DP has agreed to a Greyhound!

[SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud]

See original thread here

Would this be roughly big enough for a Grund?? Or should I go bigger just incase?

We've not crated our chap as he's rather large. The gates seem to be enough. Maybe ask the rescue or the home visitor?

We're open plan, so we can't do gates, I just figured he would like having his own cosy den, rather than just a bed iyswim? As they're used to kennels/crates I thought it might make him feel more at home, I'll ask the homechecker what she thinks on monday.

Ooh, he's absolutely stunning!!!! I'm so excited for you. HOpe the homecheck goes well. He might like a crate, but most grunds seem to like comfy sofas, beds etc We had a big family get together today and hound no 3 was most put out that his favourite sofa was being colonised by a fleet of small boys - a great deal of comedy sighing and harumphing ensued. We were then treated to the entertaining cabaret of an enormous greyhound demonstrating his collapsible powers by folding himself into a small parcel so he could fit between various family members on the sofa.

Hahaha oh bless him! They're mostly just a bundle of legs aren't they really? Robbie is even more gorgeous in the fur (i would say in the flesh, but they don't exactly have much of it!). I really really hope we can have him!

Do you think that if I tell them his 'escape' place will be our bedroom this will be ok? I'm hoping it is as there isn't anywhere downstairs he could really go to get away from everything!

Before you buy a crate id wait and see how he gets on with just a duvet folded in half or something similar. My grey prefers to stretch out fully ALL(!) the time and believe me no crate or dog bed would be big enough! Some prefer sofas if you don't mind sharing. My girl doesn't like the sofa, just the massive folded double duvet on the floor. We basically have the space of a single bed taken up with dog.

Oh just seen your last post!

Is your bedroom upstairs? Some greys can't or won't climb them- mine won't. I wouldn't worry about the homecheck, the guys really are very nice. They just wanted to know if we'd thought about stuff- actually thinking about it, it was us asking most of the questions. We were quite worried about the cats and how to integrate them with the dog. If you just ask advice they will help you with practical issues. My idea is- What about two beds, one bed in a big open playpen that you can close when he is asleep?

One thing- remember that greys can sleep with their eyes open. Once when we first got our dog I reached over her to get something from a shelf- thinking she was awake- and I woke her and she got up and was snarling and barking and growling. Their deep chests mean they can belt out a growl or a bark. The sound was horrendous and to be honest quite scary. Being well socialised with other dogs their default can be to be vocal in warning instead of aggressive (like lots of unsocialised dogs). It was just a warning and she would never have hurt us. I think a lot of other people- especially with kids- would've taken her back to the rescue at this point. However, we realised that she just wasn't used to being disturbed when asleep, she was also in a new environment and didn't feel very secure. Now my dog trusts us completely and is used to our ways and this doesn't happen.

So, greys are very very quiet and very gentle but when they ARE vocal, they are REALLY loud and it can sound aggressive- just don't think he can't bark because he's like a mouse most of the time! And don't worry about it- Just take it as a warning that he's uncomfortable/scared and be glad that he's got a means of telling you.

You can probably prevent the eyes open but asleep problem by being aware- ie calling his name to see if he's awake before touching, getting close etc. Last of all please don't make this put you off. It probably won't happen- It would've been less scary for us if we'd been warned how loud they can be!!!

Sorry so long. Eeeek!

We have 2 sofas, me and Dp share the 3 seater so the 2 seater is free for the taking!

I'm already feeling sorry for the homechecker, I have about a hundred questions I want to ask her!

I hadn't thought of a playpen, I'll look into it. Don't worry bats you've not put me off! Also, as they're so tall would it be better to get bowls on a stand so he won't have to bend right down to the floor? I don't imagine eating like that is very comfy!

Our chap curls up in the gap between the sofa and the armchair now. He dragged his manky old sheepskin in there. Privacy and family proximity seem to be working well!

sgaghetti- i think raised bowls are recommended for greys because they can be prone to bloat.

and don't forget to tell your dh and dc they can sleep with their eyes apparently open- a child might mistake them for being awake.

I'll get raised bowls then. I hope we pass! If we do my bank account is going to be knackered very soon :o

Oh and I'll definately tell DP about the creepy eye thing. DD won't understand for a while yet!

Quick hint re raised bowls. The Ikea large flower pots are EXACTLY the right height and width for a "standard" stainless steel doggy bowl for food, and take up much less floor space than the raised feeders.

Thanks scuttle, unfortunately our closest ikea is about 50 miles away. It's a long way to go for a couple of flower pots and these days the petrol would cost about the same as a raised feeder

I'm absolutely convinced we're going to fail. Don't really know what on though. Anyone else felt like this before a homecheck?

Do watch out for the rabbit - a friend of mine has a retired greyhound and a couple of other dogs and they got the neighbours rabbit out of its hutch and killed it.
Another friend has one too which is a sweet and docile old lady and wouldn't hurt a fly.
There are a couple of greys in the village I live in which are always walked muzzled as they obviously hate all other dogs...

beamur do you even know anything about greys? How do you know they "obviously hate all other dogs" just because they are muzzled?

I'm not even going to comment on the rabbit. I've explained about her so many times now it's getting silly.

Just to wish you all the best for today. I'm sure you will be fine with the homecheck.

Thanks scuttle, I can't believe it's happening so soon! I'll update as soon as I can after she's gone :)

Yes, good luck.

Ok, maybe the snarling, lunging at other dogs and pulling at their leads is a bit of a clue too...I know their owner to speak to and she tries to walk them at times when there are fewer people about. Apparently they are lovely house pets but very aggressive with other dogs.

Ahh well you didn't say that! I'll let you off then :o

Anyway it looks like my bank account will be considerably lighter very soon, because. . . . .

WE PASSED! :o they said we could have a dog as soon as tomorrow if we wanted but we have to wait till we have time to go and meet the dogs, pick one etc. Then buy suitable equipment and then finally collect pooch! I'm sooooo excited!

Yippee!

Now, about those greyhound reindeer antlers .....

Woohoo!!!

Congratulations!!

And welcome to Club Pointy...... !!!!!

Of course you passed

Just arranged to go see the dogs, they're going to hang onto robbie for us just incase someone else is interested! They didn't seem concerned about DD at all and just said i had to make sure he doesn't get at the rabbit! We're going on sunday :)