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Fostering an ex racing greyhound tomorrow! - any tips please.

53 replies

ItsLateHumpty · 20/06/2020 16:11

I realise this is bad form but I am blatantly reposting (from the dog house) for traffic.

It’s all very late notice, I’ll post the information from the rescue centre below which explains more, but TL:DR we get Teddy tomorrow until the 9th July because otherwise he sits in a kennel / pound and we’ve (humans) already let him down.

All we want is to give him the best grounding we can in the very short time we have with him. I’ve read up heaps because I know ex racers can be problematic (human not dog issue). I already know he’s not toilet trained, and I’m sure he’ll be really on edge, but if any one had tips to help us help him I’d be so grateful.

Copied from his bio / ad:

“Teddy is a 20mth old male Greyhound.

Teddy's owner had only had Teddy for 3 days prior to surrendering him. Teddy lived in a family situation for those 3 days and was found to be good with both men, women and children. He was also found to walk well on lead and enjoy his walks.

Teddy was also found to 'cry' (quite possibly due to his move and possibly some anxiety). He liked to be inside, around people.

Teddy currently is not desexed, however this will occur.

Teddy had not had any other contact with other dogs other than seeing them across the road when he was out walking and we have been told he did not seem distracted. Teddy was also not exposed to any other animals as he was an only animal.”

All help / advice appreciated, and I’ll pay out rescue in kibble for your help 🐶

OP posts:
Zaphodsotherhead · 20/06/2020 21:29

Reading with interest as thinking of taking on an ex-racer. Have a local contact and would love to have one; my only concern is the Patterdale, who badly needs canine company but is a velcro dog and can be territorial and guardy when other dogs try to talk to me. It would break my heart if potential greyhounds weren't allowed to be close to me!

Somanysocks · 20/06/2020 21:59

No advice to give you but to say you're bloomin' lovely to do this.

Stefoscope · 20/06/2020 23:01

My lad was quite a bit older when we got him but the main take aways, (many of which have been mentioned are): Hide all food out of reach and more importantly further than you think they can reach! Mine was terrible for jumping up on the countertops and eating whatever he could find during the first few months.

They can definitely be oversensitive as a breed. My DP grew up around german shepherds and labs and couldn't understand why our greyhound would keep being 'naughty' despite repeatedly being told no. If you ignore them for a few minutes this works far more effectively once you've created a bond with them. They are physically very sensitive due to having such thin skin. I've been worried my dog has been seriously hurt on a few occassions after hearing the 'scream of death', but in reality the poor love has just scratched his ear a bit too hard!

Mine loves anything soft and I've heard many other ghound owners say the same thing. Very soft bedding, so old an duvet and blanket if a sofa of their own isn't possible. Soft toys (preferably with squeakers) are the best thing ever after food!

Lastly, if you're on Facebook, the illustrator Richard Skipworth is worth looking up. He does a series of work called the 'greyhound glossary' and this pretty much sums up all the weird and wonderful behaviours you can expect from a greyhound.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

ItsLateHumpty · 21/06/2020 00:52

Brilliant info and tips! Much appreciated.

I didn’t know about the ‘scream of death’ so at least now I won’t have a mini heart attack if it happens.

I’ll def check his feet as I’d like to take him to the beach, but that might be too much if his pads are damaged. He won’t be allowed off lead, but I’ll follow his cues on which surface he likes to walk on, and try and get him used to different surfaces a little at a time.

Now added extra cleaner to the shopping list (after treats nach!) to deal with lunatic poos and wees 😬 😂
Teddy is my new brilliant excuse to not vacuum for a few weeks Grin

I will keep reminding myself to not hover, and let him come to me when he’s ready. The house has no stairs, and is all open plan, so we will put up a barrier so we can keep him in view in the main living area, just until he’s more settled and there’s some kind of routine - I’m assuming coming from a racing kennel routine will feel normal therefore safe, so I’ll try and keep to a schedule.

If I can get pics I will post, and if there are any milestones I’ll update the thread.

