Dog help needed

[drinkyourmilk]

I'm a nanny and just started working for a family that have 2 greyhounds (both ex race dogs). The eldest is very sweet natured and much older so fairly calm. The younger was apparently a real handful when they got him (from what I've picked up he was badly abused), but he is now very loving and sweet in the house. I spend time each day - 3 or 4 x 5mins stroking him and fussing him which he loves with no problems at all.

My problem is when we are in the garden togther (which is unavoidable as the eldest needs to be toileted on a lead due to a leg injury plus the children have garden equipment they enjoy using) he becomes overly playful - jumping up and barking and snapping the air (though never on me iyswim) and yesterday he prevented me from passing him. Since then I am very wary of him, and quite frankly worried he'll go too far.

Can anyone help me please? Either tell me where I've gone wrong, recommend something I can try with him, or a book etc. I want to stay here long term, but equally don't want the dog to get in trouble or be scared each day.
TIA

NB. I'm not sure if this makes a difference but I did wonder if it's because I'm starting my period today? He was fine with me in the garden (still a bit bouncy - but it was just happy young energetic dog with whispers to chase, as opposed to something a bit more threatening) until the last few days.

Probably a silly question, but have you asked the owners what the dog is normally like outside?
How did he prevent you passing? Greyhounds are normally very placid (i have one).

definitely talk to the owners. ask them what commands he's trained to respond to and how you should handle him when he's too bouncey. hopefully they'll give you a sensible answer. if they give you a waffly answer then, if you feel confident, you could ask if they mind you training him a bit - get hold of this book and give it a go. a few minutes a day - and it's lots of fun. your charges (who, for a moment, I thought were toileted in the garden!) should enjoy it too.

it's quite important not to do this without asking the owners - and to keep them updated as to what you've been doing with him - as consistency is really important.

btw I love your description of the dog having "whispers to chase" - never heard that before, it's a lovely phrase.

sorry, me again, just wanted to say that I didn't mean you "should" have a go at training him - of course, that's not your responsibility, at all, it's no-one but the owners'. just that you "could" if it appeals to you, and if you talk to the owners about it - you sound like you quite like the dogs,and, like I said, it can be a fun thing to do.

He's allowed to run free in their (vast) garden, but off grounds he has a muzzle (not sure that's how you spell it)as he is aggressive with other dogs and can be unpredictable if excited or feels uneasy. I have to muzzle him when playdates come over for the same reasons, though to my knowledge he has never attacked, it's a precaution and saves him being put in a situation he can't handle. TBH I don't think they use commands, nor do they walk him off grounds either at weekends. (weekdays we have a dog walker). HOWEVER just so you don't get the wrong impression - both parents seem to have full control of him, and obviously love him. They just adjust their tone and he quiets down and behaves. (I have tried immitating but with no success)

I will certainly look for the book. Thankyou for the recommendation.

Sorry Tortoise, didn't mean to ignore your question. The best way I can describe his not allowing me to pass is ''he rounded me up''! Whichever direction I went, he bounced in front and barked constantly, often on his back legs (well as much as a greyhound can lol). It wasn't threatening outright - but at the same time wasn't terribly playful (No luring bounds close then backing off or going into a crouch). He wanted me to do something (play I suspect), and I HAD to do it. If not for another staff member coming out with some bread I suspect I would have been nipped.

Yes, probably wanted to play. Unusual for greyhounds to bark too. Mine is a bit of a barker when he gets excited.
One thing i do with mine when he gets over excited, is to turn my back on him so he isn't getting any attention. This always calms him down.

How about phoning the RGT (retired greyhound trust) to see if they have any advice for you?

Try the pet corrector,after a spray once or twice just showing our grey the can calms him down if he gets over excited.

I'll speak to the owners and see if they can advise me, if not then I'll try the RGT. If nothing else they may be able to help with his doorway fear (He hates doorways and will fuss for ages before passing through). The dogwalker is keen to do classes so i'll look into that too. I'll try turning my back when I'm a bit more confident - but at the moment I'm nervous outside, and he's terribly sweet inside so it's not necessary.

interregnum -with him not being my dog I don't feel I can use the pet corrector off my own back, but will ask the owners if they have heard of it and if they would consider it (and thus me too by extension). Does it hurt them? Being a total sap I don't really want to cause him anymore stress, and worry that anything I do will remind him of his race days and all that fear.

I have to say that despite my fears in the garden he's a lovely dog and I'm keen to help him (and myself). I've not had much contact with dogs before, so this is all new.

Don't don't use the pet corrector on an already nervous dog it will make matters much worse.

You do have your hands full in your job though and to be looking after 2 dogs and the dc's is a lot to ask.

If the dogs are not your responsibility I would not let them outside when you are outside with the DC at all.

I would just try standing totally still, not looking at him directly or flapping your arms at him at all and remain that way until he calms down. If he is not actually being agressive to you then you should be able to do this ok and he will start to realise that he is not going to be able to "encourage" you to play with him by bouncing. Once he calms down then start to move slowly and calmly. Expect him to start bouncing again to start off with - return to standing still again/ignoring. He will get the message in time. He really does sound like a dog who just wants to get some love and attention.