Wants to walk behind

[Dolly81]

We are about to adopt a male greyhound, age 5. We have walked him a few times and he always wants to walk behind us. He hates being in front. He also looks up at us every few steps. Thoughts?

Many thanks!

[Jerilyn]

He doesn't know you and is probably a little unsure of things. It's nice that he seems to be looking to you for guidance or reassurance. I don't think it's anything to worry about. It will likely change once he becomes more comfortable with you and his surroundings. 

Congratulations on adopting your new friend!

[Dolly81]

Jerilyn, thanks for replying! He wouldn’t take a treat from me. Should i try anything else to help him feel comfortable?

[MerseyGrey]

Some dogs just don’t take treats when they’re on walks. Or it might be that he will take them when he’s a little more sure of himself. I wouldn’t worry about either of these things. I found with my dog, the more I tried, the more he seemed to resist. Let him come to you. Hopefully one day, when he’s at your side for every bag you rustle, you will look back wondering what happened to the dog that wouldn’t take treats

[Jerilyn]

Not taking a treat from a stranger or in a strange place is not unusual. Maybe put one on the ground to see if he'll take it that way.

My approach is just to take it easy in the early days. Be calm and show him that you're not worried about things and he'll feel the same way. Just let him hang out and get used to you and your home and routine. It's all new to him, it will take a little while for him to feel comfortable.

[Time4ANap]

When a new dog arrives here we try to give them space and let them explore as they want.  Most of them figure out that I'm a sucker and will give them whatever they want pretty quickly.  Remember that your greyhound has never been a pet before and doesn't know how to be one. He's going to take his clues from you as to what he's allowed to do, what he's not allowed to do, and help with establishing his routine.  These dogs are all about routine, so the more you can set a routine, the easier it will be for him to settle in.  Congratulations on your new pup. 

[macoduck]

What the others said, plus, keep the leash short so he is close to you.

[Scoutsmom]

My late and very much missed Mindy always walked behind me on our walks.  While she loved her walks, I think she felt more protected that way--if a bigfoot should attack, it would get me first giving her more of a chance of getting away!  Her sister had to always be out in front, leading the way.  With her in front and Mindy in back leashes rarely got tangled!

[HeyRunDog]

As others have said, give him time to get used to you and his surroundings. Talk to him while you are walking so he gets used to your voice and it will also reassure him.

Grace wouldn't take treats when I first got her unless I put them in them in the palm of my hand and held it out flat.

[mansbestfriend]

Ditto what others have said. You could ask the adoption group for some tips. My grey is somewhat aloof. When he looks to me it's a communication that 'something' isn't OK in his world. With time and understanding, I've learnt what most of those 'somethings' might be. Often he just wants to turn for home, or pee on THAT bush, over there.  

[phall]

I think he's just unsure and tentative about you. My girl hated to have anyone walking behind her when I first brought her home. Even now, after 5 years, she does not like people she doesn't know walking behind her.  On group walks we take up the rear.  She also would not take treats from my hand for quite a while after I brought her home.  She now takes them happily except for from a stranger.  

If everything else seems to make him a good match for you, I would just give him time and a lot of patience.

[Dolly81]

Thanks for all the advice, guys!