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The doghouse

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Original poster

Adopted Greyhound-Settling in

29 replies

24hrpottypeople · 13/02/2020 21:18

After a lot of research trying to find the right breed for our busy family we adopted a beautiful 18month rescue greyhound last week.

She is a delight most of the time but can be very destructive when left alone.
She is walked twice daily- before we leave for work and before bedtime. We leave her with chew toys and bought an Adptil collar to help her settle.

Just hoping for some advice really on how to make the transition from kennel to home life easier for everyone. Has anyone had good results using a crate?

OP posts:
sparklystarshinebright · 13/02/2020 21:26

It's still early days, has she lived in a house before? Is she a retired greyhound? How long is she being left for?

Original poster
24hrpottypeople · 13/02/2020 21:35

She came from a rescue centre. I don't think she has been in a home before.
She is left 6 to 8 hrs through the day. Rescue people thought this arrangement would work fine. Now I'm starting to wonder

OP posts:
74NewStreet · 13/02/2020 21:38

That seems like an awful long time to be left? We were advised no longer than two hours until he’d settled in (so, a couple of weeks) and thereafter no more than four at a stretch.

Merrz · 13/02/2020 21:43

Seems like quite a long time to be leaving her when she's not long moved in, is there any way one of you could get home at lunch time? Even just until she settles in. Does she have a cage in the house? Might be an idea to make her feel more secure

Elieza · 13/02/2020 21:43

I know many people do this but it’s a bit cruel leaving the dog alone for that length of time. Four hours fine. More..not so much.

Would you like to be alone in your house with no tv/phone/book etc. Nope. You’d be bored out of your mind. Especially if you are a pack animal like a dog. Used to being around others.

I know you are trying to give a dog a new chance at life and that’s great but most people on here nowadays get a dog walker in to break up the day for the dog.

Original poster
24hrpottypeople · 13/02/2020 21:45

We had chosen to adopt a grey as we were advised they are content to sleep most of the day - she does sleep a lot ute seemingly only when we are about. Is it a GH that you have? Is she content for 4 hour stretches?

OP posts:
Juanmorebeer · 13/02/2020 21:46

I'm surprised a rescue let you regime with leaving the dog alone for so long. It is far too long for any dog especially one brand new to the home.

I'd try and secure a dog walker quickly so they can get used to each other, get them to come in the middle of the day and use this arrangement going forward.

If dogs are bored they are destructive.

Juanmorebeer · 13/02/2020 21:47

Rehome*

Original poster
24hrpottypeople · 13/02/2020 21:49

Unfortunately we can't make is home a lunch time Merrz - work is too far away.
I'm not sure if anyone offers a dog walking service locally. We live in quite a small town.
We had considered getting a crate - we thought it might help to replicate the kennel environment she is used to. Currently she sleeps in the kitchen (with anything obviously destructable removed) when we're not about.

OP posts:
sparklystarshinebright · 13/02/2020 21:59

Greyhounds tend to sleep but 6-8 hours is a long time. You will need a dog walker to come in the middle of the day to break up the day for her. Maybe leave the TV on, being in a crate for 6-8 hours is too long.

PlanetoftheWood · 13/02/2020 21:59

You definitely need a dog walker and there will definitely be one in your town. There are 3 or 4 in my village alone. It sounds like you need a little more help with owning a dog - perhaps try some training classes where you could get some support?

Original poster
24hrpottypeople · 13/02/2020 22:05

It seems the general consensus is that we need a dog walker. Hopefully we can find someone to offer that service. In the meantime any other advice would be appreciated. It is heartbreaking to think of her being unhappy through the day.

OP posts:
Original poster
24hrpottypeople · 13/02/2020 22:11

Yes Panet - I think you're right. We thought we were going into this with our eyes open but the reality of having a big dog living with us is a bit more intense than we had thought. She is lovely though and really starting to bond with the kids.
We are with the vet next week - maybe she will be able to recommend classes

OP posts:
LightDrizzle · 13/02/2020 22:17

I think you will get a dog walker. Try putting an ad in your local convenience store if googling draws a blank.
I had a snory bulldog, when my work changed so she would be home all day, I got a walker. It’s too long to leave a dog.

