sobesmom

The way I handled it was like this: to the child - "Oh! Kiddo - stop - my black dog is a grumpy old man. He not a mean dog, but he's just old and grumpy to kids so we'd better leave him alone! Would you like to pet my other dog?" 90% of kids would be okay with this. To the 10% that insisted on trying to harass my dog that wasn't crazy about kids and had parents that didn't "get" my polite message - I'd just look at the parent, say "He's not a kid dog" and walk away. Their fault for letting their kid get too close to an unknown dog - even after a polite, friendly warning. Now I have to be rude. I'd rather be rude than have an incident.

We've replaced all the carpeting in our house with Pergo. We foster regularly - so this is a constant issue for us. And - a reoccuring issue for a dog that's used to it that slips and then gets spooked - like your situation. I have a supply of 2 ft. x3 ft. non-skid rugs ($2 each at the Dollar store). Any time we get a new foster - I scatter them liberally about. As the dogs get more comfortable - I take away a few rugs - space them out. Keep that up until they get their "sea legs", and get used to walking on the "scary" floor. If someboday has a fall and a skid - put more rugs down. It's a transition thing. Give them a little "toe grip" ... then spread that out...until they get "ok" on the floor. My goal for EVERY dog - is to get rid of the rugs. They're a TOOL - not a lifestyle. Every dog through this house (I think we're up to about 15 now) has gotten to the "no rugs" point. Many have had "relapses" ... so we've had to put rugs back for a little while ... then wean them off them. Use rugs to help alleviate the fear - build confidence - and move past them.

Well - it really depends on your perspective. A lot of greyhound-only owners will answer this one way - and a lot of people who've had other breeds will answer it differntly. So - I'm going to try to do both from my personal experience. In GENERAL - I'd say - that most greyhounds don't bond to only one person exclusively. I think most greys are open to connecting to many people. I've had fosters here, that bonded closely to me, but before they came to me, they bonded with their trainer, and after they were adopted, they bonded to their new owner. Grey are open to bonding to new people, as the situation presents itself. In a household - will they "probably" pick one person they like best - yes, for many - probably the primary care-giver. Some treat everyone in the house the same. A grey will find a person they bond with - and if the situation changes - they'll bond with the new person. This is a contrast to Dobermans, for example. We had a Dobie years ago. He was a 1 person dog. He picked me as "his person". He was MY dog (his choice, not mine, my DH wanted the dog, I did not - but the dog chose ME). He was fine with the other people in the house - but he was MY DOG - by HIS choice. Dobies are desperately loyal to a fault - to ONE PERSON. I don't think we could have re-homed that dog and he'd ever pick a new person. They're a ONE PERSON dog. Now - among greys - our Sobe - was MY SOBE. He was MY boy. It was very obvious that he was MY dog - and I was HIS human. But - our other grey - Diana - is the family's dog. She is bonded to everyone equally. She needs no prefernces. And - she could bond with other peole in a different home. Sobe could not have, but he was not the "norm" among greyhound, in my opinion. The 12 or so fosters that have lived here - went on to bond with their new families.

Do you let her get on your bed at other times? During the day? If so - don't. She needs to know the bed of TOTALLY off-limits. I let one grey - then 2 - into our bed. Honestly, if I had it to do over again - I never would've allowed the greys in my bed. I love snuggling with them - but neither DH nor I like getting woken up 10 times per night while they move around and shove us. If you've decided not to let her in the bed - definately stick to your guns!

Actauly, something "has" changed in your household. He had an injury. Even if it was minor - the dynamic in the household may have changed when he wasn't feeling well. The other dogs may have started stepping up, and he may have backed off. That's normal pack behavior. Now he's feeling better - he may be trying to reassert himself and "prove" that he's OK now. Also normal. Keep an eye on it. Don't let him get snarky to you, but if he backs off another dog - see what happens. He might just be trying to reistablish his place in the pecking order.

I got 2 gerbils today. DD has had hamsters before, and kept them in her bedroom, which is off-limits to dogs, and the door is shut when we're not home. These are my gerbils, and I'd like to keep them in the living area of the house. Our grey Diana - has apparently lost much of her crazy prey drive inside the house, and has no interest in them. That surprised me. But our foster is VERY interested in them. He tried to get up to the cage, but when told "down" got his paws back on the floor. He stood there whining, staring, and drooling. Not good. But - we could call him away. That's way better than Diana could've ever have done a couple years ago. So - when he gets interested - we call him away, and praise and pet him. I had the squirt bottle handy, but never used it, since he broke focus and came when called. We put a towel over the cage, and he seemed to forget they were there (out of sight - out of mind?) When I uncovered them later, and was showing interest in them, he was back whining and staring. So - Do I dare leave the cage out tomorrow while we're gone? It's a heavy aquarium, on the counter, so probably can't be tipped over. I'll leave a towel over it, a heavy stool on top of it, and a chair in front of it. I'm "hoping" that he'll loose interest. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Been there, done that. Didn't get a Tshirt for it though. Most people have thought they could do something with a dog - and learned otherwise. People often make assumptions that dogs aren't ready for. I "thought" my sleep aggressive dog had gotten better - let him sleep in my bed - rolled on him in my sleep - and got bit on the head. Both of us woke up in a panic. And it hurt like hell. My mistake - the dog wasn't ready. But it still hurt! Honestly - it's not a huge deal. You did something - the dog didn't like it - the dog told you. No harm. Listen to the dog. Don't do that again anytime soon. It's not a reflection on your relationship, or on the dog. It's an incident. Learn from it - respect boundries - move on. Easy. ETA: after a while - that same dog - slept in our bed every night. Time - I mean years - comfort level - and adjustment - made that work.

