. When you give them the dog bowl full of treats, they'll root around until they find one that they like, and eat that one, rather than scoffing the whole bowl at once.
There are exceptions and one of them is Josh. Since coming in as a poor sorry skinny thing a couple of weeks ago Josh has come out of himself. He's now one of the happiest, most gregarious, dogs in the kennels - and definitely a larger-than-life character, which is saying something given he's the size of a small cart horse.
He has also lost his appetite and found a donkey's. And he's very cheeky when it comes to treat time, and more than ready to help himself. (Post-walk treat mantra: This is not a buffet).
He disgraced me a couple of weeks ago, when he landed head-first into one of the dog bowls - they had turned into plastic pumpkin buckets in time for halloween - tipped it up and guzzled about a dozen down. He only stopped when I managed to manhandle him away.
That was nothing compared to the trouble one of the other walkers had today. There was a tempting bag of sausages on the table. The walker didn't have a chance, in one swoop, Josh grabbed them with his teeth and PULLED, sending sausages flying all over the floor and causing mayhem amongst all the dogs in the yard.
Pandemonium ensued as volunteers desperately tried to pick up the scattered sausages before they were all hoovered up by an exultant Josh.
Made me think that Josh was wrongly named though - surely he should be Scooby-Doo?
Some walkers bring their own treats - sausages, cheese, anything from Bakers, and Schmakos always seem to go down well - and there are a couple of large dog bowls containing an assortment of treats.
Many of the dogs will wait and eat the treat gently out of your hand. When you give them the dog bowl full of treats, they'll root around until they find one that they like, and eat that one, rather than scoffing the whole bowl at once.
There are exceptions and one of them is Josh. Since coming in as a poor sorry skinny thing a couple of weeks ago Josh has come out of himself. He's now one of the happiest, most gregarious, dogs in the kennels - and definitely a larger-than-life character, which is saying something given he's the size of a small cart horse.
He has also lost his appetite and found a donkey's. And he's very cheeky when it comes to treat time, and more than ready to help himself. (Post-walk treat mantra: This is not a buffet).
He disgraced me a couple of weeks ago, when he landed head-first into one of the dog bowls - they had turned into plastic pumpkin buckets in time for halloween - tipped it up and guzzled about a dozen down. He only stopped when I managed to manhandle him away.
That was nothing compared to the trouble one of the other walkers had today. There was a tempting bag of sausages on the table. The walker didn't have a chance, in one swoop, Josh grabbed them with his teeth and PULLED, sending sausages flying all over the floor and causing mayhem amongst all the dogs in the yard.
Pandemonium ensued as volunteers desperately tried to pick up the scattered sausages before they were all hoovered up by an exultant Josh.
Made me think that Josh was wrongly named though - surely he should be Scooby-Doo?
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Hooray Obama!
Not that this blog is for political comment at all - but I am so thrilled that Obama has won the US Presidential election.
And.... the Obamas are going to get a new puppy for the Whitehouse - any of the US greyhound rehoming places able to convince them to take on a hound?
And.... the Obamas are going to get a new puppy for the Whitehouse - any of the US greyhound rehoming places able to convince them to take on a hound?
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Rehoming procedures part 2
I've already said how brilliant the local retired greyhound kennel's rehoming procedures are. What I didn't mention was they are not necessarily so good for a volunteer walker with favourite dogs. The first three dogs I asked for this morning were either out for a daytrip (Nicky and his kennelmate Becky were living it up at the park), and Pretty was being pampered on a sleepover.
Poor old Shawn was feeling very sorry for himself, because he was without his kennelmate, so we went for an extra long walk. When we got back to the kennels we found, to his delight, that one of the other volunteers had cooked up some sausages.
Sausages are the only treat that Shawn will eat and he wolfed them down with gusto. He then had plenty of cuddles, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for him as he was led back to his kennel by himself. Hopefully Pretty will be back to keep him company some time later today.
Poor old Shawn was feeling very sorry for himself, because he was without his kennelmate, so we went for an extra long walk. When we got back to the kennels we found, to his delight, that one of the other volunteers had cooked up some sausages.
Sausages are the only treat that Shawn will eat and he wolfed them down with gusto. He then had plenty of cuddles, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for him as he was led back to his kennel by himself. Hopefully Pretty will be back to keep him company some time later today.
Sunday 2 November 2008
Remember, remember the 5th of November
Like many dogs, some greyhounds are scared of loud noises. On a walk a sudden crash can send a dog like Larry bowling for the safety of the kennels. Others, like Nicky, will tug at the lead, with their ears back and tail between their hind legs until you speak softly to them, and they continue on their way.
So just a reminder to keep your pets safe around Bonfire Night. People have started letting off fireworks around here already - so we like to ensure that the cats are in, with the cat flap locked, before it gets dark.
The Retired Greyhound Trust gives some good advice on what to do during the firework season, and I'm sure it extends to all dogs, not just greyhounds. The main thrust is that you should take the dog for their final walk before it gets dark, draw the curtains at dusk, and turn the radio or television on.
The RGT also says that your dog will look for your response to strange sounds - so try not to jump - let your dog go to where they feel safe, and don't pamper them (they'll react more).
So just a reminder to keep your pets safe around Bonfire Night. People have started letting off fireworks around here already - so we like to ensure that the cats are in, with the cat flap locked, before it gets dark.
The Retired Greyhound Trust gives some good advice on what to do during the firework season, and I'm sure it extends to all dogs, not just greyhounds. The main thrust is that you should take the dog for their final walk before it gets dark, draw the curtains at dusk, and turn the radio or television on.
The RGT also says that your dog will look for your response to strange sounds - so try not to jump - let your dog go to where they feel safe, and don't pamper them (they'll react more).
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