Dog barking or growing when startled from sleep

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

I adopted a retired greyhound nearly two weeks ago and I love her. I just wanted some advice as a couple of times now when she’s been asleep or resting on her bed and one of my kids has been near and gone to touch her she’s barked at them. I have told them that when she’s asleep or on her bed not to ever touch her and to speak to her before to make sure she’s awake, I think she sometimes sleeps with eyes open. I totally am not blaming the dog in any way, as I understand it she’s warning them that she wants some space. My son is a little afraid of her and I want to make her trust him more. He’s very food at not approaching her and letting her come to him and I’m getting both children to give her a treat when she approaches, so she associates them with something nice. She does seem a bit more nervous around them, I suppose because they are more unpredictable. I just want her to be happy and the kids safe. I never leave any of them underperformed and I do not tell her off for barking at them. Should I be doing anything else? Thanks in advance!

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

Unsupervised that should read!

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

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[adaline]

I think you need to say to the kids that if the dog is in or on her bed then they need to leave her alone completely. She needs a space where she can get away from being pestered!

[CMOTDibbler]

The kids need to learn that when she's on her bed, they don't go near her. Our dogs are crate trained, and an absolute rule in this house is that anyone under 16 doesn't touch the crate - that way the dogs know they can go there and get some peace.

[Wolfiefan]

Yep. The kids must leave the dog alone when on her bed.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

Thanks for your reply. I have to say they are generally really good and do not pester her at all. But I think we need to really reinforce the no touching when she’s on her bed. I don’t want the dog or the kids to feel uncomfortable. She’s always such a gentle creature so it surprised us both.

[MrsJayy]

Oh come on what do you expect you have had a strange dog in your house a fortnight and you are allowi g your children to go nearits bed, what do you expect the dog to do.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

She does have a crate and she takes herself into it when she needs space. They know never to touch her in there and don’t. Just need to extend it to beds/sofas. Thanks all.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

I’m not sure why you are being so snarky MrsJay. I’m not very experienced at dog owning and I just want to make sure everyone’s safe, hence checking I’m doing the right thing. I don’t blame the dog, I blame myself for letting the kids get into that situation.

[MrsJayy]

I am being snarky because if your dog bit your children it would be the dogs fault have you never heard of let sleeping dogs lie . How would you feel if somebody you knew 2 weeks wandered into your room for a hug. Make the rulenobody pets the dog whe it is i it's bed or asleep andeverybody is safe.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

How would it be the dogs fault if it’s because I didn’t teach the kids correctly? I know it’s all very scary and stressful for the dog and my son wasn’t pestering her as such he just went to touch her head as he passed. We both learnt a lesson about how to treat the dog. I just wanted to make sure I shouldn’t be doing anything else.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

I agree you need to keep on reminding the children that they leave the dog alone when it's on its bed. When you all know each other better you will learn to read each other better. Two weeks is no time, in a few months, the dog will feel much more secure and relaxed with you all.

[MrsJayy]

I am sorry you were a bit narked at my post I was direct but your children could be bitten and hurt you need to be stricter with them your dog is an animal with teeth you are not entirely sureof temprament just be a bit wary is all I was trying to say. If your child was seriously bitten your dog would be either put to sleep or put back to rescue.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

Thanks for the reply. I’m sorry if I took your post the wrong way, I just really want the dog to feel good about living with us. I absolutely don’t want anyone to get bitten, we absolutely love the dog and just want to do right by her. I’m going to really take all the advice on board and sit them down again and go over the dog rules. Thanks everyone for the great advice.