Muzzle back on !

[greyhoundgran]

Well it seems that Lily is not going to accept any dog as I first thought (she was so good at Mersea). We were walking over our field where lots of dogs are walked when a small dog appeared, it's owner was a long way off calling to no effect totally not in control, dog jumped up Lily's face even though we were trying to walk away, in an instant she had it by the throat dog was screaming, I had to shout in her face and smack her rump before she would let go dog ran off owner still did not help and I was shaking all over. What I want to know please does this mean she has to be muzzled for the rest of her days? She lives with, walks with, lays with and plays with a German Shepherd. I would be grateful for any advice. Fred, thanks

[prince]

The only knowledge i can give you is that for a greyt to let go you should lift its back legs up.
It might of been a reaction where the small dog spooked lily and that was her reaction towards it. so it could be a one off. maybe put the muzzle on and start from scratch again by introducing her to small dogs see what her reaction is and go from there.
If you need more advise maybe contact pat.

[pumalass]

Mersey has been home for nearly six years and doesn't wear a muzzle, but she still doesn't like dogs running up to her, some greys just don't like it and puts them on their guard and yet she plays with a border collie so I wouldn't call her vicious.
Beau has been home 18months now and I sometimes take a muzzle with me as I really want him to be good with other dogs and it's a way of you being able to relax around other dogs, but doesn't mean they have to wear them all the time only if dogs run up to them, I always say it's not our dogs that's the problem it's other owners who don't worry about who their dogs run up to or what they are doing.
So don't worry, have you thought of taking Lily to a training class that has other breeds as well.

[Deleted]

Firstly Lily's reaction is quite normal in that her immediate reaction was defense. This is a common problem when you meet up with a dog that is off the leash and not under control. I've had this issue frequently with Ted and all I have been able to do is warn the owner of the loose dog and then prevent it getting anywhere near Ted by turning around and walking away. I have never considered muzzling him on his walks except at the beginning when he was going to meet other hounds at an event not long after he was homed with me. I now never muzzle him even though he still reacts adversely to some dogs by growling but not attacking. It takes time for your hound to socialize and accept other dogs so please don't get put off. You will soon pick up any clues and make adjustments to your walk if needs be. The fact that Lily plays with a german shepherd says it all. It's the 'stranger danger' syndrome that she is reacting to.

Stick with it and praise and reward her whenever she is good with other dogs.

[shirley]

I would just like to add to the other comments you've had about Lily. Her reaction could be because she was on the lead and the other dog wasn't. They feel very vulnerable when another dog runs up to them as they are tied and instinctively unable to run away if needed because of being constricted by the lead so what happens is quite natural it's called self preservation. My female 'Rosy' does tend to bark when dogs get too close but she does it with a very waggy tail . I've had enough time to know her ways so I know its not done visciously. Now with Fletcher, he won't tolerate dogs running up to him he's silent and an unknown quantity so he's the one I watch. I still don't feel that I have to muzzle either of them. Mary told me once that instead of risking yourself when trying to get your Grey to release his hold on anything you need to squeeze the skin just in front of their back legs as it is quite a tender spot. Never had to do this myself but it's worth knowing. It's all a learning curve, Good Luck. Shirley.

[yvonned]

Cass doesn't do in "her face dogs" that come rushing up to her but she isn't muzzled now. Cass and I have been house mates for 41/2 yrs but she was muzzled for about the 1st 3 months. We walk in a local park so if I think it's a " fast in her face dog " I keep the lead real short and turn her away just incase and send the dog off. If it ignores me I shout at the owner to get it, I do use a walking stick so people probably take more notice. She is fine with any other dogs no matter the size. The one dog she won't stand is a greyhound, I can feel the rumbles through a lead, but is quite happy with lurchers and whippets! When I got her she had a couple of scars round her kneck and shoulder so she may have been in a scrap. Being a true Essex girl she doesn't object to her bum being sniffed LOL I've found that walking with other dogs and owners and sharing little treats with them all has helped.

[greyhoundgran]

What is it with these Essex girls, my Lily is just the same she just stands there but does not return the sniffs, I am giving her a treat when she passes dogs quietly and if they are off the lead I put the muzzle back on. Also I must also add she ignores the chinchillas and today ignored the guinea-pig on the lawn in its run, (wot lawn it's a muddy race track). So I will keep trying with other dogs we will get there in the end however long it takes.

[yvonned]

The good thing about the muzzles rgt gave us is you can still give the dogs treats. It does sound as though it's " in yer face dogs " Lily objects to if she isn't bothered by your small furries. I empty the grass cuttings into the ruts Cass has made, at least the grass looks good from a distance and makes the lawn look better.

[kelly]

Dreamer got hold of a little spaniel on Saturday. Same thing; other dog off the lead, didn't listen to owner. I was on guard but it happened so quickly. No harm done in the end but she just cannot abide small furry animals.

[anu]

Its not Lily's fault. There is nothing wrong with her wearing a muzzle, my Poppy always wears a muzzle when walking with ANY dog. I have had her only 6 months and im no expert, but I am relaxed when she has a muzzle on.

the dog was in her face, she was on lead and felt threatened, so she reacted the way any dog would.

realx,enjoy your hound.

[greyhoundgran]

Hi all, I carry the muzzle all the time and only put it on when I see a small furry dog heading our way, Lily has been much improved but it is still early days we have only been together 5 months. When we went to Stifford and Southend she was brilliant and did not need it at all. Actually when she does have it on she rolls on the ground, shoves her head up my unmentionables and keeps sneezing really hates it. Fred

[robergy]

We keep Persia away from other dogs as much as possible, she hates the little squeaky ones.

If Lesley is walking she will have a muzzle on if other dogs are around.

I generally control Persia, and keep other dogs away. She can be good, however never like to chance it. THe only other dig she likes around her is Prince, however he knows his place.

[greyhoundgran]

Hi all, just like to report that Lily (Keston Arrow) went for a pack walk with 14 German Shepherds yesterday (I had to work, so my daughter and family took her with their Dylan) she was an extremely good girl and even though she was kept on the lead was happy to accept their sniffs when they came to say hello! she must the same as Cass ( dosn't do small dogs in her face) also she has gone from not wanting to go out in the car to trying to jump into any car that has an open door. Fred

[yvonned]

Cass is fine with little dogs, in fact there's a young yorkie that comes up to see see Cass, she licks Cass mouth, the yorkie then rolls on her back and Cass then sniffs her bits. Yorkie then licks Cass mouth again and then runs off . The thing is she doesn't come rushing at Cass, that's what Cass doesn't like, boisterous in "yer face dogs" of any size. But then I don't like "in yer face people" not much difference really. Not sure Cass would have tolerated the yorkie when I first got her, I think our dogs just grow in confidence the longer we have them.