Advice Wanted On Getting A Puppy

[ansell]

i am thinking of getting a greyhound pup, 9 weeks old but everyone i talk to or everything i read has conflicting information about them. some say that even at this age it will have the instinct to chase my cats and they can jump high so would need a 6ft fence and also that they require a lot of exercise. can someone help as i also have been offered a 2yr old lab x, am confused with whats best.

 

[Debbie b]

i am thinking of getting a greyhound pup, 9 weeks old but everyone i talk to or everything i read has conflicting information about them. some say that even at this age it will have the instinct to chase my cats and they can jump high so would need a 6ft fence and also that they require a lot of exercise. can someone help as i also have been offered a 2yr old lab x, am confused with whats best.

t

all sighthounds have the instinct to chase but that doesn't mean they are going to chase cats if you have a puppy you can indeed train it not to chase and i certainly don't think a lazy greyhound after being trained by yourselves is going to jump fences and runn off chasing everything in sight, me personally if given the choice between a puppy greyhound and a lab x 2 yrs old i would defo choose the pup, that way the pup will have no bad habits and any that it gets is down to you, and i don't mean that in a nasty way, the lab x might have issues that you will have to deal with

good luck in what ever you choose but greyhounds make lovely pets x

 

[bertha]

At nine weeks old no greyhound pup could jump a 6 ft fence!!!!!!! If you get a puppy it is easy to train it not to chase cats. My dogs have never chased my cats when we had cats. Strange cats would be chased out of the garden.

Greyhounds make super family pets.

 

[FeeFee]

At 9 weeks a puppy should be perfectly trainable with cats. A greyhound puppy (any puppy) will be lively and may jump low fencing, particularly when they get to the 'teenage' phase, so it really depends how high/secure your fencing is - I don't think 6ft is always necessary, but if you have a 3ft fence then you may have problems with any dog.

A puppy will need someone around most of the time, and will need to be housetrained and lots of play, socialisation and training. Only you know if you have the time and patience for all of that. If the puppy is from a reputable breeder or good rescue then I'm sure they will give you lots of advice about whether a young pup is best for you and what his/her needs will be.

With the Lab x and awful lot depends on the dog, where it comes from, whether any history of the dog is known etc. If it's from a private owner you have to bear in mind that someone wanting rid of a dog may not tell you the whole truth. If it's from a rescue, are they a good rescue who assess their dogs well and take trouble to match them to the right homes (and neuter, vaccinate, homecheck and offer ongoing advice and support)?

Yes, an older dog could have issues, but equally may be a lovely, balanced 'ready made' dog. I have five rescues here who came to me between the ages of 4yrs and 15yrs and they are all laid-back gentle dogs and a sight better behaved than many of the dogs around here that people have brought up from pups. Personally I find taking an adult dog 10 times easier than dealing with a pup, but that's just me :lol:

 

[ansell]

some of my back fence is 3ft other rest about 7/8ft but my front is 3ft railings. gosh all your advice is good the thing with the lab x is the bloke wants to leave her here and collect payment another but wont take her back if she doesnt get on here cos hsi partners dog keeps attacking her, this is his reason for rehoming her. he apparently got loads of calls but didnt rehome her from what he said was him being picky.

this greyhound pup is being raised with its parents on a farm among ducks, geese etc , the parents were both escued. do they need to have the specialised collars and muzzles etc if i do decide to have him.

 

[FeeFee]

There are some pointers on our website here o fsome of the things you might want to check if you are rehoming a dog privately which might be useful:

http://www.oldies.org.uk/?p=526

I suppose the other point is that if you have reservations about these dogs or the situations they come from you don't have to take either. There are so many gorgeous dogs from puppies upwards looking for homes in rescue it's worth taking your time and finding one you feel 100% sure about.

 

[bertha]

If you are worried, why not get a retired greyhound from the Retired Greyhound Trust. They match the dog to the person and home.

You should not need a muzzle for a greyhound puppy! My adult greyhound doesn't have a muzzle and I have had her from nine weeks. They need a wide collar when adult, but really they are just like any other puppy.

 

[ansell]

thanks for all the replies. how are greyhounds when and if it is needed for them to be left alone at home for several hours, ie for shopping etc?

 

[Hula]

Most pups including my little poodle will chase cats given half a chance . However it is not with a view to kill but with a view to have fun . They soon learn not to do this .

Pups can be left in their crate ( for their safety ) while you are shopping etc but they do need someone to be around most of the day .

 

[Rae]

There are some pointers on our website here o fsome of the things you might want to check if you are rehoming a dog privately which might be useful:
http://www.oldies.org.uk/?p=526

I suppose the other point is that if you have reservations about these dogs or the situations they come from you don't have to take either. There are so many gorgeous dogs from puppies upwards looking for homes in rescue it's worth taking your time and finding one you feel 100% sure about.

Agree 100% - however I do think that a 9 week old pup will be fine, it sounds like you wont be leaving it for long periods of time.

 

[J.T.]

I have 2 lurchers & a bedlington, we also have 6 cats.

The youngest lurcher will chase anything that moves when out in the park but knows she isn't allowed to chase the cats. We've had her from 10weeks old so she has been brought up with them.

Good luck with whichever dog you decide on

 

[CarolineKeithmoore]

At nine weeks old no greyhound pup could jump a 6 ft fence!!!!!!! If you get a puppy it is easy to train it not to chase cats. My dogs have never chased my cats when we had cats. Strange cats would be chased out of the garden.Greyhounds make super family pets.

Hi, sorry to hijack this post - just curious how you trained your dogs not to chase your cats? We've been trying for ages with our puppy: we've had her from 8 weeks and got a cat when she was about 11 weeks old. We keep them separate most of the time, perhaps that doesn't actually do the trick but we want to give the cat a break too. We've tried excluding puppy downstairs when she chases, and treating her when she doesn't...she gets pretty pepped up when she sees her...She's nearly 5 months now and still chases the cat given a chance and we can't seem to stop her, help!! Thanks, Caroline

 

[moonlake]

I can tell you from experience that a 5 month old greyhound puppy can jump a 6' fence so if you are planning to leave the dog outside on its own, don't get a greyhound. Also, please don't get a greyhound if you cannot give it a suitable sighthound life. A growing greyhound needs a lot of attention and supervised exercise with plenty of room to stretch its back and legs. They can be incredibly destructive if bored and can idly destroy a sofa in seconds.

IMO the lab X sounds more deserving of your time and love and there is the bonus that you will know you have done a good deed.

I am shocked that people have bred from "rescue" greyhounds.

Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk

 

[FeeFee]

I am shocked that people have bred from "rescue" greyhounds.

Yes, me too