Someone better adopt him soon...

because we REALLY like Finn! But we can't keep him--we have 2 dogs, one of whom has renal failure, and it's just too much. Besides, we want to keep fostering as we can.

I say this a bit tongue in cheek only to show:
A. How much we like Finn because he's such a good, fun, goofy, sweet, affectionate dog
B. How sorry we'll be to see him go. It's only been a week-and-a-half, and he's really adjusting well.

As I've said before, I want to make sure he goes to the right family. He is a big, goofy puppy, basically, but does need to know who's boss so that he keeps his manners in check. He does bark on occasion (mostly when we're gone--but I believe no serious problems with separation anxiety). He LOVES attention and follows me everywhere. He is also getting along wonderfully with my husband--no growls for 6 days. Chris has been working with him, and it appears to be the key.

Here's 2 goofy Finn things I'll share:
1. We went to Gettysburg for the day and took the dogs. On the way home, he kept making these funny faces and positions:

2. We were working out in the basement, and closed the dogs out. He started barking to be let in. We ignored him, so he disappeared for a while. Then we heard barking from a distance. I went to investigate and realized he was upstairs. I couldn't imagine why he wouldn't just come down. So I went up, and he had managed to trap himself in our tiny bathroom. The door was partially open, but he couldn't figure out how to use his nose to free himself. So he just barked until someone came to get him. Funny puppy.

A couple of photos of Finn

Look at that face! He's a very handsome guy. And there's a deep, soulful intelligence behind those light-colored eyes.

Finn and Gracie are like two peas in a pod!

Chris continues to work with Finn to desensitize him to the one trigger that makes Finn become nervous and growl--petting him while he's lying down (it's not an issue for me). Chris has been using treats (Finn is very food-driven) to train him. So far, 3 days have gone by without a growl. I just think it takes time for Finn to adapt to his new surroundings, and some training and patience. He's an extremely smart dog who can read us like a book. He also is very focused and would make a great dog for any kind of job/activity, like agility.

P.S. Finn got on the treadmill today! Cesar Millan recommends it if you can't always walk them. I walk them hard 3x day, but it does wear on me eventually. So I was curious...and he got on!

Progress: so far, so good!

Okay, so here's the deal as I see it so far...

Finn is a wonderful, sweet, affectionate dog. He's a little leery of secondary caretakers. He has growled in his previous home due to food issues, and in foster care, he growled 3x at my husband when he approached him to pet while he was lying down on his bed or floor.

I'm not worried about dominance with other dogs--he does great with his housemates. He'd also rather avoid a confrontation than provoke one. He's doing so much better in regards to waiting before going out the door and pushing the other dogs out of the way when I'm giving attention.

So then, the biggest issue to work on is the growling, which is more fear-based than aggression-based. We decided to eliminate the first trigger, which is food--namely bones. I don't give my dogs bones anyway (Gracie has kidney disease so it's a bad idea, and there tends to be tension anyway between her and her housemate). So that has been taken out of the equation, and I have had no issues with food.

Onto the second thing--growling at Chris.

We were right to have Chris help take care of Finn from the beginning. After consulting with other greyhound owners, I decided to also have Chris work with Finn on obedience training and on desensitizing him to his touch. Oddly, Finn had no problems with Chris giving him attention while he was standing. It's only been while Finn was lying down. So our decision was to have Chris pet Finn while I pet him as he lies down (he has never ever growled at me). So far so good. Next was to pet him himself while giving Finn treats. Last, Chris started obedience training tonight and we were delighted to find out that Finn knows both how to Sit and Lie Down!

In my opinion, Finn would do best with someone who has grown children if any, and who is willing to work  on possible growling issues. Note that a single owner would probably not have any problems since he just loves his main caretaker. If you're a couple, then both people need to be agreeable to work together. He's a 2 y/o boy who is testing his limits, which is why I say he needs a strong leader/s to keep him on track.

I would be happy to help anyone who is interested in adopting him. I can show our training methods and give explicit information on how to handle things. With all that said, I think he will make a wonderful dog with some work!

We Are So Proud of Finn!

We had a great weekend with Finn! We are getting to know him alot better and learning some of his funny quirks. He's really a great dog that will make a wonderful pet.

On Saturday, we took the 3 dogs to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Bethesda. We did a walk, during which Finn showed his talent for drinking water right from the squirt bottle (the other dogs couldn't figure it out). He also enjoyed a shower from the hose. I mean, he really enjoyed it. He just happily stood there while I completely soaked him from head to foot.

He greeted the 3 and 7-year-old nephews with a tail wag, and they just loved him. Grandma also loved him, and he readily leaned into her to be petted. He also cockroached right on the deck! Finn is an extremely affectionate guy that seeks out attention. No instances of growling whatsoever that day (or Sunday). I think he just needs to relax, know who is in charge, and he's a really cool dog.

The dogs had to stay on the deck while we ate dinner inside, and Finn did bark a little. But he calmed down after a minute or two. Like most greys, he wanted to be inside with the people. He also showed some interest in chasing the tennis ball and tries to investigate the stuffies, but Gracie always has to beat him to it.


