Introducing a dog to boating

[RichardN]

How much do geryhounds eat?

 

They won't do 4 tins a day - Perhaps 2 tins a day plus a load of dry food plus 2 sausages in any canalside pub that we stop at - we ring in advance when we are trying to work out where to stop for the night and check that a) they are doing food, they allow dogs. On the days that they come into the office with me the routine is a walk round Wandle Park, a visit to Fat Boys for a sausage sandwich (they get half each), sandwich leftovers at lunch time with perhaps half a tin and some biscuits, then at least a tin each when they get home. Boy Blue is quite active, burns up loads of calories and we have difficulty maintaining his weight - he thrives on proper really high protein greyhound food which we get at the local pet superstore, dirt cheap, VAT free as food for a working dog. Unfortunately our Vet has suggested that we try them on a Hills Diet which contains all sorts of supplements for aged dogs but it is eye wateringly expensive. . .

[soldthehouse]

They won't do 4 tins a day - Perhaps 2 tins a day plus a load of dry food plus 2 sausages in any canalside pub that we stop at - we ring in advance when we are trying to work out where to stop for the night and check that a) they are doing food, they allow dogs. On the days that they come into the office with me the routine is a walk round Wandle Park, a visit to Fat Boys for a sausage sandwich (they get half each), sandwich leftovers at lunch time with perhaps half a tin and some biscuits, then at least a tin each when they get home. Boy Blue is quite active, burns up loads of calories and we have difficulty maintaining his weight - he thrives on proper really high protein greyhound food which we get at the local pet superstore, dirt cheap, VAT free as food for a working dog. Unfortunately our Vet has suggested that we try them on a Hills Diet which contains all sorts of supplements for aged dogs but it is eye wateringly expensive. . .

And no doubt the vet sells it aswell. Fern has always eaten a lot and isnt the biggest framed dog in the world, She is however losing weight at the moment and is skinnier than ever hopefully the vet will get on top of it soon. Weve had her fourteen years and the vet reckoned she was two when we got her so thats a good run for a big dog.

[RichardN]

And no doubt the vet sells it aswell. Fern has always eaten a lot and isnt the biggest framed dog in the world, She is however losing weight at the moment and is skinnier than ever hopefully the vet will get on top of it soon. Weve had her fourteen years and the vet reckoned she was two when we got her so thats a good run for a big dog.

 

You and Fern have done really well, 16 is a fantastic age.

[wiltshire_boy]

A lot of excellent advice about greyhounds on this site:- Greyhound Gap

 

HTH,

 

Roy.

[Bones]

Boots isn't food orientated at all and it is only in the last month or so that he is prepared to do things for biscuits (mostly he would only do things for cuddles before). He likes to eat a rabbit as often as possible though.... sigh

[casper ghost]

He likes to eat a rabbit as often as possible though.... sigh

 

I could do with him here, my garden is full of rabbit poo!

[Amduck]

Boots isn't food orientated at all

 

Suspect that won't be the case with Saffy (Yes, we got one), as almost her first action on arriving home was to pinch Mr Amduck's cheese roll from under his nose

 

Note to self: remember that greyhound is considerably larger than lurcher and can reach food on worktops effortlessly. Some training required methinks

[RichardN]

Suspect that won't be the case with Saffy (Yes, we got one), as almost her first action on arriving home was to pinch Mr Amduck's cheese roll from under his nose

 

Note to self: remember that greyhound is considerably larger than lurcher and can reach food on worktops effortlessly. Some training required methinks

 

 

Ah yes, brings back memories. Honest they do get better but even now we have the odd incident ..

 

So when do we get to see a photo of your greyhound (and Wiltshire Boy's). Did they race, if so what was their racing name, are they related?

[wiltshire_boy]

So when do we get to see a photo of your greyhound (and Wiltshire Boy's). Did they race, if so what was their racing name, are they related?

 

Stevie was a racer (Steves Spice) until August 2008 having been at Milton Keynes, Henlow and Walthamstow over the years and we got her from The Dogs Trust a year ago.

 

Clip here of her not asleep :-

 

Keep debating whether when to get another/more. Yours look great, not sure we'd let Stevie off-lead on the towpath yet!

[RichardN]

Stevie was a racer (Steves Spice) until August 2008 having been at Milton Keynes, Henlow and Walthamstow over the years and we got her from The Dogs Trust a year ago.