PlanetoftheWood · 13/02/2020 22:44

Perhaps the rescue could also put you in contact with more experienced owners who might have first hand experience?

Scattyhattie · 14/02/2020 01:41

Is the kitchen door shut or do you have a dog gate blocking access? Often they settle more when can see out.

A covered crate can help give a secure den, although you wouldn't want to shut in a dog that's likely showing signs of separation anxiety. While they may not have the constant human companionship in kennels, they often share with another dog & can hear/smell their surrounding neighbours so may not be used to being alone.

Did you do any alone training to help gradually build up the time being left?

Most greyhounds can manage odd 6hrs fine when comfortable with being left (like chance to sleep usually) & I do know working owners that leave full 8hr but I notice my dogs drink fair bit after I come home probably avoiding wanting loo while left so I don't think that's healthy long-term, my walker to comes after 4-5hrs

They're was only a couple Dogwalkers in my town 10yrs ago but loads now (check local area dog FB page), along with daycare/boarders. With a greyhound you can probably get away with shorter visits/walks for reduced costs.

HillsandSea10 · 14/02/2020 11:13

I know greyhounds sleep a lot and some would be ok for that length of time but many are older than yours when they're adopted. 18 months is still very young.

I hope you find a dog walker. There are so many now.

The other thing is not to panic. You're at the very early stages. I've had a number of rescues over the years so am an experienced dog owner, but the first couple of months with my present one, lovely in nature though she is, were so hard that I thought I'd made a terrible mistake. She's so much better now after some months.

Elieza · 14/02/2020 17:38

There may be notices about dog walkers and trainers etc on the wall in the vets?

I wouldnt crate the dog for all that time, though put a blanket over it and you’d inside and it could be a quiet, reassuring den for her to walk into if she’s lonely or bored.

GeraldineFangedVagine · 15/02/2020 09:25

I have an ex racer and work. We have someone to come and walk her for an hour (which she hates, she’d prefer him to sit on the sofa with her for an hour) to break up the day and my wife comes home in her lunch to let her out and give her a fuss too. So although she’s on her own the day is broken up about every four hours. She would definitely chew things after four hours or so if she was completely alone.

somm · 15/02/2020 22:54

Greyhounds do spend most of their days/lives asleep (lazy things), but they still need to go outside regularly to wee, etc in the same way other breeds do. They'll wake up briefly so they can go outside and then go back to sleep - only stirring in between when they scent food is in the air. I'd assume that any dog, greyhounds included, would be soiling in the house if they were left on their own for much more than four hours.

I've had four rescue sighthounds and the couple of places I've adopted from have been pretty strict on the four hour rule - they won't rehome the dog to you if they're going to be left on their own for more than four hours at a stretch.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 15/02/2020 23:10

I adopted my greyhound at 18 months. She was very daft and playful and loved lots of attention and company.
She isn't at all lIke the cliche of a greyhound.
She does have a crate but it doesn't have a door that closes. It's her safe little den she comes in and out of.

It took about 6 months before we could leave her for any length of time.

It involved quite a bit of work to get her used to being alone.

I would also just keep anything she could destroy out of the way.

Herpesfreesince03 · 15/02/2020 23:15

Who the hell let you adopt a young ex racer fresh out of the kennels when you’re out 8 hours a day? Did you not do any research, or at least use a bit of common sense? That may sound harsh but seriously, all of the animal organisations tell you that you can’t leave them for more than 4 hours a day. An older greyhound that’s trained and settled may be happy on its own for 8 hours if they have a dog walker to break it up, you’re completely unsuitable for any dog though with your circumstances

Herpesfreesince03 · 15/02/2020 23:16

And please don’t stick it in a cage because you can’t be bothered to deal with your responsibilities

OliveToboogie · 16/02/2020 10:30

I adopted ex racer Grey a year ago. Definitely recommend a dog walker. I have one comes in 3 days a week to take my boy out. Not fair to leave him on his own for 8 hours or more

bengalcat · 16/02/2020 10:36

You need a dog walker . Yes she might be content without whizzing around but she needs company . I have had a Whippador - whippet/lab x from a puppy and no one in the house all day .took two weeks off work when she first came ( in part to ensure the cats didn't " get eaten " ) but then a dog walker . Have had no problems .