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Post by echandler on Aug 27, 2016 18:21:01 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I am looking for recommendations for a reliable and knowledgable greyhound trainer in the London area. One of my girls (we had her for 1.7 years, she is 4.5 years old now) has always had sleep agression issues. If startled during rest, she would snap, which is obviously not great as she sleeps on our bed. She also get anxiety during thunderstorms. We got her a thunder jacket and that helped a little but she will dedinitely snap if approached. On a few ocassions, she bit us. Admittedly, I am not a dog behaviour expert but I do want to learn. Recently it got to a point where my husband wants to give her back to the shelter as she bit him again during a thunderstorm (he was trying to pet her, which I repeatedly told him not do when she is anxious). I do NOT want to give her back because I feel the situation is managable with the right training. She is NEVER aggressive on any other ocassion and is very comfortable with other dogs. If you know someone or are willing to offer advice/assistance yourself, please let me know. I would like to start asap.
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Sept 3, 2016 8:41:58 GMT -5
Hello! We used a trainer in Stratford....Charlie at Better Dog. He was amazing. Having said that I have two suggestions and you may not like either!! I would not allow her on the bed to sleep. This is not mean, she just isn't ready for it. We have one that can sleep quite well with humans and one who is pretty rambunctious. The second is not allowed to sleep on the bed and actually neither does when my husband and I are both in bed. Honestly, startling in sleep and snapping has happened with all 3 of our hounds when they first came home. I never approach the boys when they are sleeping without announcing myself and ensuring they are awake. One has been home for 3.5 years and the other for just over 1. In your case she shouldn't sleep on the bed. Maybe early morning snuggles would work when you invite her up. Try a new routine.
As for the anxiety and thunder, we have one that's very anxious in storms and both are bad with fireworks. For Thunder, yes, ironically that's his name, we use melatonin and that seems to calm him. For Bruce we have a homeopathic (aconitum napellus 200). WIth our first we used a thundershirt and the homeopathic. Different things will help for different dogs. But what we've found is that the anxiety worsens in Thunder if you try and comfort him (human comfort tactic makes me feel better but him worse). Get her suited up in advance of the storm, try the melatonin or homeopathic if you want, do it all in advance of the thunder if you can and let her be. Thunder chooses the bathroom to go and lay in. I make sure it's open and available! She sounds like a wonderful girl and I hope you can work through this. She is trying to tell you she doesn't want your comfort in the storm, listen to her.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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Post by echandler on Sept 3, 2016 9:21:52 GMT -5
Thank you for your reply and advice. You were right, I do not like the sound of her not sleeping on the bed as she genuinely craves it (she will maje multiple attempts if we do not let her) and loves snuggling up. However, I do hear what you are saying and it makes sense. I will not let her on the bed other than for early morning snuggles. We will definitely try melatonin to help ease her anxiety, coupled with thundershirt. Thank you for recommending a trainer- do you know what he charges?
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Sept 3, 2016 18:05:02 GMT -5
I know it's hard. You feel mean but it's not. π Do think about a homeopathic if the melatonin doesn't work. It's worked on 3 of 4 for us! The trainer was $75/hour for private consultation I think. We used him for small dog issues and he was wonderful.
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Post by echandler on Sept 3, 2016 18:08:17 GMT -5
Thank you so much. It feels so nice to know that we are not alone in this. Definitely, we will explore homeopatic as well. She is such a great girl. They both are. I just want what is best for them
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Sept 4, 2016 6:32:51 GMT -5
I can definitely see that. I think the key for you will be to not engage or not try and be with her when she's agitated. One of ours will growl if you try and make him get off his pillow to go out. So, we have a leash at the back door and double it up and loop it on his neck. He will pop up and go where you lead him. Now we just grab that leash and he's up and out. You just find what works. In your case no action!!
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Post by echandler on Sept 4, 2016 7:05:51 GMT -5
Thank you
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