Sleep to biting in 0 seconds

[Cloudy]

Hi,

My neighbour has adopted an ex racer that was in an experienced multi dog foster home before theirs. She's been with them about a month.

Today I went round for coffee, I waited for the dog to approach me in the hallway and then gave her a treat, she settled quickly and went to sleep on her quilt in the middle of the room while we chatted. I was standing up looking out of the widow when she awoke and immediately launched herself at me snarling and bit me hard enough to bruise through jeans. She backed off straight away but then came at me again, the owner stepped towards her and she backed off again but continued to snarl, I suggested she was taken out and shut away which she was. She has at no point been aggressive to her owner.s She has acted similarly with another female visitor who was sitting down actually tearing her clothing.

She sleeps at night in her crate at the other end of the lounge/diner and has the quilt in the middle of the sitting end . When they are up and about she has free range of the bungalow. Her owners are dog lovers but not really what I'd call dog savvy. There are visiting grandchildren of 9 and above and there has not been a problem with them but I am concerned.

Advice please.

[jellybeans]

Golly-what an nasty experience for you-hope you are ok 

That is a really worrying thought with young Grandchildren visiting isn't it?I'm sure someone will be along on here soon to offer excellent advice that the owners can hopefully put in place to sort this problem before it becomes any worse-i really hope the owners will keep the dog contained in a safe area and muzzled when the Grandchildren visit.

[Cloudy]

I doubt very much that they will see the need to do that when the grandchildren visit as as far as they're concerned she is fine with them

I'm fine thanks, although it's surprising how scary it was when I'm so used to dogs.

[becgeo]

My lurcher has behaved in a similar way although it is not sleep related, it is fear related if she feels she is being approached by a stranger - it is hard to tell which issue your neighbour's greyhound has and whether it was because she was asleep or felt she was being approached in her bed. I would say they definitely need to see an experienced behaviourist although they should be careful to use one that will treat the cause of the aggression not just the symptoms.

[deborahburt]

How frightening for you.
Just a thought,but having the quilt in the middle of the room could mean she feels threatened from all sides and has no where to be safe. Moving it to the side or behind the sofa etc,would give her a feeling of protection and also mean that people aren't always walking past her.

[dash4misty]

Feb 3, 2015 15:38:19 GMT -5 deborahburt said:

How frightening for you.
Just a thought,but having the quilt in the middle of the room could mean she feels threatened from all sides and has no where to be safe. Moving it to the side or behind the sofa etc,would give her a feeling of protection and also mean that people aren't always walking past her.

Thinking the same here most of the greys I have had like to be in the corner with their bed/quilts I think they feel more secure

[Cloudy]

She could have chosen to be on her other quilt behind the sofa the other end of the room.

I think I shall say to my neighbours that they should discuss these incidents with the fosterers and rescue and hope they are responsible and offer good advice. I have reason to believe they are as they warned my neighbours off a popular local trainer that I have also been told aren't good.