 

Clip here of her not asleep :-

 

Keep debating whether when to get another/more. Yours look great, not sure we'd let Stevie off-lead on the towpath yet!

 

Love the video, obviously got good hips! She shares a grandfather and great grandmother with Blue aka Druids Classic - next time you are on the boat you need to take a photo and put it up on greyound-data !

 

The off-lead thing is something we particularly wanted so worked at it, we may have been lucky, you may not be so lucky. The thing with rescue greyhounds (once socialised with other dogs) is that the first time you let them off the lead they are liked coiled springs and head for the horizon, you can gradually settle them down in more controlled areas eg at the seaside, get them used to the fact that there will be loads of off lead time if they behave and the recall gradually improves. We think females are easier in that respect then males but that may be a pure coincidence. You do have to think all the time what is 200m away, watch out for cats etc. We are also lucky in that we have some areas near us which make for real high adrenaline walks where the rabbits are like a carpet moving across a field so ours go mad and try to chase them all in one go, fantastic chasers, absolutely useless at catching anything, it is comic at times but again helps settle them down. You do have some heart stopping moments and the injury count is a little higher (mostly cuts) though the worse injuries have been in our garden, not out on a walk. Towpaths are good as they are generally away from roads, ours now leap up on deck when they work out that we are approaching a lock and (when they are not sleeping) will run between locks in flights, though nowadays they tend to rummage and only do the full mad greyhound sprint for a specific purpose eg when they realise that they are being left behind! Hatton is normally a bit much for them - they dive back onto the boat for a quick rest just before the top. The Hanwell flight is a particular favourite of theirs as there are rabbits about so they shadow the boat the whole way down, it takes both of us to watch them, particularly for bag jobs. The Thames is classed as boring as they are not allowed out at locks but then we stop at some fantastic spots - eg Cookham has rabbits in the fields next to the moorings and pubs that allow dogs.

 

Ah the debate whether to get more. Two is really good, I am strongly resisting getting more!

 

Just had another look at the video .. that is a happy dog.

[Amduck]

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/...AME=snapfishuk/

 

Hope the link works, not uploaded photos before. Obviously not got many photos yet, so not the best quality.

 

She is completely bamboozled by stairs - up is bad enough, down is next to impossible!

 

She raced as Joes Sparkle, 64 races, won 12, second in another 13 I think.

[RichardN]

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/...AME=snapfishuk/

 

Hope the link works, not uploaded photos before. Obviously not got many photos yet, so not the best quality.

 

She is completely bamboozled by stairs - up is bad enough, down is next to impossible!

 

She raced as Joes Sparkle, 64 races, won 12, second in another 13 I think.

 

Sadly snapfish requires you to login so I only got to see a thumbnail of the first photo. Will have a better look later. I am amazed by your dog's pedigree. Her father had 7300 off-spring!!!

 

We were lucky, Blue knew about stairs but to start with our second greyhound, Lou, was convinced that we were torturing her before she suddenly got it. Then we introduced her to the stairs in my office which have open risers and are quite high. They were regarded with great suspicion and she used to go up in 5' high bounds before settling down and now (normally) sedately walks up. Our boat deliberately has shallow (for a narrowboat) stairs not a ships ladder as our old arthritic lurcher could not cope with ladder type arrangements but I suspect our two greyhounds would not care what we have. We did have to attach some carpet tiles to the treads as Greyhounds don't cope well with smooth marine ply ... Don't worry, stairs take time but your 5 year old puppy will soon get it.

 

Richard

http://indigodream.wordpress.com

[Amduck]

Sadly snapfish requires you to login so I only got to see a thumbnail of the first photo.

 

 

Thanks for the reminder, next time I'll use a different host then.

 

Fortunately, our boat has shallow steps too, so she shouldn't find them too difficult. Home stairs have open risers too, and because she's nervous she puts her weight back, causing her front legs to slip through. I'm sure she'll get there eventually though.

[Frankieboy]

We're about ready to get another dog (probably a rescue greyhound). We never took our last dog to the boat (he predated our purchase), because he was (I) not keen on noise (II) not keen on water and (III) completely neurotic (so hated anything that disturbed his routine).

 

So, does anyone have any tips on how to introduce a dog to the boat? Should we get him/her used to it while quiet and stationary, or let him/her know from the outset that it has an engine?

 

We don't liveaboard, so it won't be make or break if he/she hates it, but it would be nice to be able to take him/her on jaunts instead of leave at home or in kennels.

