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KickReturn

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  1. Atticus sounds insecure. He has been with you a very short time and has been through an emotional transition changing homes. I suspect he is a bit depressed, confused, and traumatized. He is afraid and he is insecure. It comes out when he encounters a dog he cannot read right away. He sounds like he is getting ready for fight of flight. I don't think you have an aggressive dog on your hands. He would have already lunged and tried to attack. There would be no uncertainty about it. My advice as always is to walk him as much as you can. This is particularly important with a young dog. The more encounters with dogs the better. He will quickly learn that nothing bad ever happens. Be vigilant and spot problems before they become issues but never show fear or nerves yourself. Atticus needs a fearless leader right now. If you can find a rock solid Greyhound to walk him with this may help a great deal. If you happen to be on Vancouver Island send me a PM. My big boy has a history of calming insecure dogs right down.
  2. Forgive me if I repeat any of the above but I don't have time to read all the responses today. Be thrilled with what you have achieved with "stay" and "lets go". Excellent work in a short time. Working on recall would be nice also. Now why on earth anyone would ask a Greyhound to lie down anywhere accept on a bed I do not understand. What can a Greyhound do laying down that it cannot do standing up and vice versa is beyond me. You want your Grey to lie down when you are out? Just lie down yourself and when his legs get tired from standing or he gets bored he will lie down beside you. Works every time and without even asking! As I start our walks, I watch trainers in the parking lot of a recreation are I frequent with my Grey, helping owners with their seemingly well behaved dogs. Instructing the owner to walk in tiny circles, change direction back and forth, suddenly ask for a sit, repeat. We hit the trails and hike for an hour. When I return to my vehicle there they are, still doing the same thing but now with dogs that are bored, frustrated, and not properly exercised. In my opinion asking (or forcing) a dog to do something just because you can is a mistake in some cases. Particularly when in comes to Greyhounds I think a better approach is to train for only what you will absolutely need from the dog and then aside from occasional practice, ask for the behaviour only when it really matters. Copious rewards should follow. Greys are smart, they won't forget, and most want to comply. Some Greys are just too darn dignified to be doing "tricks" for their "masters". You have a retired professional athlete in your house, not a puppy. Treat accordingly. I acknowledge my approach is a bit radical and not for everyone, and I certainly don't mean to diminish in any way what works for others.
  3. A month isn't long. You need to find out if you have a truly dog aggressive and not small dog safe Grey (your adoption group can help you with this) or is it just that your Grey has no experience with other breeds and her insecurity leads her to adopt an aggressive defense when she encounters the unfamiliar. If you can take her on walks with other breeds of all shapes and sizes that may be the best strategy. Not easy to arrange but worth a try. She needs to have the opportunity to see that nothing bad ever happens with other breeds. Having another confident Grey along is also helpful.
  4. Hester has now peed in the house three times in the last couple weeks. Each incident occurred when we have left him alone and gone out for dinner from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. His daily routine which was followed on the days of the accidents is: breakfast 7:30 AM morning hike 8:30 – 10:00 AM turn out and a turkey neck at 1PM afternoon hike 4:00 - 5:00 PM dinner 5:00 PM evening walk 8:30 – 9:30 PM He pees as far away from the locations where he sleeps as possible, twice in a corner (different corners) of the lower level of our home, and tonight in one of my sons rooms (I had blocked access to the lower level hoping to solve the problem). All doggie accidents whether Hester’s recent ones of those of visitor dogs in the past have been obliterated with Natures Miracle Oxy Formula. Our home is very large with extensive carpeted areas on multiple levels. Hester is nearly 10.5 years old. His diet and health has not changed since he arrived 4+ years ago. He sleeps from 9:00 PM to 7:30 AM without asking to go out. Sometimes he refuses a turnout after breakfast at 7:30 AM and waits until our morning hike. Other then the peeing his behaviour has not changed. He has never peed in the house before. I am at a loss. Can I rule out a UTI? The dog can hold it for twelve hours if I am present. Perhaps some other medical issue? He has an epic ability to continue to mark for as long as he is walked. He may pee as many as 15 or 20 times on a walk. Could it be behavioural? Hester is absolutely obsessed with me. Still an extreme velcro dog when I am present, often refuses to walk with other family members, but also seemingly completely calm when I say goodbye. Sometimes when I return he will make sure his nap is properly concluded before he comes to greet me. It is as if he has just decided that it is OK to pee in the house as opposed to waiting for his next walk. My plan is to continue to close off areas of the house when I am away (son's room now closed). Is there anything else I could do? Advice is very much appreciated. Hard to believe this perfect dog is having a problem.
