DOG PARKS and FUN RUNS

Greyhounds and Dog Parks (By Meredith Dowell, Greyhound Welfare Volunteer & Former President) Basically, where dog parks are concerned, it is paramount to use common sense, exercise precaution (and safety!) and KNOW YOUR DOG. Heat of the day? Skip it. Tons of dogs, many of whom are rambunctious? Skip it. Thugs riling up a pit bull by twirling him around on a rope? Get out quick (and yeah, this happened once at a dog park while I was there). Your greyhound likes to attack small fluffy dogs for sport? Stay away (even if the dog park has an area for Read more »

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Dogs and Fireworks Don’t Mix

DOGS AND FIREWORKS DON’T MIX  (courtesy of realsimple.com) Some dogs are afraid of fireworks (and their loud noises) and suffer acute anxiety during shows, and some may even attempt to flee the noise.  Here’s how to calm your dog down and keep him or her safe during fireworks shows….BringFido 1. Bring your dog inside for the whole day and night leading up to the 4th, or even a few days before, if you know people in your area plan to celebrate early. Your dog may not be a flight-risk, but if he or she is spooked by the fireworks, it Read more »

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Pet Travel Checklist

Keep your greyhound safe and happy when you travel.  A suggested travel checklist. Sturdy Leash, Collar, ID Tags, and Muzzle Extra collar with up-to-date contact information Familiar blanket or bed Food (bring extra) Water (make sure you have plenty) Food and water bowls Portable water bowl and bottle Treats Toys and chew items All medication and supplements Baby wipes (for easy cleaning) Waste removal bags Old towels, paper towels and disinfectant sprays Flashlight for nightly walks Vaccination records, especially rabies certificate List of veterinary offices and emergency animal hospitals in the area to which you’re traveling         Read more »

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Greyhound Apparel – Web Resources

Resources listed are shared as general information and are not endorsed by Greyhound Welfare Inc. Martingale Collars 2 Hounds Design  http://www.2houndsdesign.com/ Aid 4 Greys  http://www.aid4greys.com/index.htm Crown Collars  http://www.crowncollars.com/ Houndstown  www.houndstown.com Karen’s Kollars  http://www.karenskollars.net Long Dog Leather  http://www.longdogleather.com/ Coats, PJs Cassie’s Casual Wear  http://www.cassiescasualwear.com/coats.html Chilly Dogs  http://www.chillydogs.ca/ K9 Apparel  http://k9apparel.com/ Kellings Dog Coats  http://www.dogcoats.net/ Booties Therapaw  http://www.therapaw.com/ K9 Apparel  http://k9apparel.com/ Dog Beds Oh My Dog Supplies  http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/large-dog-beds/ Mammouth Dog Beds  http://www.mammothoutlet.com/ Turnout Muzzles National Greyhound Adoption Program  http://www.ngap.org/ngap-pet-greyhound-store-x6626.html

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Winter Holidays – The Best Gift for our Dogs

The Best Gifts for our Dogs As wonderful as this season can be for the humans, it can be a tough and stressful time for our dogs. Routines are disrupted. Decorations, gifts, indoor trees, and temptation are everywhere. Strangers come and go with noise and excitement; loud music and tempting smells fill the house. Food is everywhere: In gift bags, on the counter, in children’s hands, on an elderly relative’s lap.  With the best of intentions, we over stimulate our pups with too many new toys all at once, and then wonder why they guard these prizes or snark at Read more »

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Summer Heat and Greyhounds

  Summer is here and, with it, hot temperatures. To keep your greyhound safe and happy this summer, here are some guidelines when it comes to summer heat. Hot temperatures are a danger to your greyhound. Because greyhounds do not have a lot of body fat and just one layer of fur, greyhounds lack the insulation to heat that other dogs have. An ideal air temperature for a greyhound is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep your grey safe and happy this summer, here are some guidelines when it comes to summer heat: *NEVER EVER EVER LEAVE YOUR GREYHOUND Read more »

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Tips for Keeping Your Greyhound Safe

