new greyhound seems depressed

[fatdog]

We have just adopted a retired racing greyhound (4 days ago)He is very sweet and has been no trouble. He has no basic commands so I think it has been stressful for him but he seems so depressed. He is very lethargic even when we take him out for a walk and shows very little interest in other dogs. He goes up to people to be stroked but doesn't get excited or wag his tail much. Around the house he just lies around looking sad. In the rescue kennels he was with another dog who he got on very well with. Maybe he is missing her? Any advice or similar experiences would be most welcome!

[FeeFee]

Firstly don't worry, this is normal! Four days isn't long at all for him to start to bond with you or to show his true personality - be patient and it will happen.

Remember that for him this has been a monumental change, he's spent his whole life in kennels now he's suddenly in a home situation getting used to a completely different life and routine with people he doesn't fully know or trust yet. Dogs often react to stress by shutting down and becoming very quiet and unresponsive.

Give him some time and space to come round in his own time and I bet he'll be a different dog in a few weeks' time.

[tamsin]

I think FeeFee has said it all, but just wanted to add that we had exactly the same thing with our greyhound girlie Emily when we first brought her home last March. She was very, very docile and plodded along on the lead beside us like she was about 15 years old (she's only 4!) We even doubted her age as she's very grey about the chops too, and had to check it our for ourselves on Greyhound Database!

She started to come out of herself gradually and bit by bit her personality came out, but I would say she wasn't 'fully' herself until about 6 months after we got her. Now she is a bubbly, cheeky, naughty little minx and I have no idea where the shy, quiet girl that we first brought home has gone.

We did help things along a little by getting her a DAP diffuser to make her feel more secure and relaxed and you could also try some rescue remedy in his water?

It is one of the most rewarding experiences to watch them come out of their shells, begin to trust you and get used to living in a home and having a family of their own. Enjoy every minute. ;D

[Lisa]

As Fee says its normal. It will take a few weeks for their personality to flourish and in the meantime do not be tempted to lavish to much attention on them or you could create a needy monster. Just act like he is not there for a week or two ignore him and leave him to it. This will allow him to gain confidence and find his feet in his own time without putting any pressure on him

Oh and Greyhounds are the master artists of using those big baby browns to make you feel like crud and that they want to do themselves in anyway so dont be fooled. They are the dog equivalent of Morrissey

[just jackie]

All very good advice and I have nothing much to add other than to relate a personal experience that might help.

A friend has just taken on an ex-racer and last week when we met up a couple of times Jim wasn't particularly interested in me or in the treats I had to offer him. This morning I was met with tail wagging, and big Jim (and he is a very tall lad) launching himself at me to say hello. What a turnaround in just a few days, and what a pleasure to see him coming out of his shell.

I am sure you will soon be telling us of your boy's progress, and the milestones he has reached. What's his name by the way, and a photo or two would be most welcome.

Jackie
x

[andywillow]

Can't really add any advice from what has been said but just to let him relax and come to you when he's ready. We've had a few foster dogs here (now permanent ) who havent wanted anything to do with us.
Delta was one dog who didnt have any personality at all and spent most of her time on her dogbed in the kitchen away from us, got up to eat, went for a walk, never wagged her tail and obviously never had any love so didnt expect it.
It took her months but god has she made up for it ;D She is the funniest cheekiest waggiest little girl now and I adore her.
Its the most satisfying thing ever to watch them learn to love you and trust you, its worth the wait ;D

Sue

[izzym52]

hi, i have had shaylah 14 days tomorrow and she is also an ex racer from a dogs home.at first she was so like your new boy and hid in the kitchen on her bed under the work top.she was so timid she wouldnt even go to the loo and i had to drag her out to relieve herself .she is still in a world of her own but like everyone said its very early days(though she has turned into a bin raider) ;)time is the healer and im sure he will soon be up in the night being a bin raider too ;D

[fatdog]

Thank you so much for all your advice, it's made me feel much better. I am new to this forum and new to greyhounds (previously had a lurcher who we rescued at 6 months so not the same isues). I think I may be visiting this site often! He has been a bit more lively today and has stolen a bag of flourand had a bit of a nip at a passing spaniel while out for a walk. Thankfully we had him on lead and muzzled but he still got a bit of fur! Up until then he had been lovely with small dogs so just goes to show how careful you have to be.

[Lisa]

Sounds to me like the Greyhound is landing Enjoy him!

[fatdog]

Thanks Lisa. I think he was a bit disappointed with the flour. Carried it all the way to his bed (leaving a lovely trail) only to discover it wasn't that exciting after all! Have read your advice on muzzling greyhounds and am certainly in no hurry to remove it although would love to have him off lead in the future if we can work on his recall!

[dominique]

Jun 1, 2010 10:07:21 GMT -5 fatdog said:

Thanks Lisa. I think he was a bit disappointed with the flour. Carried it all the way to his bed (leaving a lovely trail) only to discover it wasn't that exciting after all! Have read your advice on muzzling greyhounds and am certainly in no hurry to remove it although would love to have him off lead in the future if we can work on his recall!

Well you've come to the right place for advice on all things greyhound! There are plenty of people on here with a wealth of information about possibly everything that you could ever want to know about your grey.

Just a word of caution about the muzzle, they can be removed by a hound if they try hard enough so do please be careful with him around smaller fluffy's if you do finally let him run off lead.

[Flaperoo]

It's just great when as they trust you more they show you more and more of their characters ;D

Sounds like he is not so depressed after all

Mx

[bransgirl]

Hi

I got Brannan last November and he was the same. spent the first 2 months on his bed with his back to the wall.

We had many settling issues, not wanting to go walking, losing fur, scared of his own shadow. with no previous experience with greyhounds i was going spare until i found this site. it saved my sanity. great advice, variety of posts and helpful contributers.

6 months on he's a different dog, but i would agree with the post saying not to pander to your dog too much - my boy definitely got the upper hand once he settled and needed to learn manners and social skills - helped by my brothers 2 whippets.

it's a huge change for these dogs, from kennels to pets - but they thrive on it once they settle.

good luck

[vikic]

just to echo what everyone else said. We thought Riley was just a quiet, slightly withdrawn dog when we first had him but how wrong we were! Within a couple of weeks, we started to get the very occassional bark, he started bin-raiding, playing with his toys etc - his personality completely changed and although we saw a cheekier dog, it was definitely for the better.
Good luck settling your grey in, and we always like some pics!!

[amyg]

Hello!
me and my family have just adopted a beautiful new greyhound named Sid (4 yrs old) we have only had him a couple of days and as we are first time dog owners we are quite nervous of how he is doing...
He is very quiet, gentle and no trouble but he seems quite sad, doesnt want to go for walks, not responsive and uninterested in other dogs, we do want to take him for walks but dont want to force him as he stays on his bed and doesnt move...he looks so sad its hard not to fuss over him!
Any advice on what we should/could do would be amazing! we just want to give him the love he deserves...