  5. Photos because you asked. Yes he is a great dog and it is a shame that I cannot take on additional Greys. He would be such a good guide for dogs fresh off the track. What he really wants is a female Whippet. He loves them, more than female Greys. He goes nuts when he sees a whippet, no idea why he prefers them to Greys. But we travel too much to be able to find a place for more then just Hester for weeks at a time. This evening's walk in our neighbourhood. He knows the route so he often strolls as much as a block ahead. He always stops at intersections to wait for me to catch up and do the crossing with him. He noticed I stopped to take a photo so he stopped - good boy: Gratuitous headshot, always so darn serious and composed:
  6. Hester ignores most dogs he passes, though most turn to follow him and stuff their noses up his butt. He ignores the small ones and he will sniff the odd female. Males that cross the line are treated to a terrifying escalating display of growling, angry barking, and teeth. He gives no quarter, doesn't matter what the other dog is like. Earlier this week he turned around two massive Leonbergers that had charged him and drove them across a field back to their owner. Yesterday Hester met a 15 year old male German Sheppard on our morning walk; a real ancient fellow. The Sheppard tottered over to Hester, they sniffed each other and then the Sheppard just leaned into Hester's side in much the same way that some of our Greys are leaners. Hester balanced himself against the weight of the Sheppard and then wrapped his neck over top of and around the Sheppard's neck and held him in a tight "hug" with his chin for about two minutes. The other dog's owner and I just stood there with our jaws on the ground. After 5 years, finally, affection toward another dog. Maybe he was giving comfort? Do dogs even do that? I give up. Despite making a study of his behaviour and canine behaviour in general, I admit that I really have no idea of his feelings, nor can I predict his behaviour. My guess would have been that Hester would have stepped away and let any dog that leaned against him fall, or he might have brought out the teeth. I assume the condition of the old dog changed the plan. He is wonderful and I feel guilty for constantly underestimating him.
  7. Please never correct or scold growling. In our house we reward growling. I feel It is very important for for people and other creatures to know when your dog is giving a warning. The best strategy is to protect the deaf one, not try to fix the one that has nothing wrong with it. When your new dog realizes that nothing bad ever happens the behaviour will diminish. Could take a while, we had growling for 3 years. Nothing in the last two so I think it is over at our house.
  8. A potential quick fix is to take you little one for a good long walk with a big, confident, and relaxed greyhound. I have done this with my grey a few times. The little one's adapt in about two minutes and then bond with the grey as they walk together. One absolutely psycho Jack Russel cross settled right down, shut it's yap, and behaved like a proper dog almost immediately. We run into this same dog from time to time and never a peep - only the most polite greetings. (It still loses its mind when it meets other big dogs though. )
  9. And one more thing - if Suki ever does growl at you, it is perfectly OK. Please never discourage growling. You want Suki to feel free to express herself when something is bothering her. Don't take it personally. Just back away, yawn, lick your lips, avert your gaze, etc. In our house we actually reward growling.
  10. To add insight to just how quirky these creatures are, my grey will stare at me until he is overcome by sleep. But if I put a hand on him and hold it motionless, he will let out a big sigh, close his eyes, and fall asleep immediately. Pretty much the opposite of what you have - uneasy without the contact, content with it. FWIW my boy was a bit terrifying (growl, snap, etc.) for the first year so any approach took courage on my part. So there is lots of hope for Trace.
