More walkies...

Last post I forgot to mention the naughty dogs like Flo, who are always quite keen to get one over you when you take them for a walk.

Flo's a crafty, but lovable, black girl, and I've often seen her flying around the paddocks, with a poor walker holding on for dear life. (In fact I think I've been one of them).

She can be a little minx and loves nothing more than pulling... however she's also very smart, so the trick with Flo is to let her know that she's not going to get away with any pulling WHATSOEVER.

And, after a few minutes tug-of-war between Flo and walker, settles down onto the lead nicely and shows that she is, in fact, a delightful little girl.

Beware though if at any point she thinks she's got the upper hand - off she'll go, puffing and straining ahead of you!

Walkies!

Many of the greyhounds at the local retired greyhound trust kennels are super on the lead. Somehow they just seem to KNOW how to walk to heel.

Others are not so good. Last post I mentioned Becky who had been in the kennels for months because she pulls when she first goes out with a new walker.

In fact she is pretty good on the lead once she gets to know you, and she's a joyful little girl which makes her quite a pleasure to take for a walk.

There are a few tricks I've been taught to get dogs to behave on the lead.

The first is simple. Talk to them. OK you may feel like a bit of a nutter - although what's more natural than talking to your dog (NB I lost it years ago) - but it's a lot less embarrassing than being seen with the dog taking you for a walk.

There is another trick, and this is to hold the lead in your right hand, and have the dog on your left hand side. You can then press the palm of your left hand onto the lead to bring them back to heel, whenever they start to strain.

This is the method I used to teach Becky to walk to heel - and you only have to use it until they get the idea - and it also worked for my big girl Ava.

Sometime neither of these methods work, but there is another solution and that's a harness. These take a bit of getting used to - you don't have control of the dog's neck - but thankfully I had plenty of practice with Nicky (who couldn't walk on a lead for a while because of a wound on his neck).

Harnesses are pretty good for controlling the big powerful boys like Becker, with one reservation. You have to watch the dog's body language quite closely, because if they're on a harness it's easier for them to have a leap at unsuspecting squirrels, or cats, or other dogs. Just be ready to grab their collar!

Rehoming, rehoming, rehoming

Well it's all rehoming, rehoming, rehoming, at the moment, which is nothing short of excellent news.

Just last week at the kennels we were bemoaning the fact that Becky does herself no favours when she first meets someone - she PULLS and PULLS and PULLS when she's taken out by a stranger.

It's a real shame because she's actually super on the lead - once she gets to know you - however, the result of her PULLING so far has been that she's been overlooked time and time again.

Until now that is. I visited the kennels earlier this week to discover Becky was no longer there.

I found this a bit puzzling and thought that maybe she had been moved to the kennels just down the road (and are sometimes used if the girls who haven't been spayed yet go on heat).

I questioned one of the kennel hands later in the day to discover the great news that she'd been rehomed with another of our rehomed rescue hounds who had been feeling lonely by himself. Brilliant.

Further rehoming news is that Emma is on home trial. Ava went to the rugby last weekend and is now reserved.

I feel this is a fitting event for my darling big lass - if she were human she'd play rugby and probably be a prop!

Steam-train dogs

Some of the greyhounds, like Nicky, seem to instinctively know how to walk on the lead and trot happily to heel from day one.

Others, like Becker, don't know their own strength, and can be difficult to handle, until you try a different tack and put them on a harness. Suddenly they realise that they have a human companion, and actually it's quite nice to walk by your side.

Then there are others like Becky, who'll pull like a steam-train the first few times you take them out, completely ignoring you and straining to get ahead. Then, there's a change.

I don't know whether it's because they get to know you, or whether they are a bit more confident that they'll get a good walk, but all of a sudden they become a delight on the lead, and happily trot by your side.

It means that dogs like Becky often get overlooked as potential rehomers opt for a more genteel dog... so I guess a plea is, if you have the time, visit the local rehoming centre more than once - you may be pleasantly surprised how some of the dogs change once they get to know you!

A word about muzzles

Following my post earlier in the week about the Shawn and Kenny face-off. I thought I should tell you a bit more about the rules that we follow when we walk greyhounds from the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels.

I've already talked about how we keep the dogs safe by always walking them on a lead. We also hold the lead in a special way with the loop at the top in the palm of our hand, and then the lead looped again around our forearm.

When I pass other dogs I always ensure that there is at least one walker between the sets of dogs - and always ensure that my dogs are on a short lead as we go by.

