|
Post by JessKamp on Mar 20, 2013 22:09:21 GMT -5
Hi there, I just got my girl last weekend {haven't posted her welcome page yet}. Anyways! I have a real keeper here, she is fitting in sooo well the only thing that worries me a bit is she is a little toy possesive. She hasn't snapped at me and I can take the toy from her, but when my dachshund goes for it {cause he thinks they are all for him} she showed her teeth and gave him a growl, I gave her a firm "NO" and she snapped out of it and put her head down, leaving the toy for Jace. This happened once after that and I did the exact thing. I think I'm doing the right thing, and I don't think she wants to bite him cause she deffinetly would have already gone for it. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this with there grey and if it gets worse and how I should be addressing this. Also Jace was on my lap and she came over for snuggles and he was licking her face and and just gave a low growl but no teeth and no change of expression. I did the same thing and told her "NO" so she lowered her head ad went to her crate. Should I be rewarding her when she is nice to him?
|
|
OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
|
Post by OwnedBySummer on Mar 21, 2013 10:27:56 GMT -5
If you teach her not to growl at him when he's doing bad... she could very well skip the growl next time and go for the next thing available to her, which is biting. To me, Jace is the one who needs correcting -- he's the one who tried to take the toy and he's the one who was licking her face. I'm not sure what your objective is with correcting Stella? Am I missing something?
|
|
ktel
Grey Puppy
Posts: 57
|
Post by ktel on Mar 21, 2013 10:31:58 GMT -5
I am not a dog training expert, but I tend to let the dogs sort it out themselves. They will establish their own hierarchy regarding who gets toys and attention. When you interfere you are affecting how this hierarchy is established. There is nothing wrong with growling in my opinion, they are sending an important message about what they will and won't tolerate.
|
|
|
Post by GreyPoopon on Mar 21, 2013 15:32:08 GMT -5
My rule is: she who has the toy keeps it. If she loses interest, someone else can take it.
I also would have told Jace to "Leave it" and moved his face away if Stella was not enjoying his kisses. Not all dogs appreciate kisses. Usually if two or more approach me at once, I keep their faces apart (one hand on each) unless I'm very sure they're OK together--which, actually, most of mine are.
You can definitely praise Stella if she does not growl in Jace's presence.
|
|
troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
Posts: 1,717
|
Post by troysmom on Mar 21, 2013 15:48:38 GMT -5
Well my dachshund does the same and licks both my Greys in the mouth. In Troys rainbow bridge post you can see a picture of that.
I agree with Ktel. I let them sort it out with both the toys and licking. On many occasions all mine have given Leo and each others a growl and they have sorted it out. Leo knows when to back off and I never had an escalation. I would give them both time to adjusted to each other and set boundaries.
|
|
Midge
Grey Lover
Posts: 891
|
Post by Midge on Mar 21, 2013 19:21:49 GMT -5
I've got to agree with greypoopon, this could be encouraging issues between the dogs. Better safe than sorry because some dogs "work it out" a little more roughly than others. Protect both of them, don't allow conflict between them over toys, bones, food, etc. Better to introduce things and concepts like sharing slowly.
We brought Riggin home to a house with three dogs ~ our two girls, Holly and Millie, and our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Quincy. I never gave a thought to this as it had never been a problem before. It very definitely WAS an issue this time. Riggin was possessive of everything in a "kid in a candy store" way. Very growly with us AND our other dogs. So, better safe than sorry, he was fed and given treats/toys in his crate where he wouldn't be bothered. Quincy would often sit near the crate and the others would wander by for a sniff. At times I would sit on the floor with my back to the crate, reading a book and chatting with him while he chewed on a bone or played with his toys. I would also hand feed him treats. When his time was finished I'd trade him a treat for the toy/bone.
It took a while, but he learned to trust as did we.
Most dogs are raised with others, then straight to a home where they're given these things. Greyhounds haven't, anything they had they weren't expected to share. It takes a while for them to learn simple things like playing.
|
|
|
Post by Heather (& KC) on Mar 22, 2013 6:29:48 GMT -5
Nothing to add....but let's see that welcome message and photos of your girl!!!
|
|
|
Post by rubylottie14 on Mar 22, 2013 9:57:38 GMT -5
I think it's fair play for a dog to growl to show they are unhappy with 'x'. They don't have any other way of saying 'I don't like that'. Better a growl than a bite.
As people have said greyhounds have led a very different life in kennels to any other breed and understanding that will make it better for you and your hound and other pets.
I think they will all shake down fine, but you might need to supervise them closely until you feel that they are all safe together.
We all look forward to hearing your progress and seeing lots and lots of photos.
|
|
|
Post by JessKamp on Mar 22, 2013 14:22:49 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the helpful tips, I think yor all right in a way, Jace is deffinetly greedy, he thinks everything is his {brat lol}. And we have decided we won't interfear unless it gets outta hand, {haven't had any problems yet}. Also I personally think if I don't interfear she will be the boss, Jace is all talk we will see how it goes Thanks
|
|
|
Post by JessKamp on Mar 22, 2013 14:23:47 GMT -5
Also I'm working on uploadig some pictures
|
|
|
Post by campgreyhound on Mar 22, 2013 18:43:57 GMT -5
Muzzles can be very reassuring while they are working things out; they can also save hundreds of dollars in vet bills.
|
|