Just back from the dogs - and I have to report that the "I must behave" trot worked for Kelly, and she has been rehomed with the couple that I saw her walking with last week.
A few more rehoming updates as well - lovely Topsy is on a home trial, so fingers crossed that that goes well. Also I didn't see kennel clown Josh about today (and believe me you know if he's about), so he was either having a quiet one, or has been rehomed too. Quite an eventful week.
Crafty old Angie wasn't about either, and for a minute I thought that she had been rehomed, but no, she was just on a trip to the dentist - I'll take her out next week.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The "I must behave" trot
I first saw it with Mikey, and now I am convinced that there is an "I must behave" trot.
Mikey did it on his first walk with his new owner and her Jack Russell. It's quite difficult to describe, but if you've seen it you'll know what I mean. It's as if the greyhound is concentrating with every fibre in their body, and they walk with a very purposeful bouncy stride, worried about putting a foot wrong.
I thought it might just be Mikey, but now I've seen blonde-bombshell Kelly do it. Normally she's as daft as a brush.
Last week I took her on her regular walk - with boyfriend Shawn - and true to form she was just as silly as ever.
After the walk a couple with two other dogs wanted to walk Kelly. They were considering rehoming a greyhound, and lo- and behold, as they took Kelly out, she started doing the "I must behave" trot, and was most unlike the Kelly I know!
I've not been down to the kennels this week, but checking on their website, I've spotted that she's been reserved... I can't wait to find out who's reserved her. The "I must behave" trot may have just done the trick.
Mikey did it on his first walk with his new owner and her Jack Russell. It's quite difficult to describe, but if you've seen it you'll know what I mean. It's as if the greyhound is concentrating with every fibre in their body, and they walk with a very purposeful bouncy stride, worried about putting a foot wrong.
I thought it might just be Mikey, but now I've seen blonde-bombshell Kelly do it. Normally she's as daft as a brush.
Last week I took her on her regular walk - with boyfriend Shawn - and true to form she was just as silly as ever.
After the walk a couple with two other dogs wanted to walk Kelly. They were considering rehoming a greyhound, and lo- and behold, as they took Kelly out, she started doing the "I must behave" trot, and was most unlike the Kelly I know!
I've not been down to the kennels this week, but checking on their website, I've spotted that she's been reserved... I can't wait to find out who's reserved her. The "I must behave" trot may have just done the trick.
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.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Allergies... again
A quick post today, but following my post on allergies earlier in the week. Lots of people are still visiting this blog to find out a bit more about dog allergies and I just want to stress that if you are allergic to most dogs you MAY still be allergic to greyhounds. For instance I've not had one in the house, so am still not sure if they'll make me sniffle in this environment. So don't necessarily assume they will be the dog for you!
However, there is a good chance that they will NOT inflame your allergies. This seems to be because they do not have an undercoat.
Also, if you choose to take on a greyhound they are likely to already have their adult coat - puppy coats of dogs like labradoodles often do not inflame allergies, while the dogs adult coat may (depending on the dog - labradoodle coats are very variable).
So - if you have allergies - go and visit the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels (see links on the right or do a search on the internet). Get up close and personal - take them for a walk, fuss them, cuddle them - and see whether you react. Let's hope they ARE the dog for you
However, there is a good chance that they will NOT inflame your allergies. This seems to be because they do not have an undercoat.
Also, if you choose to take on a greyhound they are likely to already have their adult coat - puppy coats of dogs like labradoodles often do not inflame allergies, while the dogs adult coat may (depending on the dog - labradoodle coats are very variable).
So - if you have allergies - go and visit the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels (see links on the right or do a search on the internet). Get up close and personal - take them for a walk, fuss them, cuddle them - and see whether you react. Let's hope they ARE the dog for you
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Even more on allergies and greyhounds
Not surprisingly, given all the speculation on the new dog for the Whitehouse, there's been an awful lot in the papers about allergies to dogs recently - and it's still one of the most popular reasons that people are coming to this blog.
It seems the Obamas have settled on either a labradoodle or a portugese water hound. And guess what? The portugese water hound shares a coat characteristic with the greyhound - neither have an undercoat.
In an earlier post I speculated that the greyhound's lack of undercoat may be the reason that they don't seem to inflame my allergies in the same way as other dogs, and now it seems that this may have some basis in fact.
Incidentally I've also seen that the very best dog for allergy sufferers is the poodle, because they have a "woollen" coat.
However, if like me, you'd prefer a rescue dog, I'd thoroughly recommend giving a greyhound a go. There are plenty of retired racing hounds waiting for a good home.
You'll be able to spend plenty of time with them to see if they inflame your allergies and, crucially, you'll be able to spend time with dogs that have their adult coat. Many dogs - like labradoodles - may have a different non-allergenic coat as a puppy, which may mean that you become allergic to the dog as he or she gets older.
Go on, visit your local retired greyhound kennels and give a hound a home.
It seems the Obamas have settled on either a labradoodle or a portugese water hound. And guess what? The portugese water hound shares a coat characteristic with the greyhound - neither have an undercoat.
In an earlier post I speculated that the greyhound's lack of undercoat may be the reason that they don't seem to inflame my allergies in the same way as other dogs, and now it seems that this may have some basis in fact.
Incidentally I've also seen that the very best dog for allergy sufferers is the poodle, because they have a "woollen" coat.
However, if like me, you'd prefer a rescue dog, I'd thoroughly recommend giving a greyhound a go. There are plenty of retired racing hounds waiting for a good home.
You'll be able to spend plenty of time with them to see if they inflame your allergies and, crucially, you'll be able to spend time with dogs that have their adult coat. Many dogs - like labradoodles - may have a different non-allergenic coat as a puppy, which may mean that you become allergic to the dog as he or she gets older.
Go on, visit your local retired greyhound kennels and give a hound a home.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
