Help for my retired greyhound

[Tracie]

I wonder if anyone can help my retired greyhound came to us in August he was a lovely soppy thing and around me, my husband and son he still is. Everytime someone new came in the house he just wanted loving. Now the last 3 weeks anyone that is new he has started either growling and showing his teeth or just biting out with no warning, I am at a loss why he is suddenly doing this, I really do not want to take hime back or keep him muzzled but I also cannot take the risk of him causing serious harm to visitors in my home, please if someone can advise me that would be great.

 

[Tinytom]

I would contact the rescue and ask for their advice ...in the meantime I would keep him seperate behind a dog gate when anyone new comes in until he gets used to them ...ask them to ignore him ...after a while it maybe worth asking visitors to give him a treat so he thinks anyone coming in means he gets a treat but I would definitely ask the rescue for advice

 

[Tracie]

Hi many thanks for your reply, I have emailed them but am awaiting a reply, but that is a good idea to do that I will give it a try thank you.

 

[Tinytom]

I wonder if something has happened when a visitor came that you hadn't noticed but has spooked him ...
We had to keep one of our lurchers behind a dog gate for a while when visitors came because he could get anxious and nippy ...he was fine with some people but was very wary of men ....thank you for asking for help and not just returning him like lots of people would

 

[Tracie]

Im not sure as normally someone is always with him whenever anyone new comes in, no I really dont want to give him up but I cant have this either which is why I need some advice to see how I can stop this from happening before it gets worse thats my fear

 

[JudyN]

It would also be worth getting a full vet check, including blood work - illness or discomfort can make a dog more anxious. And consider your greyhound's stress levels in general - they are very sensitive, and really not social party animals.

Depending on your home set-up and lifestyle, you might be able to safely manage this, by ensuring your dog has a place they feel safe, and can be kept away from visitors. I always put my lurcher behind a stairgate when new people came to the house, but could let him out once they were settled down - occasionally I' put him behind the stairgate again when they got up to leave just to be on the safe side.

 

[Tracie]

Thank you I may have to try all of this as I really want hime to feel settled and not anxious as I know how unfair it would be to send him back to kennels when he seems so settled and happy around me. And thanks for the advice about the vet I will get him booked in as I didnt consider that as I had not had him for long. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

 

[RGC]

They’re such sensitive creatures. You’ve removed him from an impersonal situation (racing kennels) to a loving environment where he’s allowed some semblance of choice (play, cuddles, etc) but it’s still early days. Some memory may be triggering such a fear related reaction. Our rescue, who has now been with us for three years (whoopee!), came with the mother of all emotional baggage and still has the odd flinch from me. We could be cuddling away even with my blowing raspberries on her tummy and a few minutes later she’ll dart away giving me a fearful look. I’ve put it down to something that happened in her past life - unless the sages of this forum can suggest otherwise. Stay with it. Sighthounds are wonderful and hats off to you for taking one on.

 

[Tracie]

I can understand that as I have not had him long and he is 4 so thats a long time to just be in kennels, I am so glad I posted on here and have been given some great tips to do and great advice so thank you all very much.

 

[JoanneF]

I agree that a vet check and baby gates are definitely the way to proceed.

But, I'd also add that it would help to educate any visitors who are coming to your house.

To a dog, face to face eye contact is quite intimidating body language. So, when we say they should ignore him, that means not even looking at him. If they are going to give him a treat (actually, it might be better if you gave him it) they could put it on the floor without looking at him and step aside, or even toss it away from them, so he doesn't have to cope with the conflicting emotions of wanting the treat but having to approach the scary person to get it.