New to fostering

[lurcherfan]

I've just undertaken to foster an ex-racing rescue greyhound called Charlie and I'm new to greyhounds, although I've read up on them a bit and have looked after Lurchers in the past. Charlie's been excellent so far in virtually every way, but I'd like some advice about how best to deal with his attitude towards other dogs.

On the whole he has been very friendly with other sighthounds and bigger dogs that we've met and he's allowed them to sniff him while he's been on the lead. On a couple of occassions, however, and apparently for no reason he's snapped at a couple of dogs, the first was a very unassuming spaniel which was simply standing quietly at the side of him and he has over the past few days seemed to get worse, straining to get near every dog we see.

He's castrated and is an angel in the house, but I don't want this behaviour to get any worse. I'm probably expecting too much from him as we've only had him for 4 weeks and he's been at a Greyhound rescue centre for 14 months after breaking his leg, so he hasn't had much experience of other breeds.
If there's anyone who has any tips or words of reassurance I'd be very grateful. Thanks

[Letty's Mum]

Don't really have any advice cos I'm no expert on behaviour problems, but I wish you all the best with him anyway. Please don't give up on him, all Greyhounds have a big adjustment to make when they join the real world, and it can't be easy. Lots of luck with him...Helen

[Deleted]

You have to remember that greyhounds won;t have ever seen any other breeds of dog except other greyhounds so often it's a big culture shock for them.

With the new foster dogs I start with lots of what I call road walking where I trawl the housing estates & parks so they get lots of experience of normal comings & goings.
At the park I start off at quieter times & if there are dogs running around I sit or stand a way away so the dog can observe but not interact, if they get excitable I leave. It's a case of desensitising them with a lot of patience, eventually I visit at busier times & observe from a closer distance.
Over a period of time they do get used to it, if they ignore other dogs they get a treat, for example as soon as they walk past another dog & don't react they get a treat, soon they associate meeting dogs with treats. I find that what happens is after a little while when they see a dog their first reaction is to look at you for a treat which is great, then as soon as they walk past they get the treat. To begin with as soon as you see another dog get your dogs attention with a tasty treat & tempt them along until they have passed then treat them.
Also if you can avoid walking head to head with another dog do as it's confrontational.

I'm not an expert by the way it's just how I do things & make sure your dog is muzzled whilst you get the behavioural quirks sorted out, it takes the pressure off you because you aren't worried if they are going to hurt anyone.

[Flaperoo]

I agree totally with the above. SOCIALISE< SOCIALISE> SOCIALISE and wear a muzzle until the socialisation has worked and your new greyhound realises there is nothing to worry about. I have had 5 greyhounds and not one of them with sensible socialisation and if you are leader of the pack has not come through to be well adjusted dogs with other dogs or people.

Go back to the fostering organisation and ask them for advice. Greyhounds, once you understand their behaviour are very intelligent dogs and usually easy to work with.

Thank you for choosing to foster this lovely breed and good luck.

Mary X

[lurcherfan]

Thanks for the advice. I'm working with Charlie using treats to distract him, but still keep walking him in the park when it's busy with other dogs so that he gets used to them. As I said before I think I was expecting too much from him at first. I've also decided to keep him!! He's such a lovely dog and I can't bear to part with him. ;D

[Jen Wren]

Congratulations My own hounds were a bit unsure at first with other dogs but quite quickly they soon adapted and love other dogs. My foster boy has taken longer to get used to other dogs and is a bit too entusiastic with them and can upset them. He's not aggressive but is just a bit fick