Cold Feet 7 months in..

[Lw27]

Hello, 

I have had my retired racer for approx 7 months now. He is a 4 year old male. 

It has been great watching him come out of his shell in the last 3 months. 

After doing lots of research I felt a greyhound would be well suited to my lifestyle. He doesn't have SA when left when I am at work and is almost the "perfect dog". 

My issue is that he still feels very much aloof, wanting not much more than to sleep and eat. Although affectionate at times, I feel as if he would wonder off with anyone happily. 

Training has been slow and he can be real stubborn at times. 

Having been around dogs at home and work most of my life, I am starting to wonder whether I made the right choice. The calm gentle nature is what made me choose a greyhound but at times it feels as if I don't even have a dog in the house. 

Can anyone share any training/bonding tips which could help make the dog feel more like a companion? 

I am well aware it's only been a short time and that it is a big transition. The dog does get plenty of exercise and socialisation. 

Thanks for reading. 

[Time4ANap]

It can take 12 to 18 months before you really see them settle in. Sleeping and eating is a good sign - he's not pacing, panting, whining or destrying things, and no SA. He's good and still getting settled.

[Jerilyn]

Most dog like to go on adventures. Can you take him for a ride to a dog friendly park or the beach or the woods? Try playing games with him, hide a treat under one of two cups and have him find it, or just in your hands. It doesn't have to be a big deal, just spend time interacting with him.

Then spend some time around a non-stop retriever or a barky little fluffy. You will be very appreciative when you come home to your sweet, quite guy. 

[greysmom]

Yes, it could just be a matter of time.  Or not.  Everything you describe is *very* typical greyhound behavior, settled in or not.  

It goes back to hundreds of years of being bred to do a specific task - hunt and bring down small prey animals - completely on their own without any supervision or help from humans.  They *are* independent.  They *are* aloof.  I always describe greyhounds as cats in dog suits because they are really more like cats in how they interact with the world than a dog breed like Goldens or Papillions.  Hunting, herding, and companion breeds were bred to interact with people.  Greyhounds, not so much.

So...

What now?

You can keep going on as your are, living as roommates, and getting on with your lives.  Your dog will be perfectly happy and healthy, and you'll have a basically low-maintenance companion animal.  If that's acceptable to you, then problem solved.  He may become more affectionate over time, or not.  He probably won't play with toys, or even other dogs very much, because - greyhound.    He may learn to play with you in your own way.

If you want to increase your bonding activities, the easiest one is going for walks together.  

If you want to do more training, or amateur activities like racing or barnhunt or nose work, those can be fun if you find something that catches him.  Finding what motivates a greyhound can be tricky - really yummy treats (like roasted chicken/liver, cheese), or squeaky toys - are all things to try.  And several 5 minute sessions a day works better than one or two longer ones.  For formal training small groups or private training are really better for greyhounds in general, but your guy might like the stimulation of a larger group.

And, lastly, if you really feel like you made a mistake, and a greyhound just isn't the dog for you, return him to his adoption group.  It's way better for a dog to be in a home that wants to love him, rather than tolerated someplace that doesn't.  I guarantee you, he will be snatched up immediately!

 

[HeyRunDog]

12 hours ago, greysmom said:

Yes, it could just be a matter of time.  Or not.  Everything you describe is *very* typical greyhound behavior, settled in or not.  

It goes back to hundreds of years of being bred to do a specific task - hunt and bring down small prey animals - completely on their own without any supervision or help from humans.  They *are* independent.  They *are* aloof.  I always describe greyhounds as cats in dog suits because they are really more like cats in how they interact with the world than a dog breed like Goldens or Papillions.  Hunting, herding, and companion breeds were bred to interact with people.  Greyhounds, not so much.

So...

What now?

You can keep going on as your are, living as roommates, and getting on with your lives.  Your dog will be perfectly happy and healthy, and you'll have a basically low-maintenance companion animal.  If that's acceptable to you, then problem solved.  He may become more affectionate over time, or not.  He probably won't play with toys, or even other dogs very much, because - greyhound.    He may learn to play with you in your own way.

If you want to increase your bonding activities, the easiest one is going for walks together.  

If you want to do more training, or amateur activities like racing or barnhunt or nose work, those can be fun if you find something that catches him.  Finding what motivates a greyhound can be tricky - really yummy treats (like roasted chicken/liver, cheese), or squeaky toys - are all things to try.  And several 5 minute sessions a day works better than one or two longer ones.  For formal training small groups or private training are really better for greyhounds in general, but your guy might like the stimulation of a larger group.

And, lastly, if you really feel like you made a mistake, and a greyhound just isn't the dog for you, return him to his adoption group.  It's way better for a dog to be in a home that wants to love him, rather than tolerated someplace that doesn't.  I guarantee you, he will be snatched up immediately!

 

I couldn't have put it better myself. My greyhound, Grace, sounds very much like yours. Just happy to lie on her bed or "her" sofa and watch the world go by. She doesn't play with her toys or come for a bit of fuss. She would even get off the sofa if I sat next to the head end. She can be left for up to 8 hours with no SA and happy to sleep downstairs and has no sleep aggression. Sometimes you only know she's in the room when an aroma fills the air.

After 3 years she will now let me sit at her head end and will even rest her head next to my leg while I rub her ears. If she thinks there is a chance of going for a trip in the car she's there with a wagging tail. I can take her to friends house's and she'll happily lie down quietly on a blanket but she'll watch me all the time. If something scares her she'll come to me.

Like you, after my previous dog which was a Labrador, I found that greyhounds are not dog like at all and not what I expected despite doing a lot of research into the breed and whether one would suit me. Unfortunately I have gone down with greyhounditis and if finances allow I would get another

[BatterseaBrindl]

To each, his own, but I’ll take my relaxed, lazy, quiet, calm Greyhounds who don’t care for toys or games over a slobbery ball-obsessed Lab or hyper non-stop-herding Border Collie or Aussie.

Your boy sounds like the absolutely perfect dog.  Many, many people would love to have a well behaved dog like him.

Anyway, as mentioned, perhaps nose work or agility may be of interest? 

[MerseyGrey]

Maybe you could take him to a greyhound meet / walk if there is one in your area. That might make his personality shine through a bit more when he’s back with his kind. Of course, maybe he’s just a naturally reserved guy and you’ve seen his true nature.

I suppose I would be thinking about the kind of dog I could have adopted - one that chews walls, destroys cushions, digs holes, tries to escape…or worse and I’d be counting my lucky stars. Also, congratulate yourself on making a dog feel safe, well treated and loved and not worry about how he demonstrates it too much. I’m sure he’s pretty grateful!

[cleptogrey]

try clicker training. i thought there was something wrong w/ my first GH. she did nothing- until i gave her a job. they have been working dogs on a schedule. retirement ain't easy when one is used to punching a clock. our first woke up, had a job and excelled at everything after that. 

[Onyfalk]

Our dog is very similar but it's hard to complain when she spends so much time quietly waiting for us and is no trouble at all in the house. I asked the rescue for an affectionate sofa buddy but I got a judgemental fitness coach.

The rescue has repeatedly suggested we adopt a second greyhound which is very tempting.

[greysmom]

A second dog may or may not help with this "problem."  Usually you just end up with two judgemental fitness coaches!!!!    

Seriously, before you adopt another (unless you really want two!!!  ) ask about fostering, or look after a friend's greyhound while they go on long weekend, just to see how your current dog reacts to having a companion.

Greyhounds are used to living together in their training and racing kennels, but some really do fine (and prefer) being the only dogs in their home.