|
Post by threedogdad on Sept 5, 2017 10:02:28 GMT
Fabulous to see him so happy!!
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Sept 5, 2017 11:49:43 GMT
Harley - first week reportBless him, he's a poppet! Mostly. So, what have we discovered in the week since Royal Wootton Bassett was graced with our presence last week? Harley is cuddly. Very cuddly! He likes to be near you and preferably touching you, especially if he's a little uncertain about something or if it's nap time in Harley land and he's just feeling cuddly. He's also happy to lie on his bed and chew, or run riot with a toy, depending. On the subject of toys: he kills them. Fast. He's a really strong chewer. I had kept a few of the toys I bought years ago for Sykes, who was neither a player nor a chewer, so they were virtually unused. These are now ex-toys, and I need to shop for new toys soon! He has, however, been a very good boy and - touch wood - hasn't chewed anything he hasn't been given for that purpose. He loves the Kong Wubba which has an incredibly loud squeak and therefore gets squeaked incredibly loudly. Harley is very strong, far stronger than he looks like he ought to be. I think he'll be a great athlete when he's fully developed; at the moment he is still very puppyish, all wiggly and flinging himself about. He's fast in a straight line or gentle curve but tends to fail to negotiate tight turns. This morning he has a little 'carpet burn' on one hock from cornering on the damp grass. The skin isn't broken but there's a little hair missing. I haven't been free running him every day as I'm conscious of his age and like to pick the sort of dog he runs with and the conditions he runs in. The lady who rescued him initially said he had a tendency to overheat after exercise so I've been conscious of that too. He is a warm body but hasn't had any issues so far. In the seven days he's been here he's had three days when he's had really good off-lead sessions on his main walk and on the other days we have been exploring the area and I've really been more or less following him about to see how he reacts to things. I'm currently walking him in a harness. I don't think a collar for control purposes is a good idea for him as he has a prominent 'adam's apple' where his larynx is only just below the skin (possibly what gives him the big boy bark), but I need to investigate another method of controlling his power until I can do some training with him so am wondering about a Halti or similar. He gets very excited when he meets and wants to play with other dogs but is so clearly wanting to play that I've not had another dogs's owner be worried about him leaping about yet, even those with tinies. Most laugh, or go 'Awww'. It's something that needs calming though, as is his head-high boing-ing when he meets a new person. Harley has a good deep 'guard dog' bark indoors; when the post comes or if there is movement by the door he will woof a little but only a little. He also woofs a little if he's startled and once or twice he's replied to another dog barking when we've been out. He has a high-pitched single 'yip' when he's trying to communicate something to you and sometimes he will whine quietly but always when he has a good reason - he needs to go out, or it's past dinner time. The first time he needed to go out here he went and stood by the front door. I've taken that as my cue; sometimes he will also whine a little which means things are a little more urgent. So far he has had no 'accidents' at all here; there's only one door to the outside which makes it easier. I'm hoping he'll keep up this record when we head to Suffolk tomorrow! I've also taken him out at the usual 'puppy' times just to reinforce things. He's currently eating a greyhound kibble recommended to the lady who rescued him. He looks well on it; his coat is shiny and he has lots of energy but he needs to eat so much of it (as in the volume in his bowl) for the recommended amount for his size and weight. He previously had some sensitive tum issues which I've not seen here but I do wonder if the sheer amount of food gives him issues dealing with it; there's a lot of 'residue' (she said politely - we're talking two-baggers every time) and I'm hoping to move him onto something which is a bit more nutritious in smaller volumes, with less grain and 'filler'. It can't be comfortable lugging all that around with you! He's muscling up and with no 'spare' at all you can see tiny weight fluctuations on him. It's shopping for dogs time! Possibly tomorrow or after when one of us can hold him and the other do the actual shopping. He's not been left alone much this week as I've not needed to; I've been out two or three times for short trips (the first time he got out of his crate, still not sure how, but caused no damage) and need to go out again quickly this afternoon unavoidably so we'll see how we go. No complaints from the neighbours so far! He is a bit worried by black labradors and german shepherds. This could be because we have the world's largest examples living here for some reason and they do look a bit threatening; one of the park workers had his lab with him this morning and Harley and I watched them playing fetch from behind a fence and at a distance and he didn't object to that one. He doesn't like umbrellas when they're up; we walked ahead of a guy using one in the town centre yesterday and Harley spooked about and woofed until the man very kindly put it down. I deliberately followed two people carrying furled brollies this morning and he didn't appear to notice. Harley does have prey drive. I did wonder if he would, as he's so young and never been worked, but it's definitely there. He stalks pigeons, rabbits and squirrels and when one fell off the top of the tennis club fence just feet ahead of him yesterday, he couldn't believe his luck. Consequently I can now reach my laptop keyboard from seven feet away. The squirrel is unharmed. Some phone pics from the park today, in the rain (again!):
|
|
|
Post by rowlfsmum on Sept 5, 2017 12:25:43 GMT
He sounds such a happy happy and obviously enjoying life with you.
