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.
Showing posts with label leads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leads. Show all posts
Friday, 20 February 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
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...
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...
Friday, 23 January 2009
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.
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.
Friday, 16 January 2009
The arrival of Ava and Nobby
Several hounds have been rehomed recently, so last time I walked dogs from the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels I was asked to collect a new pair from the holding kennels.
There always seem to be more greyhounds (especially true for boys) needing a home than there are spaces in the main kennels. As a result some of the newer dogs are kept in a seperate set of kennels - which are also used as a boarding kennels - a couple of hundred metres away.
It's quite exciting to pick up new dogs, because you know absolutely nothing about them and have no idea what you might get. I wandered down to the holding kennels and asked for the next pair... and was given two HUGE dogs.
I couldn't tell who was the female, and who was the male. The girls are usually at least a little bit smaller than the boys. There wasn't much to pick between these two. And they were VERY LIVELY. What had I let myself in for?
I was soon told that the beautiful blue dog was the boy and called Nobby. The chunky white and blue girl was Ava and "pulled a bit". At this point I was DRAGGED towards the kennel gate, and through it. (Luckily someone had the sense to quickly open it first).
These guys were really ready for a walk. After an initial tussle (incidently Nobby pulled more than Ava), both settled down nicely onto the lead.
Nobby needed a little bit of persuasion, but I've got a trick for that. The idea is that you hold the lead in one hand, and then put the dog on the opposite side of your body, with the lead running across your front. It's then possible to put your free hand on the lead to keep the dog walking to heel.
Part way round and a real test - kamikaze cat sped out onto the path ahead of us. Neither dog lurched although Nobby stared fixedly at the cat, and I think he will take chase if given another chance. All in all though a good first walk, and I delivered both dogs safely to their new temporary home.
There always seem to be more greyhounds (especially true for boys) needing a home than there are spaces in the main kennels. As a result some of the newer dogs are kept in a seperate set of kennels - which are also used as a boarding kennels - a couple of hundred metres away.
It's quite exciting to pick up new dogs, because you know absolutely nothing about them and have no idea what you might get. I wandered down to the holding kennels and asked for the next pair... and was given two HUGE dogs.
I couldn't tell who was the female, and who was the male. The girls are usually at least a little bit smaller than the boys. There wasn't much to pick between these two. And they were VERY LIVELY. What had I let myself in for?
I was soon told that the beautiful blue dog was the boy and called Nobby. The chunky white and blue girl was Ava and "pulled a bit". At this point I was DRAGGED towards the kennel gate, and through it. (Luckily someone had the sense to quickly open it first).
These guys were really ready for a walk. After an initial tussle (incidently Nobby pulled more than Ava), both settled down nicely onto the lead.
Nobby needed a little bit of persuasion, but I've got a trick for that. The idea is that you hold the lead in one hand, and then put the dog on the opposite side of your body, with the lead running across your front. It's then possible to put your free hand on the lead to keep the dog walking to heel.
Part way round and a real test - kamikaze cat sped out onto the path ahead of us. Neither dog lurched although Nobby stared fixedly at the cat, and I think he will take chase if given another chance. All in all though a good first walk, and I delivered both dogs safely to their new temporary home.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
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".
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".
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
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.
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.
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