 

We have a 1 1/2 year old greyhound and when we introduced him to the boat he got on no problem with it. We now live aboard and he seems to love it. He's been in the water twice (both his own bloody fault), but in all honesty he doesnt seem to have any issues at all with it. When we are sailing he likes to be out back with me but usually just lays down there and has a kip.

The noise / swaying doenst appear to bother him.

I reckon you'll be fine.

[soldthehouse]

Not quite a greyhound Fern the lurcher having given up on trying to get into tom the terriers bed

 

And Tom the terrier in his favorite spot asleep on the kitchen table Will these dogs have the discipline to survive life afloat

 

Fern lost her battle with life today, at sixteen she,d had a good life, down to having her own setee in the lounge, Tom is missing her already avery sad day for us.

[haggis]

Fern lost her battle with life today, at sixteen she,d had a good life, down to having her own setee in the lounge, Tom is missing her already avery sad day for us.

 

So sorry to hear that. As a dog owner my self, you have all my sympathy. Just keep thinking of all the happy times you had together and I hope Tom doesn't grieve too much. Sometimes other dogs seem to get over the loss of a friend quite quickly and othe times it can take months. Lots of cuddles are called for, I think :-)

 

Haggis

[Guest]

So sorry to hear that. As a dog owner my self, you have all my sympathy. Just keep thinking of all the happy times you had together and I hope Tom doesn't grieve too much. Sometimes other dogs seem to get over the loss of a friend quite quickly and othe times it can take months. Lots of cuddles are called for, I think :-)

 

Haggis

 

 

Indeed not good - losing a well loved pet can and often is distressing.

 

Take care...

[RichardN]

Fern lost her battle with life today, at sixteen she,d had a good life, down to having her own setee in the lounge, Tom is missing her already a very sad day for us.

 

16 is a fantastic age. I know it does not make it any easier but you have done well for her. Run free Fern.

 

Richard

http://indigodream.wordpress.com

[johnmck]

16 is a fantastic age. I know it does not make it any easier but you have done well for her. Run free Fern.

 

Richard

http://indigodream.wordpress.com

 

I hope time has healed, but i share Richards sentiment.

 

We have "LOOPY" Welsh Springer called Ben. Loveley companion, fantastic character, burdoned by his breeding. Thank you the Kennel Club.

 

Ben was four when he had a stroke, and for eighteen months and vets bills that soared above reason, we doubted that we were being fair maintaining his life. He became an old old dog before his time and it broke our hearts.

 

Then we saw a young vet... "He has all the symptoms of a thyroid imbalance" says he. Quick blood test confirmed this and two tablets a day saw a dramatic improvement. Indeed, Ben was back!

 

But...The breeding has caused this, and the Kennel club must be held to account for setting the breed standard.So next dog will be a "Heinz 57", albeit with a strong dash of springer.

 

John.

[luctor et emergo]

We had a dog when I was a kid, and to be honest, I never took to the dog. He was a boxer/basset cross, and suffered from a few notorious ailments (weak front legs, and serious health problems later). His health deteriated badly in the end, with seizures and fits, and he had to be given a lot of medication to control this. The down side of the medication was that he was basicaly just sedated to the point that he would not move. When he finally was unable to eat, or keep down what he ate, the decision had to be taken to relieve him from his suffering. And even though I never took to him, that day when I had to take him to the vet, and carried him around whilst he fell asleep, will always be in my mind.

 

As for introducing a dog to boating, they know how to swim...

[RichardN]

I hope time has healed

 

Yes, I was sorry that I missed the post first time round.

 

Richard

http://indigodream.wordpress.com

[FORTUNATA]

I've been walking and exercising a German Shepherd dog now for about 3 years yet he still hasn't been on the boat. I need to fit new deck boards really to make it safer in the engine area. I don't think he'd leap into the canal but he did used to enjoy swimming in park ponds and would go straight on in if I threw a toy.

Needless to say, I never thought I'd have said it but German Shepherd Dogs are now my favourite breed and you'd be amazed how closely bonded you can get to one. They're amazingly loyal and devoted and can be trained to be sociable, friendly dogs. It just took quite some time.

I would highly recommend The Dog Whisperer by Graeme Sims and he also has a website. It was the best book I read so far on dogs and is all to do with communication and psychology in order to handle a dog. This guy gives exhibitions with Border Collies and can control up to 9 dogs at the same time.

