Children, footballs and cats

[dinothegreyt]

Hi all,

I'm new to greyhound gap and found this forum hoping someone can help!

We've had Dino now for 4 months now and to be honest he's been absolutely brilliant. He doesn't chew anything he's not supposed to, he's fine with other dogs big or small and he's learnt to wait for his food and his recall is great but put him around a child or if he sees a child with a football and he is uncontrollable. I can deal with the issue with cats as all he wants to do is chase which I get but the children issue is slightly concerning.

How can we ensure he will be ok around children or train him so he feels comfortable around them? I think he gets nervous so barks and starts to 'play' which scares any child he comes across.

He's such a lovely dog so any tips or training advice to help him settle in would be great.

[kamkay]

Welcome to gap- what a handsome hound Dino is. The cat issue makes me laugh as my hound, Guinness, who I've only had 3 months has just started to show that he is definitely not cat friendly - we get full on dog dressage every time he sees one. Don't know what to say about children and footballs as I have no experience of this at all, but am sure someone will be along who can help you.

[lurcherlot]

Perhaps he really wants to play with the football, rather than hurt the child? The barking could be sheer excitement? Had he been in a home before you got him or did you get him straight from kennels?

[Lisa]

Kids kick football's, football's move fast....chase instinct ;-) If he's a greyhound they also train them with a sqwaker. It's high pitched like a child sqeauling and again can trigger them

Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards

[dinothegreyt]

Not really sure what his background is as we had him from the Dogs Trust who picked him up as a stray with 4 others. We have tried to find his racing history but his tattoos don't bring anything up. All I know is he's Irish and possibly 4 or 5 years old.
He definitely wants to play but he has a habit of going for a child's arm if he gets too close. I'm starting to think he sees them as giant toys

The football thing could be the chase instinct but he's got a habit of barking/snarling if he catches one in his sight.

I'm hoping he will settle but came across someone with 2 greys on the beach and she said hers just don't like kids so has to keep them on the lead during summer months which is a shame.

[dash4misty]

Welcome to Gap ,My greys always wear a muzzle when out just for my peace of mind , too many people with little fluffy dogs on a wander lead by the time they realised it was a dog it could be too late . They sell a breezy muzzle on here and they are brilliant so lightweight mine never mind when I put them on for a walk one of mine is very interested in footballs but when children come up to fuss him he is lovely also you can introduce him to children safely as well if they wear a muzzle I've had five greys over the years and they have never been a problem with children far from it . Good luck with Dino

[andywillow]

If you want to know his details, ring the Irish Studbook up on 00 353 5261 88504, tell them his ear tattoo's and they will give you his details