Congratulations Celia-You and Jimmy deserve many honours for your hard work and dedication!

It is to your understanding of greyhounds and to that of the forum that I ask for some advice about our lovely Trevor who we adopted in June of 2012. It is to do with his aggressive behaviour with other dogs:

The Trouble with Trevor
• Aggressive with other dogs we meet on walks (muzzle necessary when daughter walks him or when we go into smaller parks or narrow pathways)
• Places where we can walk him are quite few now-no parks when there are many dogs about, no beaches because everyone takes their dogs there, no paths along the Water of Leith as Trevor is unlikely to be able to pass another dog without kicking off and path is narrow so risky-when I do take him he is muzzled but he has then no defenses against dogs who attack-this has happened twice and really makes me angry at other dog owners too busy on thir mobiles to pay attention.
• Trevor tends to have a sore paw-possibility of corns though there are none of the signs at the surface as of yet-so he needs to be walked on grass as much as possible. This means finding grass without many dogs already on it-tricky.

My strategy at the moment:
• Getting up 5.30 am so Trev can have a lovely long nearly dog-free walk in the park on grass
• Other walks in the day we stick to city streets and invade private gardens when possible
• Sessions with a dog behaviourist who recommends desensitisation with lots of doggie treats. Trevor loves his grub so at a reasonable distance from another dog-before he ‘fixes’ into attack mode-I can distract him
• Keeping an eye on sore paw as pain can make anyone grouchy
• Avoiding other dogs-this requires constant vigilance and knowing when to dart behind a tree, across the street or around a parked car.
• Walks in wide open spaces like Holyrood Park where dogs are fewer and further between.
• Lots of encouragement and praise when Trevor manages to pass another dog without kicking off
• Finding opportunities for Trev to socialise with other dogs; walking with my friend and her cocker spanial who he is friendly with, taking Trev to Liberton Kennels for a run and a sniff with other greys, walks with GRF have been brilliant following other dogs at a distance so at least trev can get used to them

We have had Trevor nearly 7 months now and we adore him to bits. Nothing is so lovely as being greeted at the door after a tough day by the most beautiful animal in the world wanting a cuddle and an ear scratched. He has his comfy basket where he lounges and watches the family or has a snooze. But is always ready for a cuddle or a romp with his soft toys. I suppose I worry a bit about his quality of life beyond the comfy home and am posting this mainly to see if any one from the forum has some words of advice or encouragement or maybe a way of looking at Trev’s behaviour from a different perspective. My friend with cocker spanial thinks he needs a sharp tug on the lead rather than a treat-I feel this is stressing him out more and makes walks harder the next time around. What is the forum’s opinion? Also is this unusual behaviour in an adopted greyhound at this stage?

With best wishes to all for a happy hogmanay,
Jeannette

Hi Jeannette,

Well, it sound like you are having a tough time there with Trevor. I won't try to give any advice because I simply don't know what to tell you, I'm sure you will get plenty suggestions from more qualified people soon. The only thing I want to say is that I wouldn't worry about having lots of walks. A greyhound only needs one or possibly two short walks a day and if you can manage that by going where there are no other dogs that's all he needs. I'm sure you will get lots of advice soon but I just wanted to say that.

John.

Hi

Re the paws you could buy him boots , my boy Bolt. Wore them when he hurt he hurt his paw(got a sharp stone in it)
Vet also advised us to soak his paw in warm water now and again

Mags

Hi,
it is kind of same with our Floyd, he seems to no like any dog we meet, I have no strategy how to be more friendly however I still take him to the parks just have to watch the distance. He is ok with the next door dogs and my friend's three dogs. He seems to kick off only from the further distance like across the street, we met a dog near the shop and I did not see him but they only sniff each other and it was fine so I think he only wants to show his dominance as being a big dog but when it comes down to a meeting he is ok. Have to say it is worse if we meet a big dog like alsatian. I don't muzzle him just cross the road and hold him tight. I am sorry I cannot help you. I have inquired to put Floyd on some socializing classes, maybe try that but you are right to ask for a professional opinion.

