Tips and things you need to know

Sleep Aggression

Everyone knows the saying “let sleeping dogs lie”. This is absolutely true – it’s generally best to leave sleeping dogs undisturbed wherever possible. Even the most docile, loving dogs can exhibit sleep aggression (growling or snapping when woken up from sleep). This is quite a common behaviour in all dog breeds, but especially in retired greyhounds.

For humans, being on the receiving end of sleep aggression from a greyhound can be frightening, and may cause concerns about the dog having an aggressive or unfriendly nature. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many retired racing greyhounds exhibit sleep aggression for reasons related to their background, not their personalities. Understanding the reasons for sleep aggression can help new greyhound owners prevent it from occurring, and maintain a loving, trusting relationship with their dog.

When they are racing, greyhounds are often kept in separate cages or kennels. Although there might be many other dogs nearby, they have their own little piece of independent space. Retired greyhounds must get used to sharing household space with other members of the family, including children and other pets, rather than having their own private ‘den’. They may feel that they need to be ‘on their guard’, even subconsciously while they’re napping. If you remember their origins as wolves, keeping subconscious watch against predators in their den, you can see where this behaviour comes from.

A day in the life of a racing greyhound typically involves long periods of sleep between short bursts of activity (a pattern that they typically continue into their life as a pet!) This means greyhounds are used to long periods of uninterrupted rest. Having a human intrude on their sleep, even for something pleasant like a cuddle or a walk, is something that they have to get used to.

If your greyhound exhibits sleep aggression, providing them with a crate to sleep in might be a good solution. Your greyhound won’t see this as a cage, but as a safe haven where they can feel secure. It’s also easier to prevent other dogs, cats or small children entering the greyhound’s personal space. Having said this, the door should never be closed on a crate, whether the dog is in it or not.

Another solution is to establish a house rule that the dog is not to be touched while it’s on its bed, either asleep or not. Remember that some dogs sleep with their eyes open! If your greyhound sleeps in lots of different places, establish a rule that you will always call his/her name before you touch him/her, and wait for a response before moving closer. Once you decide on the right rule for your dog, it will quickly become an easy habit, which makes life safer and more comfortable for your dog and your family.

Like all post-adoption adjustment issues, dealing with sleep aggression involves time, patience, awareness (of yourself and your dog) and common sense. Don’t put yourself or a family member in a situation that may be hazardous, and definitely do not let a sleep-aggressive greyhound share a bed with a sleeping human, especially a child. Ensure your greyhound has their own bed, and discourage them from sleeping on spaces used by humans to avoid territorial issues. Some greyhounds will overcome their sleep aggression as they gain confidence as a pet, but many will always require careful management.

Transitioning a greyhound from racing to pet life is always a learning experience for both the dog and their humans. Coming to understand each other, and how to live together happily and confidently, is one of the great joys of getting to know one of these incredible dogs. Remember that your greyhound wants nothing more than to be a successful part of your family – but it can be hard for them to remember that they’re safe and loved when they’re fast asleep! Following these simple steps can help prevent sleep aggression from compromising your friendship with your beautiful, gentle dog.

Muzzles

We find ourselves talking a lot about muzzles lately as we have heard of several incidents of owners being muzzle shamed or judged for using one! We feel that they have an unnecessary stigma attached to them when they are a fantastic training tool!

When any of our dogs are adopted, regardless of temperament, we provide a muzzle which the new owners are required to use until the dog is well socialised as this ensures safe introductions into their new home environment, other dogs, children, and new situations that they haven’t encountered before.

This doesn’t just apply to greyhounds. All dogs can greatly benefit from being muzzle trained. For instance, here are just a few of the reasons it is a brilliant idea to ensure your dog is comfortable wearing a muzzle whether they are a greyhound or not:

• When you have a new dog and want to socialize them safely.

• To prevent them from eating things out and about that they shouldn’t.

• If your dog isn’t a fan of other dogs.

• If you need to take them to the vets and they’re either nervous or in pain.

• If they have had surgery or an injury and need to be prevented from licking something or chewing stitches!

• If you are introducing them to a new dog or new family pet.

• If you are introducing them to new situations e.g. If they have never met children before.

• If you are introducing them to an existing pet already in the home.

• If there's a lot of wildlife around where you live.

• If your dog plays a bit rough and you want to prevent any accidents.

We found a wonderful analogy for why muzzles are important: When driving you put on a seatbelt to protect yourself in case of an accident. Just because you’re not wearing a seatbelt doesn’t mean you’re looking to get into an accident but it could happen and you won’t be suitably prepared.

Muzzles are like your seat belt. You put one on to protect the dog in the event of an accident. No matter how well you follow the rules e.g., use a lead or harness or walk at a safe distance etc., you cannot guarantee that a situation won’t arise that your dog is not comfortable with such as an off-lead dog invading their space when they might get scared and potentially react.

Quite recently someone was spreading baited treats in a park in Colchester, Essex to poison dogs. Using a muzzle can prevent dogs picking up and eating strange things from the ground and could potentially save their life!

The best solution to this is to have your dog trained to have one on and off as required. Wearing a muzzle is not a punishment, it is a training aid!! Here is a great guide on how to muzzle train your dog to get them comfortable wearing one if they haven’t before:

If you are going to muzzle train your dog, please use a basket style and not a fabric muzzle as your dog needs the space to pant and drink water. Muzzles have so many positive uses! Let’s spread the word about how beneficial muzzles are! We need to shed off the stigma of seeing a dog with a muzzle and assuming they're aggressive!

Separation Anxiety

What are separation related issues? Some greyhounds may suffer from separation related issues when left alone and find it hard to cope. Separation related issues can be distressing for both the greyhound and the owner. However with careful training and management they can be prevented or treated. There are a number of reasons why some greyhounds find it hard to cope when by themselves and these include: • Frustration and/or boredom • Phobias and fears – such as fear of thunderstorms or fireworks • Over-attachment to the owner (or family member), resulting in separation anxiety. Greyhounds and separation issues In the UK, racing greyhounds are usually kennelled in pairs and have spent their lives surrounded by other greyhounds. Their lives follow a set schedule and a daily kennel routine. This means that some greyhounds may find it difficult to cope with changes in their routine and adjusting to periods when their owner is absent; most greyhounds however, do adjust successfully to their new lives and homes after racing. What are the signs of a separation related issue? The signs of separation-related-distress can vary, and depend on the individual greyhound. Some of the more common signs that your greyhound is experiencing separation issues include: • destructive chewing, digging, ripping or shredding of objects when you are absent • barking or howling after you have left • soiling or urinating in the home when left alone • pacing, whining, panting, trembling as you prepare to leave the home

A good strategy for dealing with separation anxiety is to gradually get the dog use to being alone.  Start with short departures where the dog has an excellent chance of not becoming anxious (may be seconds).  Once the dog is comfortable with these short departures, gradually increase the time the dog is left alone.   Increase these durations of absences very slowly and go back to shorter departures should the dog show even low levels of anxiety.  Once you can safely leave the dog for a minute or two, increase the intervals of separation randomly so that the dog cannot learn to anticipate when you will return.  Remember the goal is to gradually accustom the dog to being alone without become anxious. – don’t leave blinds down. Let them see out the windows
– don’t lock them in a room
– if they are chewers – muzzles are good to use (you can put something soft inside the muzzle over the nose area)
– I drape the ends of items which may get chewed with material/towels
– Azmira’s Abandonment can help. All natural.
– toys, Kong with peanut butter
– tons of exercise – a tired dog is a quiet, happy dog
– dog walkers – whether you crate or not
– don’t add to their anxiety with yours. Do calm, matter of fact leaving taking