Connecticut's Greyhound Pets America Chapter
P.O. Box 900
Avon, CT 06001
(860) 836-5049
info@ctgreyhounds.org
Miss Ivy is a 9 year old smarty pants mama dog. She is here to answer all your questions about greyhounds. Have a question you'd like to ask Miss Ivy? Remember to be polite and respect your elders! Scroll down for previous questions.
Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Hi Miss Ivy, Dear Miss Ivy, Hi Miss Ivy, Hi Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Miss Ivy, Sure, I learned how to go down the stairs, but I was not going to be doing stairs if I had any say in the matter! I guess they thought they would try all sorts of other stairs then - outside stairs, at friend's houses, stuff like that. It was a nice try, really, it was. Sometimes my hoomins are so cute, when they think they're Cesar Milan or something. Miss Ivy,
Can you rename a rescued greyhound? What are some ways to easily transition your greyt to it's new name?
Dear New Name,
Some of the race names we have are strange or silly, so it is not unusual for a retired greyhound to be re-named. One of my brudders got a new name from his hoomans, and he was pretty happy about it. It takes a little while to learn a new name, but we're pretty smart, and not so old that we can't learn new tricks!
I was wondering what kind of toys greyhounds prefer to play with?
From Toy Girl
Dear Toy Girl,
Because of the squeaky toy used to encourage us Greyts toward the finish line during practice racing, Miss Ivy (and most greyhounds) love squeaky toys. We like to squeeze them until they squeak, throw them up in the air and catch them with our teeth, and do it all over again.
My brudder likes his bouncy ball and will chase that for a while, and greyts can learn to fetch and play "tug of war" with a toy on the end of a string, although Miss Ivy is too sophisticated for such silliness (but it does look fun). You'll probably want to get sturdy, tough toys, because my favorite game is to "catch" the squeaker by chewing on the toy until the squeaking stops! Then I need a new toy....
I would like to adopt a retired racing greyhound this summer (after settling into a new, pet-friendly apartment). Being a librarian, I would really like to find a book that will tell me how to properly look after my new friend. Are there any that you would suggest?
Dear Librarian,
Miss Ivy has not visited a library in a while, but the book seen most often on Greyhound owners' tables is the "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies". The hoomans say it is a helpful guide to understanding us greyts (although Miss Ivy is quite sure she isn't a "typical" greayhound). If you have little hoomans in the house, you might want to read "Living with Kids and Dgos...Without Losing Your Mind", or "Child-Proofing your Dog".
I know a lot about greyhounds, but is there anything else I need to know?
Dear Nose-a-lot,
Miss Ivy could tell you a lot about greyhounds, but doesn't want to give ALL her secrets away! Check out the answer to the librarian, though, and search online for greyt books written by people that have worked with retired racers! The CGA also posts interesting articles covering a wide variety of topics under "Research".
You are adorable! When we adopted our greyhound Joe from CGA it was recommended to us to use Frontline. The cost of Frontline has realy gone up a lot - do you know of another less expensive product that is safe for use on greys? Thank you!
Dear Bargain Hunter,
Miss Ivy loves the compliment! I'm sure your Joe is quite handsome - we have a lot in common that way. My hooman makes sure to keep me protected with Frontline. You can buy Frontline and Heartworm pill online at places like www.petcarerx.com at a savings. You might also check with Joe's vet to see if they offer it at a discount or suggest other options.
We are considering adoption. we lost our beloved Jasper back in December - a big old mix of a hound - and we are ready to provide a loving home. Will adopting a greyhound work for us and the following criteria:
1. Children are grown and out of the house.
2. We both work, and the dog will be alone 8 am - 5 pm.
3. I can provide exercise in the morning and in the evening when I get home.
4. do greyhounds crate well?
5. NO other pets in the house.
- advice?
Dear Greyt Adopter,
Miss Ivy would love to see you adopt one of the many Greyts available for Adoption. Please fill out the application online. One of the hooman's that works for CGA will contact you and help you find the perfect greyhound to fit your circumstance.
Many of Miss Ivy's friends live with Hooman's that work. The hoomans make sure we have a treat and water, some put their greyhounds in a crate and some don't need to (like Miss Ivy). Some of us prefer to be the only pet in the house, so Miss Ivy's advice is to get your application in so we can start finding the greyhound that's just right for you!
How do greyhounds feel when they race? Do they like racing?
Back in the day, Miss Ivy loved to race with the other greyhounds. Now I am retired and like to do a quick lap around the yard or in a park when I can be off-leash, just to remember what it was like!
