Comments on: My 9 Month Greyhound Is Crate Trained Want To Get Her Out Of It So That She Can Join A New Dog We Are Getting?

By: bostonte

bostonte — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:19:01 +0000

I have had to switch crates many times due to bringing in new dogs. You do not have much time though before the new one comes in. If you really want her out you need to start testing her to see if she in fact ready without destroying anything. Let her out 1-2 hours by herself while you run errands. If she does something you know she is not ready. If she does not do anything the next time add 1 -2 hours. If she does fine in the long run you should leave the crate out for her as this became her den. Make sure you introduce the dogs outside on neutral grounds. Once the initial greeting is finished you can then bring the new one inside. If they get along while you are there they will be fine by themselves. I think if your dog is still chewy she is still to young to be left out of the crate. The problem that you will have is you will not know who did what when you have two. Good Luck

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:48:34 +0000

1. Make sure she has proper things to chew on and make sure nothing is left out that she can chew on. Keep the crate – it will be like her little space, at least for now.
2 & 3. I would still put her in the crate during the day, or lock the other dog in a bedroom and leave her crate open during the day. That way you can monitor their behavior while you are there. Once they are getting along, you can leave them during the day.
I understand – that was the same reason we got another dog. My Spikey had horrible separation anxiety. Expect plenty of jelousy – pay attention to your exsisting dog first, the newbie second. This will help your dog be more accepting – she’ll still think she is top dog.

By: walking lady

walking lady — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:55:52 +0000

OK, one thing at a time. If she’s happy in her crate, and at 9 months old, still “a bit chewy”, why do you want her out of her crate? Especially as you don’t have her in it very often? If it was me, I’d leave things as they are for now.
If you want her out of her crate, you can try (when you’re only going to be gone for a short time) leaving the door open and giving her the choice of leaving the crate if she wants and seeing what happens. If she chews something up while you’re gone, she’s not yet ready for the freedom.
I’ve got 2 greys who have some degree of separation anxiety but neither of them do anything about it when I leave them except perhaps make a bit a noise (but they do settle after a very short time). That’s just the way they are.
As for setting in the lurcher, that’s going to depend on him. Usually, there’s not much to it at all. It’s going to depend on his temperament. If you’re sure he’s not a chewer and won’t need a crate, all you need to do is show him around the house, usually introducing him to 1 room at a time is good – starting with the kitchen where the food and water will be. Show him a few times where the door is and take him out several times to be sure he knows where to go out, because even a house trained dog isn’t house trained in a new house is he doesn’t know where to go.
Show him where he’s going to be sleeping. Allow him to explore and get comfortable.
Greys generally love the company of other greyhounds, so I’m assuming your girl does. If the lurcher as a greyhound temperament, introducing them won’t be a problem. I don’t like using leashes because if there’s a chance of any aggression, leashes will definitely bring it out. If you have any doubt, put up a baby gate, and have them in adjacent rooms so they can see each other and get each other’s scent. When they seem accepting, let them in a room together.
Although, I have to say, I’ve brought a lot of greys together and have not once had a problem. If you’ve got a muzzle, just muzzle one of them for a minute or two until you see what’s going to happen. It shouldn’t be a big deal at all. As far as leaving them when brand new, leave her in the crate at first if you’re at all unsure – she feels at home in her crate and won’t mind.