DS is 8, and is being very good at giving our new dog space, he knows not to bound up to her, startle her, etc.
New dog is 3yr old greyhound, ex racer and has come to me from rescue kennels. She is slowly but surely settling in and I feel she has now bonded with me but is still very scared around DS and I want them to eventually be relaxed together. When he walks into a room she slinks out, ears flat to head, tail between legs. 
Dog had never been in a house environment, didn't like the boy dogs she was in kennels with, and it seems is terrified of men. She has a very sweet gentle nature though.
She is too nervous to even respond to treats from DS, he ends up throwing them across to her. She is very fussy with treats and won't eat any bog standard biscuits, but likes bones, her kong, cheese and garlic sausage!
If anyone has been through similar or has any tips or ideas I'd really appreciate it. We are limited to house and garden at the moment as she has come into season!
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
How can I help new GH to relax around DS?
YourHandInMyHand · 26/04/2013 11:13
Callisto she is child friendly - it seems however she is not boy friendly! She was tested with a young girl, and I have also experienced her being okay with little girls, even letting them stroke her - I think she views my son as a man. He is 8 but very big for his age.
I definitely think she has had bad experiences with men.
There was a misunderstanding with the rescue regarding her being neutered, and yes she will most definitely be getting neutered - I have very strong feelings that there are enough dogs needing homes without adding to the list. I have not officially adopted her yet, she is on week 3 of a month's trial before I sign adoption papers but I am very taken with her. 
I will try to get him throwing treats further away.
Have not been pushing the issue a lot as it is still early days and she's still settling in - just wanted some advice really.
Her dog bed is in the kitchen and DS knows not to approach it, rush towards her, etc. If he is walking past he knows to walk calmly so she knows he's not about to descend on her. I'm pleasantly surprised at how calm he is being around her bless him.
Good for your son! You could also tell him to speak gently to her when he walks past, whilst ignoring her of course! Perhaps get him to sit on the floor in the same room as her and read a book to her every so often? My last greyhound bitch was very noise sensitive, and she loved a soothing voice.
I think week three is very early days. It may be months before she is confident enough to approach your DS. I think time and space is what she needs. Try and remember that everything is a new experience and she will be feeling very insecure. Stick with it, she sounds lovely and if you let her go at her own speed she will eventually reward you and your son with more love and affection that you can handle.
I'm sorry to say I have concerns about this, and I am nuts about greys, have 4, foster, home check and do a lot of rescue volunteering. Not all greys get on well with DC - most do, but we have one who very definitely doesn't. Like yours he is terrified of strange men. We have slowly and carefully built up a relationship between him and our DNs who visit regularly, but he would never be suitable for being homed permanently in an environment with DC, no matter how well behaved.
My concern will be when your DS brings friends round, both now and in his teenage years - this will be very difficult for your dog. There are masses of greyhounds out there who are good with DC - why make life difficult for yourself?
This poor girl would probably be much happier in a home without children or lots of strange men.
Not your fault at all, but this rescue has not served you well. Am 
at allowing an un-spayed bitch to be homed, and it really doesn't sound as they have matched you very well. If you PM me, let me know which rescue and I can point you at some other reputable ones.
How can I send her back to kennels?
There aren't lots of children or strange men coming in and out.
The rescue is going to give me a voucher to get her spayed, it seems like it was a genuine mix up regarding her not being done yet.
A dog who is intensely fearful is more unpredictable though, and if put in a position where they feel crowded/cornered, can bite.
Our fearful boy has snapped at DH in the early days and at the then Chair of the rescue 
- a tall man who he didn't know very well. Fortunately the encounter was carefully managed so no harm done, but it is a real issue.
Hmm, our DSs are 4 and 6 and both greys we've adopted (one on trial still - on week 1) had not been child tested when we brought them home. We did walk them with our boys though and they both seemed ok. We watch them like hawks though and obviously don't leave the DCs unattended with them. We do leave our longest adoptee with them when they're watching TV on the sofa together though.
Re. the spaying. The girl we have on trial right now has not been spayed as she was in season when she was brought in and they said they have to wait 3 months or so after the season for the op. They did say we could only adopt her if we'd set a date with them for the spaying though, and she'll go back there and have it done by their vet.
Might working her into a very strong routine that has him as part of it help? I mean, like to the extent that he treats her with something very yummy at a set time of day and walks her at a set time of day with you etc.
3 weeks either way is early days I think. I have to say, if she's that fearful I would be considering taking her back. Your son will be a big part of her life and if he makes her nervous, (through no fault of his own), she'll spend a long time feeling tense. It would be so nice for him to have a dog that engages positively with him too.
Either way, your DS sounds absolutely lovely.
My parents have rescued two ex racing greyhounds, a boy and girl. when they first came home they couldn't use stairs and they didn't know their names .
neither of them like kids and we put them up stairs on their beds when any children come round.
I think all you can do is what you're doing. keep trying to show her that ds is good and comes with treats.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.