I have a 10yr old female I adopted in June. She never had an accident in the house until this snow storm. Now she won't go out we have a doggie door and a fenced in yard, she refuses to go out I am not sure why, How do you think I can convince her to go back out, I am worried she will continue to use house as a potty, I have 3 others here also I am afriad they will think this is OK. She is a wonderful addition to our family. Please Help
Linda
Dear Linda,
Miss Ivy feels for your 10 year old greyhound. All this snow! There's nowhere to do my business, and the ground is covered with icy cold stuff! The first time my hooman tried to make me go out in sleet and freezing rain, I decided it was better to hold it. Eventually, though, she convinced me I had to go out. Sometimes we need a little encouragement to go out in bad weather, and our hooman sometimes has to go with us to show us where to go.
Do you have an adoption kennel in MA? If so, where?
Dear Neighboor to da North,
Miss Ivy has heard that there are adoption groups in Massachusetts. My hooman says there are a few - the ones that have kennels would be Massachusetts GPA and Greyhound Friends. Good luck finding your greyt friend!
We just adopted the perfect dog! (Besides you of course!) She is smart, beautiful, and already has one of us (not me of course lol) around her little paw. The problem she is having though is gas. LOTS of gas. We got her back on the food that her foster family had fed her, but she still has LOTS of gas! What do we do?
Love,
John & Tim
Dear John & Tim,
Well, Miss Ivy is flattered! If I could blush, I would! As to the small problem you mention, this is something that lots of greyhounds have (not me, of course). Some greyts actually tax Gas-X, but you should check with her vet for the proper dose. You might try different foods, as one the hoomans I read about did... They switched to Hill's Science Diet Large Breed Adult Dog Food. Large kibble forces Alice (the gassy greyhound) to chew her food, instead of swallow it and lots of air whole. Good luck!
My Greyhound "flutters" his lips. What is he saying with this expression?
Dear Flutters,
Miss Ivy has great patience, as do most of us Greys, but sometimes hoomans just take sooo long doing things, like preparing our dinner, that we can't help but sigh when it's finally done. The "flutter" is our way of showing you we've waited for this, king of like when you hoomans sigh as though tired or waiting. Sometimes it is a show of excitement for something we've been waiting for, like dinner!
Because racing dogs spend a lot of time in their crate, is it necessary to continue crating?
Dear Hoomin,
Miss Ivy has not personally spent much time in a crate in a very long time. When a young retired racer first comes off the track, the crate is like home, and is a comfortable place to be. Some greyts continue to need the crate, like my brother, who goes a little crazy if he's not settled quietly in his crate when our hoomans are away, or at nighttime.
Most greyts slowly become comfortable with having more space to use, and enjoy the freedom of moving from one comfortable bed to the couch and back to a spot on the floor. As your greyt becomes more comfortable with his or her new place, leave him or her out of the crate for periods of "alone" time and see how it goes. Some greyts aren't as well behaved as Miss Ivy and need to have a limited space to roam, so another option is to block off a room for them while you are away.
How do grey hounds react to other dogs?
Dear Dog Walker,
We greyhounds love to get together with other greyhounds. It is always fun when the hoomans arrange to have a long walk or go to shops together. We are usually okay with other dogs too. I have to say that the little ones that bark at me when I am on a walk or outside minding my own business can be annoying, but I just ignore them.
I know some friends of mine that share their house with other dogs (that aren't greyhounds) and they seem to get along very well.
I know you Greyhounds run like the wind and it's a beautiful thing to watch. My question is how much daily exercise does a Grey need, and how vigorous should it be?
Thank you so much,
Jeanne
Dear Jeanne,
You ask a good question. Most hoomans think that we greyhounds need a lot of exercise. I do like running and chasing small things when I see a squirrel in my yard or a bunny hopping by, but I’m only allowed to do that in my fenced-in back yard.. (I’d get lost pretty quick if my hooman let me off the leash, so be sure your grey is always on a leash or fenced in). I do love it when my hooman takes me on a hike (like the one at Savin Rock that CGA arranges). And, a brisk walk every day is really fun (cause I like to see what’s going on) and uses up my energy pretty well. The secret is, though, that we like most to rest on our big cushions and couches (if we’re allowed). This retired life is greyt!
We adopted Bessie from CTGA about a year ago and we would love to go to a social event with her. I heard about one last year where you could buy dog collars and see many other greyhounds but we weren't able to go. Is there something like that going on this year. I know Bessie would love to hang out with some of her old pals!
