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Post by grommit on May 21, 2008 12:41:47 GMT -5
We adopted our greyhounds from a local rescue 3 months ago. They seemed to have settled just fine.... Now Phil has nipped paris's ears causing wounds twice this last week.  The first time was over a toy, Phil had the toy and Paris may have tried to take it from him (we're not sure, we were inside, they were out). The most recent was last night, There was a huge commotion after they were put to bed and now she has another poorly ear. We dont let them have toys unsupervised any more so last nights cause was a mystery. I'm really at a loss of what to do now. They get on fine 99% of the time, Right now they are fast asleep cuddled up on a duvet in the lounge. Does anyone have any advice? I've just spoken to a lady who has owned dogs for 20yrs who said a walk before bed may help them settle so we're trying that tonight. I'm worried about leaving them alone tonight but dont want to make a fuss and split them just yet. Should i try muzzling them at bedtime just until we know they're friends again? or is the best solution to split them? Thanks for reading. Clare, Paris and Phil xxx |
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Post by dominique on May 21, 2008 14:06:32 GMT -5
Any ideas what it was about? Toys, beds or any other kind of resource?
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Post by grommit on May 21, 2008 14:11:36 GMT -5
The only thing they had was their beds. They have 2 seperate beds. They're both neutered. Phil doesnt get on with other dogs, any we meet on walks he growls or snaps at, but until now we've had no problems with him getting on with Paris. They came here as a couple and were put with each other about 2 weeks before they came to us. They are both ex-racers and aged 4 and 5yrs. Hope someone can offer some advice! |
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Post by dominique on May 21, 2008 14:18:27 GMT -5
Lisa will be your best bet as she has a wealth of experience. I could hazzard a guess that they have both settled in with you now and there's a possibility that there is a little bit of a 'who's top dog' thing going on. Does the place that you adopted them from have a dog behaviourist that you can call on? or can they give you any advice/support?  |
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Post by grommit on May 21, 2008 14:26:32 GMT -5
Thank you. I'm going to call the kennels in the morning. The lady i spoke to earlier said the same about the top dog thing. I just hope thats what it is, they're so cute together when they are happy.
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Post by dominique on May 21, 2008 14:33:37 GMT -5
If it is the 'top dog thing' then you are ment to support the higher ranking dog. This can be anything from giving it attention first to feeding it first. It can sometimes cause problems if you treat them both the same. My newest dog is more dominant in the home than my older dog, (although she is a complete wuss with dogs outside of her pack) so I support her by putting her food down first and giving her attention or treats first. This way both dogs know where they stand and are actually happier that they know their position in life. Seems to work for me at least. good luck tomorrow and I hope it all works out. |
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Post by grommit on May 21, 2008 14:40:30 GMT -5
Thank you for your advice. We always put Paris food down first as she is so good, she just stands and waits. Phil bounces to roughly the same height as my head until he realises that he gets nothing til all four feet are grounded!
She is usually pretty much the boss in the house, always the one pushing the rules to see how far she can get. We are as firm and consistant as possible with them both. Fingers crossed this is just a one off and they'll settle soon.
Thanks again.
Clare xx
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Post by dominique on May 21, 2008 14:56:25 GMT -5
I'm sure that it will be fine |
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Post by Lisa on May 21, 2008 17:04:59 GMT -5
There is very rarely a top dog battle between dog and bitch. The bitch is normally respected as the alpha by a male dog even if she isnt pushy or isnt particularly bothered about having the position. Normally they just click along nicely. As Phil obviously has issues with other dogs I would speak to the kennels at length and get a behaviourist in to have a look to see what they feel is the trigger this is the one sort of aggresion I dont like to give advice on as I dont know the dogs and cannot see what is happening within the home. There shouldnt be any battle for top dog if you bitch is as laid back and as good as you say she is as there is nothing to fall out about.
It sounds more like a bit of resource guarding and Phil possibly throwing his weight around/bullying and I think your right to keep a close eye on it. Toys are high value so I would take them out of the equation permanantly now until you are sure of whats happening.
I certainly wouldnt be building either of the dogs status without getting someone in and the only persons status I would be highering is my own!