  11. Of course you are not hurting her... physically. BUT never disregard her reaction. Even though Trace is a velcro dog (the best kind IMO) and starting to bond with you, she absolutely does not trust you yet. Remember she has had a relationship with a human for only a mere month. When your hand stops moving she may fear she is about to be attacked by you or experience some other psychological discomfort. Most likely In time this will diminish and eventually stop however it may take years. Also on a related note, it is very early to be sharing a bed. Many on this forum would advised against it. Please be very cautious. Despite your best analysis and judgement about Trace's character, she may surprise you with a snap or even a bite. And If you flop over while you are asleep and drop your arm on her while she is asleep anything can happen. Her yelping already shows some fear, insecurity, and lack of trust. Remember that the typical pet dog spends much time as a puppy in the arms of its owners where it develops unconditional trust in humans. A retired racing greyhound has had no such experience and must be treated with the utmost respect no matter how gentle it is or appears to be. Act as if you have welcomed a benevolent wolf into your home. In time the dog will show its true nature and its behaviour will be predictable. Again, have a very long time frame in mind for this evolution although it can be just a few months for some. A side note - Trace is a spectacularly beautiful grey.
  12. It could be as simple as just letting you know he was displeased with your intended route, or actions in some way. How wonderful it is to have a dog who lets you know how they are feeling. It makes the correct course of action that much more obvious. I celebrate and reward every growl. Nothing make me feel worse then when I misunderstand what my dog wants.
  13. Sounds like Fey is nervous, which is OK. If you are out an about in an area with lots of dogs you should expect every type of encounter. A stable, confident greyhound will be able to deal with everything from agression to younger rambunctious dogs leaping at their face. Sounds like that lab just wanted to play. (They all do lol.) Maybe you are underestimating Fey's ability to deal with different approaches. If she attacks the other dog, or runs off into danger, then you have an issue that would mean leash only. Other than that is something really terrible happening? Hard to tell from your post. I have one of those dogs that other dogs just cannot resist. Nearly all that we greet stuff their noses right up his rear, many obsessively lick his penis, and a portion of the males will attempt to mount him. (The only breed that is polite and shows respect is Greyhounds!) I have never seen another dog inspire such interest from their fellow canines. Every walk is series of constant "rude" approaches. I look at it as this is simply how some dogs behave, I am not troubled at all by this and I never intervene. I leave it to my dog to handle the situation. He has his limits and when a dog crosses the line he takes action (which he seems to enjoy after the fact). Always comes to me for a reward after he "savages" another dog. If I had a dog I was worried about, I would accept all responsibility for its protection. Short of allowing a truly dangerous dog off leash, I never blame owners who just don't know enough or have different standards about what is acceptable.
  14. When he is dealing with his saliva it is a totally different type of licking, more of a sweeping around the lips with the tongue. The calming licks are smaller darting movement just at the front of his mouth. I assume you are very familiar with the difference. And to make matters even more interesting I see the calming type when there is no food - pretty much whenever I look at him. Also, if he knows the food is his and not mine (despite the fact that I may be holding it) then there are none of the "little" licks. He just goes over to his bowl to wait for me to drop it in. I guess the assumptions are somewhat fewer than you might have assumed lol.
  15. Yawning and lip licking can be used in a variety of ways by canines. It can depend on who or what they are dealing with. My dog uses them for people only, never for other dogs. If I hold a peice of meat in my hand the lip licking goes into overdrive. It is a clear "don't worry, I won't attack you and take your meat, but I am so polite that you should give me some". When I hug him it is almost constant yawning. If I let go and move away he follows and puts himself back "into my arms" and then starts yawning again. Not an ounce of stress, not conflicted, just pure joy. The dog just feels the need to let me know that he is not a threat. Part of his routine involving contact with me. (He does not yawn with other humans.) When he greets other dogs (he ignores most), I only ever see a quick turn of the head from him and he always makes the first move. Approaching dogs must then also turn the head, or lick lips, or sniff the ground, or drop to the ground. Failure to comply brings a fearsome response which is always followed by compliance and then happy bum sniffing. and BTW, calming and appeasement are the same thing, at least as far as the terms are used here.
  16. All kidding aside, please remain open to the idea that your dog may simply not be able to sleep anywhere but with you in your room. My Greyhound is exactly this sort. He must sleep where he can see me or he will kill himself trying to get to me, go through doors, walls, tear apart crates etc.. Some are just this way. Proceed with caution and sensitivity.
