Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My old pack of 5 like to lay around and sleep most of the time. When they did go out to play they would run around the yard a couple of times a few play bows and we were good for a 3 hours nap. Packs changes. BTW we are keeping Jeremy. We now have a very different group. With a not yet 2 year old who never raced or even made it to the track, Jeremy who is 4 but very playful I now have a very different type of pack. Lots of bitey face and neck chewing and leg chewing and running in the house. Jeremy is at 81.4 pounds and Riley is only 54 pounds. I am afraid he will hurt her even though she starts it. I know some of you have been through having a puppy in the pack. Having Riley has even caused Memmie to be more active. When they go out to play everyone chases Riley. I am so afraid she is going to get hurt. I always muzzle when they are in the yard. Am I just being an over-protective mamma?
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Linda C.
Flame (Drinkin Dr. Pepper), Star (Starwind), Memmie (Sweet Memories), Riley(FTH Black Dahlia), Jeremy (Rapido Jeremy)
Bridge Kids: Hawk, Beecher, & Tessie

I don't think you are being overly protective. I think you know your pack well enough to know that they will and do play rough. I see nothing wrong with muzzling in the yard when you already know there is some play-biting going on. It sure beats a trip to the ER for a play wound repair.
Muzzles are great tools for us as greyhound people. I muzzle mine in the car if both are with me much of the time. I ALWAYS muzzle the greys in the car if my beagle is riding along with them or if I have a foster in the mix. It just makes more sense to me than worrying about nips and fights when one tired dog steps on another one that's trying to sleep. I'd rather concentrate on driving.
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Lori and her kids
Posh
Mona
Logan
and
Beaker B

Bridgekids:
Billy GST#369 12/22/04-10/09/08
Minnie 1993-2007
Snoopy 1990-2006
Jarvis 1985-2005

Linda,
Our pack has changed over the years, but has been in a bit of a turmoil since we lost Luke (alpha). Jazzy was the alpha, although a bit reluctantly, he did give it a shot. This past winter Jazzy had some health issues that scared me and he stepped down and Dakota is now the alpha, although I think that Kylie would love the distinction of being pack *bitch*. Anyway, mine are all muzzled when they go out, and for a variety of reasons. If Jazz isn't muzzled, he digs and eats the dirt or the bugs or whatever it is that is a *delicasy* to him (I have heard that the grubs are sweet and that the dogs love them). Aimee is muzzled because she will clean up all of the poop in the yard, Kylie is muzzled just because the rest are. I NEVER let them all out together anymore. Dakota, although now 5 1/2 years old, still wants to get the pack moving and playing. He is NEVER let out with Jazz since he *picks* on Jazz. So.. the girls and Jazz can go out together with no problems. If I can be out with them, Dakota can go out with the girls. When Chico and Haley are here, they can go out with the girls and Jazz (muzzled, of course) and Dakota goes out alone.. and muzzled, unless he is out with us ~ then he is not muzzled. This is what works with / for us. The pack dynamics just don't work if they are all out together and there will be an accident. Kylie is little ~ a bit overweight at 56 pounds.. should be 52 - 54. Jazzy is my largest buy also my gentlest. Dakota .... well, Dakota is just "Dakota". For safety, it is wise to watch the dynamics of the pack and then maybe make changes. Yes, it takes a bit longer to accomplish *out*, but it is worth it.

Hugs

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Gwen & the Zu Kru
Aimee Kylie Jazz & Dakota
Taz(all white Kitty)
Sadie, Luke, Kianna & Jessie at the Bridge
Fill your life with love ~ adopt a greyhound

Thanks Gwen, I see some of my friends just turning them out. I worry about the vet bills too much. My vet is expensive and the E vet is terrible.
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Linda C.
Flame (Drinkin Dr. Pepper), Star (Starwind), Memmie (Sweet Memories), Riley(FTH Black Dahlia), Jeremy (Rapido Jeremy)
Bridge Kids: Hawk, Beecher, & Tessie