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Sept 5, 2017 15:27:28 GMT
I had to go out this afternoon for forty minutes of fun with the library photocopier and a DWP form.
I popped Harley in his crate.
When I came home, he greeted me at the door again. Hmmmm. Once again no damage or accidents.
I think I've worked out how he does it though; he has a couple of fleece blankets on top to make a den. He likes to 'modify' them. My theory is he pulls these through the bars (as I say he is very strong) in such a way that they deform the shape of the crate enough that either the clips linking the sides come off, or the catches come undone with a little help from you-know-who.
The first time, it was the catches on the front door. This time, the clips on the end where the side door is. I put it all back together and played with him for a bit, then he went to get a drink. On his way back from the water bowl, I swear he checked the catches on the side door.
Help. I am fostering a dog who is cleverer than I am.
|
|
|
Post by thehoundcompanion on Sept 5, 2017 17:18:46 GMT
Brains and beauty!!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
I am offline
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2017 19:52:00 GMT
He sounds a real character and keeping you on your toes! Greyhound kibble is very poor in quality and full of fillers, so no wonder he's pooping a load. I'm amazed he looks so healthy TBH. I'm sure he'll do better on an improved diet Jules. That amount of poop's not normal for a dog his size. Labs (especially boys) and GSD's are a bit of an issue for Alfie too, I think it's their body language. Girl labs are fine, and generally, if we can manage to walk together with the GSD's we're fine, in fact we have three who we can walk with no problem as they're regulars. :-)
|
|
|
Post by rowlfsmum on Sept 5, 2017 20:47:44 GMT
Rowlf isn't keen on labs, retrievers or GSDs either
|
|
|
Post by Romi on Sept 6, 2017 6:11:55 GMT
He is certainly a smart one, that's for sure. Perhaps you should try leaving him out of the crate when you go out, and leaving the crate door open. He'll probably be sat in it when you get back!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
I am offline
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2017 6:40:50 GMT
So enjoying hearing all about Harley. He sounds like now he has a measure of stability and a knowledgable foster, he will go from strength to strength. He's got brains, beauty and personality.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
I am offline
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2017 7:00:06 GMT
He sounds adorable. As for collar/lead, I use slip leads fitted up snug to the top of their neck so it can't hurt their trachea. If I have a dog that pulls I make a figure of eight over the nose so it works like a halti. It's like magic. Once they get used to it they just don't pull. I get the dog used to the figure of eight over their nose by using one slip lead normally and have a second lead over their nose but with the lead hanging loose. Haltis work the same but I like the ease with which I can switch between the two set ups. I use LucasAgnew Leashes which have a back-up clip as well. I have a small supply of them. If anyone is interested I'll post some details on the forum
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Sept 6, 2017 11:26:36 GMT
It dawned on me that we didn't have any photos of him standing still, side-on. Standing still not his strong point. Some time later...
