Dog Bite, please help!

[betty3390]

We've had our grey for 7 months & aside from a couple of issues he's been as good as gold & a wonderful addition to our home.

We had a problem the other morning, a friend was staying & he snapped at her - he caught & ripped her jeans, the skin was not broken but there is some bruising.

Now, the dog was in HIS bed & due to previous space aggression issues we STRONGLY discourage any visitors to pet him whilst in there, when he's asleep, or to get your face too close to his. He is simply not comfortable in any of these situations & has warned us off with a growl or a snap - which we have accepted & respected. Is that fair enough? Or have we taken the wrong approach there? He will let us give him some affection we just are being cautious with visitors.

Now, this visitor is a regular & has been warned numerous times. So when I came in & saw her leaning over into his basket, both arms around his neck, kissing his head - I knew the poor dog was not going to be enjoying what was happening, and as predicted he growled, showed teeth & snapped. This is not the first time she has pushed her luck with her actions around our greyhound...

Now said visitor is saying we shouldn't have the dog, he is not safe & has even suggested that the dog is destroyed!!

We do not have any children, any visiting are closely monitored & are NEVER left alone. Every person that enters the house is kindly reminded to give the dog the space he likes & up until now there have been no issues!

I'd just like some advice or reassurance that we are doing the right thing here, our visitor put herself in a situation where we could not predict the dogs behaviour & it could have easily been avoided.. right?!

Any advice will be very much appreciated & I thank you for taking the time to read such a lengthy thread.

Thank you, H 😊

[jenjanjo]

I would say your visitor is the one definitely in the wrong! She was warned and should have respected that the dog was in it's 'safe place' and as such she should not have done what she did!

[flosspeople]

I would say as your friend failed to heed your warnings I would question her worth as a true friend.

[kizzeysmum]

Your friend is not respecting you or your dog. she is in the wrong.

[lurcherlot]

Does your friend not realise how threatening her actions are for the dog? Towering over him like that is frightening for him and unacceptable - I might suggest she doesn't visit again until she can leave the dog alone! His bed is his space, not to be invaded!

[alfiemoon]

Mar 30, 2017 4:07:36 GMT -5 lurcherlot said:

Does your friend not realise how threatening her actions are for the dog? Towering over him like that is frightening for him and unacceptable - I might suggest she doesn't visit again until she can leave the dog alone! His bed is his space, not to be invaded!

Absolutely this. I wouldn't be inviting that friend around if she can't abide by your wishes. I think you've been very responsible in advising your visitors, so she can't say she wasn't warned so brought it on herself - a valuable lesson.


My mum has adopted a GH with similar issues and will growl if loomed over, or anyone tries to fuss her when she's in any bed. You respect that and give them the space they need. You'll probably find that with you and your husband, eventually the trust will build slowly and it will be better for you, but not anyone else.

[Flaperoo]

Goodness me I am sorry your friend had her clothes ripped and has a bruise but really she is not a child who can't understand simple instructions.

She was in both yours and the dogs house surely you have the right to state the rules. Can she not understand how terrifying it would be if someone came up to her in bed whilst she was asleep and started hugging her?

I'm sure it was frightening for her and I hope she has now learnt her lesson. If not I'm afraid I would ban her from my house.

Mary x

[ritab]

One of ours would do exactly the same as yours - I can't understand why an adult would go against your (and the hounds) wishes.
I couldn't fuss Gizzi in such a way and we have had her for 5 1/2 yrs. She definitely doesn't like face on face contact.
Please keep your friend away from your dog - not a good situation for either of them.