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Post by sabrinao on Mar 29, 2016 17:07:07 GMT
We adopted our beautiful boy Touch Paper (racing name) renamed Benjy by the kids in mid January. He has settled so well into his urban life in London and can do stairs, car journeys, school runs and even ride confidently on the London Overground. We are careful with him and keep his muzzle on when in public places if crowded. I suppose the reason why I started looking in this forum is because we had our first wobbly incident today, when he bit a friend's toddler (2years) on the bottom. We didn't have his muzzle I guess because we have been growing more comfortable with keeping it off. But it was at a friends house rather than our own and previously he had been in kids party situations but in our own house so he was fine. He didn't pierce the skin and I think it was either playful and getting carried away with kids playing, or the child might had inadvertently offended him and he thought he could discipline the pup/child. He has not shown any such behavior with my own children aged 4 and 7 (very tolerant in fact) and their friends (who are they age and hence bigger). I was quite shaken up so started reading forum stuff and I guess I decided I should be more active here so I can learn more about the sorts of things I should be careful about and how to be a better dog owner. We have another family christening to go to next weekend and he will be muzzled the whole time! And I will keep him closer to my side. Oh, and I need to figure out photos too don't it?? I need to upload to photobucket first? Can I do it from my phone or do I need a computer?
Thanks all in advance and I look forward to chatting on this forum.
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Post by sallyannh on Mar 30, 2016 8:48:08 GMT
Hi and welcome to the forums. Benjy sounds as if he's settled in really well, it never fails to amaze me how quickly they adapt to home life.
It sounds like you're doing the right thing with the muzzling, especially if there are lots of youngsters around. I think that sometimes dogs see children as their equals and their litter mates. I was mortified when one of ours jumped up to grab an ice cream from a young girl at a show, she's never behaved like that at home. With your own kids, it's a good idea for them to feed the dog and practice basic training commands with him, so he knows that he is at the bottom of the pecking order.
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Post by sabrinao on Mar 30, 2016 12:23:58 GMT
Thanks for the reply! Oh yes he is definitely more cheeky with the kids. He has taken food out of their hands but wouldn't do that to me. I have posted more detail about the biting in the behaviors thread. Just a bit wary he might be getting more confident and whilst that's great I want to nip behavior problems in the bud.
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Post by sueb on Mar 30, 2016 17:51:51 GMT
Hi Sabrina
I was hoping you would join the forum, so welcome! (I'm Sue, who did your home check and came back to meet the lovely Benji, too). But, it's a shame you've joined with a worry. I think Sally's right, in that dogs do see children as sort of litter mates, where nips between them are quite common. So they need to get a lead from us that such behaviour is not acceptable in the home. Although many behaviourists/trainers have largely debunked the pack hierarchy theories, I personally think there is a bit of truth in it and so the hound needs to know that they are lowest in the "pack," even after the children in the family. I think there is an old post on the forum (in this section) where a new hound had growled at the child in the family, and advice was given about them being put in their place. I'll try and find it.
Do you think Benji may have felt overwhelmed of rather fearful away from his own home?
Greyhounds are by nature gentle dogs, but, like any dog can growl or nip in play, or as a warning, the latter if scared or hurt, for instance. (they will rarely nip first, usually, if the nip was not done in play, there would have been other warning signs first).
But retired greyhounds have never seen toddlers before and may find them puzzling, or plain frightening! The trouble is toddlers (especially where there are quite a few together) can get very excited around dogs and can naturally be tempted to explore them, or accidentally hurt them (eg by pulling themselves up by grabbing their tail, or treading on them). And in such circumstances a greyhound would, I believe, in the first instance move away from that situation, but if it persisted, or they felt unable to get away from the situation, they may well give a warning growl. But of course a toddler is unable to understand a dog's behaviour and so a situation could arise where it gets a nip, arising from a dogs fear, or frustration ( as opposed to play). I think it's good to use the muzzle, especially where Benji is with a lot of children/situations he's not used to. If possible, see if there is a quiet place where he can be retreat to, and be vigilant that little children can't then reach him there, if he's gone there because he's had enough.
