New Dog owners!!

[leanneandjay]

Hi - We've just rescued an ex - racer. Formerly known as Ian we have re named him Ty (due to his tiger like markings!) He came home with us on Saturday and seems to be settling in well, however his digestion is not so good. We are feeding him a complete mix but he is suffering with very loose, irregular stools and rather bad wind - my 3 year old son is not impressed with that! . We've put it down to a new diet and I'm sure part of this is a new environment too but just wondered if you experts think this will calm down and whats the best way to try and stop the few accidents he has had?
Also theres the sleeping arrangements - he is currently being put into the kitchen at night time - he has a very comfortable bed, toys, water etc with him and the kitchen is warm and spacious. We have an open plan house and are worried about him falling off the stairs (as there is no banister) so thought this would be the better idea. He was OK the first few nights but has now started crying, barking and scratching at the door and cupboards. We're not sure what to do for the best - we want to take control and stick to our guns about him not being upstairs but don't want to cause him any unnecessary distress.
Sorry it such a long message but we want to get it right - Any help would be much appreciated.

[Tracey]

Hiya,
Well first of all I'm no expert. I walk dogs at a local kennels and they all have runny poo. In my opinion it is well worth feeding a good quality dry food such as 'James Webeloved' or I use 'Wainwrights' and Meg never has a problem. If you look at the sacks it will tell you if it's for poor digestion and diet requirements. It may sound a bit mean but I never giver her anything else, all of her treats are biscuits and conditioning treats. Hopefully it will calm down in a few days but be sure that you're not overfeeding (easily done) are you feeding twice a day? When are the accidents happening?
I guess that Ty has come from a rescue centre where he's been sleeping with other dogs or at least had other K9 company so he will be missing that (you really need two dogs don't you ) I was told NEVER to go to Meg when she wined and scratched and stuck to it, I pay no attention to her when I leave or enter the room (upon advice) this HAS worked and she has no separation anxiety. But she was a puppy and it will be that much harder for you as Ty has to undo all of his habbits and start again. A radio on in the kitchen (mines on 24/7) have you thought about a crate? I have one and it's brilliant. It does give them that sense of security and of course, less likely to soil it. Mine is covered over with a throw apart from the door bit so she can still see.
Well you thought that yours was a long one ;D
It's only been a week so hang on in there, it could be weeks until Ty shows you how good he can be but he will. I buy soft teddies from the charity shops and car boot sales too, she likes them in her bed
How old is he and when will we get to see some pics of your new boy?
Good Luck

Tracey

[Johnny]

Hi leeannandjay: Welcome to our message board.
I've copied and pasted the article below, relating to how we feed our two:


Our two are fed around "Pets at Home" dried food, with variations added to it (as described below). We've found this food to be very good for our two. It has a high chicken (or meat) content, and provides the other essential vitamins and minerals needed.

We ended up on this particular type of dried food, following a series of problems we had with Star - tinned dog food (which made him hyperactive and scatty), Hills Science diet (too rich, and which gave him diarrhea) and Purina (quite good, and heading in the right direction).
Since June last year, we have been feeding "Pets at Home" dried food, mixed with a little hot water (allowed to cool a little before feeding).
In the mornings I add a variety of grated carrot, parsnip, sprouts, apple or brocolli to it, and a tiny-weeny drop of virgin olive oil.
The reason behind feeding grated vegetables, is that they are very good source of enzymes which help with the digestion of food. In actual fact, in the wild, a wolf pack will eat the gut of their prey first. Although this sounds disgusting, scientists believe that they do this to absorb the prey animal's digestive enzymes, which assists with their own digestion. I remember studying enzymes when I was at school, and I know they important, and have several health benefit.
Freshly grated carrots are an excellent source of dietry enzymes - both for humans and for dogs.
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, the dried food part of their meal is replaced by Tuna or Mackerel. They go absolutely potty about fish - perhaps they were cats in a former life!

So, as you can see - we probably feed a rather bizarre mix of stuff to our two, but they seem to do OK on it, and they never leave a single morsal. The vets always say that they are in very good health, so we're quite happy to keep them on this diet.

[leanneandjay]

Thanks Johny and Tracey. As i said, any help is much appreciated. Ty is 3, he'll be 4 next month. We are feeding him twice as day as advised (we done loads of research on the net before getting him) Actually, today he does seem better - we had no accidents last night and not to be too graphic but his stools are much more, erm formed! ;0) He is on a complete mix as advised, we did try tinned fish for his coat but thought perhaps this was upsetting him too - maybe we can introduce extras later. As for the sleeping arrangments, last night was a total nightmare!! You're right Tracey, he was around other dogs at the kennel. I put him in kitchen and didnt make a fuss but he cried and scratched all night. He has totally wrecked our (freshly decorated) kitchen - he had scratched his way through a hall cupboard, there was wood everywhere so luckily he didnt hurt himself on it. He then reached through the hole he made and got his lead, bit his way though that and has ruined our kitchen door - so thats a new one of them needed too. Sooo, we are thinking the way forward may be a crate. The more I research and speak to people -they're used more than I realised. I thought initially they were a bit crule but they are obviously common, especially with greyhounds it seems.

[Tracey]

Sounds like a crate might me a jolly good idea. As I said we use one and she's very happy to go in it (well most of the time)
Introduce it gradually by putting his bedding in and leaving the door open for him to investigate himself during the day. Then you could give him cuddles and treats when he goes in. I put a cover the top and sides just to make it feel more secure but I'm a bit silly like that and warmer (I have a wussy whippet ;D)
I think it's definately worth a try and sometimes they are advertised in the Adtrader.

You're getting through the worst of it


Tracey

[sarahjayne]

When I got my first greyhound, Fred nearly 10 years ago, I too put him in the kitchen. Again he started whining and scratching and as I lived in the rented house and wasn't allowed dogs (ooops, told a small "lie" and said that he was my sick aunt's dog!) I got a bit worried and caved in. I knew I shouldn't but I was quite young and had no resolve. As well as being very worried I'd be evicted! I moved asap to the country, with a huge garden, bought a bigger car and the rest is history.

Fred spent the rest of his days sleeping in my room with me, and sneaking onto the bed whenever he could.

Fred used to cry and howl if I had a bath and shut the door. I used to have baths with him laying on the floor. Fred was always so worried that I was going to run off and leave him. He would follow me everywhere. Apart from on Langley Marshes when he wasn't so concerned and would hook off...............

Congratulations on Ty - he sounds lovely and he will settle, it just takes time.

SJx

[Tracey]

Liann and Jay, hows it been going with the past few nights.
I was talking to someone yesterday and they suggested leaving all your doors open and allow him to choose where he is happy to settle. That's all OK providing he's clean at night. Thought I'd let you know as it may save your Kitchen from further damage.
Just got my new foster and had his first night last night. He was fine but we made Meg sleep in the kitchen too which she didn't look too impressed with. But he has claimed the crate as 'his' now and goes in of his own choice. If we didn't have Meg I think we would be having him upstairs! They seem to get so attached so quickly...bless em..