I forgot to mention that Finn likes to be touched so much, either scratching or rubbing, that he will do one of 2 things:
1. slowly start melting down toward the floor, like when a grey gets a warm bath
2. very gently mouth the hand that's rubbing him

Sunday, we had a nice, relaxing day. Finn is our velcro dog and just loves both foster mom and dad. As I mentioned, he's a big leaner and is constantly coming to us for affection. At this point, I think he would do fine anywhere. Obviously, if you have really young kids, they need to respect his space, but in general, kids should be taught to be gentle with any new dog.

Finn like-uh da magic fingers...

I started massaging his muscles, and he loved it. He stretches out his arm and leg to really let me get in there. At one point I got interrupted, but he followed me around until I sat down with him again and continued massaging.

He also loves my homemade frosty paws (see pic). It's frozen real yogurt, honey and banana. He was so excited he didn't know what to do. Finally, he figured out what my Gracie has already learned: hook your teeth on the edge while your tongue just licks over and over and over until it's gone.

Otherwise, he's doing very well. We had one more instance of him growling at Chris. But I determined that Finn is more of a "I'll come get affection from you when I'm ready" kind of guy, at least in a new situation. It doesn't take long--he was my shadow by the next morning. But Chris, as his secondary caretaker, had not yet fed or walked him. Chris tried to lay down right next to him, which is how Finn growled both times. So if there is a second caretaker in the family, make sure you both take turns early on. And then let him seek you out for affection. I promise, it doesn't take long and he LOVES affection.

Did I mention that he is a really cool color? It's hard to see in the pictures I have right now. But he's dark brindle with this really deep caramel color. People on the street just love him!

Welcome Finn!

Finn is a big, beautiful brindle boy who was returned after a few months. He is totally housebroken, walks well, doesn't destroy anything, and gets along with other dogs. Basically, he is a great dog, but needs a strong pack leader/s to help him understand his place. As soon as that relationship is established, he is a calm, easygoing dog that is very affectionate.

For example, I noticed he would dart out the door and push the other dogs out of the way. With a few simple training techniques that I applied the first day, he now calmly waits to go out only after I have already stepped out. I walk him on a short leash side by side with my other grey, Gracie, and they do great. If one steps away to sniff, within seconds they're both back in line.

If I'm giving Gracie attention, he'll come and push her out of the way. I just push him back, and call him over only when I'm ready. He's already learning not to push her.

Also, he growled when my husband got close to him on his bed. Chris didn't back down and stood over him, staring at him. Finn slowly got up and slinked away, and we haven't had any more issues since then.

I've tested him for several other possible issues, but he has done very well. I am currently feeding him alone and holding the bowl. I put my hands in there and touch the food, pet his muzzle, take the bowl away and give it back, but so far no issues there. I'll keep trying with different items. Last, he seemed a little wary of kids initially and put the brakes on during the walk when we saw some down the street, but I didn't let him change our direction. We walked straight past them, and the next day he walked up to some neighborhood kids while wagging his tail.

So all in all, he's a good dog. I learned alot about the training techniques from reading Cesar Millan's two books--Cesar's Way and Be the Pack Leader, which I recommend for every dog owner regardless of whether you've owned many dogs or not. I did the same things with Gracie, and she is a very well-behaved dog, despite being a bit of a princess!

Rocket Gone!

Just like my name implies, I'm a fast-moving target! On one couch today, and a different one tomorrow. But I'm hoping to settle in for a while. The rest of my life, that is.

Well my day started out with a big surprise! Foster dad took me and Freyja (and left Gracie home with mom) to see foster grandma and grandpa. I got to meet some kids, including 3-year-old Dylan, who told me that I was his favorite dog in the world. Wow!

Then I came home and was enjoying a scratch on the neck by mom in front on my favorite AC vent. Gracie wanted to get in on the action, but I really didn't want to move. So she decided to lay down right on top of me. Golly! I yelled at her, but had to give up my spot since she's the resident hound, and a pushy girl. Anyhew, after a lovely dinner and some relaxation time, I was escorted outside to meet a family with 2 other greyhounds! It was a party with 5 dogs in the back yard for sure.  But the people and their little girl were so nice that I decided to give the guy a big hug, which is the way I sealed the deal. And just like that, I became a member of their family! Whoo-hoo!

Let's hope I can cool my jets here for a long time!

Rocket

Rocket Here!

Finally taking a break from all of my travels to write...I went from West Virginia to Alexandria to Arlington all in one day, and this 9 year-old guy is ready to take it easy. But don't get me wrong--as soon as I figured out where to drop my suitcase for a while, I was ready for the next adventure.

(Is it hot in here, or is it just me?  Pant, pant, pant)

Anyway, I was real excited to meet my foster mom and dad, and my foster sisters. Especially Gracie, the other greyhound. But Gracie seems to only like momma, so I figured I'd keep my distance and let the girls have their way. Isn't it easier that way?


(Pant, pant, pant)

We went for a few walks already. I was so excited to cover alot of ground and I kept trying to make them go faster! But foster momma is telling me to chill and not pull; she kept mentioning some Cesar. Anyway, I got to pee on all kinds of cool things, including Gracie (HA!). It wasn't my fault her head was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now I'm lying in front of the AC vent, and boy does it feel good. Mom even put a comforter here--she's a classy lady! And did I mention how much I love a little roast beef with my pills? Mom says my eyes might fall out of my head, they get so wide. One last thing for now--I chatter my teeth when someone is scratching my neck. They all laugh, but I just can't help myself.

Later!