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Post by mustlovedogs on May 28, 2014 6:49:12 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I was hoping to get some advice from my greyt friends about bringing my girl to the picnic this year. As some of you know, Teia is an extremely shy girlie...it took her about 4 weeks to find the courage to emerge from our front door step and start going for walks. When we encounter new people during our outings, she immediately 'statues' and tries to run back home, poor girl. With the picnic coming up, we've tried to build her confidence by taking her to our local park in the evening where there are teams practicing and other dogs running around, but so far Teia has reverted back to 'statue and try to run home'. It doesn't take much to cause a major set back for poor Teia because she's so sensitive. We were at the cottage this weekend and some fireworks set off by our neighbours caused her to hide in the upstairs closet for an entire evening/morning/afternoon So, I don't want to push her limitations too hard with the picnic. That being said, I really want to go to the picnic to meet all of you lovely folks and your houndies, and I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for Teia to see some of her old friends! Can anyone with a shy hound offer some advice about this? Thank you!!!! And some pics! Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment Deleted
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2014 6:43:01 GMT -5
First of all, she's a beaut and I have always loved cairn terriers. My best friend in public school had two while I was groing up and they were the cutest ever. (that goes back a while, but who's counting right?) Anyway, I have a very shy boy, it's taken 5yrs for him to approach people (and well worth the time) but my first thought is to bring her to the picnic. She will be able to communicate with the other greyhounds and learn what life can really be about. There will be soooo many hounds there, she will be mesmerized by them all and maybe forget about her fears for a while. Besides, then we get to meet her! Just my thoughts, M
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troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
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Post by troysmom on May 29, 2014 7:29:28 GMT -5
I agree with Martha! It will be her opportunity to be around fellow greys and socialize with dogs she is familiar with. I think it's worth the trip to take her and it may help her out a bit. You can always find a quiet place to settle if it becomes overwhelming for her. Hope to see you there.
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Post by mustlovedogs on May 29, 2014 10:29:08 GMT -5
Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement, Teia and I appreciate it We hope to see you there too! It's coming up soon!
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Post by lotsoffreetime on May 29, 2014 13:25:50 GMT -5
Hi,
I agree, Teia is beautiful, and your Cairns are too! I grew up with a Cairn as a child, and he was such an awesome dog, I cannot say enough about him ! The biggest personality ever!
We have a very shy girlie, too, Tiana, and we take her to the picnics and have from the beginning. She does okay there, mainly because it is greyhounds there, as Martha says, and she is familiar with Greyhounds from her days at the track. She sticks to our legs like glue, and sometimes we are suddenly growing a greyhound from between our legs, but that is okay, we just roll with it! lol. We do our best to shuttle back and forth between the crowd and quieter areas for her, taking her for walks down to the lake if she needs a break, letting her lie away from the crowd, lie in the kiddie pools (which she loves) etc. If she refuses to go in the direction we are going, we will simply turn her around in a full circle to get her moving again (like you would with a horse). We also let people know as they approach that she is very shy, so they know to approach her slowly, and will respect her signals to not pet her if she is letting them know not to. With Tiana, it is pretty obvious by her body language, as I am sure it is with Teia.
Hope to see you at the picnic!
Janette and the Crazy Quints (Mamma Rio, Tiana, Willy-Bear, Merlin and Mirage)
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Post by newtothis1 on May 29, 2014 17:33:49 GMT -5
I agree with all of the above. My guy is very shy as well and still will not let strangers pat him when we are out. He does not approach anyone either, but he always gos to the picnic. If you find she is having trouble with people approaching her, I am sure you will just have to tell people she is very shy and please do not try and pat her or get close.
Everyone there loves the hounds and I know they will all understand and respect your girls space. Even if she stays on the edges of the crowd, she would love to see all the hounds. They react so differently to their own kind than other dogs, and I don't remember any loud noises ever at the picnic. If she truly is desperate you can always take her home, but I think you should let her try.
Hope to see you there!
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Post by angelollie on May 29, 2014 20:14:09 GMT -5
Lots of great advice here re the picnic. I just want to add that when you arrive, maybe take Teia back to the kennel where she'll meet up once again with Heather and the volunteers. Both the kennel and people will be familiar to Teia which might help ground her during her outing. I remember Heather telling me that Teia was greeting her and running up and down the kennel so there are happy memories involved here. And for sure having Teia meet up with other greyhounds should do her good too.
As Janette said, if you find Teia becomes too overwhelmed with the crowds of people just take her for a walk back to the lake. Maybe have someone walk a kennel hound along with Teia for company.
I'm anxious to meet Teia .... she is such a little beauty.
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Post by rubylottie14 on May 30, 2014 7:59:26 GMT -5
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Post by deboosh on Jun 2, 2014 10:35:11 GMT -5
Lots of great thoughts. Also, if Teia starts to feel overwhelmed, you can always take her for a walk or just interact a little further from the "action" to keep her calm and de-stress.
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jason
Hound Nut
Posts: 1,708
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Post by jason on Jun 2, 2014 11:34:03 GMT -5
I have a feeling that little Teia will be right in her element with the other greys. It's what they know from the track/kennel so she'll probably be thrilled to see the other hounds. Perhaps not so thrilled with all the people but there will be places to get away from the crowds. I hope to meet you and Teia and the picnic. Barb (furkid Tarra, husband Jason
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aeiou
Grey Puppy
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Post by aeiou on Jun 4, 2014 12:14:19 GMT -5
I don't see why you shouldn't attend with her, but just be sensitive to her needs. Don't force her to walk into or through a crowd, that will just make her panic. If she's never been to big events before, let her walk the perimeter and feel it out before bringing her too close to everyone. Usually just the presence of other greys is enough to calm them. If she starts to become agitated or anxious, you will probably have reached her threshold for the visit and it may be time to retreat back or go home.
I'm bring my "reformed" spook to the picnic this year. We've had him 8 years and while he still won't approach strangers, he's come a long way from the dog who would pee himself if someone reached into his crate.
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