Rescue greyhound questions!

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

I nearly overtook the other thread, so here's my own!

For anyone who didn't see the OT dd and I went to visit a local greyhound rescue kennel today, as they said they had a new boy in there who seemed cat trainable. He was gorgeous although a teeny bit nervous - hadn't had 5 ppl in a room before as used to kennels. Took him for the briefest walk as it started to drizzle after about 15meters - he slowed then stopped and gave me a look of "you can't seriously expect me to be out in THIS!" before turning gently back .
We also experienced one of the wallpaper stripping, room clearing greyfarts. That was quite the warning! We also saw him with a cat - in the same room roaming about. He was muzzled and had one ear pricked up but floppy at the top and the other down, watched the cat for a few seconds and tentatively sniffed it then wagged his tail and went for more sniffs very sweetly. Then seemed to lose interest and went off sniffing around the room again. So it seems that his lack of chase drive was possibly why he wasn't a racer. He is 2yo.

I'm already quite head over heels but trying to take my time and ask all of the niggly questions before we fully commit (have reserved him for 4 weeks).

So, my questions so far:

1. I asked about boots as was reading last year about dogs in the snow and the salt eroding/hurting their paws. Rescue guy said no need and he's checked him for corns, of which he has no signs.
   

1. As it's unlikely he will get much time off-lead outdoors, how do you play/let them play when on walks?
   

1. Do they like baths? I'm assuming not as they may feel the cold being so skinny - but obviously may need one now and then. I'm guessing they don't like swimming - or can't really if not off lead? I seem to remember seeing one zooming along a huge and largely empty beach we went to in Devon (Westward Ho) and would love to feel confident enough for that but not sure if that is good etiquette considering they have no recall?
   

1. Although I don't hate the kennel name by any means, it would be nice to be able to change it. Is that possible or just confusing for the dog?
   

1. The only afterschool club dd does out of school is swimming. Obviously, the dog can't come in but I have to be there for support. Any suggestions for this? Would be appx 2hrs out of the house including travel time to and from the pool.
   

1. When you travel in UK do you have special doggy friendly places you visit? Is there a site or forum for these?
   

1. For a glossy coat do you use Evening Primrose oil? I was reading it can help with dandruff...
   

Just realised I've got to 7 already and beginning to sound like a new mum! I'll stop there for now or the OP will be HUGE!!! x

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

I looked in TK Maxx for beds but sadly they only had small and medium ones. I've emailed the trust to check we can take him for a walk on Sat and whether they could possibly send us a picture of him.

In the meantime...my collection is growing! I got the crate at Moles and was lucky as it was the last one! In the absence of pics of the doggo, where is the collection (minus the crate) so far.

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

I looked in TK Maxx for beds but sadly they only had small and medium ones. I've emailed the trust to check we can take him for a walk on Sat and whether they could possibly send us a picture of him.

In the meantime...my collection is growing! I got the crate at Moles and was lucky as it was the last one! In the absence of pics of the doggo, where is the collection (minus the crate) so far.

[Greyhound22]

Answers to your questions:

1. No need - I've even taken my wimpy hound out in the snow and he was ok. To be honest if the weather is too bad they don't really want to go out for long.

1. Mine never goes off lead. A 2 year old with little interest in prey would probably learn recall without too much trouble. When younger my grey would play with squeaky toys and he still has a mad 5 minutes but they aren't really the type of dog to need constantly be occupied. He will snooze a lot of the time.

1. They don't really need many baths - they are incredibly clean and non-smelly (a bit like cats) we have a dog wash van around here and I probably have him washed once/twice a year.

[Hawkmoth]

How exciting! We'd love to get another but with small children it's tricky. Our lad is so good, verging on the dull!

He is let off lead, which took not much effort but lots of treats as he is greedy. On that note, a gate to the kitchen can be useful as they do like bins.

Ours loves baths, hates the rain, we don't use boots. Regarding cats, it's been a slow process but it's because he is scared of them (and they know it). After 18 months we are now at a point where DH can sit on the floor stroking the dog with one hand and the cat with the other.

Also, your supposed to clean their teeth daily. Ours doesn't mind at all, I guess because they get mauled with a lot in kennels.

This bed is from Aldi, tinky-winky and the Barbie dress are incidental.

[Greyhound22]

1. Yes it's fine to change his name.

[Hawkmoth]

*you're

[Greyhound22]

1. I leave my grey for up to 5 hours. He sleeps. Any longer than that and I get the dog walker to come in halfway through.

1. Lots of dog friendly holidays - best place we took ours was the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

1. Tins of sardines and mackerel in sunflower or olive oil are the beat for a glossy coat.

Never ever use a retractable lead.

Please see gratuitous photos of my Barry.

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

Oops sorry for the multiple posts...first time using the app on my mobile!

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

Oh and if anyone is in need of mackerel in tomato sauce, Home Bargains are doing a full sized tin for 69p! I got 9 tins

[Mineisthebestdog]

Just running out of the door but wanted to quickly say to join the Facebook group Dog Friendly Holiday Accommodation. It's brilliant for finding places to stay with your dog.

