pet sitting gray hounds

[Susan Sadeghian]

Hi, I dont have a gray hound but my adult daughter has been asked to pet sit two grayhounds in our culdesac when their parents go on vaccation. It hasnt happened yet which is good since gray hounds are one of the few breeds we dont have that much info on or experience with. The person who trained her many years ago said she fostered some grayhounds in the past and they are one of the best and gentless breeds around and she shouldnt have any trouble walking them. They are probably easier to walk than most other big dogs.
Is this true? Also for when they do finally ask her to sit, are there any tips?
Can anyone here educate us on grayhounds?
Also before they go on vaccation they want to have a couple of trial days and after they may want her to watch them a little while they work. They mostly work from the home and can take them with them most of the time even while working from out of the house but occassionally they cant take them. Would grayhounds even benfit from someone other than their imediate family taking care of them while the family is away during the work week?

[MrsFrijole]

Well, pet sitting a greyhound is like sitting any other breed. They are hounds, so they are keen on hunting. Luckily it is only two of them so walking them should not be a concern. I am not sure what training, if any, these dogs have, if they know not to jet after things they see running around like squirrels or cats. I cannot guarantee that they won't get hyper and try to go after it. If your daughter is not strong enough to restrain both, maybe walk them one at a time and compensate by letting them run in the back yard (if there is one) just to let out any extra energy.
On the other side, they can definitely be easier to walk. A couple of my dogs are a breeze to walk. My parents used to walk all five of them at the same time, but now there are eight, so they aren't walked as often.
Greys tend to lounge around and sleep. Some of them, if they are attached to their owners, may wimper and moan about missing them, but other than that, they aren't a bear to handle.
It would really be a good idea to have your daughter spend time with the dogs while the owners are there so the dogs can get used to her and her scent so it isn't such a shock that they are left alone with her.
I don't necessarily see a benefit in having someone other than the owners looking after the dogs, but it isn't a disadvantage either. Greys like attention and perhaps the extra help may keep the calm if they seem to be distressed when the owners leave.
The also get over-excited when their parents come home. They will be so happy to see their Mum and Dad, that they jump around and bark. This is ok. The parents can figure out what they will allow. Don't be afraid to have them lick your face or arms. They love to kiss!
The owners should be able to give more specific advice on their dogs. The personalities of greys vary quite a bit. I have a couple calm ones and a few crazy ones.
I wish your daughter luck with the greyhounds and don't think she'll regret helping out with them. They are very lovely dogs. Oh, but remember not to let them off the lead out in the open or you will be lucky to ever see them again! They aren't too keen about staying at a person's side like most other dogs. They go after anything that moves real quick!
I hope I have helped. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Annabelle

[Susan Sadeghian]

Thanks,this does help. Comming to think of it we have never seen these grays on a walk or even come out of the house but we know at least one is a theraphy dog,so they have to have some training and my daughter did learn how to train dogs to not pull too much on a leash. We tried it on our mutt who I think is mostly a pitty and lab mix and it worked. She no longer chases cats and our favorite "skunks". I hope I did not jinx it by saying t hat.
There is a leash law here but since the closes animal controll is about 1hr away this is seldom if ever enforced but we obey it. Some of my daughters four legged extended family members she takes care of are sweet as pie with people but dog aggressive and there is nothing scarrier than any dog even a friendly dog off leash when you are walking at least one dog aggressive dog. She cant controll the off leash dog she is not watching from fallowing her and the worst excuse is "oh dont worry,she is friendly, she wont bite", when she knows her dog will probably bite the strange dog for invading his or her private bubble. So we are strong advocates of leash laws. Another sad story is Miakoda. If you type in mia,our hero its a real sad story of a dog who had to give her life to safe an infants from yes a lab attack. Like you said all dogs can be easy or crazy. If the owner had his dog on a leash Mia would still be alive. Later we found out its the owners fault the lab was not nice.
These grayhounds mum and dad seem very friendly and very animal esp grayhound loving. I dont think we ever heard them bark.