Home check for greyhound

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

We went to look at some greyhounds after obsessing over adopting one for several years (couldn't have a dog for a while due to house moves, working hours etc).

We had thought they would want us to install a 6 foot fence around an area of our garden but actually there's part (not very interesting but suitable for a wee) which is already OK so it's all happening a bit faster than we thought.

Is there anything I'm not thinking of in terms of how to ready the house and (boring part of) garden?

They've already sounded us out so it's more the environment they want to check on.

Yay how exciting.

Assuming its a non toilet-trained ex-racer I would get a baby gate between your kitchen/utility and the rest of the house so you can keep the dog on washable floors till they get the toilet training.

Dog bed of some sort with washable cover.

Food and water bowls

Lots of time and patience for the next few weeks.

Poo bags

Lead and greyhound collar.

Be prepared for the fact you might need to teach them to climb the stairs

Oh instead of a dog bed we used a duvet (someone recommended it), folded to the right size. Easy to wash the cover, and he loved making himself a 'nest' with it

You're all fab. Thank you.
I think if all goes well she will come with a collar.
I live very close to lots of shops that will have most things I could possibly forget

Is there anything I should do specifically to prepare for the house check? Like baby proofing?

Wondering about anything that might set alarm bells ringing that I might not have thought of as my human children are all huge now.

Dp had a lurcher in the past who had never been in a house and who did, indeed, have to learn to use stairs for the first time.

When I homecheck, I'm looking at how secure the garden is, any gates that might be left open accidentally, or blow open? I always insist on a bolt or catch on every gate.

Front door - Do you have a porch? A big problem is new dogs bolting out the front door, so how would you stop that happening? Are there internal doors you can close before you open the main door?

Where are your bins? Do you have a pond? Where is the dog expected to sleep? Is the floor suitable? (tiles are slippery, rugs and mats may be needed) Are the stairs safe? (open sided, wooden stairs could be a danger)

Thanks - that's really helpful. I'm thinking along those lines but hadn't considered a runner for my tiled hallway.

I'm happy to change all sorts of things but just need to know what's expected.
I've had several dogs before and looked after my dad's dog in this house but I want to make sure we do everything right.

I think if all goes well she will come with a collar
Snort, you mad crazy fool, don’t you know the greyhound wardrobe buying possibilities opening up before you?
Our miss tippy toes has a more refined designer wardrobe than I do 😂.
You might like to start here
www.doggyboho.co.uk/
Annnnd, here
www.greytsweaters.co.uk/

I'm hoping to sew my own sweaters if I can find the right sorts of fancy fabrics.
Happy to make her super cosy so she enjoys coming outside.

It went OK this morning I think.

So I'm waiting to hear about a time line. And staring at my phone...

I make my own lurcher coats (apart from waterproof ones) and its very satisfying! Ddog1 wears one inside from Sept - May approx as he is a delicate flower
Collars otoh we have soooo many of! Meggie Moo is my favourite, and her fleece backed leads are wonderful.

Folded cheap duvets make great dog beds, or to line the boot, but we use XXL memory foam beds from Treeline products on ebay which have washable covers

Aibu to wish to see photos of homemade coats?

So, a 'glow in the dark Star Wars Halloween' coat with contrast orange fleece lining and collar, and matching snowflake coats for ddog1, ddog2, and our foster puppy that christmas. I started making coats for the foster puppies as they always need coats as they are so skinny

Gorgeous!
That's really inspired me.

What kind (cotton?) of fabric is the star wars print?

Also that stretching pose is fab.

As long as our stairgate arrives tomorrow we can collect (our?) dog on Saturday!

The Star Wars is cotton, I wouldn't usually use it for dog coats, but loved it so much it had to be done! I usually make them of fleece on the outer and brushed cotton inside so they wash and dry easily

It looks brilliant!

Dibbler we have a whippet/staff cross with sensitive skin and most (synthetic) coats and bedding don't work for him. You've inspired me to make coats for him with brushed cotton lining! I'm going to try keeping a light coat on him in the house in the hope that maybe he'll stop pestering me to cover him in his bed. You can tell where he's been by the trail of rucked-up blankets and sofa covers, which he pulls apart without managing to actually cover himself to his satisfaction.

If anyone here isn't much for sewing, synthetic fleece can doesn't fray so if you're not bothered about a lining you can just cut out a fleece coat and attach fastenings without faffing with finishing the edges.

Popping congrats on your soon-to-be new dog!