Avoiding dogs passing by, in my opinion ( I am not an expert, I am not even the greyhound's owner but I had dogs in the past), is not too good. If I were you I would even expose him to dogs who can pass by him but without walking him. I would just sit on a bench and let him watch other dogs. Then you have fuller control over him and after some time he should get used to it. At first he might be a bit excited, nervous, stressed or even aggressive but soon he should get bored and more indifferent. Firm corrections and tone should teach him what is wrong. Your reaction should depend on the way he behaves. Sometimes it is even good to stroke a foreign dog (if possible) in front of him and then stroke him to avoid his being jelaous (I suppose you stroke your friend's spaniel in front of him and he respects him/her). That would indicate that you respect both him and other dogs. Do not forget to uphold the proper hierarchy in the family. You can not let him rule the rust Remember, please, you (humans) are a role model. No responsible love is blind...

Hi
I am sure jimmy or celia will be along in a minute to give some sage advice, but thought I would give you some of my experience.I volunteer walk and socialise the greyhounds at GRF, I also think you should expose Trevor ( tyson?) to other dogs rather than avoiding them, little and often if long exposure is a bit unsettling for him. You can do this from afar to begin with and gradually close the distance the more confident he gets.Praise him when he reacts well, I find I have more control with excitable dogs if I put them in a harness as well as a collar with leads when I take them out. I also try and position myself between me and any passing dogs, to control reactions a bit more. .......other people's off leads dogs can be a real nuisance! Perhaps Trevor is feeling that he has to protect his "pack" now that he has his own family, maybe why he is worse with your daughter ( if that's what you meant). greyhounds are not exposed to other breeds when they are active racers so other dogs can be unsettling!
I am sure you are not the only one who has this to deal with, and I am still learning too, so I await with interest those with more experience.........
I think praise the good behaviour and ignore the "bad" is what I try to do........ and try to instil a bit of confidence with how I am feeling for the dog to pick up on, try not to get too worked up yourself at how you think he might react..... As I am sure they get tuned into how you are feeling....

Oh dear Jeannette, I had this problem early on with Mikey, maybe not so badly but a problem none the less. And, it was me that needed the training! When I was out with him on my own I used to get really agitated when I so much as got a sniff of a potential problem - like a dog 200 hundred yards away! My stress seemed to transfer down the lead somehow to him and he would go off on one thinking I was in some sort of danger. The problem just didn't exist when my husband was there and took control.
Is there a doggy class, they do exist for older dogs, somewhere you can take him to where you are in a controlled environment and you can relax with him a little? Although it seems easy I had to really practice staying calm when I saw approaching mutts, I would breathe deeply, talk continously to Mikey, didn't give him a chance to concentrate on impending "danger" and would walk briskly on, blethering away to him all the time - lots of praise when we were past. Main problem of course, as usual, the numptys who let their dog(s) (unleashed) do what ever the heck they want when you are struggling to keep your sanity. I also kept him on a "non pull" harness for many months - you can use one in conjunction with a neck lead if need be - you'll have more control.
Can you find more people you know who have dogs to "accidentally" meet you on a stroll - Mikey became much more relaxed if I stopped to have a natter with folk I knew who had their dogs with them.
There's no quick fix I'm afraid, I wish you the best of luck.

Izzy posessed the heart of a lion when we got her a year past May. She wanted to rip the head off everything that moved - this included dogs that she spied at the other side of a very large park. In the house, and with Archie our other greyhound, you couldnt have met a more gentle and loving dog. This level of ferocity lasted about two weeks after which things started to temper. Now she is perfectly sociable with any dog that approaches her - that said of our three amigo's, she's the one with the keenest prey drive.

So what changed Izzy's behaviour?

Difficult to pin point just one thing - i think it's a combination of things which have worked for us. Firstly, this was Izzy's first home - she'd never set paw in a house before so everything was very strange for her and that took time to get used to. I think the influence of another hound helped her also - especially Archie - who is the most docile, easy-osie, hound in the world. We would take the hounds in the same walk - and at the same time - and so she was slowly getting accustomed to meeting the same dogs every day. This helped her too. In meeting these dogs we would ask the owners if we could walk alongside them - again that helped.

