alphaB
Grey Lover
missing my Guinness
Posts: 442
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Post by alphaB on Apr 10, 2006 21:08:43 GMT -5
I was brushing Jackson tonight while he was curled up on his chair when he suddenly bit me in the bicep and hard! There was no growling beforehand, no warning of any sort that he was bothered, sore etc. He bit hard enough that my arm bruised within minutes. I have never had one of my dogs, greys or otherwise, bite me. Has anyone had this happen?
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Post by jiffer on Apr 12, 2006 12:09:54 GMT -5
You have to be very careful with a lot of greyhounds. They are not used to be disturbed when they are laying down or in their space. You say that he was on HIS chair, and laying down.
You haven't had him very long so he could be trying to establish his pack order. I have had each of mine "test" me about about 6 months into being in my home. A quick, "No" in VOG and, if he's on furniture, "Off" as a punishment that the behaviour will not be tolerated.
Maybe he had a sore spot and you hit it.. it hurt so he lashed out. I was bitten by the family Shih-tzu when I brushed her one day because I pulled to hard on a mat under her foreleg.
I would suggest brushing him when he's standing only and call him over to you saying "Time to be brushed".
Good Luck!
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alphaB
Grey Lover
missing my Guinness
Posts: 442
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Post by alphaB on Apr 12, 2006 13:33:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions Jen. Funnily enough at bedtime (mine) Jack slept next to my bed - something he NEVER does. He always stays in the livingroom to sleep. Guinness on the other hand wants the bed. VOG
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Post by jiffer on Apr 13, 2006 10:30:21 GMT -5
VOG = Voice of God... your hard voice you use to scold Maybe Jack was feeling bad for what he did. Mine always come back to me in full remorse after they do something naughty. He was making sure Mommy was okay. Why am I not surprised that Guinness wants the human bed. LOL
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Post by wickedwick on Jun 19, 2006 20:32:28 GMT -5
My name is Amanda and I am new to the forum. My dog's name is Uncle Wick (his racing name, so we kept it the same; it's original). We have had him just over 2 weeks now and today he bit my step son (4 years old). My step son was in his bedroom and so was Wick and he petted him and he got bit. It is hard to say, see I think that Wick was asleep and was frightened. He has snapped at me before (more than once, around 3 times) when he was laying on my bed one night and refused to move, I touched his leg without calling his name and I guess that he was sleeping and he snarled and barked at me. Immediately after he put his head right beside my leg and then his whole body against me. He knew that what he did was wrong and he was obviously sorry. I did tell him "no" after nipping me and my step son. My step son's head was bleeding, nothing too serious or anything to really worry about, but him bitting is totally unexceptable! I do understand that greys shouln't be bothered when they are sleeping and that he is still new and still adjusting to everything, that is why I can't be mad at him. Just a "no" is all he needs. He is now starting to resond to his name with us and is starting to obey us little by little everyday. Any suggestions?
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Post by romansmom on Jun 19, 2006 21:07:27 GMT -5
I have a few suggestions from personal experience: Roman is an absolute sweetheart (as many ppl on here can attest to ) and would never hurt a fly. He is very easy going and relaxed. However, he cannot handle sleeping on our bed without thinking that he is alpha. The first time, he lunged at me and went to bite me one time when I tried to move him off the bed (he was also hurt at the time, unknowingly to me but I don't think that's why he was defensive). I left the room, grabbed his collar and muzzle, put it on him and told him to get off the bed in my most forceful voice. That way I could force him to get off the bed while remaining safe against him if he tried to bite me. About 4 months later I mistakingly started letting him on the bed again (I know, I know, I asked for it!). Like the first time, he was fine for a while but got bolder and bolder as the week went on. One night I tried to get him to scoot over on the bed to make some room for me and he actually bit my hand hard enough that my hand was cut from one tooth and bruised and swollen from another tooth (I still have a scar to prove it!). I muzzled him and sent him to his bed and disciplined him in a booming VOG. I also made him lay on his bed for at least an hour with his muzzle on, which he absolutely hated. I completely ignored him for the rest of the night and refused to acknowlege him. I think I got the point across, needless to say. He will obviously never be allowed on our bed again because he can't handle it. If you don't correct the behaviour immediately after it happens then he might continue to do it and he may push further to become alpha. Just be strong and firm with your pup and let them become familiar with your routine. Once they know for sure you are the boss, he'll be relieved it doesn't have to be him. Just my 2 cents ;D
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Post by stylishhound on Jun 19, 2006 22:02:40 GMT -5
There's a thread on GT right now as well about biting. forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showtopic=136995 You need to be very careful around a sleeping greyhound and the best thing is to educate everyone in your home and start desensitizing. I believe that sleep aggression should and can be dealt with training. You also need to establish yourself as the pack leader and what will and will not be tolerated in "your" home. Again, tons of info on GT or PM me and I can send you some great materials. One thing that Jen said is very true - when doing anything like grooming, etc., give it a name and do it while your hound is awake and in a standing position if being brushed. You can even try muzzling him for your own safety and feel him over to see whether he reacts to your touch anywhere if he is in fact sore or tender and you did just hit a "bad" spot. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Post by welvstricker on Jun 20, 2006 9:59:00 GMT -5
We had the same thing happen when we first got our grey, he was lying down on the couch asleep and my husband went to pet him and he nipped him. Now that we know to call his name before touching him he never has done it again. Actually after he did nip my husband he had this horrified look on his face that I truly believe if he could speak he would have been apologizing. It was pretty funny and luckily no one was hurt.