Take them back to basics, remove ALL privelages, ie sofa, treats anything that can cause a flash point.
Is he getting overly pushy with you? Is there any pushing in for a cuddle etc etc when you stroke her? Any rushing through doorways before you?
Where are you? Jim or another behaviourist who knows hounds would be your best bet if Jim is too far away.
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Post by grommit on May 22, 2008 0:08:49 GMT -5
Hi,
Thanks for the advice. We are in the west mids, nr walsall. Generally they are both a little pushy when fussing one the other sometimes pushes in front. We always continue fussing the first one and push the other away when this happens.
When it comes to doorways paris pushes through more than phil but i do make them wait when they come in until i say they can come through. Paris is generally the one that tries to push past my legs but i always push her back and make her wait.
We dont allow them on the sofa or chairs, they have their own beds in the lounge. Phil occasionally growls at her if she tries to get on the same bed, but then most of the time he lets her, she even had her back feet resting on his back when they were sleeping a couple of days ago.
We are doing our best but have never owned dogs before so appreciate any advice. We have seen a local dog behaviourist but were not very impressed with her to be honest. Hope someone can recommend one in our area.
Thank you.
Clare xx
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Post by grommit on May 22, 2008 1:06:07 GMT -5
Just realised i missed something!
Paris has also been chewing herself, she did this when we first got her, then stopped and now has started again. I know this is because she's stressed but we are not sure how to stop her.
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Post by Lisa on May 22, 2008 6:16:46 GMT -5
Hi, Thanks for the advice. We are in the west mids, nr walsall. Generally they are both a little pushy when fussing one the other sometimes pushes in front. We always continue fussing the first one and push the other away when this happens. Have a read of this ..... k9deb.com/nilif.htmIt sounds a little like the dogs are in control and BOTH are demanding your attention as opposed to the other way around. If one of the dogs comes over to you and asks for attention ignore them act like they arnt there for the moment. If the other then joins and asks for attention get up and walk off. Stop allowing them to make demands of you and you *chose* when you give attention to them. Alot of people dont hold with pack rank but this is one time that I feel its important. In the wild top ranking animals are allowed to demand attention for lower ranking members but not vice versa so what is happening at the moment is they are ranking higher than the humans by doing just that. If you want attention from one of the dogs call them over give them a quick pat then send them away, do this with both so that by the time the second one arrives the first has had a pat and is heading back off. If the second arrives and demands attention ignore them and move away. They will quickly learn that you chose when they get fussed and not the other way around. When you approach a doorway open the door and if one rushes you shut the door FIRMLY. This will cause them to take a step back. Open it again and if they again push forward bang the door shut again. They will soon learn that if they shove through doorways it slams and they dont particularly like it. As the door shuts issue the *WAIT* command. After a while this should make it easier for you to open a door, say WAIT and then walk through it first yourself. If they are following you through doorways you should also issue the WAIT and go through it shutting it not allowing them to follow you all the time make them wait behind. Start trying to put them each on a bed of their own making one bed hers and another his. Take them gently and lead them to theirs giving the BED command and then have them lie down. See if there is a bed they favour to share and try placing two smaller beds in this spot a couple of feet apart. If you want Jims number let me know and I will pass it on to you. |
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Post by Lisa on May 22, 2008 6:17:38 GMT -5
Just realised i missed something! Paris has also been chewing herself, she did this when we first got her, then stopped and now has started again. I know this is because she's stressed but we are not sure how to stop her. You need to take the stress out of the equation to stop the behaviour sadly. Alot of dogs do this when nervous. If you try the advice I gave above it should help. |
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Post by dominique on May 22, 2008 6:21:10 GMT -5
Looks like I've had duff advice from the behaviourist that I've been seeing  |
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Post by Lisa on May 22, 2008 6:28:56 GMT -5
Looks like I've had duff advice from the behaviourist that I've been seeing Not necessarily Dominique and that is why it is best to get a behaviourist in as they can see exactly what the problem is and how to handle it The advice ive given now is to get Grommit through until she either sees a difference quickly OR gets a behaviourist in to view and work through what is going on. Its hard to give advice over a forum simply because without standing to one side and viewing the situation its not always easy to see the triggers or the reason for it occuring. |
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