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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Our foster dog has arrived - a question too!

13 replies

hobbgoblin · 01/02/2011 17:28

He is a lurcher, about 14 weeks old. He travelled from Ireland with his litter mates on Saturday and was on our sofa snuggled the same evening.

The DC have named him Steve Grin

He is a very good boy, fostered for Enfield dog rescue if anyone is looking for a lovely Lurcher boy.

He is SUCH a god natured dog.

My question is about something he did today. We were playing frisbee in the park near us and Steve decided to pick up the frisbee, leave the park with a very intent look on his face and trot all the way back home to deposit the frisbee on our step.

I was a bit shocked that he went off as we very carefully tested his 'stay put' abilities before allowing him off lead properly. He has wandered but not gone off at all until now. Luckily the route home is safe but I am perplexed as to why he was so intent on doing this.

He was waiting for me on the drive when I caught up with him.

OP posts:
Scuttlebutter · 01/02/2011 17:42

Sorry, Hob, he's a lurcher, very young and a new foster and you've only had him three days. You should NOT be letting him off the lead yet, unless it is in a secure area with good fences. You were very lucky he didn't get run over or lost.

Don't know if you are experienced with sighthounds, but lurchers/greyhounds are notorious for ignoring recall when something half a mile away attracts their attention and they decide to gallop at 40 mph after it. They have a fairly patchy approach to recall at the best of times.

I'm also guessing that if he's from Ireland he was bred for/had a go at coursing and probably didn't get a load of puppy classes. He's also very young still.

On a related note, has he had his vaccinations? When we've fostered dogs in the past with unknown antecedents, they've had their shots with us, and vet has advised to not walk them in well used dog parks till immunity is confirmed.

Also, have his chip details been amended, and is he wearing your/rescue's ID? Another reason not to let fosters off until all this is sorted. If he escapes/is lost/stolen, how would you get him back?

Glad he's got the hang of the sofa Grin

Original poster
hobbgoblin · 01/02/2011 18:19

Thanks Scuttle. He has had his vaccinations but isn't neutered. No chip as we were advised not to though I did ask about this. Apparently the chip can move in a young dog...

He was roaming free when he was picked up so don't know the background before that I'm afraid.

Re. letting him off lead, I figured it would be okay where the immediate area was enclosed and the route back home doesn't involve traffic. Do you think even that is a bit bold? He doesn't have a recall as such but I was going by the fact he hasn't wanted to wander far from us, but also knowing that he will get braver and that he was picked up off the streets so probably thinks nothing of wandering them.

I'm not sure what to do now. He needs to run, so I've let him in places where I think it is safe to do so. Even so, if he would run forever, then that makes nowhere safe really. What's your advice? Those long leads are crap.

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Scuttlebutter · 01/02/2011 18:32

Hi Hob, Glad he he's been vaxed. Chips can move in younger skinny dogs - such as greys and lurchers! However, unless he is severely underweight and your vet has advised against it, then there is no reason at all why he should not be chipped. To be honest I find that a bit worrying.

When you say long leads, please never ever use those extending thin leads with a grey or lurcher. They can break their necks. You should have been advised of this. Is he wearing a proper grey/lurcher collar? Again, "normal" dog collars can be too narrow and are easy to escape from. You can get either a standard sighthound collar in leather or a nice martingale collar - both of which are fine. The rescue should have either provided you with one of these or be willing to pay for one.

Him not being neutered is another reason to be keeping him on the lead.

There is nothing wrong with a few days of doing on lead walks. Another option is to actually go running with him - DH does this with two of our greyhounds and they absolutely love it.

Talk to the rescue about finding secure areas for off lead play - you need to be thinking about a field or paddock with good fencing. You could consider a park if you get to trust him more, and he's been neutered. Many sighthound rescues will have sighthound owners who have exactly the same issues and will know about where to take dogs to be safe. Ask around or look online. Many even do sighthound playdates in these environments. If you have a riding school near you, ask if they have an indoor school - these are perfect. Great size, safe, wonderful environment. There are a number of sighthound/lurcher websites -try Sighthounds Online as a starting point.

