Aggressive to people who enter the house when we're not there

[Hocky]

Hi all. 

Any advice on the following?

We've had our ex racer for about 7 weeks and he's been an absolute dream. So soft, sociable and loves people and dogs. He comes to work with me 3 days a week, the other 2 days we planned on having a dog walker. We met the dog walker and she walked him with us successfully a number of times.

3 weeks in and as the walker opened the door to our house he wouldn't let her put the harness on him. The next day we left the harness on and he wouldn't let her put the lead on. So she played with him in the garden instead of walking him luring him out with treats. 

The next week she tried again and he growled then snapped at her. So we have now left the walking option as he obviously doesn't want to go out. If we walk him in the day at the same time at the weekends he has no problem going out. We have never had any issues putting harnesses on or walking him - either at home or at work. 

Anyway. The next week because of no dog walker my in law went and opened the door for him to go out in the garden for a bit. He's met a few times before and walked him once and they've been great together. He offered a treat and the dog growled at him. 

Another week on and my other in law popped round to let the dog out, opened the door and offered a treat and this time the dog snarled and immediately jumped up and knocked her over. Luckily the dog stopped at this point but sufficient to say this scared my in law. Again they've spent time together before in my in laws garden and walked him. 

These are the only incidents that have displayed any negative behaviour for our amazing grey and seem to be linked to a person entering the house without us being there. Obviously we're concerned as we want other people to be able to come into the house and we have 2 teenagers who will be bringing friends round from school when we won't be home. Also if we went away we would much rather a friend to dog sit rather than kennels but this doesn't seem possible. Also I am now concerned about taking him to work. 

Any advice on this, what we can do, whether we need pro help, how long it may take and how much would be amazing? We are East Manchester if that helps.

Thanks.

[HeyRunDog]

I wonder if something happened between the dog walker and your dog. Might be something innocent like standing over him as opposed to one side when putting on the harness or leash. Or he could be guarding "his" house.

Have you tried taking him round to the in-laws to see if he reacts the same way in a different house?

You could also try having the person who is going to do the mid-day walk come round while you are there and taking him for a walk altogether.

[Hocky]

1 hour ago, HeyRunDog said:

I wonder if something happened between the dog walker and your dog. Might be something innocent like standing over him as opposed to one side when putting on the harness or leash. Or he could be guarding "his" house.

Have you tried taking him round to the in-laws to see if he reacts the same way in a different house?

You could also try having the person who is going to do the mid-day walk come round while you are there and taking him for a walk altogether.

Thanks for the reply.

My in laws actually live next door and so he had been in their garden and they have been in ours and he is incredibly friendly when we're there. They've also walked him before this happened with the walker.

Even when the walker came into our house to tell us about him snapping he was really friendly with her. But again we were in the room.

Prior to getting the walker we walked with her a few times and she held him etc.

So literally no idea where this reaction has come from

[Jerilyn]

Maybe you have the rare protective greyhound, and if that's the case it's not so unusual. He's feeling like this is his home and you're his people, which is good. So when you're not there he feels like he has to step up to protect the place from "intruders" even if he's met them nicely before. How long are you gone for? Maybe he doesn't need to be let out during the day. 8 hours is pretty normal for these guys to go with out a potty break.

[zimsmom]

My first (who growled at everything)  was like this in the beginning.  Would not come down stairs to be walked so dog walker would go upstairs and she would snap.  I had to stop with this dog walker.  I went without one for a time she settled in more than found another dog walker & all was good.  She may just need more time to settle in.  Can you come home to let him out on the days you are not working from home?