Connecticut's Greyhound Pets America Chapter
P.O. Box 900
Avon, CT 06001
(860) 836-5049
info@ctgreyhounds.org
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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.
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,
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?