What look like small brindle-y bits are actually mud, from whizzing and flinging himself about. He had another run in the park this morning with a border collie; before and after that we mooched around, watching people and meeting as many off-lead dogs who wanted to meet him (Harley on-lead). A wee Yorkie had a snap at him at one point and he was then a bit more circumspect in approaching small dogs but did, still, and was his usual ecstatic self if they responded to him. He's still getting very excited about, well, everything really, in the park. He walks mostly calmly along the streets and in the town. We haven't been to the Wednesday market yet though! I'm not sure I could do a slip-lead with him as he jumps and spins in his more excited moments; I'd be worried about choking him or pinching his ears. He's also very slightly head-shy. He doesn't like having his collar put on and taken off over his head (though he puts up with it) but isn't too bad about his harness as there's obviously a bigger 'hole' for his head to go in. He's fine about having his head and ears touched and messed about with otherwise. One of my neighbours made the mistake of crouching down to fuss Harley in the lift and got well and truly sat on and then washed. Luckily he's a doggy person and seemed quite sad saying goodbye to him as he went off to work. We're off to Suffolk shortly where I'm hoping he'll be on his very best behaviour. Perhaps we could meet up with the Suffolk contingent for a run at some point?
|
|
|
Post by Mimsmum on Sept 6, 2017 12:08:13 GMT
Safe journey Jules and Harley.
Strangely all of ours have an aversion to Black Labs and G.S.D's and Sasha will do a big detour to avoid them.
Lovely standing photo Jules. I swear he has grown some!
|
|
|
Post by waffley on Sept 6, 2017 14:53:50 GMT
Wow!! Harley is brilliant, and I love your updates Jules! Sounds like you two are working well together! Have a lovely time in Suffolk the pair of you xx
|
|
|
Post by Boo on Sept 6, 2017 20:54:13 GMT
Jules, you missed your calling, you should be a writer. Hope I get to meet this boy, he's gooooorgeous! I'm with Loz though, get him off the crappy (meant in BOTH senses!) Greyhound food asap. He may seem fine now, but long term it will do him no favours.
|
|
|
Post by han on Sept 7, 2017 7:48:15 GMT
Lovely updates for a lovely boy. Hope you have a good time away x
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Sept 7, 2017 16:15:06 GMT
We've had a bit of a hitch travelling-wise. We were supposed to go yesterday but would have arrived in the middle of a visit the family were having which I wasn't aware of till the day before so have postponed it. Hopefully we'll get there soon.
Sent from my HTC One M8s using proboards
|
|
|
Post by Fran on Sept 7, 2017 19:56:04 GMT
Safe journey when you go 😯😯
Harley seems to have everything 😯 brains beauty and a great sense of humour 😂😂
Dobby loves (in the literal sense) black labs 😉😉 Isla can't abide GSD's 😕😕
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Sept 7, 2017 21:32:46 GMT
Hopefully we'll get underway soon. We were a bit earlier on our walk to the park this morning; we must have been in the middle of the 8 o'clock rush. Dogs everywhere! We met loads both on and off lead. Harley's favourite was a Frenchie, he caused much leaping about and squeaking. We also met a pair of pups owned by the same guy, both fifteen weeks old, on one of their first trips out. A westie which was about this big and a rottie which was about four times the size. They're going to be fun later! Harley was gentle with both of them. Then there was Ollie, one of Sykes's old park friends. An un-neutered miniature schnauzer, he has a great temperament and seems to be liked by most dogs. When the rush died down a bit we played 'fetch', or rather 'fetch lurcher stylee' (grab ball and run gleefully past thrower, while pretend growling and otherwise showing off) with a tennis ball Harley tracked down. I thought he was hunting buns as he was going round and round an area where they often come into the park, but no: 'twas a tennis ball. Harley is all legs at the moment and found his brakes and steering failing in the wet grass. His nose came into play to help stop him on more than one occasion. Any tennis ball has a limited lifespan once Harley gets hold of it, so after putting the remains in the bin we headed home for breakfast and the chance to wipe our muddy schnozz on the furniture.
|
|
|
Post by rowlfsmum on Sept 8, 2017 6:57:27 GMT
Harley sounds a great all round companion.
|
|
|
Post by Romi on Sept 8, 2017 7:13:01 GMT
He sounds pretty blimmin' perfect to me. Smart, gentle, great fun with other dogs, and a cuddle-monster.
|
|