Agression

[Guest Reddebz]

I'm New to this forum and also retired greyhounds so I'm looking for advice.

We are a family of 5, 2 adults 2 young kids and a blue heeler x pointer. We adopted a greyhound from her previous adopter of 6 months a month ago and completely love her😊 she is the same age as or other dog (5yrs) and as i expected our original dog is the submissive one. However she will not leave the greyhound alone, keeps licking her mouth and sniffing her bum which the greyhound has been very tolerant of but does snap sometimes, even with me there which makes me jump and follow up with pointing and saying a firm no. She seems to look 'Sorry'. Is this normal? will it stop? She also has sleep aggression and has snapped at my 8yr old,will this get better? She seems 'sorry ' straight after.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Please do not let anyone...especially your children.. near your dog when she is laying down or sleeping. Her bed is her personal space and she has a right to lay there without being disturbed.

The phrase "Let sleeping dogs lie" is not an old wives tale......

 

Dogs greet each other by sniffing each others genitals. I would just keep an eye on them ...it will probably get better as they get more comfortable with each other.

If your other dog is ignoring the snaps, then you need to take her away. Do not scold the greyhound for snapping!

Edited December 28, 2017 by BatterseaBrindl

[GeorgeofNE]

You really should find out where the dog came from and let the adoption group know that the person they entrusted the dog to has given it up. It's probably that original adopter was required by their adoption contract to return the dog to the original group and NOT just pass it along to someone else. I feel certain you'd be allowed to keep the dog, but you really NEED the support of the people who chose that dog for the family they chose it for, particulary if you have young children and a dog who has a disposition that could not be more different from a greyhound!

 

But that is totally normal dog behavior and I would stay out of it for now.

 

Your children should be nowhere near a sleeping dog, particularly one you barely know. There are lots of threads on this board talking all about it and how to work around it and keep everyone safe.

[MaryJane]

Please provide additional information on what the circumstances were when she snapped at your boy - was she laying down on the floor, was she standing, was she playing with toys, was she on the couch ...

[KickReturn]

I will emphasize what is mentioned above - never correct or scold for growling or snapping. Instead eliminate the cause. If you stifle these expressions of distress you will have no way of knowing when your greyhound is under stress - this is a recipe for a surprise bite. And that sorry look when you do scold - that is fear, not what you want at all.

 

The muzzle licking is your heeler/pointer trying to appease and make friends with the greyhound. The bum sniffing should settle down in time, but some greys will feel bothered if their hindquarters get too much attention. I would recommend stepping in and physically interrupting the heeler/pointer if you suspect it is getting too much for the grey. I have always found a gentle touch on the shoulder with my index finger works. Your heeler/pointer sounds like a sweet dog and will comply and move off. You need to become your new greyhounds champion and protector in this new environment. Your existing dog probably just wants to play and this may or may not happen. You need to supervise all interactions very carefully for the time being. Be sure to have lots of beds and safe places where the grey can escape the action.

 

As for growling or snapping at you or other people, please remember that this dog does not know you, and has no reason to trust or respect you. For many greyhounds those things will only come once the owner has demonstrated a long track record of calm, competent, and confident care. This dog owes you nothing right now - you have to earn it.

Edited December 28, 2017 by KickReturn

[Guest Reddebz]

Since she snapped at my son we have the rule of keeping distance when she's sleeping. Unfortunately it was before we New about sleep aggression but now we know. My kids are never left alone with either dog.

We got her through a greyhound adoption group, her previous owner did the right thing by going back to the group and her circumstances changed so couldn't keep her, it was an emotional time for her and the hound suited our setup. They told me about sleep aggression after i told them about the snap and said it should get better and i was hoping for some tips if there are any, on how to help my hound get over the issues and if there is anything i can do to help.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Since she snapped at my son we have the rule of keeping distance when she's sleeping. Unfortunately it was before we New about sleep aggression but now we know. My kids are never left alone with either dog.

We got her through a greyhound adoption group, her previous owner did the right thing by going back to the group and her circumstances changed so couldn't keep her, it was an emotional time for her and the hound suited our setup. They told me about sleep aggression after i told them about the snap and said it should get better and i was hoping for some tips if there are any, on how to help my hound get over the issues and if there is anything i can do to help.

 

Get over what issues? Her sleep startle?

She can't help it. She may never 'get over it'.

 

She needs a quiet safe place to sleep. Away from activity.

And when she is sleeping, the humans need to leave her alone.

[greysmom]

Sleep startling is a really common behavioral issue with newly adopted dogs. Sometimes sleep startle behavior will self-extinguish as the dog comes to trust their home environment, sometimes it doesn't. Remember, this dog has *never* had to share it's space while sleeping apart from her littermates while a puppy. She's not used to laying down and/or sleeping in a place where anyone can come up to her without her being aware of it.

 

It's a good idea to just make it a rule for both kids and adults to not approach the dog while she is sleeping. If anyone wants to interact with the dog, call her name from a few feet away to wake her up, then ask her to come over to you, off her bed (use a super yummy treat to help persuade her!). Place her bed in a spot where she won't be regularly walked over or around, but still part of the family.

 

Some people will advise to throw light objects such as toys or rolled up socks onto the dog at random intervals to get them used to being touched while asleep, but IMO that only makes them more touchy about it. Just make *sure* she's completely awake before you approach her on her bed. Keep a small bowl of small, good (but not the super yummy ones) treats near her, and toss her one or two every time you walk by. You want her to associate someone being near her/her bed with getting a good thing to eat.

 

And give her time and patience. The poor thing has been adopted into two different homes in the space of 6-8 months, in addition to going from the racing/training kennel into adoption. She needs some time to settle down and learn that you're her family now and that she has a new, wonderful home!

 

Good luck!

[Houndtime]

I always call my dog's name before I approach them while they are sleeping. Our greys do not sleep on furniture or on our bed, so, it makes it a little easier for us. I would not allow a sleep startle dog to sleep in bed with you or your kids. Our dogs are crated at night. While it is PITA sometimes; it works for us.

[Guest Reddebz]

Thanks guys, she's a lovely dog and has slotted in very well with our family.

[Newgreymom]

Daisy and Dylan never got over their sleep aggression. I learned to just leave them be and call out their name if I wanted them to wake up to go potty or whatever. Kids were never allowed near them when they were on the floor on their own dog beds.