Aggressive behaviour.

[olivers]

We have had Jet just 11 days...he has settled quite well. He gets on fine with our other dog, he has laid his scent down a couple of time in the lounge but that has become less often. He has become very relaxed sleeping at the bottom of our stairs. He has growled at my 8 year old twice when he has walked downstairs and this evening my mother in law and her friend came to the house. Jet growled aggressively and barked at them. I shouted at him and he stopped but did it again when we all sat down. My mother in law left early as she felt uncomfortable with the dog and my son has been in tears frightened of him....Its all so strange as he appears to have fitted in so well and this has only started in the last 2 days... I did shout at him but I did feel a bit frightened too as my husband was out.He has shown no other signs of being uncomfortable with my youngest son and he is a sensible boy as he has had greyhounds for 8 years and is used to giving dogs there own space? Is he behaving like this as he is finding his place in the pack?

[Ian]

Pat's probably the best person to answer this but we have some knowledge of this with the mother in laws Spinger who will growl and bark at visitors and sometimes will do it if people approach her when she's out and has also growled at Charlotte, our daughter. As far as we can tell this protective behaviour, and when I investigated the problem on the net is said to quiet the dog down and when it's silent give it a treat, and hopefully it will stop the problem after a while. However in the case of growling at Charlotte we used to make the Springer leave the room we were all in, i.e. send her away as punishment and not let her back in. After a while of doing this the problem appears to have gone away, although she might have had a grumble at Charlotte on Monday. Pat often says punish bad behaviour by putting the dog into the garden on it's own and leaving it there for a while.

We've been lucky with our Greyhound no problems of any kind with him, but the mother in laws Spinger who is here regularly is harder work and you need to be on the ball as to where she is everytime someone knocks on the door. I usually use the shutting in the front room technique with her.

It could also be as you identify finding the place in the pack. I'll send a link to this thread to Pat to make sure she sees it.

[suethejam]

Have a look at the training/behaviour threads - I'm sure we discussed this with another newbie greyhound and there were some useful suggestions.

I'll post a link when I find the thread...

[pat]

Hi
this as mark said part of getting to be pack leader, this you must stop straight away. Immediatly he growls at the slightest thing put his lead on tell him very firmly no and take him and put him in the garden and dont let him in for a good while, feed him last take him out of the door last and put his lead on last, he is trying to be pack leader and you have to put him in his place, get your son to be the one to call him and give him the treats not you, he will quickly learn this is not acceptable and will settle down, if people are there put him out until they have settled then let him in, but make sure he behaves else out he goes.
pat

[suethejam]

I found the thread - under training/behavious "minty growled at me...."

You're not alone - new dogs will often test the boundaries - just remember that it's you that sets them...

[sarah]

We had this problem with Baby when we got her too .she would growl at my 9yr old son if he went near her bed.as Pat said, we would make her last out the door,we ate first then she could have hers after.She soon stopped when she realised it wasn't getting her anywhere,just in trouble and on her own in the garden .Didn't take her long to cotton on that her behaviour was getting her nowhere.2 and a half years down the line she knows her place,we wouldn't be without her and she and my son are best buddies!!!!I still let my son give her dinner occassionally just as a reminder that he's above her in the pecking order ;D

[yvonned]

Cass growled at people that approached one of her beds when I first got her, I think she was guarding Her prized piece of home. Jet sleeps at the bottom of the stairs, I'd guess when anybody comes in they have to pass where he sleeps, so he guards that spot, like growling at your son when coming downstairs. I've had rescue dobies a guarding breed and we were told to do all the things Sarah mentioned plus not to elevate their position in the house by allowing them on furniture and beds. Cass isn't allowed on either, so when I come in from being out why are cushions on the floor, and why is there always muddy paw prints on my sheets (I live in a bungalow). I have never caught her on the furniture but when I get up in the morning I can hear her get off the settee, so I guess we've come to an unspoken agreement which I can't remember!!!!

[patshep]

Hi Yvonne

Having met Cassie in her own surroundings, I would not be at all surprised if she is stringing you along. You think you are in charge but I think she is and she is clever enough not to let on.

She's a lovely girl.

Pat S.

[yvonned]

I agree Pat, as I say to my friends, she doesn't understand when it suits her, and I know my place.