Sorcha update

[sasha_feather]

There were hardly any dogs at the park today in the late morning when we went, so I decided to let Sorcha off the leash. She did great! She walked beside me for a little bit, and then when she saw other dogs she galloped off to them. She is really beautiful when she runs. She did come back to me which I was relieved about. She snapped and growled at the other dogs when they sniffed at her, but the other dog owner was like, "Oh, she's just putting them in their place." And Sorcha cozied up to that woman and wanted to get pet. I think Sorcha likes people more than other dogs. This woman was like, "Are all Greyhounds *so soft*??" I said I didn't know. It's true her coat feels like rabbit fur.

We also went to the vet for a quick check-up paid for by GPA. This is called a CVI and is required by state law to make sure I'm not getting a puppy mill dog apparently. Even though she's 8. She weight about 59 pounds. It's hard to imagine this couch-loving, people-loving dog in a big barn in a crate all day long. She is napping right now, stretched out on the sofa in "roach pose".

Comments

[tamara_russo]

Hey, what is "Roach Pose"? I've had dogs (and cats, mind you) for 13 years now and I'm not familiar with the term! :)

Sounds like you two are having a lot of fun...

[sasha_feather]

They call it that because it's like a dead cockroach (gross I know), on the dog's back with all four feet up in the air.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sasha_feather/6960736538/in/photostream

[tamara_russo]

Yeah, my dogs don't do that when they're sleeping, only my cat Dolce when she sleeps on my boobs and wants me to pet her on her stomach. LOL.

[raanve]

Our dog definitely prefers people to dogs. When we take him to the dog park he spends most of his time either visiting people or walking on the paved path. What a little weirdo. ;)

The snapping & growling is probably nothing to be concerned about, though keep an eye out for when it looks like it's getting too intense, or if Sorcha looks like she's not handling it well. The growling & teeth baring is about establishing boundaries; as you get to know her better, it'll be easier to read what's going on. Ein is pretty submissive, and other dogs make him a little nervous, so every now & then I have to either reassure him (usually by saying "it's okay, buddy") or I have to move in to remind him I'm there & get the other dogs to back up a bit. The one thing I -always- stop is any kind of mounting behavior -- this is usually some other dog getting all up ons Ein (i've never seen him do it to anyone/thing), and so I have to tell other owners to get their dog under control.

OMG. Wordy comment. -__-; I am so happy for you! Dogs are great. :D

[sasha_feather]

Oh Ein! <3333

[eggcrack]

Your dog sounds just so totally lovable. <3 I'm planning to adopt a cat sometime this year, but I hope to adopt a dog one day too. Animal companionship is just something really comforting and soothing and I'm glad you were able to get some in your life.

[sasha_feather]

It's seriously improved my life very quickly! I hope you get a cat. :)

[j00j]

My greyhound always liked people more than other dogs (though babies and their weird noises startled him). He was very social with people. He did better with calmer dogs and dogs he knew (he'd happily run along the fence with our neighbor's dogs, doing twice as many laps as the spaniels), and best with other sighthounds who were similarly reserved.

Greyhounds (and whippets, italian greyhounds) have the softest fur of any dog I've encountered, though I don't have any experience to speak of with the long haired sighthounds (Afghan hound, etc). Maybe this is partly the lack of undercoat?

[sasha_feather]

Her skin is really thin! We're going to have to be careful because any little insult breaks the skin.

I think going to the park when there are not many other dogs there is going to be my strategy. :)

[anna_bird]

Aw, darling! She sounds so great, I'm really happy for you two! I love that she runs back to you. <3

Our Clio loves people of all ages. She still has a lot of dominance issues towards other dogs, though - she's prone to humping any dog, cat or beast she meets (after she barks and growls at them. Sometimes she air-humps, as if in anticipation? Which looks hilarious). She does calm down after a bit, but rather than make other people uncomfortable we go to parks and dog runs at odd times, too. :)