Welcome! We didn't have a crate when we adopted Beecher. He got on his dog bed and didn't move for 3 weeks. lol. I took him to the vet twice b/c I was sure he was sick. Beecher is the most loving laid back greyhound you will ever find. Each dog is different, you will find some that walk right in and get on the sofa and stick their feet in the air and others take a while to adjust. A week is not much time and this dog you have now will not be the same dog in a month, 3 month, 6 months. He may be a cuddle dog who will love to sleep in the bed. Just got to get through this adjustment time. Oh, and a lot of vets that have not had much experience with racing greyhounds really don't understand them. The standard "dog" stuff just don't apply.

yes time is the biggest thing as we've all talked about. just when you think there is no way its going to work, they will surprise you. they are very special and wonderful creatures that have therequirks like people do, and with time all those quircks and odd things they do work out or in someways become part of who they are. i have always been told time fixes everything. so hang in there, he's a good boy i can see it in his eyes when i was around him. you should post his santa picture so we all can see it. im glad your still hangin in there with him. it just takes them time to adjust.

that's greyt news that he is starting to come out of his shell. i found that monday would rearrange things to his liking...bathroom mats, socks, clothes, etc. he wouldn't chew things up, just move them around. i think that's a good sign that he's becoming more comforrtable. i agree with blanche...don't always give in to the 4am thing. these guys are very smart and habitual and if you start cetain habits, they become hard to break. have fun, keep being patient, and enjoy. it sounds like things are going well!

Hi Julie,

Just wanted to know...how are things going with Rowdy?

Julie
Yes, we are waiting to hear. Is he getting a little more comfortable with home life?

Couple of folks have inquired and I've been meaning to do this so here goes...

Rowdy is doing GREYT! I think he's always going to be a little on the shy side where new things are concerned but he's coming out of his shell a little more everyday and I'm so proud of how brave he is!

As Blanche can testify to- I was at the point where I was trying to find the time to return him... I really felt he needed to be in a home with another grey or maybe just another home besides ours- I felt terrible for feeling that way but I really had no other ideas on how to get him to adjust.

Then, (literally) overnight he woke up and was different. Not completely by any means but he met me half way and from that point on he's been better everyday. I'm impressed daily at how smart he is, how willing he is to please and how extremely patient he is where his "brother" Gizmo is concerned. He's not protective of his bed, food or toys- he is content to just be a part of our family and soak up the attention.

Last week we went to play group in Kannapolis and although I was late and most had gone- Elizabeth (EBRYSON) was still there with her two and he got his first taste of playtime... we will be back this week as long as it's still on after the weather.

A confession and perhaps a piece of advice for other NEWBIES: When I first posted about all the issues he was having with adjustment I got a TON of advice and suggestions but the one thing everyine kept saying was "give it time"... I would think to myself- that's easy for you to say!!! You aren't dealing with it!!! I need some sleep and a dog that acts like a dog!!! I was tired, frustrated, upset that he didn't appear happy in his new home and had almost lost hope... truth is TIME is what ended up making things better in the long run. Sure, the radio on when left alone, the kong with peanut butter, the confident tone I use when I speak to him all added to the success but in the end it was letting him adjust on HIS time and not MINE that got us through it...

I'm sure we will have set backs- everyday is a small victory... but more than him changing I notice that I'm a little changed as well. Thank you everyone for all of your advice and support!!! I'm so glad I "just gave it some time"...

Julie, You also need to understand the change will continue. Flame has been here 4 years and while happy, he didn't start to play until just a few months ago. Mem came in and acted she had been here forever. She has taught Flame to play. It took Tessie 2 years to bark the first time, now she barks all the time. I think a greyhound is like a rose. They come to us as a bud and slowly open to a beautiful flower. It is also fun to watch the change. This next year will be a fun year of many changes. Enjoy!

AMEN to that !!!!!

Wow-that brings smiles and almost tears to hear that. I know when Debbie and I told Julie to give it time-she probably just thought-yeah-sure.
That was why I told her to join WMH and post her problem and when I saw everyone telling her to just give it time-I hoped that is what she would do-and it worked.
They are so used to schedules and the same people and routines for years that it takes a greyt while to change, but it will eventually come as we all had to find out-but more on their terms and not ours and that is the secret.
Rome wasn't built in a day. Good going Julie.

I'm so glad you didn't give in to returning Rowdy and that you gave it time! I know it's sometimes easier said than done when you're living through it --but the reward in the end is the best! Everyone is right --he will continue to change a little all the time --hopefully for the better with your love and confidence. We've had Bullet for 5 years now and he still does things that surprise us! He really is the best and I would never choose another breed --greyhounds are truly special! I continue to wish you the best of luck!!

I am so glad things are going better. As you add greyhounds to your home you will find the next one will be easier and will learn from the ones you have. I love having a pack and living with a pack.

Me too !!! Greyhounds are like Wise potato chips, Ya can't have just one !!!

Gary

Hi.
I have had two greyhounds and was never able to sleep with the last one in my room. He just would not be quiet or still. I hated crating him but had to remember what the dog was accustomed to. It truely blows his mind to come into a home but the dog will adjust and love you for it.
About the whining at night - we put some white noise in our room - a fan to drown out this whining. We had to "tuff it out" and he eventually stopped the noise. The notion that the dog has never had quiet is true and sometimes a radio for the dog to listen to is helpful. You may just have to do it the hard way and not reinforce the undesirable behavior.