Are you a Greyhound, Whippet or Lurcher owner? Come and have a seat on yet another pointy hounds cushion!

[TheCunnyFunt]

Pointy hounds include-
Greyhounds (Grunds)
Whippets (Whippys)
Lurchers
Italian Greyhounds (Iggys)
Salukis
Afghans
And any others I have forgotten. If you are a new pointy hound owner, an old and experienced owner or looking into getting one of these fabulous creatures, come and have a seat (that's not taken up with a hound ).

Share stories, advice and shopping tips!
AK Creations
Dog O Nine Tails
Doggy Bags Bakery
Kitsch Collars
Meggie Moo
[[http://www.milgicoats.co.uk/ Milgi Coats
Silver Peacock

Come The Day
Come the day I take that final bend,
Can I count on you to be my friend?
To see I?m treated just and fair,
It means so much to know you care.

For, what the future holds in store,
Now that I can race no more,
Should be addressed for every hound,
Who parts the punter from his pound.

Tell them I don?t ask for much,
A kindly word, a gentle touch,
Somewhere warm to lay my head,
A meal each day to keep me fed,
Not just life- but quality,
This is how it ought to be.

Do not see me swept away,
I long to live another day,
With peace of mind, tranquillity,
And those who care surrounding me,
So tell them all- you have that choice,
I beg of you to be my voice.

By Denise Dubarbier.

Pooch used to have Natures Harvest when she went in kennels as they wouldn't feed raw.

Sorry about the "lurchered" incident and thanks for the links!

In the process of ordering Pooch a new bed from LL. Can't wait. Hope she likes it.

Hi pointy hound owners! I work with a young woman with Aspergers who has recently rehomed a rescue lurcher. He's a lovely boy, around 5 years old, who is now adjusting to life as an indoor pet. But... he won't go for a walk.

If he's taken in the car, sometimes he will come out and walk for a short distance on the lead (he has to be on a lead and wear a basket muzzle because he has caught and killed small animals in the past) before either sitting down or pulling back towards the car.

He won't walk from the house at all--just sits down in the driveway and won't budge. Any ideas what might help to motivate him?

Hello heartless

As you may have read upthread somewhere I have two Lurchers and my eldest ds also has Aspergers. I have to say our new pup has been so good for my ds. He is far more demonstrative with the pup than he is with us and while he's been going through a really tough transition to secondary school, he has often been found just quietly stroking the pup and talking to him - whereas he struggles to let his feelings out to people.

On to the problem with the Lurcher you mention though.

First of all. I can highly recommend that either yourself or the dog's owner join Lurcher Link. They are a rescue organisation, but welcome anyone with an interest in Lurchers and are lovely people with a wealth of Lurcher specific knowledge and experience. They have an 'Advice Needed' section, where you can ask anything Lurcher related and will be given excellent advice and support.

Do you know much about this boy's background? How used to the muzzle is he? Have you thought about a harness instead of a lead at all? My pup hates being led by the neck and many Lurchers have quite long necks, which makes them more prone to injury, especially if they're walked on a flexi/extending lead. I wonder if there's any possibility he might have had a neck jolt in the past and doesn't like being on the lead for that reason?

If you don't feel it's neck/lead related, from what you've said (re adjusting to being an indoor pet and not wanting to go outside for walks) it sounds more like it could be a lack of socialisation to the outside world, in which case, lots of gentle encouragement and tasty treats will really help. If this is the case, you may have to take it really slowly with him, perhaps just getting him used to spending time on the driveway, feeding him treats and even feeding his meals out there, before gradually moving down the drive and onto the street and further from there.

Another option would be to see if you can find someone with a confident, friendly dog that could walk with him for a while why he's building his confidence.

I would also recommend joining some dog training classes, as training will build both his confidence and also the bond between him and his owner.

Finally, give it time. He's just had a huge upheaval, the world is a big scary place to him (I'm sure his owner can relate to that feeling) and what he needs most at this point is to be allowed to take his time to settle in, have lots of love and cuddles, build a bond with his owner and learn to relax and feel safe. Going for walks will come in time, as he relaxes, builds confidence and learns to trust.

hahaha moose - remember when you were too nervous about posting there to start with - now look at you!

I second the recommendation of LL - from memory there is a recent post somewhere, probably on 'advice needed' that is talking about a dog with similar problems. Lots of things were suggested by people who have been there and done that before.