I think getting Trevor to meet dogs, rather than hiding from them, is part of the answer. And, as others have said, being firm with him when he starts his schenanigans. He has to know that his behaviour is unacceptable - and equally he has to be praised when he does well.

The steps you've highlighted all make perfect sense - and I'm confident that in time you'll see an improvement in Trevor's behaviour.

last couple of posts are good advice janette, i had the same issues with my old boys more so when it's my dad walking them as he takes them off the path and allows dogs to pass. If you see a dog coming and move out of it's way trevor is going to think something's up i should be on my guard the same as if you tense up expecting trouble you're telegraphing your feelings to him and he's reacting.

Try and find someone with a dog that's not any trouble to walk with you, walk them with both of your dogs on your outsides, then after a couple of days move one of them between you but still a human width from the other dog. when you think it's the right time walk with both dogs between you. (muzzled as a precaution though) when he's used to this arrange for them to meet you head on during a walk hopefully trevor will recognise his new buddy coming towards him and not react much. It might be difficult but if you keep going and can rotate his walking buddies after he's used to them it should hopefully straighten him out. If you're near to celia and jimmy's place ask them if you can 'borrow' some of their dogs to help socialise him, that way you know the other dog is under control and it removes one of the anxiety of a dog running loose causing mayhem.

Mine tend to be pretty good now except when other owners let their dogs come running at them off the lead.

Trevors problem sound less like aggression and more apprehension about meeting new dogs. Dog classes might also help but only if the teacher has a clue about dog behaviour many unfortunatley don't and are of no real help.

About the sore paw, when we first got our Paddy his paws were very soft and if he trod on anything vaguely sharp he gave a loud yelp (he is a bit of a drama queen). I don't know if what I am going to say is just an old wife's tale but a trainer told me that eating black pudding hardens up the paws. I give Paddy a slice of black pudding with his dinner every day. He loves it and certainly his paws are harder than they were a year ago.

Hi Jeannette,
First of all, thank you for your very kind words.
Regarding Trevor, unfortunately, rather than unusual behaviour, this is fairly normal behaviour for ex-racing greyhounds.
It is often " fear aggression ", making the dog portray aggression to keep another dog from attacking him. Not always though.
We've all been there. We just wish we could actually tell them that it is silly.
We have found several ways of tackling the problem, most of them already listed by other friends on the forum.
First you must be the alpha. You must not let him think that he has to defend you. That could make his fear aggression worse. You must, in no uncertain terms make him know that you are in control. If you cross the road to avoid a dog he may think that you are frightened of the dog and that he has to protect you ( thus he becomes aggressive ).
Unfortunately you are going to have to take him near the other dogs. Try and do this with friendly dogs initially and build up the technique slowly until you are ready to take on the big problem.
Always initially approach the two dogs in parallel fashion. In the dog world face-on meeting can be construed to be aggression. Likewise, coming up behind the other dog can startle it if it is not aware that your dog is coming up behind. That could lead to trouble. You are very welcome to try out these tactics in a safe environment at our kennels. We'd be quite happy to help you. We have some non greyhound " targets " of our own who are used to being set up.
Use two leads and a harness and shorten the leads as much as possible if an incident occurs. The dogs can't gain impetus on a very short lead.
As already said, the lazy lumps don't need much walking anyway, but if you enjoy the walking you must overcome this problem.
Sometimes when the dog is about to get aggressive to another dog I've put my foot behind my leading leg and tapped the dog on the bottom. This surprises him because he doesn't expect anything from that direction and it knocks his concentration.
If he does not become aggressive to another dog then the treat reward is excellent. They love treats.
I hope that these things help but feel free to ask futher.
Best wishes,
Jimmy.

