Greyhound biting child is this normal

[Skihound]

Sitting I need tears writing this and Looking for some advice we got our rescue greyhound yesterday am and everything was going fine got along with the kids and seemed to settle well. then about 7 pm youngest DD has fallen asleep on sofa and he got up and went over to sniff her ( I was sitting there so let him sniff) then he went to bite at her (tried several times) I pulled him away and he snacked at me - he was wagging his tail so I thought he was trying to play we separated them and calmed everyone down then re-introduced them was fine for about 2mins then started lunging and snacking at her, my husband had his collar and he was pulling jumping and barking to get to her (did not seem friendly) and when we removed her from room he was going daft to get to her (he was fine with 11 year old). I phoned rescue Center for advise and they said I had to bring him back immediately, we dropped youngest off on way at grandparents as even in car he was whining to get to her and making snacking noses with his muzzle on, the moment she left the car he calmed straight down and settled and became sweet again. It broke my heart to leave him and both kids are devastated and youngest thinks it is her fault - I told her it was not as she was just asleep on sofa. Is this typical behaviour for greyhound or does it just sound like this one did not like young children ? I have experience with other breeds (huskies) but not greyhounds I feel so bad for returning him but they insisted and not sure I would trust him now

[cheaperthebetter]

You done the right thing OP💐

Personally I have no experience with grey hounds 😕 I know a few who have and they have been fantastic dogs.
Unfortunately people just don't know what these rescue dogs have been through and it is such a sad story.
Please tell your DD it is not her fault in the slightest (obviously you would have done) I think it was great of you to of taken him in from a rescue centre, but he could of really hurt/ disfigured or even killed your DD
I know a child who was attacked by a rescue dog they had taken in 24 hours (it was a huskie) she is permanently scarred on her face for the rest of her life, she was nearly killed as just a couple of more cm the huskie would of pierced her jugular.

This dog needs a home with adults only !
So please don't cry too much as this could of been a lot worse , you have done the right thing OP

[Paie]

This isn't normal behaviour.
My DM adopted another greyhound last year, he was with her for a few months before sadly having to go back as he started attacking her other dog.
Sometimes the treatment these dogs have been subjected to can have a lasting effect on their personalities.

[drearydeardre]

you did the right thing - sadly even the best of rescue centres do not (even if they do their home check) account for every reaction from a dog
It could have been that the dog had not encountered any small child (or yours) before so was reacting to a strange experience.
Hopefully the rescue centre will now specify adults only when rehoming the dog.

[Skihound]

We did do meets at the Center first and all went fine he seemed really to like the kids - then just went wrong

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Not normal behaviour, and you've done the right thing. The dog needs to be in an adult only home, possibly with more experienced owners. Sad as it is, you're not the right owner for that individual dog, but you will be perfect for another dog.

[Isitwinteryet]

We got our rescue greyhound when I was 3 months pregnant. He's been perfect with her. He's very laid back and I honestly can't fault him with kids or other animals. He's our first greyhound (had Dobermans before him) so don't know what percentage are like him.

[Skihound]

Thanks everyone we are going back on Friday to look again and hopefully this was a one off and we can find the perfect match for us and give a dog a home for life

[pigsDOfly]

Absolutely the right thing.

Hope this won't make your DD fearful of dogs. She needs lots and lots of reassurance to make sure she understands that taking the dog back was not in any way her fault and that there was something wrong with the dog.

Hope you find your perfect dog.

[Ylvamoon]

the moment she left the car he calmed straight down and settled and became sweet again

^ This. The poor dog is probably more used to kennel life and other dogs than being with humans. The

You have done the right thing, not every dog can cope well with huge lifestyle changes.

[Flippetydip]

Oh you poor people what a horrible thing to have gone through. Just to reassure you, no definitely not typical greyhound behaviour.

We have one and have had her about 18 months now and she's never snapped at either us or the children. She has, to be completely honest, given a few warning rumbles to the children on occasions but we've taught them to better read her signals, and this has always been a reaction to something they've done, not an unprovoked incident like yours was.

I hope you can all regroup and carry on. You will find the perfect dog. Well done for doing absolutely the right thing for the dog and for your children.

[SleightOfMind]

I’ve got four DC and have had 6 greyhounds over the years.
One breed characteristic of these dogs is their lack of aggression to humans and tolerance of children (obv within acceptable parameters).
I’ve never seen or heard of a greyhound behaving like this before, they don’t usually meet children in their racing days but seem to take to them instinctively.
It really does sound as though something unusual happened to him and you’ve done the right thing taking him back.
Don’t feel awful. Lots of rescues have volunteers take dogs home for a weekend or so to get them used to domestic life (and for a treat!).
It will make it easier for the rescue to find a perfect home for him in the long run.
Hope you find the perfect hound for you soon. They’re the most wonderful, loving dogs once you all get to know each other.

[labazsisgoingmad]

A lot of greyhounds are rescued racing dogs which have never lived inside so find it hard to adjust to everyday life such as being toilet trained etc. i used to foster greyhounds and some for instance can live happily with cats others would kill on sight you did the right thing sad though it is this dog obviously had an issue with your child so maybe he may be homed in an adult only home. it is sad but they cannot tell us why they act like they do and no matter how good a dog you can never trust 100% thankfully this one gave out signs before it got too bad

[stucknoue]

It was probably the dog trying to establish it's self in the pack pecking order. Snarling doesn't mean they are actually going to bite, that said never had a greyhound. My soppy creature in the corner is quite capable of showing his teeth but doesn't bite, particularly when my DD's bring men into the house, the perfect chaperone!

[KittiesInsane]

Our neighbours have a rescue dog who is delightful with most people, but reacts ferociously to men in a certain kind of clothing, cars with a certain sound, and black (not other colour) labradors.

It'll be some past experience, not your child's fault at all.

[Doggydoggydoggy]

Crying, broke your heart, what?!
I don’t understand posts like this at all.

That dog could have, and from the sounds of it wanted to, seriously injure, if not kill your child and your distressed at sending it back?!

No it is not ‘normal’ behaviour at all.
Of course the rescue would insist on having it back.
Your poor child.

[Skihound]

This is from last summer and of course I was upset, I was sending back an animal I had started to bond with who I hoped to be part of our family - he was obviously not the dog for us and still not sure what triggered this since child was asleep and had been playing with him during the day. I think I felt sorry that it hadn't worked as we would have given him a lovely home and he was going back to a metal cage. I would never entertain keeping a dog that would hurt my child - we have since got a lovely puppy cross breed and my daughter surprisingly still thinks fondly of the greyhound

[Doggydoggydoggy]

Oh, I never noticed the date!

I’m afraid I personally will never understand the feeling of sadness of giving up a dog that has behaved appallingly towards children, for me, I’m very matter of fact about it.
It wants to harm a child it goes.
But I think a lot of people would definately sympathise with how you felt.

Your puppy is lovely!
I’m really pleased you found the perfect companion in the end

[NicoAndTheNiners]

Your new dog is super cute. I'm sure the greyhound got a new home somewhere without kids. Dogs can take an irrational dislike to particular people. I used to have a dog who while I admit wasn't keen on most people hated dh with a vengeance and would run from one end of the house to the other to bite him!