Thanks all Brew

OP posts:
Tillygetsit · 21/06/2020 02:06

We rescued an exracer who was in such poor condition that we were told by the vet not to expect him to last beyond 3 months.
He did ( we had him from 8 years til 15) and was a gorgeous gentle giant.
I agree with a lot of pps.
Ned used to lean against us when he wanted a fuss. He was terrified of the whoop noise on I'm A Celebrity and never got used to the vac or tumble dryer.
He wouldn't walk through long grass and apart from his two 20min runs a day was the laziest thing on 4 legs!
Very aloof with strangers but loved us. Oh and his farts were many and evil!
We've had sighthounds ever since. They really are special. Good luck OP. You're a good soul.

Lurchermom · 21/06/2020 18:56

@itslatehumpty - how are you getting on, has he arrived yet?

Somethingkindaoooo · 21/06/2020 19:10

I've had two greyhounds- one from.a puppy, and one we tried to rescue,but had to give back.

The failed rescue:
We had to return her because she bit my daughter on the face. This, I think could have been avoided. I wished we did things differently.
She was very similar to our existing greyhound, so it was hard to not treat them the same. Instead of fussing over her,and getting too close, we should have had a week or so where we let everything happen on her terms. Poor thing got stressed and lunged out.

My existing greyhound was tough to train. So, lots of walks out.

They have thin foot pads, so be extra careful of sharp or hot surfaces.

Big comfy bed ... they don't have much padding on their elbows.

They are awesome at getting what they want from the counter.

Mine had trouble digesting fat. Apparently this is common,so she was on a low fat diet.

A harness is good. If he does try and chase something,you'll have more control. I used a harness and a very short lead, so she was right beside me.

Good luck!!!!

Somethingkindaoooo · 21/06/2020 19:11

( tough to potty train.... )

ItsLateHumpty · 22/06/2020 05:56

We’ve passed the first 24 hours now, and so far so amazing 🤫 don’t want to jinx it!

After a quiet first afternoon letting him come to us for attention (which he did lots of), and learning the house, all the new smells, where his food and water were, and the enclosed back yard for wee wees, (the TV was a revelation hahahah), today he’s played ball with me, and I gave him my Winnie which he seems to have taken a liking too.

Yesterday we just took him out on the same short walk around the block and through a small grass park. He saw other dogs, was not lead reactive, but was very curious.
Today we did a long (for a ghound) new walk, saw the sea and dolphins and tried to make new human friends and sniffed everything.

He’s been brilliant on lead, doesn’t like his muzzle, hasn’t made any messes inside, not cried, and stayed in his bed pretty much all night.

I love the snuffle sound he makes when he flops on to the duvet I’m using as a bed for him 😍

Ooo and yes his farts are bad!!!

@Tillygetsit Ned sounds amazing and how lovely that he got to spend so many happy years with you.

OP posts:
Modwolvesrock · 22/06/2020 07:27

Thank you so much for the lovely update and pictures!

Sounds like things have gone really well, I'm so pleased for you. After the effort and worry, you deserve a happy hound Smile

I have a feeling you may have a new skinny, stinky, couch stealing family member Grin

Lurchermom · 22/06/2020 07:51

Ahh that sounds like a wonderful first 24hrs! He sounds like a lovely soul - they do love their comfort teddies! So pleased it has been calm for you. Please bring updates, I love to hear how you are getting on!

fourquenelles · 22/06/2020 08:11

Aww he's a babe! Love the black boys - 2 of my three are "tuxedo" boys. I rescued a greyhound from a puppy and had her fourteen years. She was scared of nothing apart from the Tipping Point theme music. Daft as a brush. Sighthounds are fabulous.

BovaryX · 22/06/2020 08:12

He is beautiful. Really pleased it is going well, he seems to be relaxed and you are clearly doing everything to make him feel settled. Please keep us updated, greyhounds are a lovely breed, but sadly so badly treated often. He is such a lovely looking hound.

InsanityRocks · 22/06/2020 09:30

He is beautiful. Lovely for him to have you. I've only skimmed through the thread so apologies if this has been mentioned, but if you have a pond please make sure he knows it is there before he does his first zoom round the garden (bitter experience Grin)
He might be terrified of washing machine.
Please persevere wit muzzle especially off lead as the speed in which they can fly at a small furry is unbelievable. Best of luck and hope you have many happy years together.

