Going Home Greyhounds Inc.

Paula has been in foster care 3 weeks now and is settling in very nice.  She came to us with teeth worn down, so we knew she might have some crate anxiety.  I tried crating her for about a week and a half and she did chew on the crate and tore up her blankets.  When she went in to be spayed, she had to have 3 canines extracted so decided that keeping her out of the crate was for her best interest.  She now has free reign of the first floor with 2 other greys that are free with her and a third one crated. 

She is very loving and a quick learner.  She learned the dog door and steps the first day without any instruction.  I think she would love going to a training class and learning new things.  We work on the command “wait” at the door and when I put my hand up to signal everyone, she looks intently and watches me to wait for the release command (“free”).  We are working on “come” and I’ve caught her sitting a few times on her own, so now that she’s healed up from her spay, we’re going to start working on that as well.  She is also becoming familiar with the word “off”, meaning paws off something. 

She has eaten every bite of food offered and is willing to try new things like watermelon, salmon, broccoli, sweet potatoes and any treat you’d like to offer!  Paula only needed a few days of leash training and now walks beautifully beside you.  She would go for 5 walks every day if you’d take her and will potty and poop on leash with no problem.  She has met some other dogs while on walks and greeted nicely, even surprisingly with a small white fluffy one!  Today she met some neighborhood kids on our walk and initially jumped up on each one to wrap her arms around their shoulders like a hug and give them big kisses!  She was like that with everyone when she first came into foster care, but understands it won't get her attention when you turn away, step back and ignore her (with no words).  She gets lots of calm, confident praise from me when she greets with “4 on the floor”, but if she’s talked to with a high pitch excited baby tone, then she will try to jump up on you. 

She seems to thrive on attention and loves to snuggle.  In the morning when the alarm goes off, she pops her two front legs up on the side of the bed and rubs her head all over me for some morning lovin’!  I haven’t seen any space or sleep startle issues with me, but every once in a while she will let another dog know they are too close to her.  Although, she’s usually the one getting growled at because she seems to have no concept of special boundaries and will just walk over anything or anyone to get somewhere! 

Paula is confident with the majority of things she’s encountered, but has been startled by things like balloons, and a person every once in a while.  If she’s allowed to come sniff while you are still and not making eye contact, she calms right down and wants to be friends. 

She has run full out in the yard a few times, but certainly not on a daily basis.  I think she’d be ok without a fenced yard if she has enough room to play and throw her toys around inside.  Besides affection, toy tossing (especially with balls) and going for car rides are her favorite activities.   This girl has so much personality that one visit full of tail wags, sweet gentle kisses and seeing those floppy ears that go all different directions are all it will take to make you want to bring her home!