Man's Best Friend Thread

[bloke]

I don't know if there is one of these. Forgive me if so. (Thank me if not ).

So, Fambly Bloke is on the cusp of introducing a non-human species to the house for the first time ever. We're rehoming a greyhound. -Honest to God, it'd be easier for Madonna to adopt another child! They don't give them out willy nilly, that's for sure, and proper order. That's how it should be done. Anyway, I've a couple of jobs to do to our back garden/yard - raise the height of the fence and stuff and then we should be good to go. We met the dog last weekend and he's lovely. A four year old, medium sized black fella. He seemed pretty nonchalant about the whole thing to be honest . But he's really quiet and tame and unflappable and easy and already used to people and that's probably exactly what we want as first timers.

We're starting right from ground zero - haven't got so much as a bowl or a bed. The rehoming rescue place have been very good about advice and all that though. (RIGHT - Rehoming Irish Greyhounds Team).

Anyway, it'll be question after question after question and if there's one thing this forum does it's answer questions and a dedicated thread like this might be useful?

I'll start by answering 2 questions before they're even asked:

-Yes, I will always pick up the dog's sh1te.
-No, I will not then hang it on the nearest tree/fence.

[foyler]

Ah but how are you gonna train the fcuker not to break red lights.
Well wear to the bloke household, the only question you’ll be asking is why you didn’t do it years ago!

[colm89]

Yes! Retired greyhounds are the best pets! So gentle, easy going, lazy, and pretty much toilet trained and lead trained by the time they are up for adoption!

We got Farrah (black and white 9 year old) coming up on 5 years ago from battersea when we were living in London, and rehomed Jessie (black 1.5 year old) from the haven rescue about 3 weeks ago.

Greyhounds are pretty quirky dogs, and I’m sure the rescue you’ve gotten him from have brought you up to speed on the need for raised bowls etc already, but if they ever do anything you’re not sure of hit me up, I’m sure I’ve seen something similar at this stage ha ha. The beauty of a greyhound is that they’re majorly food motivated which makes them easy enough to train (but with recall all bets are off). As well as having poop backs in every pair of jeans and jacket you own, keep some little treats.

[dimitri]

Great stuff Bloke!

We've our fella two years now and can't imagine the house without him



Always hungry, usually asleep, he gets excited for his walk but is over it after about a kilometre. He much prefers to be let off the lead at home so he can do his "zoomies" and go full on crazy about the place for a few minutes at warp speed.

One thing we did find, is that we got a dog that didn't have any recall, didn't want to come indoors and had no idea how to behave like a pet. So there was a bit of work in those first few weeks and months.

Top tips: They scream, it appears to be a normal overreaction to anything unexpected or scary. They can't sit, but will easily pick up other tricks. They (obviously) can't just jump up on your lap, but they do this cute lean-in thing where they lean all their weight against you instead

[colm89]

If you hear a weird rattling in your house, it’s probably not your fridge dying, it’s most likely your greyhounds teeth chattering.

[Twinspark]

Awesome news bloke - you won't look back.

Less time on the bike though, as with any new hobby! When we get out of lockdown ye'll be reacquainting yourself with boat+driving holidays in France I predict.

[natnif]

If you can, get insurance. My 9 year old lab cross is on €60 a month injections for the rest of his life and vet bills can really add up!

Getting a dog is one of the best decisions I've ever made. They are brilliant for a household but they need you/the family to put in the time. It sounds like this isn't a flash in the pan thing so I'm sure you have considered all that. Best of luck with it!

[markcro]

Fair play Bloke! My sister has two greyhounds and two terriers (she is involved in a dog rescue place). Greyhounds are so lazy! Very easy dogs to own.

[bloke]

Couple of q's from the off then:

What's "recall"???

How much is insurance? (I know, silly question, but ballpark like - I don't have a doggy no claims bonus!)

We were told about the raised bowls. I just have to source one.

[Twinspark]

About €12 a month for a young dog under 8.

Recall is the ability of the dog to respond to commands to come back to you. With sight hounds it's a challenge as they're bred to chase small stuff and are attracted by all movement!

Beagles are just as bad with the nose

[colm89]

Maybe Dimitri might have had more luck than us but we haven’t managed to get insurance on ex-working dogs in Ireland, and farrah is a straight up no for a new insurance policy now anyway because of her age.

[bloke]

Hmmm. Yeah, I'm new at this craic and this may be a controversial opinion and may also be subject to complete reversal as I learn but.... I'm not sure how entirely ethically comfortable I am with excessive healthcare spending on animals. I was listening to a podcast recently and the guy was describing a recent vet experience with a 15 year old cat with an 800 bill for a procedure and a 600 quid pending in the event that resuscitation was required and a DNR not signed. Also a few years ago there was a colleague of mine spent some months paying for a dog who was very ill. Lots of issues, lots of procedures and medications and thousands of euro. At the time I thought it was insane, and even exploitative of the vet. That kind of money would rescue a huge number of younger, healthy dogs, or even a child for God's sake. Of course an animal in one's care has to be cared for as best as possible and within reason. It's fierce early in this thread to get into the big, deep, ethical questions like that and apologies if I'm completely in the wrong here. Would be interesting actually to hear what seasoned dog owners have to say about it.

[colm89]

We had a vet exploit the fact that farrah had insurance in London, without shadow of doubt. Now I just make sure I have an emergency fund kicking about to cover any urgent care.

[foyler]

That’ll fcukin liven up the chat bloke and you’re not wrong.
As with many things we as a country are following the Mericans down a slippery slope and not just medical/end of life stuff.

I see it at work, when we first allowed dogs 20 odd years ago and up until 2-3 years ago, it was normal folk who like the space & freedom , the relaxed vibe in a dog loving house , but who were still well aware that the dog is in fact a dog and not a surrogate child....
like children they’re welcome to the point they start impacting other guests and/or take too much of the crews time

Last summer was testing at times with a new breed of insta heavy young folk who can’t be fcuking separated from pooch , special areas to be set up for breakfast because NO it can’t come into the restaurant.
With covid literally every single service was stressful and put us to the pin of our collars to keep everyone safe , while maintain the relaxed feel, so these beauts were as welcome as a table of coughing , sickly looking vegans!

Baxtards are multiplying faster than coeliacs based on the number of inquiries.

Ah tis gonna be fun

[DadsMorrisMinor]

Have to laugh at Colms comment about poop bags in every pocket. After a while they turn up everywhere, but sometimes not when you most need them!
Dogs bring a calmness (generally) to most households, in addition to that loyal companionship. Hope you get many years of both.
Our Jazz is here 9 years now, part of the family and treated accordingly. Although my son couldn't really care less about her ( I reckon he sees her as competition for our attention.!).
Treats to reward/train is a great tip already mentioned. To each their own, regarding vets and insurance etc..

What's the car/transport situation ?