I know mistle, don't know why on earth I didn't post sooner - I'm such a wuss!

Interesting (for want of a better word) walk today. First we were accosted by a Labrador that hurtled from one side of the park to the other to get to my two and arrived with all his hackles up, then proceeded to repeatedly pounce on Lurcherboy. Pip very sensibly put some distance between the two of them and watched as the daft thing tried to steal Lurcherboy's tennis ball - crime of the century that as far as Lurcherboy's concerned - and it got a good telling off for it's trouble. I engineered the walk so that we met up with the owner when all 3 were on lead a little later and they were all fine together and sat nicely while I spoke to the man who was walking him. Turned out he was walking it for his son and it's just under 1 year old, so typical bolshy Lab teenager. Apparently it normally ignores tennis balls, but of course ours was far more interesting, because it belonged to another dog.

Then we encountered the same black spaniel that we did a couple of weekends ago. The owner just walks the perimeter of the park and lets the dog do it's own thing. Pip barked at it last time (same thing, bolted from one side of the park to the other to reach us) and this time the darned thing chased him right across the park. I tried the whistle, but he was too panicked to respond and started running headlong towards the carpark and road beyond. I was so worried he wasn't going to stop before the road. Started frantically yelling his name and that brought him back into his head, he stalled, changed direction and practically lurchered me coming back. Phew! Then he calmed down and went to say hello to the spaniel's owner (thank goodness I have been busy reinforcing no jumping up this week as she was very smartly turned out). She came to talk to me - I explained about Pip's history and that he's very worried by other dogs and she petted him and said hello. While we were talking the daft dog had clambered onto my knee as I was squatting and from there was quite happy to say hello to the spaniel.

All in all, I think the two more controlled introductions offset the initial chaotic ones .... I hope.

Its really good that Pip found out that the dogs that frightened him were actually OK.

I'm wondering if I can slip a christmas collar in somewhere without it being noticed...

I think I'm too practical, I love the little gingerbread one on dog o' nine tails but I think well how long will they wear that!

Sounds like an interesting walk moosemama.

Lola is doing quite well being on a lead for all of her walks, she is actually quite quiet around the house which is a bit strange but she's very cuddly all day which is lovely :)

And I don't think I have any advice heartlessbitchface, mine are very food orientated so any incentives to do anything would be some kind of food!

I've been thinking about trying to sneak a couple of Christmas collars in as well Mistle. I know dh would be highly unimpressed though and if I'm going to spend out on anything I think it's going to have to be something to keep Pip warm at night, as he can't get into his Dennis the Menace jumper anymore.

Wibbling between a fleece housecoat or some PJs at the moment. Just can't quite come to terms with doggie pj's somehow, even though I totally understand why some sighthounds need them.

If he gets cold, the PJs look good - although you might want to wait until he's finished growing before investing... Perhaps a housecoat bought a size or two up would fit better for the moment?

I was looking at the mistletoe one... here

I've just bought him a new fleece-lined raincoat because we couldn't get his old one done up and it was nowhere near his bum anymore. I went two sizes up for that, as his growth does seem to have slowed slightly and if he does outgrow it, it will fit Lurcherboy when he's older if he starts to feel the cold.

I was thinking the same about pjs - don't really want to have to fork out for another lot in a month or so's time and can't really size up with them as easily.

The mistletoe collar is pretty - and very apt for Mistlehound.

I like the robins one on that page - but the red would clash with Pip's fur.

A well fitting fleece housecoat is absolutely fine for most sighthounds - look for one that is generously cut over the bum and chest. We didn't get PJs for ours originally as she had arthritis, bless her, and we didn't want to faff about with her stepping in to them. A housecoat will pop easily over the head and just velcro round the tum.

We have already succumbed to the lure of Christmas collars - the wondrous Meggie Moo. All four have new collars and leads for the festive season - I am dithering about how soon they can start wearing them.

Thanks Scuttle. Housecoat it is then. Now just need to decide what fleece - I take ages over these decisions, too many lovely fabrics = choices overload for me!

I bet you're guys are going to look gorgeous for Christmas. I'd tend to go for 1st December as a countdown to Christmas kind of celebrations - but actually, everything else Christmas related seems to start in September these days - so now would also be fine!

We had an afghan racing at racing today - they have a very different stance when running - much more upright. Apparently it was because they were originally bred to run over rock and mountainous terrain.

mistlehound is flat out, asleep, in her thundershirt but not twitching an ear at the pops...

