Post by leon on Apr 27, 2013 4:55:19 GMT -5
Hi - I havent been here for a while. We have had 4 lurchers and greyhounds for the past 20 years and have managed quite a few challenges regarding behaviour and problems(ours and the dogs). So we think we have a fair bit of experience so far, but have just taken on a beautiful female hairy lurch from the dogs trust who is proving to be quite a challenge so far. We are committed to her, and really want to get things right, so any tips or comments on our approach would be gratefully received.
Bit of background - she is a roughly 18 months - 2 y/o hairy lurch. Possibly deerhound x greyhound in there somewhere, quite small, between whippet and greyhound in size. She was picked up as a stray in Ireland, and taken to the Evesham dogs trust, where she was spayed immediately then tx'd to Canterbury dog's trust and we took her from there. She mixes and interacts well with our little male whippet-lurch, and with other dogs at the Trust kennels, but is absolutely terrified of humans. Just a look causes her to cower and she seems stuck in run-away mode - any opportunity and she is hiding in a corner or seeking an escape route.
She has been with us for 2 weeks today. She will not approach either of us yet for anything - tasty liver treats/ cheese/ luncheon meat, nothing works. So we mostly ignore her in the hope that she will seek us out at some point. She hid in an open crate for the first couple of days, then transfered herself to a cubby hole under the stairs. She now lives mostly on the sofa - so this is definitely progress.
We havent been walking her because we cant get near her with a lead. We tried a houselead, but she chewed through it. She is clean and will come to the garden to wee and poo but only if we all (including our other dog) go out there first and and sit there for a while - even then we cant look at her as she comes out otherwise she runs in again until we look away. We have decided not to walk her until she does come to us - for the practical matter of getting a lead attached, and also to ensure there is some trust from her. She is playing with toys (when we are out of the room) so is getting some stimulation, even if it is not ideal. She is very clever, and has already worked out how to open door handles and jump the dog gates we have fitted. As well as devouring several non-edible items when we aren't looking - thankfully passed out the other end with no problems.
We're trying tryptophan rich foods, and vit b additives in the hope that they help. She eats fine, provided the house is quiet and she is alone. She came to us on Arden grange kibble, but we feed raw. We will change her over at some point soon, but thought a change in diet could make things worse right now - yet another thing for her to contend with.
She sits on the sofa with us of an evening, although keeps her distance. And mostly pants and whimpers gently (only in the evening when next to us, so I dont think she is in physical pain) so is stressed I think. But doesn't take herself away. At these times she will take treats if we offer them, but wont come to us for them. She will also let us do some TTouch on her neck/ back/ head, which seems to calm her, but only if we aren't looking at her when we do it. I'm hoping this will garner some trust ... doesnt seem to have worked yet though - maybe we should stop until she comes to us for attention.
She has shown absolutely no sign of aggression towards us. No growls, snarls, snaps or anything. Instead, once she corners herself, she just freezes (not in a neurological sense though). We can lift her, touch her, do anything, but it clearly isn't with her consent, she just acquiesces and stares into the distance.
We had a week of her in terror, then a week as described above and no real improvement since. I think I know the answer is for us to continue as we are, and hope she comes around, but if there is anything you can suggest - my wife and I are all ears
None of our previous dogs have been scared of us in this way, so it all new territory for us.
here is a pic of her - Willow, in her favourite spot on the sofa:
thanks in advance for any help/ advice you can give. given you are all greyhound owners, I'm sure many of you will have had similar experiences.
Leon
Bit of background - she is a roughly 18 months - 2 y/o hairy lurch. Possibly deerhound x greyhound in there somewhere, quite small, between whippet and greyhound in size. She was picked up as a stray in Ireland, and taken to the Evesham dogs trust, where she was spayed immediately then tx'd to Canterbury dog's trust and we took her from there. She mixes and interacts well with our little male whippet-lurch, and with other dogs at the Trust kennels, but is absolutely terrified of humans. Just a look causes her to cower and she seems stuck in run-away mode - any opportunity and she is hiding in a corner or seeking an escape route.
She has been with us for 2 weeks today. She will not approach either of us yet for anything - tasty liver treats/ cheese/ luncheon meat, nothing works. So we mostly ignore her in the hope that she will seek us out at some point. She hid in an open crate for the first couple of days, then transfered herself to a cubby hole under the stairs. She now lives mostly on the sofa - so this is definitely progress.
We havent been walking her because we cant get near her with a lead. We tried a houselead, but she chewed through it. She is clean and will come to the garden to wee and poo but only if we all (including our other dog) go out there first and and sit there for a while - even then we cant look at her as she comes out otherwise she runs in again until we look away. We have decided not to walk her until she does come to us - for the practical matter of getting a lead attached, and also to ensure there is some trust from her. She is playing with toys (when we are out of the room) so is getting some stimulation, even if it is not ideal. She is very clever, and has already worked out how to open door handles and jump the dog gates we have fitted. As well as devouring several non-edible items when we aren't looking - thankfully passed out the other end with no problems.
We're trying tryptophan rich foods, and vit b additives in the hope that they help. She eats fine, provided the house is quiet and she is alone. She came to us on Arden grange kibble, but we feed raw. We will change her over at some point soon, but thought a change in diet could make things worse right now - yet another thing for her to contend with.
She sits on the sofa with us of an evening, although keeps her distance. And mostly pants and whimpers gently (only in the evening when next to us, so I dont think she is in physical pain) so is stressed I think. But doesn't take herself away. At these times she will take treats if we offer them, but wont come to us for them. She will also let us do some TTouch on her neck/ back/ head, which seems to calm her, but only if we aren't looking at her when we do it. I'm hoping this will garner some trust ... doesnt seem to have worked yet though - maybe we should stop until she comes to us for attention.
She has shown absolutely no sign of aggression towards us. No growls, snarls, snaps or anything. Instead, once she corners herself, she just freezes (not in a neurological sense though). We can lift her, touch her, do anything, but it clearly isn't with her consent, she just acquiesces and stares into the distance.
We had a week of her in terror, then a week as described above and no real improvement since. I think I know the answer is for us to continue as we are, and hope she comes around, but if there is anything you can suggest - my wife and I are all ears
None of our previous dogs have been scared of us in this way, so it all new territory for us.here is a pic of her - Willow, in her favourite spot on the sofa:
thanks in advance for any help/ advice you can give. given you are all greyhound owners, I'm sure many of you will have had similar experiences.
Leon
I'm sure others will be along with more specific advice but I would say you're doing things just right and it just takes heaps of time and patience with such a fearful dog 
I think its amazing that she is getting on the sofa when she wants to ..... keep letting her do things at her own pace, I bet she will amaze you as she continues to find her feet 
