Slightly Subdued 2 year old?

[johnnyd]

Hello all.
Adore my Sasha, who we adopted 2 weeks ago
She is sweet, soft and very intelligent, but I was wondering if I could pick members knowledge a little.

She seems  slightly forlorn more this week.
She is eating well (I give her a weetabix for breakfast, and she eats her full doggy mix (the dry food with added sardines/pasta/chicken) at 2pm) but she seems still very much in L,ow Energy Mode?
I walk her 3 x 30 mins per day, which she enjoys, but once in the house its straight back to the bed?
There`s nothing in the way of play, (she has teddy, slipper, fur, ball), but zero interest in them, and she seems to be no longer even wagging her tail?
She does come over and enjoys a long stroke, and she likes to press against me (like a cat would), and will lie on her bed, legs in the air for a belly rub, so shes not fearful of me.

Her nose is wet and she seems healthy...her coat is getting better each day, so physically all looks good too
Could this just be her settling in?

She was neutered 3 weeks ago (a week before we got her) , and the stitches have pretty much disappeared, so that all seems fine

I am not that fussed about her being a bouncy, "loopy" dog.....just as long as shes happy?

What do you think?
Am I being an over anxious parent?

[dawnsteve]

Hi Johnnyd,

We are all anxious Grey parents. I've have had my own boy spot for 2 years and I worry when he isn't his usual self. It isn't unusual for Spot to sleep quite a lot during the day as well as all night. I'm sure her personality will come through in time, it's still very new to her.

In terms of toys my own boy likes soft teddy's either mine or his own, but I know other Greys like to play with balls, I think it just finding the right toy for the right dog myself.

If she trusts and wants stroke etc. then I think its just her finding her way in a very different life that what she has known.

Good luck you will find the love they give more than outweighs the anxious times they give us.

Dawn

[darcysdad]

Sasha is probably finding her feet. The first week or so everything is new and exciting so she was probably attentive and wondering what she should do. Now she sounds as if she is relaxing as she knows the routine.

I would not worry she sounds like a typical greyhound. On a sliding scale if you start at lazy and pass through bone idle a hound is some where between here and sloth. Unless there is something worth chasing and then you will not see her for dust.

Good luck and enjoy your new hound.

Ian

[johnnyd]

Thank you dawnsteve & darcysdad for the support.
She is in every sense a delight, I just wanted to know that she was ok and happy. I am completely smitten by her, and want her to enjoy "us" as much as we enjoy her.

I made a huge mistake today introducing a "clicker" (the little hand held training device) which went badly wrong.
She completely froze, and wouldnt even take the treat.
Worse was then, she wouldnt even come into the room....
Seeing her distress , the clicker was abandoned and hid in the cupboard after about 3 minutes.
She was sheepish for about an hour afterwards....I was so cross at myself.
I learned a lesson today that these beautiful creatures are very very sensitive souls....so its belly rubs only tonight, and tomorrow is a new day.

[gail]

When we got Ben 6 years ago we were told my many people that it takes months for greyhounds to settle into home life, as it is such a change for them. Ben has never really played with toys, but he does love to cuddle up with them in his bed, particularly his huge cuddly octopus. Greyhounds can be super sensitive, and a lot of new things/ noises startle them at first. We are busy trying to persuade Ben to get into our new car, he is very wary of it even when his bed is in there! An upside down dog is a happy relaxed dog so don't worry! She looks like a lovely girl.

[johnnyd]

Gail, thank you so much, she is indeed a lovely girl.
I think because she is so friendly and settled so quickly, i may have over estimated her comfort zones.
We have had fun today...

[sueb]

It sounds like you are doing so well with Sasha, well done! She's landed on her paws with you!

Yes, some greyhounds can be very sensitive, our 10 year old was a returnee and when she first came to us she was really worried whenever people tutted (not sure what happened in her previous home). Even though we've had her for years, she'll still raise her head for reassurance if I've tutted (I don't even realise I've done it, but sometimes it's difficult not to when watching the news!!)

I think they're different to any other dogs, in sometimes strange and wonderful ways!

[greyhoundgran]

Hi johnnyd, I have had my beautiful girl for three years now and she is eight years old but when she first came home she ignored all the toys I had bought her until gave her one that squeaked that really started her playing but be warned squeaky toys done last long, her main interest is killing the squeaker. She is a lucky girl have fun.

[johnnyd]

Today me and Sasha completed no training, no lessons and achieved no new tricks
We simply messed around, ran after each other, chased, & rolled around..... it was bliss!
lol

She is a long legged , bonkers, bundle of fun

[johnnyd]

Had a hilarious day with Sasha today. See my photos in "Just Homed" section in the link;
greyhoundhomer.proboards.com/post/22159

Just relaxed on the training, as shes responding to her name pretty well (thanks to cheese lol)
Shes made terrific progress with the other dogs on the estate, seemingly much more gentle when older dogs pop over for a sniff.

[johnnyd]

And heres my girl now...4 weeks on from adoption

My "timid" girl is starting to really gain in confidence week by week!
This week, while on our walk, she saw a Horse for the first time and was very keen to "pursue"....thankfully we kept a safe distance (although she was pulling greatly! You can see the object of her attention in the background)
Attachment Deleted

Then she visited the seaside and enjoyed a paddle!

[dawnsteve]

What a beautiful and happy looking girl. I'm really pleased to hear how well she is settling into her new life. Dawn x