Separation Anxiety Part 4 – Crating.

Dare I say it? Are we all sitting down?

***checks over shoulder, touches wood, and whispers***

“I think Annabel is improving!”

On our last diary entry for Annabel’s separation anxiety, I was feeling a little defeated. Whilst I know of much worst cases (howling and destruction etc) to have a soiled housed so many times, for so many days, then SO many months . . . Well it’s demoralising. And it’s untenable to put up with it permanently in a family home.

So the crate was introduced.

It is very easy to relay our human thoughts and emotions onto our pets. My 4year old daughter was initially upset at us seemly “locking poor Annabel in a cage” and I must admit it took a bit of getting used to for me as well. But to a dog, a den can actually feel very safe, and thank goodness, she uses it happily and under no duress.

In order for Annabel to accept the crate, we implemented a few little tricks:

– Positive Association. Annabel finds nice things in her den. Tripe sticks, treats etc.
– The cage was put up by Mr Furrbuddies whilst we were out on a walk, and placed in the same spot as her bed, so everything was changed in a very low key way. Minimum fuss.
– She was not “put in it” and confined straight away. The door was left open with her old bedding in it for her to discover in her own time. I was surprised how quickly she climbed in and settled.
– The cage’s roof and sides are covered, making it more like a natural den for her. (This is a really top tip to help them settle. )
– My old unwashed T shirt was also put in.

She does have to be in it a lot until we can break the habit of her soiling. It is not a bladder issue, it is a progressive and highly addictive behavioural condition. The theory is that a physically healthy dog will never willingly soil the area they sleep in, and so Annabel will learn to hold on and eventually break the cycle.

We have increased her walks so she’s tired out, and we never release her immediately when we get home/come back into the room. (It’s better if she doesn’t associate the cage with being left alone, to keep it a happy place for her. )

We have had over a week accident free since implementing this. Go Annabel! I’d urge anyone who’s struggling with housetraining or separation anxiety issues to give this method some research and possibly give it a whirl. I knew of crating – obviously, but for some reason always held back. I do think though, that with Annabel it was absolutely necessary. . . and hey, it IS working.

The past day or two, we have even felt confident enough to have short trials of leaving alone her in the house, gated in the kitchen, but with her cage door left open.

TOUCH WOOD

Pee free!! Yey!

Hopefully we can build on this.

And hopefully we can persuade Fluffbomb that we have not put it up as a bunk bed!

Does anyone else have any crating experience or opinions? I’d love to hear them?

Why Pick a Greyhound?

Ah if I had a pound for every time I’d heard the following when out on our dog walk:

“I’ll bet he takes some walking doesn’t he?”

Then I’d have . . . Well, lots of pounds. Part of the charm of being the proud owner of one of these awesome creatures is – surprisingly to some – the fact they are pretty low maintenance.

When we decided we wanted to take on a retired racing greyhound, we went to the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust and were given a choice of two that were suitable. (We have cats. This narrowed our choice slightly but don’t assume a grey is a no-go if you have feline friends too.) One was new to the kennel – a very pretty petite girl, silver grey in colour (or ‘blue’ to use the proper description) and a lovely temperament who presented herself beautifully.

We were given a bit of a warning about the second one:

“Now Badger doesn’t present himself too well but that’s because he’s always excited to see people. He barks but I don’t think he will when he’s settled into a home. He has half his tail missing, a torn ear, and floating ribs so he looks a bit funny, but nothing that will actual cause medical problems. He’s been our longest resident to date – people seem to put him as their second choice a lot but never end up taking him on.”

And off he went to bring Badger to us. I glanced at my husband who had thought the blue girl was gorgeous, and he had a knowing look in his eye. “You’re going to want this one, aren’t you?”

Badger tore around the kennel pen and barked his head off. I didn’t find him odd looking, I found him pretty darn perfect and instantly wanted him. (My other half knows me too well.) More importantly, our little girl who was just coming up to two at the time, found Badger hilarious.

Decision made.

He hardly ever barks, bless him. Exactly as we were told. In the home, you’d hardly know he was there, and he is wonderful with our little one. Interestingly, our daughter has some anger issues, and when she’s in a strop Badger is the first one she goes to to calm down. He is a very tolerant chap bless him.

So if you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a dog, here’s a few reasons why you might want to consider a retired racing greyhound:

– They are not especially built for stamina. Two 20 minute walks a day is required, that’s all, and although a larger breed, they are so chilled out in the home you often forget they’re there. (Often referred to as 45mph couch potatoes.)

– Whilst proper precautions should always be taken with dogs and children, they are very often suitable for homes with kids of all ages.

– Greyhounds CAN live with cats.

– If you like the idea of a rescue, but lean towards a pedigree because you’d want to know the history of the dog, then an ex-racer may be the perfect compromise.

– If your greyhound decides to go for a run – well just wow. They are the fastest breed of dog in the world and there is no sight quite like it. You’ll be the proudest owner on the doggy field!

-Racing greyhounds are bred for their speed, and so are not prone to the congenital defects or temperament problems of many other breeds. Only the fastest, healthiest and best tempered animals are generally used for breeding.

– They have short, odourless coats and often suit people who may suffer with other breeds due to allergies.

We got our Badger from the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust, who were incredibly supportive and still there to help with any issues that spring up – even 4 years after adopting him. The greyhound owning community is a very supportive one.

And that m’lord is the case for the defence of adopting a retired Greyhound. Amazing, beautiful gentle creatures.

We’ve never looked back.

I noticed something . . .

I noticed something today.

When I first saw Annabel at the shelter she was emaciated. She had burns on her. She also had a tiny sore patch on the top of her nose, apparently caused by rubbing on the wires of her rescue kennel in distress.

I’ve carefully monitored her as her weight crept up to a healthy one.

I have treated the burns and checked them daily.

But only today did I notice that the little pink spot on her nose had gone. The injury she inflicted on herself out of sheer stress has totally healed – and not because I put cream on it.

And this has warmed my heart and made me smile.

And I wanted to share it.

Maybe she is slowly healing from the outside in. Maybe we really are getting somewhere . . .