Started growling at our youngest

[alfie2020]

Hi all,



After some advice / opinions on what we're doing from people with more experience. We adopted our first greyhound - 5 year old Alfie - from a rescue centre in the UK about 6 months ago. He's settled in really well and done himself proud with how he's adapted. We've talked a lot about how he has a slightly different relationship with each of us in the house. We both work at home but my wife spends more time with him than me, but he's more likely to look to play and do zoomies in the back garden if I'm around. And he's bonded very well and been very tolerant with our 10 year old human, who lets him out in the morning and gives him biscuits, and lies with him and give him cuddles regularly.



We had one instance of Alfie snarling at me early days when I tried to get him to drop a toy so I could throw it for him. After that we looked for advice online and from an experienced greyhound owner, and we ended up rotating his toys so he didn't get too possessive of individual ones, and I respected his space more while he's chewing one.



A couple of weeks ago he had his first instance of sleep startle when he was sleeping in his bed in the middle of the the floor and our 10 year old went in for a cuddle before checking he was fully awake. Jake was shocked but Alfie was very contrite and they made friends again straight away. Then in the last few days Alfie was on his bed in the middle of the room chewing his ball and growled when the 10 year old came for a cuddle. Obviously this is a bit understandable, but he hadn't done it in the 6 months previous. At the time we had a lot going on, and we told Alfie NO and sent him out into the back garden. Then two days ago again he was lay on his bed in the middle of the living room and he growled when our boy moved anywhere near him, without even coming towards him. This time we just told him NO and then ignored him for a while.



Obviously we don't want the (human) boy to be worried or scared around Alfie, or loose the relationship they've got. But we also realise that Alfie is telling us he's not happy about something, so we're trying to fix this. What we've done so far is moved his two beds into the corner of the rooms so that they feel more secure to Alfie. We've also made sure that our 10 year old gives Alfie plenty of warning if he's on his bed when he goes to stroke him, and has taken a biscuit with him if he's going to get down on the floor with him.



What I'd like to ask from people with more experience from us is if they can spot anything with what we're doing that could cause us real problems, or if there's any suggestions for us.



Thanks in advance for any help



Tom

[alfie2020]

I've had a difficult time on this on a US board, so any friendly comments or suggestions gratefully received.

[ragsysmum]

Have you spoken to the rescue you got him from about this?

[gvgeam]

I always think it takes about 6 months for a rescue dog to settle and feel comfortable enough to show how they are feeling. Prior to this they're working out where they fit in and the 'rules'. This is more important for a rescued racer that's never lived in a home before or seen other dogs other than greyhounds.

I would certainly check with the rescue you homed him from for some advice. Maybe they can recommend a behaviourist to visit? It may also be worth a vet check to make sure he's not in any pain. I think you're doing the right thing creating a safe space for him, but I would also be  giving a lot of praise for him doing the thing you want him to do and trying (hard I know) to not react to the undesirable behaviour and just keep calm. 

[jodav]

Agree with the previous comments and about contacting the Rescue. As your hound is 5, I’m wondering if he has been homed before? Something may have happened in the past which has unsettled him and now he reacts by air snapping or growling if he thinks his space/treat/toy may be under threat? Let him be the one to initiate contact for a while perhaps? Not easy I know because you want to give him cuddles.

One of my bridge hounds had sleep startle and would growl at me if he was asleep on the floor near me and I moved my foot. He always looked bewildered afterwards as if it was a reflex action. He also barked at our other hound if she moved. The incidents did become fewer over the months though.