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Post by lovemygreys on Jun 20, 2006 10:34:54 GMT -5
One other thing I'd like to mention about disturbing them when they are laying down...
I have never had either of my pups snap at anyone but I have always made sure that when they are laying down and I call their names that their eyes are open and fully focused before I or anyone else touches them...I stress the "fully focused" part because mine tend to sleep with their eyes partially open (Katz especially) so I want to make sure they are fully awake and aware of their surroundings before being approached.
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Post by wickedwick on Jun 20, 2006 16:28:58 GMT -5
Wow, you guys are really great. Thanks for all your advise. See I have told the kids many of times not to bother the dog when he is laying down and not even to go near him, but you know kids, lol. Well I hope this is a lesson learnt for everyone! These dogs are beautiful to look at and with such great temperments but not so cute and cuddly if awoken; actually they can become quite ugly. lol. Thanks everyone ~Amanda~
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Post by wickedwick on Jun 20, 2006 16:31:47 GMT -5
Sort of off topic......but if anyone can explain in english to me about how to put a pic of my grey on that would be amazing! I believe it is the avatar but I am not sure when you update the profile what exactly the URL or full http:/ is. My pics are in my pictures and I was getting so frusterated last night. Any advise on this one guys? lol Thanks soooooooo much ~Amanda~
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Post by tara on Oct 2, 2006 7:53:18 GMT -5
My husband had a situation last night with Tyson and a marrow bone. Ty was laying on the floor chewing on a marrow bone (the first one he has had here) near my husband's chair. My hubby went to sit down and Ty growled and bared his teeth at him. We have gotten him used to the food not being a thing of possession but the bone was. We used the "bad boy" voice told him no and took it away from him. The weird thing was that my other dog had snifed and licked Ty's bone before that. I am confused about why he would do that Help Tara
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2006 9:19:39 GMT -5
Honey has always been allowed on my bed from day 1. At first she used to sleep beside me in the bed, but I guess I toss or turn too much, and afterwards, she was usually gone when I woke up in the morning. As soon as I get out of bed now, she leaves her sofa and goes into bed. At night if she was there, at first, I'd get a growl and teeth, and have to clip her leash onto her and lead her off. Now, I call her name if she's asleep and I want in, and when she's awake and focused, she will grumble occasionally but gets right down. I too believe that you have to become the boss, the alpha, and establish an acceptible behaviour, and pattern, and it becomes par for the course, and accepted behaviour on your part that it's time to leave, or whatnot. No problems at all now with the bed. She has never counter-surfed, done the garbage thing, she tells me when she wants to go out, even by wuffing if it's 2am and she has to poop, and basically does.nothing.wrong. I am blessed, and her life is much better here, than in Hinsdale. We really do get along famously. I wish you all the best, gang. You will find something that works for you, and don't be afraid to use the stern voice if necessary. They do look to you for instruction, and guidance, and actually NEED the direction from you, as dogs are social creatures, and have pack mentality. You need to be the head honcho in your home. Try to find a comfortable medium between how the dog behaves, and correcting the behaviour to suit you and your family. As mentioned previously, shouldn't approach a sleeping pup without having them awake first by calling their name, and an encouraging word in a soft voice goes a long way.
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Post by smooscrew on Oct 2, 2006 17:40:15 GMT -5
I've been bitten also. When we first had Speedy he was laying in bed beside me while I was reading a book. His head was across my chest and when I went to turn a page I put my hand under his chin and lifted his nose out of the way and he bite me on the arm hard enough to tear my pj's but not break the skin. I was so shocked that he would bite me that I burst into tears. I think he felt as bad as I did. I am more aware now of possible situations and with 3 out of 4 dogs we have, I can push,prod,roll over, to make room on the bed, but with Speedy I just go get a milk bone. I never worried about biting, but I have read so much that now when my grandsons (4 & 6) are here I put my pups in their crates when I am not able to be with them and the boys. They know not to bother the pups but they like them so much they always put their arms around their necks and rub their faces against them, so until they are older, I let them play for awhile and then steer their attention to something else and my pups go in their room with a stuffed kong. I don't want any risk of biting.
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Post by Tigger's Mommy on Oct 2, 2006 23:51:23 GMT -5
Tigger bit me once, for no reason. He will never bite again tho, mommy got mad and tigger got in trouble, and learned his lesson. He growls all the time but knows better then to bite.. Mommy mad is not a good thing.
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