News

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month - a greyt time to share our appreciation of this awesome breed and help our local groups by spreading the word on what wonderful pets these dogs are.  While live dog racing is active in only six states today (with two of them phasing out), there are still hundreds of dogs needing to be rehomed. Here are some things we can all do to share our enthusiasm for Greyhounds:

THE EVOLUTION OF PUPPY DOG EYES

New research has shown that dogs have evolved muscles around their eyes, which allow them to make expressions that prompt a nurturing response in humans. “Puppy dog eyes” helped domesticated dogs bond with their people.

Our Greyhounds play a big part in our lives so it’s no surprise that we want greyt photographs of them. But we all know how hard it can be to capture the adorableness of our hounds, especially black ones. Pets, unlike humans, do not understand what we are trying to do and won’t just pose for the camera! Flashes look horrible. Natural lighting can be so dark that you can’t tell where your dog ends and the sofa begins. Keeping a few of the following tips in mind will help YOU help your pup to shine, using just your phone’s camera. #GreyhoundsofInstagram, here we come!

Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs, affecting 76% of all canines in the United States. According to a 2016 study by Banfield Pet Hospital, there has been a 23.3% increase in the prevalence of dental disease in dogs since 2006, with steady growth each year.  Greyhounds are notorious for teeth that seemingly attract plaque. Some people are religious about brushing their greyt’s teeth, but many of us struggle with doing it regularly.  Today, I’m going to talk about two natural treats that could help with cleaning your pup’s teeth.

Could the amount of your Greyhound’s playtime be affecting his behavior? Research suggests that playtime is just as important as a good diet and exercise for a happy and healthy Greyhound. Many behavior problems are caused by stress and anxiety, and play is a stress buster for both our dogs and us.  Interactive play is also greyt for bonding between us and our dogs. Read on for more about the benefits of play and how we can implement more playtime into our dog’s daily routine.

Even though the Galgo Espanol is often referred to as the Spanish Greyhound, the Galgo is actually not the same as a Greyhound at all.  The Galgo Espanol and the Greyhound are both sighthound breeds (dogs that hunt by sight and speed, instead of by scent and endurance), but they are not genetically the same.

Is your Greyhound a picky eater? Are you trying to encourage an under-the-weather dog or senior dog to eat more? There are lots of prepared dog food toppers and gravies on the market, but here are some more economical suggestions. These simple and healthy dog food topper ideas are nutrient packed and easy-peasy. Determine which ones your dog likes and he will enthusiastically await mealtimes.

Last week we looked at five behaviors that our Greyhounds wish we wouldn’t do.  Continuing on, today we consider five more actions to avoid or modify.

#6. Changes to Routine

Greyhounds thrive on routine. When a dog is on a consistent schedule each day, the dog gains a sense of stability and a better idea of when they'll be fed, potty time schedules, walks, playtime. Whenever possible, these things should be done at the same time of day.  More---->

We often think that communicating with our dogs means we talk to them, but in fact we can recognize what our dog is saying - even what he's thinking - just by learning our Greyhound’s body language.  We need “listen” with our eyes to understand what they are telling us, and in the same way, we need to be conscious of our body language to be sure we are not inadvertently communicating something that we don’t mean!

Does your Greyhound eat things that are not food or even edible?  Some dogs have a taste for all kinds of things that could, if left unchecked, harm them, resulting in costly veterinarian bills. Why does this happen and what to do about it?

I haven’t made my New Year’s Resolutions yet – have you? I have been thinking about how our hounds wake up each morning expecting the best day ever, EVERY DAY! Maybe we can take some cues from their playbook.

Last week we looked at the symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or dog dementia, and some things you can do once your veterinarian has diagnosed your Greyhound with the disease, which unfortunately has no cure. This week we are going to consider a few more strategies which may help you and your dog with quality of life improvements in spite of inevitable decline.