Thank you,
Lara & Mark
Dear Lara & Mark,
You are quite right that Bessie would love to see her old pals. We love to hang out together and I love it when my hooman takes me to CGA events. Check out the upcoming events on the CGA calendar (my hooman says go to www.ctgreyhounds.org.) and click on the “Events” tab at the top. I hear there is Bark in the Park this month where we all get to see each other and watch hoomans chase a little ball. There is also the annual Greyhound Expo Picnic on June 19th (www.greyhoundadoptionexpo.com). And, of course, every month there are “hound hikes” and “meet ‘n greets” at the Petco stores throughout Connecticut. Stop by and visit with the “hosting” greyhounds in many locations!
I just adopted my boy the other day and things are great. The only question I have right now is how many treats is too many treats? I only feed my boy twice a day (morning and night) but he could eat ALL DAY LONG if I let him. I casually give him treats throughout the day (to reinforce good behaviors, or just because he's a sweetheart). But how much is too much? Is there a limit to how many treats to give? I'm careful because I do not want to over feed him, but when those eyes look at me and he wants treats, sometimes I just give in :)
Dear Hoomin,
I do love treats! I also love a scratch on the head or all over ma behind even more. If you new boy gives you a sad look, maybe he just wants attention, or a belly rub (which most of us love). I love when I get attention, like hoomins playing with me and my toys. It's especially great when I get a new toy and can try to tear it to pieces! That is a real treat.
Your new boy could get a treat ig he does something you're trying to teach him and as a reward for being good while the hoomins are gone all day. My silly hoomins are trained to give me a peanut butter Kong before they go out for a while (hee, hee). Little do they know I'm going to gobble it up and then sleep all day!
I know when Mom changes brands of kibble, I can have bowel problems. Does the same apply when she changes the flavor of kibble within the same brand?
Dear Hoomin,
See, now, Miss Ivy has a stomach of steel and can eat just about anything. Unfortunately, my stinky brudder has a funny tummy and he can get extra stinky with some flavors. That boy is just not right.
I enjoy the fish and cheekin flavors, but my stinky brudder is only allowed to eat the fish. One day my hoomins ran out of regular food and had to feed something different. It was not a good day, not a good day at all.
We are about to embark on the wonderful adventure of fostering. We have read all the books and articles from the hoomin "experts" but we would like to hear it from a "real expert". So from your point of view, what are the most important things we should have and know before bringing a grey home? Thanks!
Dear Fostering Hoomin,
You have come to the right place! Miss Ivy is very experienced in bossing, I mean, training the new guys. There are several things you must know. First, practice the "dirty look". This works well when the new guy thinks he can steal food off the counter. I personally like to use the dirty look when they try to steal my bed. Works everytime. My hoomins don't do the dirty look right and end up having to say No! to get the new guy not to steal food. Silly hoomins.
Second, don't let them pee in the living room.
Third, they will be stinky. Please, for the love of all things clean, give them a baff!
Fourth, you know my feelings on teaching those silly stairs. I won't go there again.
We adopted our hound in May, and he has yet to do stairs. We have tried it ALL, every book and trick we can think of, not even bribing works!
Our house doesn't really require that he does stairs, our main floor is all one level, but he whines terribly if I have to go down and do laundry.
Any suggestions?
Dear Hoomin,
Well, well, well. Miss Ivy is here to tell you that stairs are evil. It took me 2 years before I would go down! First my hoomins started by having me learn of short stairs. Like 4 stairs. That's easy! Then they tried to make me go down the big set of wood stairs at home. Um, no. That's where Miss Ivy draws the line. So, they picked me up and put me ON the stairs and MADE me do them! Can you imagine! Look at how they tortured me:
Then one day I heard something about a white flag and then this nice soft stuff was put on the stairs, and so I decided they weren't so horrible. Now I go up and down all by myself! Sometimes just because I can!
Silly hoomins, stairs are scary!
I thought only males marked. But my female greyhound lifts her leg on everything out on walks! What gives?
Confused in Bristol
Hi Confused,
'Round these parts, I'm renowed for my marking abilities! Marking has less to do with sex, and more to do with wanted to point out to everyone else where your stuff is. I pee on it, that's my stuff! I love to mark other dog's beds, just to show that it's mine if I want it. Except once it's been peed on I don't usually want it anymore, but if I did, it would be MINE. Though not all of us ladies lift our leg, it's perfectly normal for us to mark.
Silly hoomans, how else will we know what's our territory?
