Bitten by our greyhound, advice please!

[bonnymiffy]

Some background - DH got an ex-racing greyhound from a rescue centre just before we got together, about 15 months ago. He says the dog is for his son, but the dog is definitely his! He had no problems with him whatsoever, and then they moved in with me, in October. The dog has peed on the floor in every single room (I understand it's a territory-marking thing, but it's still not pleasant to clear up, and he still does it occasionally). Mostly he's a very laid back dog, ideal for a small house, and an 8yo boy who adores him.
DH is off sick today, so I went to take the dog out for pee and poo. He wasn't keen, but I do it every day and didn't take much notice. Anyway, he wasn't having any and bit me. It's just a small bite, scratched the skin and I have a small bruise. It was more the shock of it that upset me than the bite itself. DH says that he only reacted like that because the dog knew he was in the house, but my reaction wasn't great and I said that dogs that bite get put down. Anyway, it would break the boy's heart to lose the dog, and I would hate to do that to him. It's a one-off (so far? is he likely to do it again?) and I would really feel like the wicked step-mother if the dog had to go.
What does anyone else think/advise? All replies welcome (sorry this is so long...)

Thanks, I'll mention that to DH. I think he was thinking more of finding another home so that DSS can still see him.
He growled a bit before he bit, but, he's done that before, which is why it didn't bother me. It's only happened once! Thing is, he's nearly 8 so I'm not sure if he would respond to training? Although I'm willing to try it if it would make sure it didn't happen again.

I don't even think this is a behavioural issues just a training issues.

You need to go back to basics and treat him like a puppy.

Peeing in the house must be stopped and gentle firm discipline that the dog understand to be used all the time.

How did you go to take the dog out and how did you know he was not keen?

Thanks both, I knew MNers would have useful advice.
The peeing thing - we were advised by the vet that unless you catch them at it, there's no point in telling the dog off as he won't remember it, although DH has had dogs before and that is contrary to what he's done with the others.
I called the dog in a cheery upbeat way - come on dog, time for a pee - rattled the lead (this usually works) rattled the "treats" bag (this works when the other fails) but he didn't come down stairs. I went up to him and when he lifted his head went to attach the lead to his collar. I've done this before, with no issues, sometimes he bounds downstairs, other times he gets up in an "if I really have to" way (with me being cheerful) but this time he decided not to.
Thing is, I'm not a dog person, in fact, I'm not an animal person - the idea would never even have crossed my radar - and maybe the dog's picked up on my (at best) dislike...

ButterflyEffect is spot on.

From the dog's POV, you were warned. He considers you either a threat or that he is higher up in the whole scheme of things than you - ie he will take notice of your DH but will tell you to get lost. I suspect the latter. My immediate advice would be to heed the warning right now and secondly to take steps to be able to be in a position whereby the dog does not feel the need to do this.

A behaviouralist will address the dog's behaviour AND yours - that's not meant as an insult btw, just meaning that he/she will teach you where you are making mistakes and how to address them.

Opt for a qualified, registered behaviouralist, preferably taking a recommendation from someone you trust who has had personal experience of a particular one in your area. Perhaps the rescue would be able to point you to one, or another local erscue might?

Speak to the rescue the Grey came from for their advice - they should offer a lifetime's support. Which were they, btw, it may help? (Am a rescuer so know many rescues).

Also have a word perhaps with Trudy at Greyt Exploitations, someone I know personally. It's largely a campaigning group BUT Trudy is a star and rescuer of Greys herself, knowing a hell of a lot on the breed. Trudy's website is HERE and you'll find contact details for her there too, including her phone number.

Tony at Greyhound Action may also be able to put you in touch with someone suitable as will Kaye and her team at LurcherLink

By the way, dogs that bite should not get putdown. Those who meet the right rescuers do not get put down. Your DHs adoption contract should include a commitment to return the dog if for whatever reason, he cannot keep him. Should it come to that, please refer back to the rescue. Should they not be willing or able to help and you are unable to keep him (dog that is, not DH!), please post on Pets with my name in the title and I will find him a no-kill rescue place. It's what I do. WRT that, whatever you do, avoid the RSPCA at all costs, even if that's where the dog came from. Should this be the case please refer back to me, I'll explain all and help you find an alternative,

A quick look at Trudy's Greyt Exploitations website will demonstrate to even the most cynical what terrible existances Greyhounds often have prior to reaching rescue and why some Greys have issues. The very vast majority of issues can be ironed out, providing the humans involved are willing to understand and put in the effort.

it sounds like your DHs Greyhound is a very lucky boy today.

PS Before all else, and I meant to say this to start, sorry, consult the vet in case pooch has an illness/pain/injury which has caused his reaction.

And yes, he may well pick up on the fact that you don't really like dogs and possibly (as this is how it comes over to me, sorry if I'm wrong) aren't 101% cnfident with them. Some dogs will play on this (I have one myself, he'd walk all over and terrify someone less assured of their ability to handle dogs!).