Actually, with Diana, I can just tell her "Stop" when she comes in the door - and she stops and I can wipe her feet. (Gee- I guess I did teach a "trick"). The foster is just so hyper that "stop" ia NEVER an option for him. So- it's not that Diana actually needs to learn "spin around" - she just doesn't want to be part of the foolishness that I and the foster are doing at the time. So - if I can get the foster to "spin around" and Diana to Stop - and have her feet calmly wiped - all good. Otherwise - I just keep mopping mud! I used to think Diana was a "hyper" greyhound...... she's got nothing on this foster!

I'll go back to my old standby - greys are quirky. Something bugged him - something you didn't see or smell or hear. Probably something very minor - but he noticed it, and it stuck in his head. SO - as in all things greyhound, approach that areaa again, in moderation. Get close to there - and give a treat. Walk away. Get a smidge closer the next day, give a treat, walk away. Desensitize slowy, in manageable steps that don't cause panic, until the "bad" association" is gone. And you've replaced it with a "good" association - a treat. It could've been something as simple as a blowing leaf that startled him. Or a scent of garbage that disturbed him. It's probably something you'll never understand. Proceed with confidence, in a happy manner, don't push him too far, too fast (because in his mind it's "real") and he'll probably work through it. I do believe that dogs get "spooked" about stuff that our paltry human senses don't pick up on - but - I don't buy into all of them. Work the dog through it. Be the leader - don't force anything - reward the smallest step then back off and try again tomorrow to push the boundry just a little bit more - with rewards! But always proceed with a happy, confidant attitude. The WORST thing that you can do - is act all concerned and worried. Dogs want a LEADER - not a nanny. Generally - if you tell them it's okay - and you ACT like it's Okay - they'll BELIEVE that it's OKAY!

I'll willingly admit I'm NO dog-trainer. My dogs don't sit, stay, or roll over. The stuff they do on command is simple stuff, that just came naturally from life in this house. Outside, backup, off the couch, cookie, suppertime, etc. Stuff that just came naturally to all of us. Right now, our yard is a giant mudhole. So - when the dogs come in, I want them to pause a second to take a few steps on the rugs inside the door to clean their feet. Our foster, Joker, is a character, and constantly spins around in circles, he just does that. Luckily, it's PERFECT for when he comes in after being outside - if he spins in a couple circles on the throw-rug - his feet are clean! So - I'm going to try to teach him "Spin Around" on command. I'm meeting him at the door, with a treat in my hand. I let him smell the treat, then move my hand in a circle over his head. If he follows it in the circle, he gets the treat. While this is happening I say "Spin around - spin around". If he just stands there, no treat. I try again, starting closer to his nose - and he follows the hand with the treat in a circle and gets the treat. What do you think? Am I on the right track? Any suggestions? BTW - Diana has no interest in this, and just traipses her muddy feet all over the house while this whole fiasco is going on. But I'll work on her next.

A dog that's used to a window or door "probably" won't go through a screen in the space that they're used to having a barrier (glass). As long as there's NO TEMPTATION. But - when I open our widows to the screens, if I'm not home, I don't open them more then 6-8 inches. The windows are low to the floor, so I know a dog could go through them if something "irresistable" crossed in front of them. I never leave a window screen-only wide open if I'm not home. The door with the screeen, opens into the fenced yard, so no escape issues, but I don't ever leave that screen-only if we're not home. Too many critters come wandering around, and I don't want the dogs breaking the screen to catch a skunk, cat, or rabbit. They've never done it - never had the chance, but I KNOW my Diana would go through a screen to get a rabbit without blinking. Fresh air is wonderful - but if you're not home, just crack all the windows a few inches is my suggestion.

Rewind. You thought she was ready to take a step - and she wasn't. So now go back in time a week. Go back to what she did well, and let her do that well for a while longer. Then try again. Normal stuff, no biggie. We all get so excited when our new dogs progress, that sometimes we move too quickly for them. No harm, no foul. Just back up. And start over. And yes, you ARE starting over. Day one again.