Katinski · 22/06/2020 09:52

Oh yes, please keep giving us updates, OP. Any chance p'raps he may have found his forever home with you?
A friend always had ghounds from a rescue centre and she always had 2 ..one of them once only had 3 legs,poor thingShock. Lovely gentle creatures and, as my friend's MS progressed and she was wheelchair bound when she was out and about,they walked beautifully by her side.It was the first time I'd met them and , rather than the hyper animals I'd imagined, they were actually quite lazy!Smile

ItsLateHumpty · 25/06/2020 10:13

Little (ok not so little) update - I was in hospital overnight Wednesday for planned surgery.
We took him with us in the car and aww I felt so bad, because when he first got in he was scared. I think he thought something bad was coming. I fed him treats and he went to sleep, then Ddog and DH had a ‘boys’ night which involved lots of roast chicken Grin and they picked me up this afternoon.

Wednesday before I left I took him to the beach. We discovered mud, and sand, and space.

Today when I got back we played and he worked out how to steal all the balls!

Katinski we were never meant to be his forever home, he has a home lined up (9th July) but after he was re-surrendered for crying 😡 there was no way we’d leave him in a kennel.

InsanityRocks hahaha did the washing machine Wednesday and I had to drag his head out the drum -seriously I thought he was going to climb in 🤦‍♀️

BovaryX he is beautiful. I keep telling him, because I don’t think anyone else has. Velvet ears, deep brown eyes, and the most forgiving nature.

BUT I’m worried about how reactive he is to small dogs and cats on lead. He becomes fixated and deaf, and I’m worried his forever home will reject him so I’m trying really hard to ‘break’ the pattern.
He and they will need proper training and I want to pass that on without putting them off... any suggestions would be really helpful.

Fostering an ex racing greyhound tomorrow! - any tips please.
Fostering an ex racing greyhound tomorrow! - any tips please.
Fostering an ex racing greyhound tomorrow! - any tips please.
OP posts:
Zenithbear · 25/06/2020 10:22

Make sure that you have a very secure garden. Mine were hurdlers and could jump a 6ft fence no problem.
Mine didn't eat for a couple of days and hid every chance they hid under the bed, behind furniture, in wardrobes etc. Extremely nervous and anxious. You need to be really patient and gain trust. But there was no separation anxiety and both were happy to be left alone and never distructive. They had never played so really enjoyed having toys once they understood the fun to be had.
They hated loud noises thunder, fireworks, vacuum cleaner.

Lurchermom · 25/06/2020 10:26

@ItsLateHumpty

Little (ok not so little) update - I was in hospital overnight Wednesday for planned surgery. We took him with us in the car and aww I felt so bad, because when he first got in he was scared. I think he thought something bad was coming. I fed him treats and he went to sleep, then Ddog and DH had a ‘boys’ night which involved lots of roast chicken Grin and they picked me up this afternoon.

Wednesday before I left I took him to the beach. We discovered mud, and sand, and space.

Today when I got back we played and he worked out how to steal all the balls!

Katinski we were never meant to be his forever home, he has a home lined up (9th July) but after he was re-surrendered for crying 😡 there was no way we’d leave him in a kennel.

InsanityRocks hahaha did the washing machine Wednesday and I had to drag his head out the drum -seriously I thought he was going to climb in 🤦‍♀️

BovaryX he is beautiful. I keep telling him, because I don’t think anyone else has. Velvet ears, deep brown eyes, and the most forgiving nature.

BUT I’m worried about how reactive he is to small dogs and cats on lead. He becomes fixated and deaf, and I’m worried his forever home will reject him so I’m trying really hard to ‘break’ the pattern.
He and they will need proper training and I want to pass that on without putting them off... any suggestions would be really helpful.

Sounds like he's having a wonderful time! Mine hated the car for a long time after we rehomed her, I think she associated it with being moved on.

It's good for you to try and work on his furry fixation, but you might find you just can't. It's both a breed trait and he's an ex racer so it's been trained into him. But all work you can do with him is good, just make sure his new owners are aware he needs to wear his muzzle when out. Some who aren't used to sighthounds might view a muzzle negatively, but they are much safer with them on if they have a strong drive.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/06/2020 10:45

I’m worried his forever home will reject him

Really his forever home should be prepared for this - they will know they are adopting a young ex racer and that he's been in a very short term home then Foster with you . They cannot possibly think he'll be small dog/cat savvy in that short space of time .

All you can do is work with him and gently socialise , they will take up the baton.

