Rescue greyhound growling at us when we come in the room

[smokeorfire]

We have taken on a rescue greyhound, aged 3, and he's been with us for 10 days now. Without any particular problems.

But then this evening he growled at me when I went in the lounge where his bed is, twice, then did the same to my partner - actually standing up and blocking his way into the room.

I'm shaking and frightened. We've just taken him for a walk round the block and left his muzzle on.

Until now he's been happy, although today he did seem a bit out of sorts. I don't know if we've stressed him out somehow and didn't read the signs or if we've done something wrong / stupid that's made him think the lounge belongs to him.

Advice would be very very welcome. I'm genuinely frightened right now of a dog who's been gentle, accepting, contented up till now. Thank you.

Thank you. I have contacted dogs trust again and am waiting for a call from their behaviourist team, so I can be guided by them.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can but I don’t think I could live with a dog I was afraid of, especially if I had children.

We adopted a very nervous lurcher who growled constantly at my adult son. We set up a big crate in the living room with his bed and bowls and kept the door permanently open so whenever he felt threatened he could go in and come out when he was ready ie a safe space. £48 off the net and you could probably resell it if you wanted. But I appreciate it's a different situation with children around.

I still jump slightly after 12 months when our greyhound does a growl and bark with sleep startle. We had a bit of growling initially, accompanied by "hard" eyes (which did make me nervous) when I'd been sitting on "his" armchair for too long. That stopped very quickly as he settled in. We later on had a short stage when he'd bark once and play bow if he wanted his tea or a walk. Again, that only lasted a short period - I stood up, folded my arms and looked away, telling him to calm down and wait 5 minutes. The behaviourist should be able to help the OP.

Otherwise, I think the only trouble we've had has been freezing on walks when the bird scarer season starts. We stopped using the muzzle pretty much straightaway. He'll chase rabbits, cats and squirrels, but is friendly with all dogs, big or small. He walks off lead except near roads and sheep etc. and his recall is very good.

Obviously , we can only go on personal experience, but even DH, who was very much ambivalent at the start, has completely bonded and remains amazed at how easy it's been. And we meet a surprising number of people on walks who either have greyhounds or used to and they are all very positive about the experience. On balance, you'd expect ex racers to be calm and used to people - but given they've also been used to "their" personal space and a fairly rigid routine, that's also something to take into account when they first live in a home. It's a huge change for them and they do need time to get used to it.

Ask the behaviourist about his health and when he last had a vet exam.

He needs to have one to rule out pain infection, hearing etc

A dog with behavioural issues is a long term commitment so do not feel bad if this is not the right dog for you right now.

Some rescue dogs do need experienced homes so do not beat yourself up if this is the case in this instance.

Thank you again 🙏🏼 I've been on phone to dogs trust behaviourists for what feels like hours and they're calling me again tomorrow. Their advice feels very helpful and expert. I felt earlier that we'd need to take him back but ... we will keep trying the dogs trust guidance to relax him and us.

They confirmed that it was okay to put his muzzle on at night / if we need to, which is good. And also that he'll have been in some kind of off-the-scale adrenalin shutdown last week when he first came to us, so his behaviour then wasn't really about him communicating properly with us. We just (!) need to navigate this 'stage' (if that's what it is) in ways that help us all feel a lot more safe, settled, secure.

I don't quite know if he's going to be the right dog for us, but the dogs trust made it very clear that there's no shame in accepting the "fit" doesn't work and taking him back - it's far from an unusual thing to happen.

I'm finding it really really tough, but am very glad of this space to talk and to hear others' experiences 🐾

Also, I realised that no-one else has suggested dog training advice and support on Facebook? Free unless you join the premium (which is only £20 a month and I think would be hugely worth it) but the units alone are amazing

Also that’s great advice (and you don’t sound like you would do this so please forgive me) but please be even more sensitive than you already are if you’re leaving the muzzle on in the settling period. Just because your dog isn’t displaying those behaviours doesn’t mean they’re not feeling them in the same way. I’m so pleased that the rescue are supporting you- it’s HARD and don’t let anyone tell you differently.

I completely agree about the Facebook group 'dog training advice and support' it is amazing

I have also read about the 3 - 3 - 3 rule when understanding the behaviour of a rescue dog, although the time scale is not always the same it gives the general stages a rescue dog goes through.

Update... very easy day with no real stress, as far as the dog is concerned anyway. We've joined the Facebook group and I've talked to a few friends who've shared their stories of rescue dog "teething problems" which has made me feel a little less alone and distraught 🐾🐾🐾

Yay, that's great news! hope it all continues to get better and easier.

OP, please keep us updated. My last greyhound cross was like this at the beginning - snapping and unpredictable and generally a bit weird. I spent weeks wondering if we’d done the right thing keeping him. He was destructive and grisly and occasionally nipped.

And then. Slowly he became the most fun, gentle part of the family imaginable. A total triumph. We were so pleased to have stuck with it through the early days.

There is no shame in taking him back if he isn’t right, of course.

My husband has had dogs since childhood, he has said he would not keep a dog that behaved like this

You can ignore everyone else, o/p, we have a man’s opinion .

@reallyreallyborednow

My husband has had dogs since childhood, he has said he would not keep a dog that behaved like this

You can ignore everyone else, o/p, we have a man’s opinion .

Lols that was my thought. ‘Really, a man says something? The OP should definitely do as the man says’.

So happy for you that your DH feels this way and you clearly think his words are gospel truth.
I don't really give a shit what he thinks.

OP delighted to hear it seems to be going well. Do what is best for your family though.

I will say this, my DDog was a different dog after 3 months. A different dog more so now. I got her off 'death row' in Valencia (sob)The ONLY person she doesn't do a runner with is DD (13, but was 12) she is fiercely protective of her and does what DD says!

@personaNonGarter, so good to hear of your positive experience after a shaky start 🤗

We've just had chilled hour in park with friends and their lovely grumpy-old-man greyhound who first made us fall in love with these beautiful beasts. Ddog behaved impeccably and is now snoozing on his bed. All feels significantly better in the world 🐾🙏🏼🐾

@reallyreallyborednow, exactly this 😁 I always find a gentleman's perspective most helpful and clarifying 😁