Greyhound snapping problems

[houndsclaw]

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I got our 5 year old ex racer 2 months ago. Although nervous at first, within 3 weeks, he really started coming out of his shell, running around when excited and even started to show playfulness with toys.



The only small problem we've had is he has a tendency to snap at you if he's laying on the sofa (on his side) and you accidentally touch/move or even just brush against his back feet. He doesn't bite, just grumbles and aggressively barks. It's not always when he's asleep either. I'm aware of sleep aggression and we always call his name before touching him when asleep. Sometimes though he'll be wide awake (and I mean wide awake, not sleeping with his eyes open) and if his back feet touch you sometimes he will snap.

What's even more annoying and baffling is sometimes he chooses to lay next to you and then barks when HE puts his feet on you... lol. We don't want to punish a snap because I'd rather him snap then go straight to a bite, so we tend to back off for a second, then ask him to get down off the sofa. He usually goes and sulks on his bed at this point.



It makes no sense because when he's standing you can touch his legs/feet with no issues at all, it's ONLY when he's laying down on his side. We also suspect it's not space aggression because you can pick him up off the sofa if he doesn't move and whilst he doesn't like it, he lets you. He also doesn't mind you sitting right next to him, he even cuddles up to you sometimes and puts his head in your lap. It's always great as long as his back legs aren't touching you.



We've got the vet tonight so I'm gonna mention it but I just wondered if for now any of you had any ideas what this could be?



Thanks

[micksmum20]

Hi was reading your thread and I can totally relate,we got our ex racer rescue 4mths ago and we have noticed some of the issues you mention. If Mick is lying beside me and I touch him accidentally he will growl and snap a little or if you lean on him he will growl,we think it's just something he doesn't like us doing,we try not to react with fear and usually say "Now wot is that about?" trying to stay positive and not using cross tones. Don't know if this is any help.

[milo]

How is he with you touching his legs at other times? Could there be an issue that's causing him pain/discomfort.

[ragsysmum]

It's called sleep startle and is quite common amongst greyhounds who are unused to being disturbed whilst in their beds in kennels. I've taken on several with this as other people have been too worried to keep them. Unfortunately they often don't grow out of it and you just have to be careful not to move close to them or disturb them when they are sleeping. Normally they are perfectly fine with being touched when fully awake and on their feet.