  17. You have a serious situation on your hands - not to be taken lightly. When you find ripped up bedding you have a dog that is absolutely losing it in the crate, in complete distress. This is no mischievous chewing. The advice above about exercise is sound - the more the better. Get rid of the crate, and attach the muzzle to the collar. There are ways to keep the muzzle on. You may find that with the right amount of exercise you won't need the muzzle. Follow standard alone training protocols.
  18. Walking a dog in the dark in the freezing winter is enjoyed by few and hated by most. Problem is some dogs just take a long time to empty out. Assuming Rosey's problem is having to pee in the morning, the late walk tactic is bound to help. Later turnouts are also good but the walk is better.
  19. Sorry about this. I have the solution and while I don't think you will like it, you owe to Rosey Roo (love the name) to at least give it a try. Every day for a week, walk her for at least 40 minutes starting no earlier then 8:30 PM. An hour walk is even better. Walking from 9 to 10 PM is ideal for dog and human. By the end of the week she should be silent until 6:00 AM and I suspect even later. You might also be able to get rid of the crate. If so, make sure she has a super comfy cozy bed of her own where she can see you. If she lets you sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning you may find you are not so wiped out when it comes time to walk her in the evening. If we just do a turnout in the evening our dog has us up at 5:30 AM. If we walk we can all sleep until between 7 and 8 AM.
  20. I'll echo what other have said but in a more direct way. Every single evening take Chase out between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM and walk him for an hour. Then come back on here and let us know if he is still pooping in the kitchen overnight.
  21. I second the above. Steve63 if you are still trying to address this issue, having the dog in a crate is not one of the options available to you. I am sorry you have had this difficulty.
  22. I have a lot of experience with a growler (at people). I suspect that your dog doesn't fully trust you or anyone else yet. If he is feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable in a certain situation he may growl at you or anyone else. As trust builds (which can continue over many years), the growling will diminish although it may never go away completely. At our house we reward growling and never ever discourage it. I want to know when my boy is not 100 percent comfortable with a situation. This ackowledges the dog's right to express itself and is part of preventing a serious incident. My advice - if he growls at someone they should disengage and back up immediately. In time he will come around.
  23. My Hester continues his unusual habit of controlling and disciplining dogs whose behaviour doesn't live up to his expectations. We were at a large enclosure of probably 30 acres that is a well attended area dog park. After we made our tour of the perimeter we went to greet the cluster of people and dogs near the entrance. There were probably 15 to 20 dogs in various levels of engagement, some sniffing, some chasing, some wrestling. Every imaginable breed and size (Chihuahua to St Bernard inclusive), in groups of 3, 4 or 5 - it had the makings of the classic dog park disaster. But not to fear, Hester went into overdrive moving from group to group, breaking up wrestling matches that he felt were getting too rough, growling at any large males that were looking a bit too proud, and keeping all the puppies (yes people bring their puppies) in line. At one point a one or two year old un-neutered Vizla decided to mount a Whippet. Well that just won't fly in Hester's park. In a flash Hester had the thing headed in the other direction. It was the first time I had heard him bark in 8 months. The Vizla returned and I swear Hester just raised an eyebrow and the thing dropped into a sphynx position and wouldn't move while Hester just stared at him. At one point he literally punted a French bulldog puppy whose idea of play was to leap at Hester's face. It was bizarre and comical - like a football player kicking. He sort of wound up and booted the thing out of the air. This went on for about 30 minutes, with Hester making repeated forays into the mayhem. And after each session of keeping the dog park safe, he would return to me happy as can be and very proud of himself. He seems to really love doing this "job". Hereare a couple of photos from the place though from a different day:
  24. Sorry but unless I was dealing with natural sitter which is rare, I would never ask a greyhound to sit. Lay down has its uses though and makes a lot more sense for this type of dog.
  25. As a committed off-leasher this is exactly how I look at the issue except for one major detail you overlook - seven hundred years ago a greyhound was not in danger of being squashed by a truck going 100 km/h!! We actually have to be better then our ancestors if we want to keep our dogs safe. Most of us live in urban environments with a host of dangers of which our ancestors couldn't have dreamed.
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