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Post by echandler on Feb 4, 2017 14:52:54 GMT -5
My friend has recently moved cities with her rescued greyhound. She had the dog for about 2.5 years and had now moved from a townhouse into a one bedroom apartment in a different city. Immediately after the move her greyhound started acting up and chewing on items and walls in the house. It came to the point of having to crate her but even then she chews on the cage until her mouth bleeds. She tried calling soft chews, toys and bones but nothing seems to work, it's been 2 weeks and there is little to no improvement. She now spends more time with the dog in terms of walks and time apart so we cannot figure it out. Any suggestions you may have are welcome. It's so hard to see her little girl like this.
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daylight
Hound Nut
what's so funny Light?....Joker!
Posts: 1,275
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Post by daylight on Feb 4, 2017 22:19:04 GMT -5
I can totally relate to how hard it is for your friend to see her pup so unsettled. I am not an expert by any stretch but just wanted to chime in based on my own experience. Some dogs, it seems, are much more upset by changes in setting and routine. Their security is based on being able to know what comes next. So a move can be huge. Also, they certainly do pick up the vibes of their person(s), and a move for anyone is, to a greater or lesser extent, stressful whether we recognize it or not. Chewing is an outlet for stress and it seems they will go at anything... but the more forceful the chew, the better the relief. Two weeks has, I believe, just not been long enough for her to establish that 'all-is-okay' and that life goes on just like before. She is anxious that this is only the beginning of "new, strange changes". I would do things exactly as was done prior to the move. Keep the routine as consistent as possible for the time being. Let her come to the conclusion that all is safe in her new surroundings. Attention is very important but over compensating can make her 'worry' that there is a reason to be worried. Bottom line,... I would try to carry on as before and be as calm and relaxed (yet confident) so she can feel that too. (For the chewing, there is a toy by Nylabone (available at most PetSmart stores) that I have found does the trick and has been a saving grace for my girl when the world seems too much. They are dinosaur-shaped, nubbed and tough, and stand up extremely well. I have a backup supply here should fireworks or thunderstorms upset the norm and our girl will go on a chew-binge until she is sure it's not the end of the world once again). www.petsmart.com/dog/supplies-and-training/toys/toys/nylabone-dinosaur-chew-dog-toy-5233694.htmlI wish your friend all the best. I'm sure things will pan out soon. Please do let us know how she does as she settles in.
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Post by echandler on Feb 4, 2017 22:24:43 GMT -5
Thank you so much. We will try the suggestions. I hope it works. I already have 2 greyhounds and I would take her in but I don't think I can handle 3. In any case, seeing her eventually relax will be such a relief.
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Feb 6, 2017 7:20:59 GMT -5
Poor pup and human. I don't have any experience with this but wanted to chime in to say that I'm thinking of your friend and her pup.
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