Finally all the hounds are walked with a muzzle. This protects the dogs if they do decide to have a bit of a nip and a growl. (I guess it also protects any unsuspecting squirrels that might be rooting around in the undergrowth. Although most aren't stupid enough to hang around for too long!)

This is not popular with all hounds and some will do all they can to get rid of the dreaded contraption. They'll do this by trying to flick it off with their front paws, or by rubbing the muzzle HARD against your leg. Neither method works.

However one day a few weeks ago I was asked to walk one of the dogs from the adjoining racing kennels. This lovely little black girl had developed a bit of a knack of getting rid of the muzzle. Something like a shake and a sharp flick of the head which would - somehow - send the muzzle flying in the air into the undergrowth.

I'm still not sure how she did it - the muzzle wasn't particularly loose, but in the end I did it up REALLY REALLY tightly, and this seemed to do the trick.

Ava asks for a hug

I've walked Ava and Nobby every time I've visited the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels over the past couple of weeks, and I'm happy to report that they've really started to settle down.

Yes... they do come out of their kennel like a bullet out of a gun and ...yes... they are a bit of a handful to get out of the yard if there are a number of dogs around. But, they settle down quickly on the lead, are getting the idea of walking to heel (most of the time) and they LOVE their walks.

The longest walk I've taken them on is 40 minutes, and they showed no sign of flagging. So, I think these guys would love to go for a bit of a day out and a much longer walk... although I'm not sure that my husband would allow me to take both of them in the back of the car.

They are both becoming much bolder with me. Last week Ava decided that she wanted a hug half way round our walk. She looked at me shyly, and then, very meekly lifted her front paws, before putting them back down on the floor.

I tapped my shoulders and said: "Yes you can come up". She didn't need another invitation. My only problem was getting her back down again to carry on with the walk... she was quite happy where she was!

Meanwhile Nobby just prefers "sitting" on my lap when we are back in the yard, either by putting his front paws on my knees, or shuffling back so that his chest is resting on my thighs, and then relaxing. A perfect way to give an unsuspecting walker numb legs...

Becker epiphany

Becker is a pickle. He's a wonderful cuddly big black boy who just wants love and tickles. However he does himself no favours (with me at least) by his behaviour on the lead.

Becker is one of the few dogs that - until now - I have been unable to get under control on the lead. He just PULLS and PULLS. A total workout, but not a relaxing walk. (It has to be said that some of the other walkers seem to have found the knack with him).

He's absolutely gorgeous in the kennels, and likes nothing more than a tickle and a cuddle. And he loves his treats - and takes them very gently (once you've told him NICELY).

Sometimes, as he drags you around the paddock, he realises that maybe, just maybe, he's pulling a bit too hard, and stops with a look of utter apology on his face. "Sorry don't know my own strength."

However, yesterday I had an utter epiphany with Becker (or it might have been the other way round). I walked him in a harness.

WHAT A JOY. He walked TO HEEL. This is unheard of. He was BRILLIANT (well apart from one incident when he and another boy decided to grumble at each other - I just held him by the collar to make sure there was no silly nonesense. He soon calmed down).

I think Becker might have enjoyed it too because he wagged his tail for the entire walk.

Taking the bull by the horns

Since the strange case of Nicky biting Becky, he has been sharing with kennel-horror Angie.

Angie is a big, confident, black girl who takes no prisoners, and the theory is that no-one will be brave enough to bite her.

The first time I met her - several months ago - she bounced all over the place as she was being bought out of her kennel.

"She seems very pleased with herself," I said to the kennel hand. At which the kennel hand rolled her eyes and said: "Yes, she's just very pleased at being Angie."

Angie is strong, and will chase anything. As a result for the last few weeks I've been walking Angie and Nicky separately. However, she has proven to be really well behaved on the lead. (I've not seen the cat or the foxes while I've been out with her - and I suppose it could be a different matter if we spotted them).

She's also been quite good in the yard, and although she's very keen to take treats, I've found that if I tell her sternly "nicely" before I give her the treat, she'll take it very gently from my hand.

So this all resulted in me offering to take both Nicky and Angie out for a walk together. Silence fell. Then a quiet: "Are you sure?"

I replied that I was and that I'd bring the dogs back immediately if there were any problems. We were out for 40 minutes (I had to take a long phone call half way round the paddock) and both dogs were really well behaved. I'm sure Angie is just biding her time...

Tails from home

One of the absolute joys of walking dogs from the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels is that dogs come back - to visit that is, not for good.

Other owners come back to walk some of the hounds that are currently enjoying kennel life. (Anyone who is thinking of doing this should BEWARE. You might end up with more than you bargained for).