A lot of pointies only ever see other greyhounds in their race days , it must be a shock for them to see a Newfoundland Grin

ItsLateHumpty · 01/07/2020 14:12

I need your help again please Sad

Teddy is leaving (all being well) in 9 days but I’ve had to let the rescue centre know that we had some resource guarding issues last weekend and he actually attacked.

We are so ok now, and at the time Teddy ‘apologised ’ immediately and we've been fine since (although I’m much more weary, but know I’m also at fault, so giving him more space).

I guess my query is -/ queries are... will he be ok? Is it just a learning thing? We’ve been fine since so is it just a one off? Was he just overwhelmed? Am I right is saying to the rescue place that just because Teddy seems so happy and well adjusted, he’s not and to please give him time and patience?

I know I had to tell them, but I also fear I’ve done Teddy harm. He’s a beautiful dog, messed up by us.

OP posts:
ItsLateHumpty · 01/07/2020 14:12

Wary not weary ffs autocucumber!

OP posts:
NotYourDawg · 01/07/2020 14:37

My parent's have an ex racer .

He was 4 years old when they got him and had been incredibly successful. So much so that even though he's only 5 he looks older than my 14 year old lab Sad

When they first got him we were eager to get him used to our family dogs (we are very close and the dogs are an extension of the humans so come everywhere with us)

We assumed he would be good with other dogs.

Nope

He wanted to dominate and be in charge. He didn't like quick movements and he came to blows with my brother's collie. Collie is a grumpy arse and we no longer meet with dogs in tow.

However he also had a set-to with my elderly lab. She blindsided him while chasing a ball and he grabbed her by the neck and pinned her to the ground. I thought he was killing her.

Turned out she didn't have a single mark, he was warning her. She wasn't phased and after a few weeks we tentatively reintroduced them and she went back to him, he greeted hear excitedly and they sniffed and a year on have since become firm friends. There's no way this would happen with the Collie because his personality is totally different to my lab, so we wouldn't risk a second introduction.

Dad got a yellow warning lead and used a muzzle while they worked out how he reacted to dogs. They discovered he adores humans, especially men. He really likes tall dogs - especially other greyhounds (he goes to a dog sitter who has 2 ex racers) but is very wary of little dogs . He quite likes labs and I think this is because of my dog.

With the family, the youngest at the time was my son and he has grown-up around ex racers (step mum fosters) so he knew to leave him alone. They interact lovely, my son is very calm.

He doesn't guard his food, will eat happily in front of my lab.

He will not be told where trying to steal food is concerned. He is a nightmare. He goes in his cage when we eat (his safe space)

We found a video of him on YouTube, winning a race. None of us thought he would react but he was up at the Tele and very excited to hear the sounds of his previous life.

He stands watching birds and aeroplanes for ages.

He doesn't like next doors cat.

He has several big teddies, 2 dog beds (and the sofa) in the living room, his cage in the kitchen, 2 single beds upstairs and every morning he gets in bed with mum and holds her hand with his paw.

He's not very cuddly but will come to us when he needs reassuring.

His farts are noxious and often.

He has a terminal kidney problem which insurance covers, so he's not going to live to an old age but he will live like a king.

Sorry long post, but I could chat about him for hours (and as my username states, he isn't even my dog!) Grin

NotYourDawg · 01/07/2020 15:05

He has a thing for draught excluders....he stole mum's the first night he was here. She bought another to replace it and he wanted that one too!

The pic with the person in is my daughter. He'd been with us about 8 weeks when it was taken ❤️

Quackersandcheese3 · 01/07/2020 15:09

I’d love to rescue a lurcher / greyhound in the future. My friends have done so and the dogs are so sweet gentle and loving.

Good luck and please keep us updated.

ItsLateHumpty · 01/07/2020 15:26

Thanks @NotYourDawg

They discovered he adores humans, especially men. He really likes tall dogs - especially other greyhounds (he goes to a dog sitter who has 2 ex racers) but is very wary of little dogs .

Yes! He totally wags his arse off for strangers, especially if they’re men in hi viz.

He tolerates / is subservient to me unless I have food, or I’ve pissed him off then it’s either I’m your best friend /who are you.

And then othertimes he’s a total sweetheart love bunny

But I’m still a little scared and worried of / for him because he wasn’t playing or warning me. It was total teeth hackles advance on me to make me leave even though all I was doing was entering a room where he / his bed was.

OP posts:
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