Greyhound / Newborn Interactions

[Guest Greyhound1988]

Hello all,

 

My wife and I just brought home our first child, and we are performing the highly anticipated act of introducing our dogs to the baby. We have three rescues, a 4 year old Akita mix, a 1.5 year old pitbull mix, and a 7 year old greyhound.

 

We prepared by setting up the house for the baby quite some time before her arrival - establishing the nursery, installing a baby gate, etc. - so the dogs would be accustomed to the new surroundings. We also modified sleeping arrangements, by crating our greyhound and pitbull mix at night. The pitbull tends to be more active and slept on the bed previously, which we have successfully ended with training. Both the greyhound and pitbull are very content in their crates, which are positioned in the master bedroom. As long as they are close to us, they sleep well.

 

After bringing the baby home, the two supposedly feared breeds, the Akita and pitbull, did very well. Not surprisingly, the Akita required very little work for him to become indifferent toward the baby. He tends to be the docile, passive type and will endure heavy play from other dogs without complaint. He's very gentile with children and other people, so it only took a few sniffs for him to become acquainted. The pitbull loves children more than most adults upon a first greeting. She also did quite well, requiring a brief introduction before going about her own business.

 

Our greyhound's behavior was somewhat concerning compared to the other two. While all of our dogs don't mind chasing our cats when the opportunity arises, the greyhound has been the only dog to latch onto the cats with his mouth. We have since created a "cat safe" place on the third floor, forbidding the dogs from entry. The greyhound has also been known to advise other dogs of his disinterest with a nip, which I can understand. Being a tall dog, who wants tiny dogs jumping at the underbelly region or harassing during rest? He also displays leash aggression toward other dogs when in our neighborhood, as he was attacked previously and developed a fear. Interestingly, the aggressive subsides outside the neighborhood for the most part.

 

Given the greyhounds tendency to respond to some situations with his mouth, we were more nervous about his introduction to the baby. With the cats, we have become accustomed to his cues - the "whale eye" and the strong drive to examine the other creature. Upon meeting the baby, he sniffed her much more intently than the others and hovered over her bassinet. We offered positive reinforcement to all of the dogs by providing treats after proper interaction with the baby. However, the other dogs lost interest, while our greyhound remains very intent on her, sniffing and staring, although not displaying the "whale eye" or attempting to lunge. He has cried a bit in her presence and panted.

 

I've been lurking around the forums here reading other baby threads, but wanted to present my particular situation. Should we be concerned? Any advice? We have the racing muzzle on currently to be safe.

 

Thanks so much!

[Scoutsmom]

Has your greyhound been around little children before? It may be that he has never seen a baby before and is curious as to what it is. I'm just guessing here as I've never had to introduce a grey to a baby. I think you are wise to use the muzzle until you are absolutely sure the grey is okay with your kid.

[Guest Greyhound1988]

Has your greyhound been around little children before? It may be that he has never seen a baby before and is curious as to what it is. I'm just guessing here as I've never had to introduce a grey to a baby. I think you are wise to use the muzzle until you are absolutely sure the grey is okay with your kid.

 

To the best of my knowledge, this is his first baby experience. Younger children, he has been around and done quite well. We have neighbors with kids who like to hug him, which he tolerates. He has not worn the muzzle in quite some time, but I am making it a positive experience, since he is being rewarded with treats upon wearing it.

 

Also, I taught him a "bed" command while my wife was pregnant. He is a close follower and, when she was late into her third trimester, he would almost trip her at times as she was hobbling around. The "bed" command requires him to go to direct his attention to the nearest dog bed in the house and rest. I'm glad I taught it because it seems to be working in this situation to keep him from hanging around the baby for uncomfortable lengths of time.

[greysmom]

He's probably just really curious about this little human that's taking up so much of your time!

 

But nothing you've describe would send up huge red flags to me about any future problems. After all, your baby is going to get bigger, not stay small. You will want to establish firm boundaries for all your dogs once the baby begins ambulating on his/her own. The child should learn to not approach any dog that is laying down or sleeping or eating. If the child wants to interact with the dog, an adult should always be present and call the dog over to the adult and child.

 

And *never* (never never never never) leave the baby alone with any of the dogs. Never. No matter how safe you think they are. It only takes one second for a tragedy to occur.

[Guest Greyhound1988]

He's probably just really curious about this little human that's taking up so much of your time!

 

But nothing you've describe would send up huge red flags to me about any future problems. After all, your baby is going to get bigger, not stay small. You will want to establish firm boundaries for all your dogs once the baby begins ambulating on his/her own. The child should learn to not approach any dog that is laying down or sleeping or eating. If the child wants to interact with the dog, an adult should always be present and call the dog over to the adult and child.

 

And *never* (never never never never) leave the baby alone with any of the dogs. Never. No matter how safe you think they are. It only takes one second for a tragedy to occur.

 

Wife and I are becoming more concerned given his ongoing, strong interest in the baby. He continues to hover over her bassinet and stare at the baby with perked ears. I would not be as concerned, but he has a history of biting me and my wife. When we received him, he was fresh off the track with intense food aggression (lunging at face, biting) and toy hording. We were able to work through it, but he has always been a concern. Biting my wife and I is one thing, but a bite to the baby we can't risk.

[greysmom]

If you are that concerned, contact your adoption group and ask for a referral to a certified, positive-reinforcment only behaviorist. Only someone who can observe your dog and baby interaction in person can diagnose if any serious problems are going to persist, and what to do about it.

[Guest nicky604]

Is he "high prey drive"?

 

That would concern me..

 

What is he like around small dogs and cats?

 

My 3rd foster was "not like the other greyhounds.."

 

All the other greys were interested in small dogs and squirrels but this boy went nuts...

 

Anything less than 1/2 his size was fair game to him..

 

Once he was about to put his jaws around a Bichon Frise and I hauled him off just in time.

 

Soon after he was adopted, there was a terrible incident with a Yorkie ...

 

He is only 2 years old, very excitable and play driven so I think that was part of it.

 

I remember thinking he wasn't suitable for the couple who were approved to adopt him because they were young

and I thought but what if they have children? .. his prey drive was definitely exceptional and not suitable for a baby..

 

He was returned to our rescue after "the incident".

 

He also whined after squirrels and dogs if he couldn't get to them.

 

Not the others..just him.

 

And if I stopped him from squirrel chasing or trying to get to another dog, he would refuse to walk with me.

 

He was very well behaved if there were no animals around but if a dog, cat or squirrel appeared it was a complete gong show..

 

lunging, barking, whining, rearing up on his hind legs, doing the crab walk, he would bolt and drag me too and if that didn't work

 

he'd wheel around and take my legs out and send me flying ...

 

I think the more nuts they go, the more worrisome it is.

 

Also, does he shake his toys to death a lot?

 

He did.. WAY more than the other greys.

 

And if he heard a dog bark on my computer, he would go crazy looking for the dog ... around and around the room, under the bed, in the closet..

 

Also his own reflection in the mirror .. made him manic!

 

How old is he?

 

The younger he is, the riskier ..

 

The other difference (and this is reassuring) is that it sounds like he has been close to the baby without trying anything.

 

My foster acted crazy around a small dog or puppy every single time, trying to get at it to pick up and shake ..

 

It sounds like your boy is just very interested and curious ..

 

I hope he settles down soon with your re-direction.

[Fruitycake]

Don't let him hover over the baby, in or out of the bassinet. Reward for going to his own area when the baby is out, and maybe set up zones so the bassinet can be out but he can't hover. Looming over a baby like that makes me nervous. Babies make lots of noises that could potentially be interpreted as prey-like, and they certainly don't move like "people" to a dog!