Barking Greyhound

[leanda]

Hi

I normally lurk on here all the time but thought I'd ask for a bit of advise.

I have 3 bitches at the moment,I lost my elderly greyhound boy in Nov.I decided that I wouldn't get another dog but I miss not having a greyhound boy around.

I was just browsing the sites and came across a 9 year old that had been returned to kennels after living in a home for about 4 years,the reason being the wife was pregnant and the didn't have enough room for the greyhound! He's been in kennel's since Sept 14 with absolutely no interest in him.

I spoke to the lady that run's the kennels and she said that he is a lovely dog, takes no notice of rabbits while walking,she small dog tested him with the jack russel at the kennels and he wasn't interested at all. But, and this is the thing I'm a little concerned with, she has tried to pair him up with a female greyhound in the kennels a few times and he just barks and barks at the girl, he's not nasty in any way she said,he just doesn't want her in there.So he's kept by himself.

But I have 3 girls,a lurcher,a whippet and a terrier. I'm going to see him on Sat with the girls, do you think I should go by myself before I take them to meet him? He's in Essex and I'm in Oxfordshire.

The lady who runs the kennel's sounds lovely and she's told him not to mess up this chance of a home.

Any thoughts?

Leanda

[Ted]

It might be an idea to go by yourself first and take him for a walk. Then at another visit take your Hounds with you to meet and see how the meeting goes. He could be bothered by the female he was being kennelled with being very bossy. The other problem is if he was the only dog at his previous home. My elderly male Greyhound Merlin growls at my two younger Greyhounds (Mickey and Kelly) but he has never been an only dog. He misses ever so much the female Greyhound Missy who he considered was his Mum who we lost due to a very incompenant vet in Dec 2011. I have a feeling that it is because neither Mickey nor Kelly are off lead safe so they can't play with him except in very secure paddocks.

[jodav]

Hi Leanda

Your question is interesting and one which I guess affects quite a few of us from time to time. If it were me I would be tempted to take my dogs with me, even though it is a bit of a journey because at this very early stage, you'll be able to see if there is going to be a clash. It's important to get it right when introducing a new dog to an established pack and also for yourself, that you are not being swayed in any way emotionally by the circumstances of the kennel dog not having any interest in him etc.

There could be a few reasons why the dog barks at the female greyhound. At 9 years old, he is not a youthful dog and maybe he feels grouchy about sharing space, especially if he was an only dog in his previous home. On the other hand, he may see your dogs at a distance and show positive signs he wants to meet and it could all go really well. This is only my opinion, others may think otherwise.

Good luck with whatever you decide and it is great that you are considering giving an older dog another chance of a home. Also, it would be lovely to see some pictures of your three dogs.

Jo

[alfiemoon]

Just a few thoughts/questions from me which might shed some light on his behaviour.....

How are the two dogs being put together? i.e. is the female being put in his kennel, visa versa or are they both spending time outside together and then being put in a 'neutral' kennel?

Is it an issue of personal space? In a home, they would be able to take themselves off for some time alone if they wanted, not possible in a kennel.

With a group such as your own, there wouldn't be one dog for him to focus on. The pack may defuse the behaviour?

I would also take the girls on a visit. No point going on your own, falling in love and then finding out they don't like each other. Do they have space where the dogs can all mingle together and then be taken inside together? I'm not suggesting a kennel, but perhaps an office/staff room where you can have a cuppa and the dogs can mingle in a more 'home-like' environment?

I really hope you manage to take this forward, poor lad sounds like he needs to be in a home.

[leanda]

Thanks everyone,I'll try and remember how to post some photo's xx

[burnsider]

I think I'd do most of the above, but take someone with me to walk my dogs while I met the grey, then see how they all get along after that, both outside and, as suggested in something more like a "home" environment.

Hope it works out!