The other point is he is a foster, not your own dog. I may be sounding over cautious but firstly a foster is always an unknown quantity to begin with and secondly he is not yours so the duty of care, is I think higher, if that makes sense. I am always much more risk averse with fosters than with our own.

He sounds adorable and as though he is getting well settled in. Smile

Original poster
hobbgoblin · 01/02/2011 20:33

Well I don't want to do the rescue a dis-service here but several of those things are lacking. That said, I do think some rescues are a little paralysed by red tape so I'm going to sit on the fence on the matter.

He arrived with a cheapie (pink!) collar and lead and that's it aside from payment for food which we went out and bought that afternoon along with some toys and dinner and water bowls. We had a bed already fortunately.

I will do a bit of surfing the rescue forums for suggestions of places to take him - I had no idea that there was such a wealth of sighthound support so thanks for that.

That's exactly the reason those leads are so useless, they are difficult and dangerous for any dog capable of taking off on one imo.

I bought him a proper lurcher collar today. I measured him and then took him in the car to go and buy as another car test run and the lady in the feed place said bring him in for a fitting! He got so much love there! There was a little girl aged about 4 at the till who gave him huge hugs too.

He was quite trembly there but I think maybe as it was a bit like a warehouse and there were lots of male staff about - may have reminded him of previous negative experiences perhaps (?). Anyway, he enjoyed the fuss and sat very nicely for strokes. He always sits down for cuddles.

He loved the school run again. He is scrumptious.

OP posts:
Scuttlebutter · 01/02/2011 20:42

Hob, it's not red tape to tell you about the special characteristics of sighthounds, especially their collar requirements and not having those long leads. If you haven't had the joy of sighthound fostering before, you can't be expected to be psychic and just know this stuff.

It's great that you are doing loads of stuff with him and he sounds like a complete love sponge.

If you have any queries, no matter how small, please do PM me - would be delighted to help in any way. We have three greyhounds and have fostered a fair few.

I think we need to see PICS!!! What sort of mix is he?

Yes, there's loads out there on the web - also a website called LurcherLink if I recall correctly...

Good luck!

CalamityKate · 01/02/2011 20:43

He sounds adorable. Is he a scruffy Lurcher? I miss my scruffy Lurcher Sad

Original poster
hobbgoblin · 01/02/2011 21:10

He's a smooth coated brindle Lurcher but on speaking to a doggy owner today we think he is perhaps more Greyhound/Whippet. He has very webbed toes and huge feet for his dinky size.

He was the lighter of the three I had the choice of fostering and is like a little honey coloured fox.

I am downloading photos now so will try and get them onto flickr (not a great history of success with this, mind!)

~Thanks so much Scuttle for your advice and offer of support. I don't have specific sighthound knowledge at all and am having to read up on stuff every day.

By the way, does the frisbee thing sound like a SHound thing to do to you?

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bedlambeast · 01/02/2011 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

chickchickchicken · 01/02/2011 23:36

hope this helps - the local dog agility classes are held at a riding stables and i know once a week they have a session in the indoor riding school for sighthounds only.

this is not agility but a safe place for sighthounds to run and play with each other. i do know of someone who travels 40mins each way once a week for her greyhound to run and play safely.

she doesnt have to worry and gets a chance to talk to other owners. i think it cost about £5 per session.

so perhaps you could check local riding schools. also dog clubs as they may know of something similar. your local vet may also have a folder of 'whats on' in your area for dogs.

chickchickchicken · 01/02/2011 23:39

meant to say - it sounds as if he has a lovely home with you and well done for fostering. i am so glad you are providing him with a good home

Scuttlebutter · 02/02/2011 00:45

Chick, that sounds wonderful and exactly the sort of thing I was trying to describe. Whereabouts (v roughly) in the country are you?

Original poster
hobbgoblin · 02/02/2011 09:23

Thank you so much guys - I have found [http://www.thefamilydog.co.uk/greyhound-playgroup.html this]] just a few miles from us.

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Original poster
hobbgoblin · 02/02/2011 09:23

this

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