Pretty's owner was back at the kennels over the Christmas period, she hadn't bought the Pretty with her, but I had a good chance to chat and find out how the dog was settling in.

Turns out that she's become really playful and a bit of a tomboy. She's still a bit nervous around people that she doesn't know, but is already charging up to and dancing at the feet of the people that she knows in the park. She is happily playing with other dogs (and showing off with a turn of speed that leaves them all in her wake). All in all it sounds like she is having a LOVELY time.

Another dog that I got to meet over the Christmas period was Chas. He was rehomed over the summer, and had been overlooked in the kennels for many, many months. This was posssibly for a couple of reasons - firstly he's quite big, and secondly he was a bit growly around other males.

What a difference a loving home can make! I barely recognised Chas - he was looking so relaxed. I had a chat with his new owner and found out that he was settling in nicely. He could still be a bit growly with other males, but that he was getting better all the time. Brilliant news!

Shawn's a really good boy (thank goodness)

Dogs from the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels are always walked on the lead.

This is the case for a few reasons - some of the dogs have never been "formally" walked before, and they need to learn how to settle on a lead. Some of the dogs are nervous and would bolt if not on the lead, at least until they get to know you.

Others would shoot off into the distance at the first sight of something to chase. Finally some of the male dogs don't get on, and you need to be able to control them if they start to argue with one another.

I sometimes have nightmares about dropping a lead, or not picking up a lead properly, but thankfully I've had no problems... until today that is.

Last walk of the day was Shawn and his lovely new girlfriend (I am going to tell you all about her in another post - watch this space). She was very sprightly out of the kennels, however I grabbed the leads, and was out of the kennel gates and walking up the lane - Shawn happily trotting by my side - when I looked down, and to my horror, saw that his lead was loosely draped over his girlfriend's lead. I almost fainted!

Thank goodness for lovely Shawn being such a nice boy to walk, as I tightly wrapped BOTH leads round my arm, he looked up at me and continued trotting happily by my side muttering "You know me, I wasn't going anywhere, me".

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?

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.

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.

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?

School holiday doggy mania

It was the first really cold morning of the autumn this morning, and as I walked to the local branch of the retired greyhound kennels there was still a thick frost on some rooves and cars. The day was gloriously sunny though, so there was no need to wrap the dogs up in warm coats.

It's also half-term for most schoolchildren at the moment - always a manic time to walk the dogs. Sure enough there were several families, with children ranging in age from 6 or 7 to teenagers, walking the dogs.

Insurance stipulations say that no-one under the age of 16 is allowed to walk the dogs by themselves. However the kennels have found a brilliant way around this. An adult is given the "main" lead, and then all the kids in the party have a lead which they can attach to the main lead.

This is great because it means everyone gets to walk the dog together, but the dog, and all the children, stay absolutely safe - a greyhound can accelerate from 0-40mph in just a few steps, so it's best to have more than one hand on the lead.

On this subject, when you walk a greyhound you have to hold the lead in a special way - with the loop at the top in the palm of your hand, and then the lead looped again around your forearm. The dogs can take you by suprise if they "bolt" and this ensures they don't pull the lead straight out of your hands.

Spark sees the fox

Last walk of the day was Spark, a black bundle of energy, who exploded out of her kennel, legs aquiver, straining on her lead, proclaiming: "Let me at 'em!"

Spark's kennel mate is on a home trail, so sadly for her (but thankfully for the rest of us), she lacked someone to cause trouble with. That didn't stop her though, and as I was dragged out of the front door of the local Retired Greyhound Trust home one of the kennel hands thoughtfully yelled: "If she sees anything that isn't another greyhound, just remember to hold on tight."

Yep, Spark is one of THOSE greyhounds. Like other sighthounds, greyhounds have been bred to chase something that is small and moving. This doesn't mean that they all do, and some take no notice as rabbits and squirrels cross your path. Most of the others won't take chase especially if you firmly tell them "no!"

However there are a few special exceptions, and Spark is one of them, who get wildly excited if they see something - anything - that isn't another greyhound.

As I struggled to close the gate, with Spark pulling frantically, I heard someone say: "I'm not sure who's taking who for a walk." Gate closed, the dog rushed to the side of the lane and sighed in relief - all that panic was because of a full bladder.

Suitably relieved, Spark settled down nicely onto the lead. Ten minutes in I was congratulating myself on how well the walk was going. The dog was behaving impeccably, trotting gently by my side and occasionally demanding a tickle. Must be that naughty kennel mate that causes all the trouble.