We take our 2 (aged 10 and 8) fund raising to pets at home and they are incredibly gentle and tolerant of children and toddlers, but I remain very vigilant (especially as one was about to poke one of them in the eye!!).
You have done incredibly well to get Benji confidentially travelling on the overground, there's no way I could do that with one of my hounds!
Even though I've learnt a lot about greyhounds, I am definitely still learning, having got a 3rd hound recently! Unusuallly, she was very dominant/difficult with the other 2, so I had to seek advice, too!
I'm sure others will also be able to advise.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Very best wishes
Sue
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Post by sabrinao on Mar 30, 2016 18:35:18 GMT
Thanks for writing, Sue! He's come along so well since you last saw him. I am not sure what happened to instigate the bite yesterday. Maybe the little girl did something. What worried me was that he didn't stop even when there was an immediate reaction from the adult standing next to him. She was pulling the girl up and he was tugging on her trousers. And snapping repeatedly. Have you ever heard of greyhounds thinking children are prey?? He acted that way with her. But hasn't with any other children he has met even other toddlers that follow him around. We are going to a christening this weekend and his muzzle is staying on! I might bring his duvet and put it in a corner so he can have a quiet corner if he wishes. Will get more photos and post here for you to have a look! X
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Post by sabrinao on Mar 30, 2016 18:36:29 GMT
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Post by sabrinao on Mar 30, 2016 18:37:28 GMT
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Post by sabrinao on Mar 30, 2016 18:38:58 GMT
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Post by prince on Mar 30, 2016 19:35:34 GMT
Hi Sabrinao is it possible that he might of been showing his affection by what we call nitting. little nibbles. My first greyhound met my friends little girl who was only 3 at the time and was doing this to her. I did stop him as he use to do this to me and sometimes it did hurt if he caught your skin wrong. It did worry my friend but we never left him on his own in a room with her and after her coming round a few times he stopped doing it.Maybe having an area for him to retreat by himself while everyone is busy enjoying themselves is a good idea, but also letting children know that this is his space and should be left alone unless he gets up and wants a fuss.
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Post by sallyannh on Mar 31, 2016 9:06:06 GMT
We have a new baby in the house and our greys definitely show a keen interest when he cries. Babies make strange noises, strange smells and twitchy movements, all of which can be exciting to a dog.
I would have thought a 2 year old was a bit big to be considered prey though, they are recognisably human by that age. A thought occurred to me, was she wearing a nappy? It may be that he caught a whiff of something and that set him off.
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Post by sueb on Mar 31, 2016 13:26:47 GMT
I love the photos, Sabrina.
I've not heard of a greyhound seeing a toddler as prey, although Pat is very experienced with hounds and may be able to comment here.
But generally the "danger" signs from a greyhound-eg some recently retired hounds towards small furries, are things such as: intently staring at "the prey," with ears cocked up, salivating, alert/upright body stance and trembling. But I've only ever seen that towards rabbits, cats, squirrels or very small dogs!
Like Sally, I wondered about the nappy, too!
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Post by sueb on Mar 31, 2016 13:56:43 GMT
Hi Sabrina
It's me again. I've just spoken to Pat, and she’s reiterated what we’ve said above and that it may have been a bit too much for Benji, with a different place, lots of new people and things going on.
She also says that if Benji is food orientated, a nappy is likely to have been the real attraction, as it can have undigested food in, disgusting thought, but very attractive to a dog!
Pat also advises having a space for Benji to retreat to, where no-one can disturb him and using a muzzle in new situations.
She's happy to speak to you, should you want to ring her.
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Post by sabrinao on Mar 31, 2016 19:35:51 GMT
Thanks all for the great advice. I am feeling much better about the whole incident, and will put it down to over excitement and the possibility of a squiffy bottom (though I won't ask the child's mum about that haha). Will keep you posted here if any issues Xx
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Post by johnnyd on Jul 2, 2016 23:03:18 GMT
Hiya Just read the thread with great interest....I can fully imagine how upsetting the incident must have been for everyone. How is Benjy doing now?
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