Post by delilah on Jan 17, 2015 6:57:43 GMT -5
Just before Christmas Delilah, a whippet pup, came to join our family and 2 year old (27tts) greyhound x. She is now 4 months old. They get on really well, I get a bit nervous about the how far to let play fighting go but largely inside we are ok. BUT over the last few weeks a "problem" seems to be developing out in our large garden.
Blissfully our greyhound has never seemed to have much of a prey drive ignoring our penned chicken, horses and next doors sheep. He did make a half hearted attempt to chase the cat once or twice catching up with her as she disappeared through the cat flap. However Delilah is a different matter, of course she races around like a mad (terrier-sized) thing and wants to play and run with him. He will chase her and grab her neck and I have to yell at him and then feel guilty because Delilah is just as much to blame and will pester him to play more.
He has never done this to my friends fully grown whippet. My question to anyone out there who has been here before is: will he stop doing this as Delilah grows to full size or do should I be really careful with this to stop it becoming a habit which he might continue when she is an adult. I do have one of them on the lead at lot of the time but I like to have them out with me when I am mucking out in the evening. I am thinking of getting a muzzle for Thorne to wear some of this time. Your thoughts please......
She's only ever done it with Mayo and I put this down to them being "family" in her mind. It's a common play trait of Sighthounds, but given the combination of grabbing, speed and thin skin, I'd be inclined to get Thorne a muzzle and get him accustomed to it. This way you'll have a bit more peace of mind and hopefully lower Vet bills!! 
if she does she will probably meet a dog who isn't muzzled and puts her in her place big time