Today would've been Sobe's 9th Birthda. Thank you all for your support and kind words.

sssssssssssadfadsfasdfadssSorry I can't see what I'm typing!

Sobe left this life yesterday. He was not quite 9 years old. We adopted him when he was 5. Sobe was our very first greyhound. I adopted him at a time in my life when my baby was getting grown up - and I "thought" I needed another baby to fill a void. Sobe was that baby. Sobe was a mess. I didn't know it then, but now that we've had 14 fosters through this house - I've realized that Sobe was almost an "unadoptable dog". Sleep aggression - space aggression - food aggression -fear - horrible seperation anxiety. The dog was a basket case. But - we worked through most of it - dealt with the rest of it. And the whole time - he was the sweetest, most loving dog ever. But - he was also a one-woman guy. He was MY boy. My baby. And - the smartest,naughtiest greyhoud ever. He could open the fridge. We had to put baby-safety-latches on it. He learned to open the microwave- we quit storing bread there. He could open the oven. The pantry cupboard - he opened. And a trashcan - forget it - the trashcan hasn't been invented that he couldn't open. And - he was my snuggle-boy ... after a year that it took him to not freak out at night, he slept in our bed every night. And when I ruptured 2 disks in my back and laid on the floor for 5 days - he layed right beside me. Nobody could make him get up to eat, or go outside. He woudln't leave me. I had to make him go out, and eat. He just wouldn't leave me. Sobe was the screwiest greyhound I've ever met - and the most amazing - most devoted, most loving dog I've ever had the pleasure to know. I've been blessed to have Sobe in my life. I'm so... so sad that he's gone. I miss him SOOOOO much. But I have to smile - he was the best dog ever. And our lives were richer - because we had each other. "Don't cry because it's over....smile because it happened"...Dr. Seus (a GT'er sent me that) An amazing dog is gone - but more importantly - and amazing dog LIVED! I'm crying and smiling at the same time. Rest in Peace my beloved baby-boy.

Thank you all so much. But - it's time to close this thread, and I don't know how? Mods? Somebody? Sobe has made his transition. He's at peace. I'll post in Rememberance when I'm up to it.

Thank you all again for your good wishes. Sobe's still hanging in there - tough. He's now far exceeded the vet's 7 to 10 day prognosis. He's thinner...but still eating, still wagging his tail, still going outside for potty - only 3 times per day now, but still insisting on going out to the FARTHEST end of he yard to do his business. He still perks his ears up, and comes for pets. He's on mild painkillers, (I won't do anything stronger), and never whimpers. So, I don't think he's in much pain. Probably some discomfort, but I think the meds cover that. AND - the brat-boy got into the fridge the other day! We have a child-latch on our fridge because Sobe learned how to open it years ago. Well... we didn't latch it the other evening when we went out - and he opened it! :blink: Apparently .... he's still got ALL his wits about him! We came home - saw food - smashed eggs - giant mess - everything all over the floor. Everything in the fridge scattered or eaten....all over the house. And we honestly - laughed. A year ago - we'd have been MAD - at ourselves.... and him. Been there - done that - bought the child latches for the fridge. But now, we just stood there and LAUGHED. Sobe - the dying dog - did this. We laffed out loud ... because it was great to realize....that to his last breath ... Sobe WILL BE Sobe. He was a dog with a LOT of issues when we adoped him - and proved himself to be way smarter than a greyhound "should" be... a "naughty" dog all around. And....apparently...he's going to be my "bad dog" to the VERY END. I truly LOVE that. How can you ever ask for a dog with that much true personality? Dammit - I just LOVE this misfit boy.

Never heard of it - does your dog have fleas, or are you looking for a deterrant?

I apologize for not answering sooner. I'm not on GT very often now. Sobe is the same, thank you for asking. He's not going downhill nearly as quickly as the vet thought he would. Possibly due to the no carb- homecooked diet, but I don't know that. He's uncomfortable, but not in much pain. He didn't have any painkillers at all today, and seemed the same. He paced at the door to go out in the middle of the night last night - and he went TEARING out the door - at a full bore - 3 legged run - the full length of the yard! I guess there was a rabbit at the back fence. Scared the heck outta me - it's just time until that tumor ruptures - and exertion will do it----- then I thought - So what! So what if the end comes when he's in full-throttle chase! Good for him. I'd rather seem him go down quickly from running and doing what he LOVES! But he came back in, slowly, limping, and collapsed for 12 hours. He's still hanging in there - and apparently still choosing to have a bit of fun when he wants to. The tumor on his shoulder is huge now. If I spread my whole hand out wide, I can't touch the width of it. It's far bigger than his shoulder ever was, and the leg beneath it is a stick. And he's so thin. And getting thinner by the day, no matter how much he eats. But - we'll go down fighting. As long as he still has his spunk - we'll cherish every darn day.

