Greyhound long lead and harness

[Boynamedsue]

We have had our beautiful retired racer for just over two months now. He's absolutely lovely but when hes focused on something he seems to suddenly become deaf! I'm not particularly bothered about him being off lead, we take him to a secure dog field once a week so he gets a good run there and frankly that seems enough for him for the week. However, our garden isn't secure and due to the layout, never really will be. When (if) we get nice weather it would be nice if he could be out in the garden with us though so I'm thinking of getting him a harness and maybe a longer lead, about 2 metres, which we can attach to the wall so he can wander about with us but not run off at the first sign of a cat/squirrel. Are there any reasons this would be a bad idea? Can anyone recommend a harness? Thanks

I'm genuinely amazed that you managed to adopt without having a secure garden. I do homechecks for sighthound rescues and I have NEVER come across a rescue that would be happy to place a young, fit dog into an insecure garden (obviously things are very different for oldies, tripods etc). PLEASE reconsider making this garden secure so your dog can go in and out safely. Do you put him on the lead every time he goes for a wee? What happens in summer when doors to the garden are left open?

You can't attach a lead to the wall! I use a longline on my pup. She will wind her legs up in it without me watching. It could be extremely dangerous.
Can you fence off a portion of garden? Use the safe space more often?

That's a terrible idea - sorry! He could very easily injure himself. Why can't you fence off at least part of your garden?

Yes they were very happy to rehome to us, just as they rehome to people in apartments or houses with no gardens. Of course he is on a lead when we take him out for a wee, its hardly difficult and we don't make a habit of leaving the doors open in summer anyway and obviously wouldn't with a dog in the house. His safety is our priority but it isnt a garden that could be secured due to neighbouring property.

So you can't secure a part of it?

Good point about him winding his legs up, I knew there was a reason it wouldn't work! Short lead it is then, thanks.

Unfortunately not, its hard to explain but it's not attached directly to either of our doors and is open to a field at one side and a neighbouring property at the other. Its definitely not doable.

Oh and when I say short lead I mean attached to me, not a wall!

I use a longline on girl pup. I have to wind it in and out! It's a palaver but whilst we work on recall. Also local kennels or riding schools even may have a space you can use? Meet up at safe field with a friend and share the cost?
If I win the lottery I'm buying a bloody great field and 6 ft fencing!!!!

We do take him to a secure field once a week for a good run (£5 for half an hour, bargain☺) I was just thinking to when summer gets here if we're going to be in the garden it would be nice if he could join us.

Could you build a really big run? Not to shut him in! Just to let him potter near you?!

We did think about that but because of the shape and neighbours (weird boundaries!) He'd end up in a weird little box with 6 foot sides. It was a colleague who suggested the long lead, he does it with his dog. But he's got a spaniel, so no gangly legs to deal with! Thanks everyone

You could have him on a long lead as long as you have the other end (if he's likely to shoot off wear thick gloves) and watch out for him getting tangled up, it would be no different to using a long lead out and about. I used to do this when my puppy was small enough to fit through gaps in the fence.

And I have a perfect fit harness, just couldn't get any normal ones to fit! They're easy to wash, seem comfortable and have a front and back ring (always use the back ring for a long lead)

Thanks rubberduckies, I'll take a look at the perfect fit harnesses.

What about using moveable chicken fencing to create a safe area ? We did this to keep hens off the areas we didn't want them digging up (& created a 'gate' so we could easily get in and out) and it also kept the dogs in a safe area too. If you get green netting then it wouldn't be too 'in your face' and means dog could go out for a wander off lead.