They're beautiful to watch aren't they - all those flowing locks!

My two are currently at my feet sleeping through a very loud firework display for the second night running. Such a pain when Bonfire Night falls midweek, as you get two weekends of displays instead of one. I am so relieved Pip is ok with them after years of Oldgirl freaking out at the slightest pop.

Hi everyone, hope all are ok .

So today we let Bob off lead . Had permission from local high school to use their fenced huge sports field. Off we went excited and nervous to see our 40mph hound at his best. Positions were taken around the field, DSS and DD were vague blobs on the horizon with hot dogs burning holes in their pockets, I had my top running trainers on, DP is armed with cheese and a rugby tackle....we let him go and.......nothing!

Sniffed, mooched, had a trot to some interesting leaves. To promote more than a canter I had to take off over the field like an enthusiastic cross country student and still, just an amble to me .

I see why he didn't win many races now

Ha ha, brilliant Bob. Do you think he may have been different if a small furry thing was in the distance?

I have a suspicion that our girl wouldn't do much, and she won lots of races.

We went to a large arboretum today and walked her for about 90 minutes so her longest walk yet. She did so well with lots of off the lead dogs who came to greet her. She just sort of stands there and let's them sniff her then she sniffs them and that's it.
Tempted to take the muzzle off really as she shows no signs of dog aggression to any size breeds that we have met so far. I think when we begin off-lead training I will put it back on. Just not sure she needs it but will carry on for a while just in case.

She is coping well with being left on work days bless her. In fact she buggered off to her crate of her own accord this afternoon even though we were there. Think she was knackered and needed some time away from kids noise!

I don't think he would Pat, he has seen cats, squirrels and a hare so far, given a half hearted whimper and carried on. I don't think he realises he is a greyhound!

How long have you had your girl? We were told that as Bob was considered 'safe' to muzzle for 10-14 days then judge his reactions. I have to say he is happier with the muzzle off but I carry it with me on every walk and judge his body language at approaching dogs. We have had him four weeks today and he has been exemplary but has been snarled and snapped at by a LOT of smaller dogs. Go figure .

I will add I am new to greys. Have had border collies in the past so pointy ownership is brand new to me.

Pics of your girl Pat!

Only had her a week so far, the rescue said keep muzzle on for first few weeks at least.

I will put a picture on my profile when I'm back on my phone. On iPad at the moment and no pics on here!

She seems to quite like the muzzle, no fuss when putting it on. I just feel like I have to explain it to everybody I meet;

'Dont worry, she's friendly she's just a rescued racer who may chomp small dogs and cats,!

Know what you mean Pat! I was getting very used to people crossing the road as they saw me and the terrifying muzzled hound of the baskervilles approaching

I'm selling Bob to a passing traveller anyway after he failed to pull me out of the deepest mud i've ever encountered. Bloody wimp just stood there as mud seeped into my pristine pink wellies . He failed to understand my command of PULLLLLLLL BOB PULL!

We had a pair of collie crosses that liked nothing better than pulling if they were allowed to - it took a lot of training to get them to walk nicely on the lead (most of the time) but they learned the 'pull pull' command and would valiantly pull my mother up hills....

Mistlehound has had a lazy day today - early walk (decent length) but only one and she's not been mithering us for another - I think she's still getting over yesterday's racing.

Dull question but how often do you all wash bedding? I was thinking of washing her covers fortnightly as she is not particularly stinky?

Love the pink wellies in the mud! Everywhere round here that's nice to walk is so bloody muddy at the moment. Madam hates walking through it...or puddles. So very beneath her elegance!

I stopped Nelly wearing her muzzle for that very reason, the softest soppiest dog who was afraid of everything was having children pulle out of her path! I was confident she'd be fine and she was :)

Bedding I wash when it looks grubby but I'm not a weekly bed washer for us so probably best not to take my advice!

I took a chance and took peanut on a longer run today, didn't let him off so he couldn't go crazy and wear himself out and he did 6.8 miles. Still went out for our as close to dark but still light walk very keenly :)

Saw a horrible video of a baby harassing a dog on fb and eventually bouncing on it with the adults tellin the dog to stay and clapping the baby. I almost cried watching it, how can be people be so stupid. Luckily the kid eventually got fed up and the dog was amazingly good despite showing signs of distress.