SJ
I'm New Here
Posts: 11 
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Post by SJ on Jan 10, 2015 4:44:30 GMT -5
So we decided to go to a re homing kennel with a view to seeing how the dogs react to my 2 year old son. The reaction by one greyhound was completely unexpected she was really interested in him and licked his face! She was really concerned with where he was and seemed to be quite taken with him. He was playing right by her feet and she wasn't bothered at all. She almost seemed to mother him.
We saw another greyhound who was quite indifferent to him, which is what I expected.
I am just wondering who would be the better choice with my son. We obviously fell in love with the friendly one but I'm not sure how she'd be when we got home.
Does anyone have experience of overly friendly greyhounds? All the ones I've known have been standoffish to begin with. Thanks.
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Post by ragsysmum on Jan 10, 2015 11:16:19 GMT -5
What did the kennel staff say? They may well know if the friendly one really loves kids. If she has lived in a home previously or been fostered she may be used to kids, or just one of those dogs we get every so often who just seem to love children.
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Post by vickyb on Jan 10, 2015 11:25:59 GMT -5
I'd ask too whether they're very lazy or if the staff feel they're a bit more active/awake! I'd imagine with a young child you would be better with a slightly more active dog who wouldn't mind being around a child so much as one that really just wanted to sleep undisturbed.
Our 4 have never lived with children but absolutely love them if we do a collection or meet children on our walks which always amazes me.
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SJ
I'm New Here
Posts: 11
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Post by SJ on Jan 10, 2015 15:08:01 GMT -5
Thank you for your replies. The kennel staff say she's always the same, very loving and pleased to see you. They're not sure if she's been around kids but she's been retired for over a year. We're taking it slow and visiting her as much as possible. I'd rather we did have one that liked fuss and cuddles. She's a real sweetie. She just seems very keen to see my son and be near him/concerned when he's picked up. Whereas the others really haven't paid him any attention. Think I'm just unsure whether she really likes him or isn't sure what he is!
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Post by jenjanjo on Jan 11, 2015 5:51:30 GMT -5
Our greyhound loves kids and happily goes for a fuss and licks etc  .. BUT... she doesn't like her face 'cuddled' and gets rather anxious. Just something to maybe think about. |
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Post by futuramafan on Jan 11, 2015 9:51:43 GMT -5
We had the same experience with Molly. I had my heart set on a white and black male but he just wouldn't even walk out of the gates with us and seemed scared of the kids. Molly meanwhile saw the kids and jumped up wagging her tail - did a play bow and started prancing around. She had been in a home briefly but had been returned as their other dog didn't like her. She loves kids and is so gentle with little ones, my nephew fell on her once and she barely flinched. I think greys are people dogs generally but this sounds like a great start!
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SJ
I'm New Here
Posts: 11
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Post by SJ on Jan 11, 2015 13:38:09 GMT -5
Thank you it's good to hear. We saw her again today and she was just as lovely. We tried her off the lead with my son and she was concerned when he was picked up (jumping up) but I think she's just worried what's happening to him. So we've gone for it and we're picking her up next week so fingers crossed all goes ok. |
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Post by vickyb on Jan 11, 2015 17:55:09 GMT -5
Hope all goes well!
