Sudden toy aggression

[Sunny]

Hello, I’m looking for some advice. We adopted our 5 year old ex-racing greyhound about 2 years ago. She’s been doing really well. Settled in without too much fuss, clean indoors, walks nicely on the lead and isn’t too cheeky (apart from the odd counter surf and chewing toys if the kids leave them lying around! ) we have 5 year old and 10 month old kiddos and we all adore our lovely hound.

The other night our dog was lying on her bed, squeaking a new toy and I stupidly reached out and squeaked it for her. She bit me on the hand hard enough to draw blood. It was my fault, stupid thing to do and I can totally see why she did it. She’s never reacted like that before though and I guess I got careless.

So I’m not blaming her at all but obviously it’s not great and now made me a bit nervous about her and the kids. I was surprised she didn’t growl or nip first and now I worry that she might suddenly become unhappy about something else that’s never appeared to bother her before and go straight to a bite, rather than warning us.

We are very careful with her interactions with the kids and always supervise and stress that they leave her alone when on her bed or eating. We don’t allow the baby to crawl near her or either kiddo to get into her space, but we live in a small house, so they do have to walk past her and get close sometimes. She tends to ignore the kids rather than want to play, but I figured that’s fair enough- not every dog wants to hang out with kids. 

I’m going to try to work on desensitising her to people touching her toys, with trading for treats and that kind of thing. But I am a bit of a worrier and I can’t get the concern out of my head that she may snap again unexpectedly!

Any advice? Am I over/under-worrying?? Should I get a behaviourist in to have a look at the situation? I’m sad, I feel like I screwed up and now our bond is a bit broken. 😢

[HeyRunDog]

It's quite possible you are over-thinking it and she thought you were playing. If she had sleep aggression after 2 years you would know about it.

She also might be slightly off kilter because she thinks the 10 month old is taking some of her love and attention away from her. As for you feeling the way you do that's understandable but as far as the dog is concerned it's over and done with.

[Sunny]

Thanks for replying! I know dogs live in the moment and she’s happily moved on, it’s my stupid overthinking brain! I just can’t shake the worries at the moment. 

I’m glad you think we’d know it by now if she was sleep aggressive, but I suppose my concern is, I thought I’d know by now if she was going to be toy aggressive too but it seemed to come from nowhere.  You’re right, perhaps she’s feeling a bit unsettled with the baby and Xmas and all that stuff. 

Just want to make sure I’m doing the right things to keep everyone safe and happy! 

[BatterseaBrindl]

It’s likely because it is a brand new toy.  
She …what’s her name? … needs to learn and respect the ‘leave it’ command.  Start with trading up and gradually she’ll understand ‘leave it’.

However, I think the children should learn to never, ever take anything from her.  They’re too young to understand the consequences.   There is always the chance that she ‘MAY’ snap again.   She may not. 
Does the dog have a safe space to go, away from the kids?  Not locked in another room, but a special bed that is hers and hers alone? 

[LBass]

My hounds have never been interested in playing with me with their squeaky toys.  So, when hounds are playing with a toy, I don't let myself join in, other than with my voice--the high-pitched "getitgetigetit".    That might be a great family rule--if the dog is playing, then you can enjoy watching her play, but no one tries to take an active part in the game.  I bet that will be something kids can understand.  The hound doesn't want anyone to "take" her toy.  Joining in the play can be a lot like "taking the toy away".  That thought leads back to Nancy's post above (BatterseaBrindl) about teaching your girl the "leave it" command.  I too am a great believer in the trade up concept for that.

[Sunny]

Thanks again for the replies! Her name is Luna. 😊 she likes to dance around with the squeaky toy and will drop them at my feet and wait for me to throw them. Do you think I ought to stop doing that? Seems a shame as she loves it and always gives up the toy straight away if I say drop it. 

She does have her bed where the kids are not allowed. It’s as out the way as we can manage in our tiny house. The kids do go near it (it’s unavoidable) but never on it. We tried other places but Luna just wants to hang out where we all are so it’s tricky. She has the run of the house (just not the kids bedrooms) so she can take herself off to a quiet room if she wants, but she never bothers. 

She does know drop it for toys and also knows leave it for things the kids drop on the floor (like food) that she can’t have. We practice both every day and the 5 year old helps with things like feeding (with supervision of course) and training but I think it sounds like a good plan to have a ‘no taking things from the dog’ rule for the kids! 

[Jerilyn]

It sounds like you've got really good policies in place for kids and the dog! I'd probably call this bite a fluke. The new toy was a high value treasure. But you are right to make sure the kids aren't trying to take anything away from her. And don't worry about playing with her, if she's engaging you it's all good. Luna sounds like a really good girl!

[HeyRunDog]

14 hours ago, Sunny said:

she likes to dance around with the squeaky toy and will drop them at my feet and wait for me to throw them. Do you think I ought to stop doing that?

My initial thought was carry on playing with her. But then what if the children want to do the same and she's not in a playful mood and they just grab the toy.

You know Luna and you know your children. Perhaps to be on the safe side it's only a game that you play with Luna when they aren't around.

On a more positive note. Most Greyhounds are very good with children and let them get away with more than they would with adults.

[macoduck]

A word of warning:  your greyhound cannot tell the difference between his toys and your children's toys. Having your kids put their toys away and our of Luna's will prevent her chewing on their things. I'd say the same thing to owners who complain about their books, remote controls, eyeglasses, etc. getting destroyed.

I know of an adopter whose greyhound ate some foam rubber toys while the family was not home. Access to the upstairs bedrooms, normally babygated, was forgotten. It was too late to induce vomiting. The foam rubber was in the stomach and entering the intestines, per xrays at the emergency vet. Sadly, the area adoption coordinator told them to skip surgery and he'd take the dog to his vet in the morning. dog didn't make it. It's a horrible story but a reminder of how things can spiral downhill.

You are doing great job with both the kids, Luna, and yourself. 

[Sunny]

Thanks again for the replies! Everyone is being so helpful! 😊

aw no macoduck, that’s a horrible thing for everyone involved! So sad when stuff like that happens.