Does Billy need a friend?

[simon arnold]

Hi everyone

Further to our post re Billys accidents it has been suggested to me that Billy may be lonely and in need of company of the four-legged variety rather than two.
Does anyone think that there is any merit to this or is Simon just pressing it because he would like another!!

Any help would be great

Thanks

Tracy

[nicky]

I don't know much about these things as Betty is the first dog we have had, but personally I would get the 'accidents' sorted first. Greyhounds do seem to like company but bringing another in may involve issues such as who is top dog and that could mean more accidents.
I'm not sure how Betty would take to another dog on 'her patch' - she is too spoilt now ;D as an only dog ;D , although both my children would fill the house with greyhounds
Only you can decide what is best for Billy.
Good luck
Nicky

[joethehound]

Hi
we've had joe for nearly 18 months now and to be honest i don't think it would make any difference whether we had another one or not! joe is so laid back i don't think he'd care..... not sure would make any difference to the 'accidents' situation......

[sueb]

I would have thought there may be a real danger that Billy would show any newcomer the mat is for weeing on and that would compound the problem!
I don't know enough about them showing signs of loneliness, but I suspect there would be other symptons like barking or destroying things when alone/at night. (Brennan started night barking, for quite a bit, then it just disappeared)
Having said that, most people on this forum are much more exprienced with greys than me!
( But will see if I can dig out the couple of books I bought re-homing retired greys and if there's anything in there, will put another post up)

[Ian]

That's an interesting idea Tracy, as I recall Billy was pretty laid back when he was in the Kennels and therefore I would have thought a girl friend for him would be no bad thing, however whether it would stop the weeing I'm not sure. Assuming the right 'girlfriend' is chosen they would probably get on like a house on fire and enjoy belting round your garden together, and larking about. This weekend we have my father in law with us and Sean has enjoyed playing in the garden with their 10 month old Golden Retriever. If you choose to take on another hound though, do make sure you do it because you all want to and not just to try to solve the Billys weeing problem. One thing I will add though is that it's very enjoyable to see two dogs that get on well together larking about, I just paused typing this message to watch Sean & Casey bounding about together again. It's the first dog we've had stay with us that's wanted to play with Sean. If you try another Grey, maybe one of these might be suitable? Mustang Niki, Adament Lady, Girl Alone - see on the Ockendon page of the website www.greyhoundhomer.co.uk/ockendon.htm

[patricksparents]

Sound advice Mark. :-)

[pat]

Have you changed the times of feeding or the make of food? both of these things can upset a greyhound they love routine and any change in that upsets them, remember it takes from 6 to 8 hours for the food to go through the body, also make sure that you walk them for at least 10 mins on the lead last thing , if you put them in the garden they will just stand at the door and whine to come in, which means the bowel and the bladder havent been emptied and then what happens is come the middle of the night they want to go and cannot get out to go, so empty on the rug.Greyhounds are all used to being in pairs all their life, oops i will add no more
pat

[simon arnold]

think the accident situation is sorted, it seems that Billy is just too comfy to want to go out in the cold and as the room he is kept in at night is a wooden floor even though we can no longer smell his smell on very close inspection it does still linger slightly!!
I have now got a neutraliser specifically for this and for the last week no accidents

On the friend front this is something we are now considering a girlfriend for Billy and you are right Mark he is so laid back hopefully he will share his forever bed!

[patricksparents]

Let's hope there are wedding bells to come :-)

[Ian]

The cats out of the bag...here is Stallys new girlfirend! Good luck with her Simon, Tracy and Stally!

Girl Alone (Girlie)

[patricksparents]

What a stunning looking girl.