I've always been a dog person and have sometimes had dogs just try to jump on one of my boats and hitch along for the ride. I have had friends also who have a natural way with dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jJ_G_pYuaQ

 

I had a friend who grieved too much. I could understand it definitely but he came very close to a breakdown. His collie would basically follow him everywhere and he'd had the dog for many years till he died around 14 years old. It is incredibly tough but I also think if you've given a dog a good life and the animal has been happy, you have to finally accept passing away. I always figure none of our dogs would wish to see us traumatised in such a situation. All you can do is grieve for a time and then offer another needy dog a nice home and caring environment.

I would love to adopt but put all my efforts into walking and exercising a GSD that lost his owner some years ago. He's not my dog but it makes me feel good to help take care of him and I learned so much form the experience.

Strangely enough, dogs can just be like people. They can be selfish like we are but are also capable of extreme devotion and love of their owners.

I'd love to take the GSD on a boat ride but I fear he's a bundle of mischief. He's always stealing gloves or socks and seems to enjoy winding me up. I take him to the launderette and he'll steal a sock or something.

 

Indeed not good - losing a well loved pet can and often is distressing.

 

Take care...

[soldthehouse]

So sorry to hear that. As a dog owner my self, you have all my sympathy. Just keep thinking of all the happy times you had together and I hope Tom doesn't grieve too much. Sometimes other dogs seem to get over the loss of a friend quite quickly and othe times it can take months. Lots of cuddles are called for, I think :-)

 

Haggis

Thanks to all for the kind comments

 

 

Indeed not good - losing a well loved pet can and often is distressing.

 

Take care...

 

 

16 is a fantastic age. I know it does not make it any easier but you have done well for her. Run free Fern.

 

Richard

http://indigodream.wordpress.com

 

 

I hope time has healed, but i share Richards sentiment.

 

We have "LOOPY" Welsh Springer called Ben. Loveley companion, fantastic character, burdoned by his breeding. Thank you the Kennel Club.

 

Ben was four when he had a stroke, and for eighteen months and vets bills that soared above reason, we doubted that we were being fair maintaining his life. He became an old old dog before his time and it broke our hearts.

 

Then we saw a young vet... "He has all the symptoms of a thyroid imbalance" says he. Quick blood test confirmed this and two tablets a day saw a dramatic improvement. Indeed, Ben was back!

 

But...The breeding has caused this, and the Kennel club must be held to account for setting the breed standard.So next dog will be a "Heinz 57", albeit with a strong dash of springer.

 

John.

 

 

I've been walking and exercising a German Shepherd dog now for about 3 years yet he still hasn't been on the boat. I need to fit new deck boards really to make it safer in the engine area. I don't think he'd leap into the canal but he did used to enjoy swimming in park ponds and would go straight on in if I threw a toy.

Needless to say, I never thought I'd have said it but German Shepherd Dogs are now my favourite breed and you'd be amazed how closely bonded you can get to one. They're amazingly loyal and devoted and can be trained to be sociable, friendly dogs. It just took quite some time.

I would highly recommend The Dog Whisperer by Graeme Sims and he also has a website. It was the best book I read so far on dogs and is all to do with communication and psychology in order to handle a dog. This guy gives exhibitions with Border Collies and can control up to 9 dogs at the same time.

I've always been a dog person and have sometimes had dogs just try to jump on one of my boats and hitch along for the ride. I have had friends also who have a natural way with dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jJ_G_pYuaQ

 

I had a friend who grieved too much. I could understand it definitely but he came very close to a breakdown. His collie would basically follow him everywhere and he'd had the dog for many years till he died around 14 years old. It is incredibly tough but I also think if you've given a dog a good life and the animal has been happy, you have to finally accept passing away. I always figure none of our dogs would wish to see us traumatised in such a situation. All you can do is grieve for a time and then offer another needy dog a nice home and caring environment.

I would love to adopt but put all my efforts into walking and exercising a GSD that lost his owner some years ago. He's not my dog but it makes me feel good to help take care of him and I learned so much form the experience.

Strangely enough, dogs can just be like people. They can be selfish like we are but are also capable of extreme devotion and love of their owners.

I'd love to take the GSD on a boat ride but I fear he's a bundle of mischief. He's always stealing gloves or socks and seems to enjoy winding me up. I take him to the launderette and he'll steal a sock or something.