Need advice about strange behaviour from normally ggod natured Greyhound :-(

[Tortoise]

We have had Mickey, our Greyhound for 2 and a half years and he is generally a lovely, gentle dog and has only ever growled/snapped if one of the children accidently fell on him.

A few days ago my Brother looked after kids while i popped out. When i got back he said Mickey had growled at DD1 when she was sat near him on the sofa. Then snapped at DS2 when he went near. I assumed maybe DD1 had put her elbow on him or something and he had warned her with a growl. But they all said she was just sat near him.

Today he growled at DD2 when he was led on floor and she was on the sofa. Again i thought her feet were on him or something but she was sure they weren't.

Now tonight, I was on the sofa with feet up. DD2 next to me and DS2 next to her. DS1 was on the computer chair.
Mickey looked up at me/us and started growling then he suddenly snapped. I shouted at him and he went and led on the other sofa.

Now i am really worried about him but moreso the safety of DC being around him incase he does it again.

I will try and phone the vets tomorrow i think but was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what could be going on.
Very at the thought of having to lose him. He is normally so loving and friendly.

Thanks Bella.

Good luck for tomorrow. Hopefully it will be something simple
Please keep us posted.

I thought of somethingthis evening - I wonder if he has toothache? Greyhounds are known for tooth decay problems.

Stripey He might, although he did still let me do his teeth yesterday. I was told when we got him to do them regularly because of decay problems in Greyhound. Not my favourite job though lol!

Well, Mickey was examined and the vet couldn't find anything other than one eye doesn't contract when light is shone in it. She doesn't feel this is significant on its own.
She said overall he is a very fit dog, strong heart beat etc.

She said there could be a nerve problem in his brain making him behave odd or a behavioural problem.

She is going to see what info she can find out and get in touch in the week.

I am going to try ringing the RGT where we got him from to see if they have any suggestions too.

I'm glad there is nothing physically wrong with Mickey. I suppose that she has to mention the neurological issue, just in case.

I hope they can manage to sort him out. It's a worry for you,though.

Thanks, yes very worrying. Wouldn't be so concerned if i didn't have children though. I can't have him if there is a chance he will bite for no reason.
I think there would be tears from us all if we had to re-home him though.

God, I can imagine. My dds adore our dog - so I can imagine how you must be feeling. Hopefully, it's a behavioural issue that can be rectified.

The RGT will have some good advice, I'm sure They are probably best placed to know what's what.

DH was just asking me earlier what was happening with Mickey.

Dh says that there is a forum that you can go on to ask for advice -you have to sign up to it first though. Might be another option?
www.greyhounddata.com.

Thanks, will have a look at that site.

Link takes me to jackpot casino lol! Will google.

Oh! Typed in website and it still changed to casino one.

Oh, sorry. Try www.greyhound-data.com.
Good luck

There is also flappersdream.proboards.com/index.cgi.

Dh says this is more for 'the man in the street' -rather than trainers etc.

If you are struggling to sign up etc, he will post the query for you and I could feed it back to you, if you like?

I signed up but then it says i have to be a verified user, have to send proof ie licence. I don't have anything that i can show really. Oh well, was worth a try, thanks.

If you want to email me -siblingrivalry @live .co.uk (without spaces) we could see if we could post on the other forum on your behalf? It will just be a case of dh giving an idea of what's been happening and asking for advice?

Email sent , thanks.

Hope you get to the bottom of this soon, Tortoise x

I'm sure i am just over analysing this but would a dog know there is something wrong?

Mickey has been much more affectionate today and when i left him alone downstairs he was whining and barking after a while and went mad when i came down. He is usually fine left downstairs (apart from in the first 6mths ish when we 1st got him.

Anyway, as i say, probably over thinking the brain/nerve suggestion! Trying not to worry about it so much. Haven't had anymore growling/snapping episodes which is good.

I don't think they know when something's wrong but tbh I think these are further symptoms, and more evidence of a health issue

will see how things go. He was happy enough indoors while we were outside. But even my Brother said he doesn't look happy. Was how he looked when he injured himself running full speed into a barb wire fence.

Still catching and eating flies though. Ewww!

Did your vet suggest running any blood tests?

No she didn't. She seemed happy with him overall but she should be in touch over the week to see how things are.
Still no more growling/snapping which is good.

I'd keep a detailed record of everything he does that's unusual/hasn't done before. Same goes for his eating, wees, poos and drinking. The more info you can give your vet the better.

Best of luck.

sounds like something happened when you were out to me. Did the kids mention anything?