Then we saw the fox. Spark went rigid and then she pulled. Ready for this, I had her on an extremely short lead, she wasn't going anywhere.

"No," in a quiet but strict voice, "No. Good girl." After a few seconds I started to try to move her on. Spark wasn't having any of it - dog and fox were now staring at one another in a mexican stand-off.

"C'mon girl," finally she seemed to hear me, and she started to move still staring fixedly at the fox. After a bit of a wrestle I got her behind a hedge and she relaxed slightly, still glancing behind her.

A few yards on the fox was almost forgotten, so I gave her a cuddle and told her she was a good girl.

On the way home Spark had a spring in her step. "Ah, these walks are wonderful," she beamed. "I like to keep the volunteers on their toes."

Josh finds heaven on earth

Josh is a big beautiful black and white retired racing hound, and he came into the kennels in a bit of a state. He had sore paws and a sore nose, was skinny, and had yellow urine stains on his coat. Poor boy.

I've been walking greyhounds from the local Retired Greyhound Trust kennels for about 6 months now. When Josh was given to me the kennel hand said: "We don't know much about him, he only came in two days ago." It turns out Josh probably had no bedding to sleep on - just a wooden bench - and also may have been kept muzzled all day, every day.

You're never sure what you are going to get when you walk a new greyhound for the first time. Some are so terrified they don't want to leave the kennels. Others seem to have never been walked before and are not sure what to do, either looking at you for reassurance every two seconds, or skittering and flittering from side to side, sniffing every glorious new smell. Some pull like steam-trains, others never relax, constantly scanning for something to chase. Most though are a delight, and happily trot by your side, with the occasional adoring glance - from both walker and dog - as you chat to them.

Josh was one of the latter, a true delight, the relaxing walk punctuated from time to time by a big head resting on my arm and demanding tickles. By the time I'd got him half way round his walk I had already fallen in love. (It has to be noted that this is not an unusual occurence).

Once back at the kennels Josh's sore paws and nose had to be seen to - after dog treats. "Yum," said Josh in between mouthfuls. Then he was given lots of tickles and cudddles, to which he gave a couple of whimpers in delight. After a wash Josh's sore paws and nose were slathered in Sudocreme, and he was led back to his kennel seemingly walking on air.

One of kennel hands laughed and said: "He thinks he's gone to heaven." Just wait until he gets a home.

Nicky goes to the park

Nicky is my current favourite. He's a darling little black boy and not much more than a puppy.

The local retired greyhound kennels have several paddock areas where dogs can spend some time outdoors when they are not being walked. One of the areas faces the tables the walkers sit at when they are waiting for their dogs.

The first time I saw Nicky he was wagging his tail so vigourously that he was shaking the mesh fence between us. I knew I would have to walk him on my next visit.

Two months later and Nicky is always the first dog I take out for a walk. He helps me unpack my rucksack when we get back and usefully points out the dog treats by sticking his nose inside. Obviously I would have forgotten all about them if he hadn't shown them to me.

However, we have just had the best treat ever. My husband had promised that we could take Nicky to the park. Not sure who was must excited - me or the dog - as this was the first time I had walked greyhounds away from the kennels.

The dog looked a little unsure when we asked him to get into the car, but soon got the idea and jumped in unaided. Nicky was so thrilled on the drive to the park, and stood with his head firmly stuck between the two front seats taking everything in. (Mental note: dog guard would be useful if we do this often).

Just a tiny hiccough when we got to the park - Nicky tried to follow me out of the front door. I rushed round to the back of the car, and he quickly realised it would be much easier to get out of the boot door.

Near the kennels Nicky sniffs for England, sometimes taking over thirty minutes to do what should be a fifteen minute walk, and I was rather worried that we wouldn't get very far with him at the park. Imagine all those wonderful new smells.

I was happily suprised. I've never seen Nicky so interested and alert. Absolutely everything was exciting. He drank in everything - obviously never imagining that such an interesting world existed outside the kennels.

He was so well behaved and happily trotted to heel - well apart from when something particularly interesting caught his attention. He skipped at squirrels, he gawped at the big lake, and he was just a little bit scared of the ducks and other dogs.

Our lovely boy didn't even complain when we got a bit lost and took him on a longer walk than we expected. Although about 10 minutes before the end of our nearly four-mile walk his head went down because he was "just sooooo tired". A quick cuddle and he assured me he'd march on. We were soon back at the car, and to show us that he now knew exactly what to do, he leapt into the back of the car, and lay down - happy and exhausted.