Do let us know please
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Post by greybeard on Jan 11, 2015 19:32:50 GMT -5
Good luck - Lisa never knew Perry's history(very big gap).No resident child,but he adores our grandson.He loves children,been like it from square 1.He'll try to drag you across the road if he spots 1 - especially if it's a littlie.But I know what Lisa was saying - apart from when Josh has stayed for a weekend etc,Perry has never had a child in the house for an extended period.Josh has grown up with dogs cos us and his other grandparents already had them,it will be the same with our expected 2nd 1.33 years since we had our 1st dog when our youngest was 3 - just now there's so many horrendous incidents in the press.I'm sure a lot of rescues have this in mind when they don't have a dog's full history,you never know,and better safe than sorry.But she sounds lovely,1 of those greys who love children as well as people.Cath
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SJ
I'm New Here
Posts: 11
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Post by SJ on Jan 12, 2015 9:37:17 GMT -5
Thank you, I will let you know how we get on. I would never leave them alone, we will be treating the situation with extreme caution and have a heated outhouse she can retreat to if I think it's getting too much for her. She's such a sweet girl and has only shown affection to us so as long as we're careful I'm sure we'll be a happy family
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Post by vickyb on Jan 12, 2015 13:28:38 GMT -5
I love dog gates! they are so useful for time outs without shutting them away - children that is lol
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Post by Carol 47 on Jan 12, 2015 15:54:52 GMT -5
I think dog gates could be perfect too , well worth it  Carol x |
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Post by Ted on Jan 13, 2015 8:16:39 GMT -5
All of my greyhounds past and present have loved to be around children. My first one Jagger, was in a all breed dog rescue and we had taken our grandson age 4 with us to walk a suitable dog. Jagger was amazing in that we allowed our Grandson to walk Jagger on the lead and Jagger paced himself to the Grandson speed. When we past a house with two dogs in the garden which started to growl and snarl at us Jagger placed himself between those dogs and our Grandson to protect him. A couple of days later I was walking Jagger by myself and he paced himself to me, it only took 3 months to allow him off the lead as his recall was amazing. He was 7 & 1/2 at the time was racing until he was 5 & 1/2 the was coursing after that, then was allowed to wander and then be found by the dog warden after an incident with a car. Jagger loved children but other than us he was not interested in adults but was very dog friendly.
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Post by Lisa on Jan 14, 2015 5:14:41 GMT -5
Word of caution!!! Jumping up when you pick something up is not necessarily concern but is often prey related!!! Many greyhounds are good with small dogs off lead etc including my own 7 year old however owners of small dogs insist on picking them up! Many again my own included show no interest whatsoever when they are on the ground but the minute they are up in the air WILL start jumping up at them as it makes them much more interesting.
I really do think you need to approach new greyhound ownership with a 2 year old with extreme caution. They really do not like being disturbed when resting, they can often sleep with their eyes closed and this again is when they can react without thinking. Greyhounds especially females can be very bossy dogs at times.
Furniture for me would be a no go! I would not let a dog with a child that young in the house get use to being on sofas etc. So many times I have heard that the child has been sitting next to the dog the dog has relaxed the child has gone to touch and boof a split second knee jerk reaction. I would be getting a crate, setting it up with a very comfortable duvet and keeping the child away from the dog when she is lying down at all times sadly with greyhounds this is most of the time.
My first greyhound I had when my son was 3. I did not plan her she was a stay I found and at ALL times whilst my son was awake and around and mobile I kept her behind a dog gate in the passage area with a big comfortable bed. Whilst my son was at school she joined me in the living area and again when he was in bed at night. She really just did not want to be around him when he was mobile although in greyhound terms she was the most wonderful calm understanding dog I have ever met.
For me a dog that is indifferent to the child is a much better choice. What is seen as fussing over him many be a heightened interest as she does not understand what he is. I currently have a 12 month old Grandson. I watch my greyhounds like hawks around him at all times now he is mobile and am relieved when he has gone home so myself and the dogs can relax. I have an amazing relationship with my pack and understand them inside and out I would be exhausted if I did not understand them at the level again of due care and attention I would then have to add on top of that. Thankfully most of my greyhounds are indifferent and ignore him at all times. One Henry has a very high prey drive and he is constantly attempting to follow my grandson around, jump up when he is lifted and if on the ground will get over excited and try to nibble at the top of his head. I have to spend half of my time correcting his behaviour and he is getting better but it has taken 12 months for him to get use to him.
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Post by dash4misty on Jan 14, 2015 13:06:03 GMT -5
Just say I have two grandchildren 2 year old and 4 month old and two greyhounds that are chalk and cheese Obie is indifferent to them and very good but Dulcie is very interested when they cry etc so when the grandchildren visit Dulcie is more than happy to snooze in her crate which Is in my lounge so she is not left out , but Obie is brilliant BUT I would never leave him on his own with them  good luck with your newbie and keep us updated |
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