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Normal Behavior- Too Rough Playing?


Guest snowmo18

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Guest snowmo18

So we have 2 wonderful greyhounds - Raider (Ours) and Polly (Foster girl). They get really rough outside when running around and Raider tries to mouth the back of Polly's neck -never a bite or grabs on, just mouthing, her fur on her back is standing straight up by the time they are done playing, she never growls at him and when he does stop chasing her..she sometimes encourages him to play still by getting low and running around..and I am constantly trying to get them to seperate when running and to calm down, most the time I put their muzzles on because I am worried about Polly turning around a taking a bite because shes tired of Raider getting in her face so much....Raider almost herds her like a sheep dog and they look like they are bucking broncos with their front feet in the air towards the other one at times and they both tend to have grass stains all over their necks, heads, etc

 

Polly has also tried to "mount" Raider a few times in the house, (maybe 3 times in the last 3 months). They are also constantly trying to steal eachothers toys..even though there is a huge basket of toys.

 

 

Any suggestions? Is this behavior normal? How do I chase down 2 greyhounds in the yard (running circles around me) to get them to give eachother space and not be so close?

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This is exactly how my two boys play. They are very competitive in the yard and each will try and herd the other. Both are muzzled whenever they are outside to avoid possible injury. I do have to keep a close eye on them because their competitive play can turn more aggressive at which point I stop it and they go inside.

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It's the reason mine are muzzled outside when playing. I don't want a vet bill because someone's tooth snags a piece of skin and I have a dog with a skin tear and stitches.

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It's totally normal, and that's why Greyhounds are muzzled in the turnout pens--so they don't hurt each other accidentally. Their thin skin can't handle what they're rough play can dish out!


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Guest snowmo18

ok good to know, I have never had 2 hounds together that are this "active". I sure wish they would stop getting mud all over eachother everytime we go out for a potty break...geesshh

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What you're describing does sound like "just fun" rough-housing, but just for the off chance we're not seeing enough of the picture, or someone reads this in the future with a different dynamic, I'll tell you our story.

 

When Pogo came here he was 9 months old, and the other two adult greys, particularly 3 year old Brilly (male), played very roughly with him, ignoring his signals of "Okay! Uncle already!!" and really hounding him. It made me very nervous, I asked about it, and probably failed to draw a clear enough picture, because I was told it was just normal fun.

 

Not so much. Once Pogo turned the corner on adolescence, he also turned the tables on Brilly, and has been fear reactive of (mostly) male dogs ever since. We've had to work really really hard with him over the years, and it makes me a bit paranoid. Like one behaviorist said to us, "Once you have a reactive dog, it changes your whole world."

 

Make sure you're seeing the whole thing, and know your dog body language. Use muzzles and trust your gut feelings! I wish I'd trusted mine back then. Even with us on full alert all the time, Pogo has still managed to tear into Brilly 3 times, and attack him less "successfully" several times.

 

All that said, that video is so funny! Even though I had my heart in my teeth, it was still fun to watch them play! :)

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Agree - muzzles save heartache as well as money.

 

OP - what kind of yard size do you have? Chad's video shows the greys playing nicely together. You may find if you have massive space in your yard that what looks like 'play' can escalate quickly when speed is involved. I, too, cringe when the dogs run (even though it's what they love to do and were trained / bred to do).

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Very normal rough and tumble wrestling. Even the inside wrestling - which, at our house, with a puppy, can get VERY rough. The female isn't really "mounting" him, as in a sexual way. Getting on top of another dog is a way to show dominance - "I'm the top dog!" Again, very normal for two confident dgs at play.

 

That being said, if muzzling and supervision aren't making you feel comfortable with their playing, don't allow it. Especially since the female is a foster, and the ultimate responsibility of your adoption group.

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Guest snowmo18

Yep, we are muzzling. I have been trying to reinforce good behavior and when they get too roudy we go inside....or I take them out seperate (which of course isnt as fun mom)

 

Our yard isnt that big, but enough that they can get a running in a good circle.

 

Thanks all for your help!

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