Well it sounds like you're doing great already! You recognized a potential issue, asked for advice, and are willing to work through it...that's awesome! I've had people return a dog for less than this, without even trying! Our first grey, Sobe, came to us with aweful sleep aggression, space aggression, and nightmares that would curl your hair. I can only imagine what he was dreaming - it must've been aweful - so it was no surprise that he was snappy when awakened! I'd of course, suggest time and patience. And all the things you're doing. If small children are around - be 10 times more cautious, little ones don't think about these things. Even older kids get caught up in what they're doing and forget, especially if they're visiting. I'd also suggest that every time you wake him up to tell him you're going to walk by (a VERY good idea) you give him a treat immediately. I've heard of people throwing socks at sleeping dogs to desensitize them, but with such a new dog - I wouldn't do that. He's JUST getting settled in - and heck - I'd get MORE jumpy if stuff started bouncing off me while I was sleeping! I'd also suggest NOT letting Yogi on furniture or beds until you're SURE this is totally resolved. You probably already know that. Sobe wasn't allowed on furniture for nearly 2 years. He just couldn't be totally trusted, but he took a VERY VERY long time to make ANY progress. He had the biggest issues of any grey I've personally met. Sounds like Yogi is already starting to chill out. After only a few days - that's a REALLY good sign that this is a "transition" issue - not a deep-seated issue with him. I think the most important thing to remember is that Yogi isn't being mean. He's just adapting to a strange new world, and it's a bit overwhelming - so he's protecting himself. You know that, though. Keep us posted, I'll look forward to hearing his progress - and he will make progress!

Maybe take him for a brisk walk at your bedtime? You know the old saying "Movement helps make a ....MOVEMENT"?

Well - my dogs would think that YOUR house was DOG-Heaven! We both work away from home full time, and in the winter - real "walks" are few and far between. But yes- every time I walk in the door - they think it's suppertime, and every time I go OUT the door - it's a party. And god forbid I pick up a leash! Or my own belt, that makes a sound LIKE a leash! Geesh - I get mugged putting my pants on sometime! Right now when I get out a leash, it's mostly to take my very sick grey to the vet, which he HATES - but all the dogs go bonkers like I'm taking him to some wonderful PARTY!!! Normal stuff. Nothing at all to feel guilty about. Just a PITA to put your shoes on sometimes with all that "help" and "enthusiasm"!

I'm no expert on the subject, but I believe this behavior is called "resource guarding" or "high value guarding". It's quite common. Don't be upset about it - but - it IS something that you should deal with now. You're absolutely right to recognize it as an issue, and want to deal with it. I'll leave it to other GT'ers to give you the specifics on how to deal with it. But in the meantime - I'll applaud you for seeing an issue - and choosing to deal with it, And - for asking for advice. IMHO - the BEST grey owner - is an INFORMED grey-owner. NEVER be afraid to ask for advice. You'll get lots of good responses within the next few days to help you with this.

Oh my goodness....THANK YOU GT COMMUNITY! I hesitated to post about this because it was just too much... just too personal. But then I went for DAYS with nobody but my family knowing..... and I just needed to reach out. So - I did - to YOU- to strangers, basically . I just got back on GT tonight, just 2 days later- to see 5 PAGES of responses. That made me cry, before I read any responses. And I'm NOT a cryer! I've read every single response. And I thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart. Your support means SO MUCH to me. Support from people that KNOW and LOVE these dogs - support from people that have been through this, and support from people that have not. Thank you ALL...so much. I can't tell you how much your kind words mean to me. I really needed this support right now. Thank you.

Thank you for that. You understand. The guilt was crushing at first - then - when I did the research - after I had the diagnosis - I learned that I'd already lost before anyone could know. But still - it's just so shocking. I've read on GT about greys beating cancer. Greys loosing a leg - but still having good life. That's not what Sobe's going to have. He went from a "boo boo" that I dismissed - to this. So fast. So very, very fast. He's lying beside me right now. Far too thin - on some mild pain meds - perfectly comfortable, perfectly happy, not a care in the world.....still my happy boy hanging out with Momma. When I give him a little pet - his ears perk up, even while he's sleeping. He has no idea of his fate. If I can be thankful for one thing - it's that dogs don't realize the concept of their own mortality. That's the burden that I bear. But I will NOT let him suffer. Right now, he feels a little "off" with a "boo boo".. When he feels differently from that - we're done. I WON'T have him hurting. I won't do that. I owe him better than that. There is no cure for this. I've asked my DH to make sure that I don't hold onto him to long. DH has agreed - he doesn't want to have Sobe hurt either - and he's promised that he'll tell me it's time...if I'm holding on too long.