Trev is snoozing after our morning walk and I just want to take this time to thank everyone for their advice. This has been extremely helpful for me and hopefully will be for Trevor (yes Ann you are right-formerly Tyson).
It is probably obvious that he is our first time dog though Maud and I have helped a great deal with other peoples’ dogs so as to be sure a dog is for us. I think Maud who is 11 has more doggie wisdom than myself and acts the Alpha with Trev and has had fewer problems, as does my husband. “It’s not rocket science” he likes to say. Like you Isobel I think it is ever more clear that I am the one who needs training and a firmer stance. Also I suspect a bit more patience.
We are on the waiting list for a socialising class with ‘reactive’ dogs, but Celia and Jimmy if you have some handy ‘targets’ Maud and I would love to come and give that a try. The un-expected tap on the bum is a good tip as well Celia, I am going to try that today. I’ve got a harness so will practice walking him with that-I did not feel so in control previously but will get back to work with it. Stan you sitting on a bench idea sounds good. Trevor does like to hang out on our front step where he does see other dogs .
Yes less walking…again it is about coming to terms(yes, me again) with the paradox of having an athletic former racing dog who is at the same time loves nothing more than duvet time-go figure.
We’ve got the boot for Trevor’s paw, but boy is going to love the black pudding idea!
With very best wishes to all,
Jeannette, Maud and Trevor

Hi Jeanette....Sorry to hear about your barking problem, we had a similar problem with Sally one of our two greyhounds, so we can appreciate your dilemma . She started barking at other dogs on her walk., this would unsettle Duke who would then join in the chorus. so you can imagine two barking hounds . As an experienced dog person I tried all the usual tricks to try and resolve this with no success, I then researched Anti Bark dog training collars, and found one that had favorable reports.

We purchased from Amazon....Innotek Anti Bark Training Collar....Ccsts around £30 incl delivery...this is pet safe causes no stress what so ever to the dog. When the dog barks the collar lets out a PUFF of Citronella spray ( a pleasant lemon scent ) This acts as a distraction to the barking.

Did it work..?

I would say it was 95% successful after a few weeks of wearing the collar . And we were able to start enjoying walks again, so for us the collar was a great purchase and well worth the cost.

Be patient with your training , and try and put yourself between Trevor and the other dog when passing, this gives him confidence, a small treat at the end of his walk if he's been good also helps.

Hope this is of some help to you .....John & Janice....Duke and Sally

Hi Jeanette,
whereabouts do you live? Our lab has spent the past 9 years living with and socialising with greyhounds and I'm convinced he thinks he is a greyhound. We're in Dundee so if you're near us and would like to meet let us know.

Michele

Hi,

I know there are lots of good comments here but thought I would pitch in some!

I've found with Eddie as he was 7 when I got him, he did not know other dogs. Only greyhounds. I took him along to a dog class on a Monday night. I muzzled him and he wouldn't so sit, stay, or anything but it was largely a safe environment where he could learn that other dogs were fine.

You shouldn't cross the road when you see another dog because you are reinforcing Trevor's fears and anxieties. Also, if you start to feel anxious, Trevor will sense this and begin to heighten his anxieties. They're very sensitive dogs and pick up on your emotions before you even feel them!

Also, in the dog world... There is etiquette when meeting other dogs. Just like as a human you shake someone's hand to greet them. Trevor probably needs to learn this behaviour as it won't have been taught to him at a young age. It's all about socialisation. Dogs running straight on to Trevor is not polite and he will become nervous as he doesn't know what's happening. A good greeting for two dogs is to meet side on (the bum sniff). The other dog also needs to know manners though so best to get a well socialised dog!

Don't avoid other dogs because he needs socialised. I'm not saying Eddie is a Gem with other dogs but I can walk him happily with my mums 3 dogs and he doesn't want to skin them... We are still working on cats!

I have a few books I can let you borrow if your still having problems at the next walk. They will give you other methods.

Jen, Eddie and Wisp

we do hope our Trev will get better at his social skills he is already starting to improve and becoming ore of a gentleman to some other dogs his paw seems to be alot better and we thank you all for your advice

Hi Michele,

I just want to say thanks for the kind offer of letting Trevor learn to socialise with your lab.We are based in the Edinburgh New Town but my son is going to uni at Dundee. Perhaps we will get a chance to meet up when I go visit which I try to do every so often.

Trevor is doing a lot better since I began practicing being alpha dog and not avoiding other dogs quite so much.

All the best,

Jeannette

Hi Jeanette,
yes, you must be the alpha. Dogs pick up on our emotions/vibes etc and if he has sensed your nervousness/fear around other dogs he will try to protect you and bark etc at other dogs. If you're calm.........
Do let us know if you'll be up our way.

Best wishes,
Michele