[dreaminofholidays]

Regarding rescues... it's all down to personal choice but I would go with a greyhound rescue over the dogs trust or RSPCA. Not they don't do a great job rehoming dogs but greyhound specific rescues should really understand the breed and all their quirks. Will have a look for rescues near Kent for you. Xxx

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

We went back today and I got some pics for you all! Still awaiting the fencing here before we can bring him home. We've a guy coming over tomorrow to price it and reckons he can squeeze us in the next week or two . Here's Tommy, our lovely long schnozzered hound . Both of us are impatient to get him home!

[ReverseTheFerret]

With the rain - mine I swear is water-soluble and will insist on checking the front AND back doors for preferable weather options before sulking her way around a walk. Snow... no bloody chance.

Mine has allergies so chews her feet a lot (her litter sister also has the same issues) and nothing us or the vet have managed to throw at the problem have offered much more relief than we can get with the present regime we're under - so she does have boots, but sulks when wearing them, so spends a lot of time with toddler socks taped on her feet to try to stop her destroying them completely when the mood takes her.

Normally though just rinsing their feet off after a walk in the snow or when the roads have been salted is fine - I just got a dud one in that regard (she's allergic to lots of types of pollen among other things)!

I just get the big cushion style dog beds that a guy on the local market sells and chuck them when they've been too deaded by the dog - given up completely on dog beds downstairs as usually the kids end up sitting on the dog bed while the dog hogs all the sofa.

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

Thanks for that. I am worried as we have a steep driveway that I usually salt or we can't get in the car or out onto the road without skidding...
I've seen those paw cleaning pots that you can use with rubber teeth? Anyone tried those? Also we have engineered wood downstairs and i'm worried about skidding - we have a few rugs but wondering if I should invest in a few more. Maybe just see how he goes.

[Wolfiefan]

We have a big rug in the living room and a runner up the hall.
But my goodness those eyes! What is it about hounds? I always feel like they can see straight into your soul. Such a lovely boy and he’s so lucky to land with you.
We saw a dermatologist about itchy feet. Sudacrem is our miracle @ReverseTheFerret and Muttluk boots.
For paw washing I have a washing up bowl (just for the dog!) or a coke bottle. (Cut off top and tape around the ragged edges.)
Good luck and enjoy!

[ReverseTheFerret]

Mine copes fine with our laminate floors OP - we have rugs on parts of it but it's never really bothered her. We used to have a runner on the kitchen floor but our old dog found it a corking game to run in the full length of the garden, jump onto the rug and see how far he could make the rug skid across the kitchen floor sledging style.

Just beware - the noses extend Pinocchio style to reach things they want to get them into!

[PengAly]

Just want to share our excitment with you as we are due to collect our lovely Greyhound in January- we were fortunate that the Greyhound trust were happy to wait this long (it also happened that he needed vaccines and castration so wouldnt have been ready much earlier any way). First time dog owners too so nervous but excitment :D

[Wolfiefan]

@PengAly I look forward to seeing pics in the New Year!

[PengAly]

I will definently share! It feels so long since we met him (was back in Oct) so cant wait to bring him home

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

Oh wow PengAly - snap!

I think because Tommy is cat workable they won't reserve them for as long. Am spending my days looking up dog-friendly beaches and places that let dogs in in my town. It's all so new isn't it!

Do you have any pics?

[ReverseTheFerret]

Our long since departed cat-workable greyhound (we no longer have cats) got bloody terrorised and chased around the house by our 3 legged cat. The cat thought she was Rambo or something mind you and would lie under the blankets on the dog bed to ambush the dogs!

[PengAly]

This is the only pic i have! It was rainy so dont think he was too happy to look at the camera haha when we get him in Jan i will be sure to share a better pic

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

Reverse Love the Rambo the cat . My cats don't usually come in the house but they will laze in the garden, so I wanted to make sure it was safe as possible for all. I've heard lots of stories of cats being more provocative than the greys!

PengAly Snap again with the black greyhound! When their coats shine they really glow don't they?! I found it hard to get a decent one too, especially when you have to hold the lead! Never work with kids or animals, hey? .

I've put the crate up in the area with the bedding inside. Have emailed the kennel to say he can come over to see the house - he mentioned that he would be in my town and that as long as I email him photos of the finished fence he can accept that. Just waiting to hear back from the fencing guy now...was supposed to pop in over the weekend but forgot he had to go shopping apparently .

Another question - we get 4 weeks worth of pets insurance free. Which insurance do you recommend? I've seen they can need teeth extractions so am guessing mid-range level of cover is best? Any advice?

[LonelyandTiredandLow]

I'm also a bit confused with food bowl sizes and how much a cup is etc. Which is the best size for greyhounds in this lot? bowls

[PengAly]

I LOVE the shiny black coat! Apparently rescue centres struggle homeing black dogs :(

Ive got the same questions about insurance-any mid range recommendations?