Btw, I know that that last remark sounds terribly big headed, but dogs are my one success! I can't swim, my maths are awful and small children leave me cold are something I can't bond with, so this is all I have!

Seriously - a vets check over first, tell him/her to feck off if the diagnosis is "healthy dog should be PTS", and behaviouralist and advice from the original/another rescue and Greyt Exploitations or LurcherLink next.

Definately agree. From what you describe you need to go back to basics with a professional explaining why and how in a way that you and the dog can understand.

There are ways to get dogs to do things they don't want to easily, kindly and in a way that they do not even notice you are doing it and will then even start to enjoy the activity! A good behaviourist will be able to help you or even a good local dog trainer.

Try ADPT. I do not think this is a major issue and a few minor changes in how you deal with the dog and you should be back on track in no time

Hi Valhalla, not insulted at all! I will certainly check out the links. Yes, DH has said about the hierarchy (sp?) thing - dog sees DH at the top, and him second. Me? Distant third, if not 4th after DSS. And I do know that bad behaviour in dogs isn't the dog's fault, more the owners. We weren't thinking of getting him put down AT ALL after one (actually fairly minor) incident, just I need to know how to deal with it as I've never had a pet of any type so don't have any experience!
I've read a bit about the revolting treatment greyhounds get and I totally agree it is a disgrace, particularly in a country that is so-say a nation of dog-lovers.

Its great to hear of those who won't just abandon a dog at the first concern. If all the self-confessed non doggy people were like you bonnymiffy, the nations dogs would be far happier.

The vet is right about the toilet training, but you can help things by making sure the dog stays in the same room as you and is taken our regularly.

I have to say, I am not convinced on the heirachy things. I suspect the dog was happily having a doze, has never been taught that coming to call is rewarding enough to get up and come down for and resented being woken up. If he has growled before then he has tried to warn, but as it was ignored, he felt his only option was to bite.

He might be in pain, so a vet visit to rule out problems is a must, and I also second the APDT to look for a behaviourist/trainer.

Vet and trainer and you'll be fine in no time.
Also, get your DH to back you up and get involved with the training, it's not ok to say just say "well he's fine with me" because this is a whole family issue.

Hi Midori1999 and Honeywitch, again loads of great advice. Luckily DH is supportive so he won't be adding to the problem! And the dog goes out LOADS!! We will investigate the possibly being in pain thing, that hadn't occurred to me.

I would also add that if your dog is covered by pet insurance there is a chance they will cover the costs of a behaviour referral too. You may have to be referred by your vet for the insurance to cover this though so do ask the vet about this.

What were you actually doing to the dog when it bit you?

Not that I'm blaming you, just trying to understand why. The dog may have felt threatened by something you did.

Our greyhound nipped my daughter once as DD took a packet of crisps that the dog had nicked off the dog. Dog was in her bed eating them and crazy DD (8) ran at the dog shrieking at her and snatched them. I think the dog felt threatened by DD being like a Tasmanaian devil.

One other time the dog snapped at me but I made her jump. She was sleeping and I leaned over her to get to a plug socket behind her bed. I now make sure I talk to her first and give her a pat before going to the socket so she knows its me.

Never had any other problems since.

Meant to add that greyhounds aren't usually agressive at all but can be nervous especially with people they don't know well. If he'd felt threatened then he may have snapped.

Hi Stripey, I was trying to attach the lead to his collar so he could go out! and when we did go out about 10 mins later he peed twice (big ones) and pooed, so it's not like he didn't need it. He's not shown any signs of aggression at all before - DH checked out the breed in advance due to his DS only being 7 at the time, and he is normally the most placid, docile animal imaginable. I would know not to interrupt him eating anything, but this was out of character, hence posting.

Very odd behaviour for a grey, I'd also be inclined towards getting him a check up at the vets, if he had something causing him discomfort he could be in bad humour. I've ever known one grey to snap (not even bite) and that was a dog that had been beaten up and she thought she was going to be hit on the head when someone went to pet her.

He could have felt threatened when you were reaching out for his neck.

I've always grown up around dogs so have sympathy for them in certain situations, but biting's something you want to nip in the bud.

In all seriousness, check out "The Dog Whisperer" series - that guy is a modern day Dr Doolittle!! Cesar Millan - explains things from the perspective of the animal, and offers amazing tips / advice on discipline techniques. Dogs are dogs at the end of the day so to train them you need to understand pack behaviour - check him out!

Oh for heavens' sake, not Ruthy and her bloody Millan propaganda again. Anyone with any wit will tell you to avoid him and his crazy outdated techniques like the plague.

Good luck with your dog.

Ditto SoBloodyTired's asvice on Milan. Criel, potentially dangerous and ignorant, his methods are totally unacceptable.