* Make sure your dog is wearing a collar that is properly fitted. * ALWAYS have identification tags on your dog with your phone number. If you do not like the sound of tags, tape or rubber band them together or buy a tag-bag or silencer but ALWAYS keep them ON. * Consider using a second collar for tags and other identification that will not be attached to the lead in case the first collar is slipped. * Keep your dog on a leash at all times and always hold the leash around your wrist. * Leash and secure your Read more »

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Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases: An Overview

  Ticks are a year round nuisance.  Ticks don’t jump or fall from trees looking for their host.  Rather, ticks climb up to higher places off the ground and wait for a passerby so the tick can grab on to the new host. Although ticks are year round, Fall is a particularly bad time for ticks (and fleas).  The cooler temperatures and shorter days cause these pesky parasites to seek warmer places to live.  That means your greyhound is a prime home.  Leaf piles, high grass, bushes, brush undergrowth are all prime places for ticks (and fleas) to hide. PREVENTION Read more »

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Positive Reinforcement Schools

Information on Schools and Trainers Recommended Group Training Classes Group Training will expose your dog to other breeds in a controlled environment, and help your dog learn to respond to commands with distractions. We recommend group classes (not private) for retired greyhounds as this will help with your dog’s socialization while developing the skills you need to work with your dog for life. School Location State Website Positively Dogs Annapolis MD http://positively-dogs.com You Silly Dog Baltimore MD http://yousillydog.com Dog Latin Bethesda MD http://doglatindogtraining.com Wiggle Butts Brookville MD http://wigglebuttsdog.com Clicker Savvy Canines College Park MD http://clickersavvycanines.com The Coventry School Columbia MD Read more »

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Lost Dog Recovery Toolbox

Lost Dog Recovery Toolbox BASICS __ cell phone or walkie-talkies fully charged __ flyers (hand outs and pole) __ emergency contact and search-specific volunteer phone list __ map of the search area __ staple gun with extra staples __ packing tape in case the poles are not wood __ extra leash and collar EXTRAS __ highlighter for the map __ binoculars (infrared for night time searches if you have them) __ can of wet, smelly food or tuna and smelly treats & food bowls __ water (for you and your pup) __ pens & paper __ change of socks & Read more »

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Feeding Your Dog a Raw Diet

FEEDING YOUR GREYHOUND A RAW DIET  CONSIDERING A RAW DIET With the recent surge of health-consciousness comes a renewed interest in raw feeding with regard to our furry friends.  Raw feeding is considered by many to be the gold standard in animal nutrition.  When done properly, raw provides all the necessary nutrients your pet needs.  Benefits of raw feeding include less ‘output’ (less waste as most of the food is utilized by the body) and improved overall health including coat condition.  Raw food is easily sourced at local grocery stores and ethnic markets as well as from local suppliers and Read more »

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Escape Proofing Your Greyhound

How not to Become a Member of the Runaway’s Club by Marcia Herman We have visions of our Greyhounds following us around while we move from place to place, while working in our gardens, walking on the beach, or hiking in the woods. These are lovely fantasies, but they should never become realities unless our loyal, royal companions are in a fenced area or attached to leashes. Even highly-trained working law enforcement dogs have been known to bolt and be killed while on duty. Often, instinct is more powerful than training. The vision of a Greyhound loose on the beach Read more »

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Corns

What are corns and where do they come from? Corns are hard protuberances that appear on the pads of greyhound feet. They may initially present as a tiny dot that eventually gets bigger until the corn breaks through the pad. They can grow quite large if left unchecked and are extremely painful for greyhounds. Imagine walking around with a pebble in your shoe that you cannot get rid of. Add that to the multitude of nerve endings in dog feet and you will get some idea of why they are so painful. No other breed of dog is known to Read more »

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Books on Greys and Dogs in General

Love Has No Age Limit by Patricia McConnell and Karen London CLICK HERE to Purchase Book on Amazon AND Support GW Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia A. Branigan CLICK HERE to Purchase Book on Amazon AND Support GW Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies by Lee Livingood CLICK HERE to Purchase Book on Amazon AND Support GW I’ll Be Home Soon – How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety by Patricia McConnell CLICK HERE to Purchase Book on Amazon AND Support GW Childproofing Your Dog by Brian Kilcommons, Sarah Wilson CLICK HERE to Purchase Book on Amazon AND Support GW Read more »

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