Hi Just wondered if any one could give me a little help.

I have just taken on an ex racing greyhound. She is a very sweet and loving little girl and really cant fault her except for one little problem.

We are having problems at night between her and my 9 month old GSP. All other times of the day they get on fine, play together, eat together etc.

At night we are woken by growling and barking from lady and what is happening is that if my GSP gets out of his bed and walks around, too near her bed, she badly tells him off. Unfortunately after 4 nights, he does not seem to be learning and we are awoken maybe 3-4 times a night by the same occurance.

We leave dimmed lights on and their beds are apart.

My question is, do you think this will calm down at all? has anyone ever had this problem or something similar. We have had her 4 days now and although thats not a very long time, i just wanted to ask the question. If he walks past her bed in the daytime she does not bat an eyelid !!!!!!! any advice appreciated.

Many Thanks

Nikki x

Hi Nikki

I took on a suspected ex-racing Greyhound last year and didn't know the breed at all before hand. I also have a boisterous Great Dane and they got on very well.

Molly was a lovely sweet girl - she was in a shocking state when she came to me. After a few days of being here she'd be out in the garden barking at people walking past. I was pleased that her confidence was returning. However, if she was on the sofa or particularly my lap and the Great Dane came up to us she would growl at him. And at night (they both slept on my bed) she would sometimes snap at him. They got on fine out and about and any other time. I had to let them off the lead separately as they'd play too roughly and she'd end up getting hurt!

I judged each growl/snap on its own merit and acted accordingly. If the Great Dane was annoying her - i.e. she was getting on in years and didn't want the aggro of him wanting to play then I would try and move him away to respect her liking of peace. If I felt that she was just being bolshy or throwing her weight around I'd take away her priveleges i.e. make her get off the bed/sofa. It did calm down and they lived in peace after a while.

From what you say it sounds as though she isn't being bolshy just that she doesn't like being disturbed at night. Is it possible to separate them at least until he's a bit older?

I did have another problem with her that I feel you should look out for. I don't know why she did it and I was completely unaware of it at first but she started to snap/bite people. I came home from work one day to find an official from the post office waiting for me saying that she'd bitten the postman quite badly. He had to have a week off work I ws absolutely gobsmacked - she was so sweet and gentle.....luckily for us he had two Shitzu dogs & I'd helped him get a book a few months before so he was sympathetic but I was all too aware that he could have insisted she be put down. I made sure they weren't out when the postman called. Then a couple of months later I saw in the security camera someone stop to stroke the Great Dane....she jumped up, and bit their arm. Luckily they were wearing a very thick coat And I'd thought she was

I realised I had to do something - what happened if a kiddie stuck his face over the gate? So I bought her a muzzle and she had to wear that everytime she went out, even late at night. I managed to con her into loving her muzzle and all was quiet on the western front lol.

Good luck, post up some piccies of them, would love to see them

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Thanks for that advice, I really appreciate it. Here are a couple of piccies xx

Hi Nikki, if you PM a moderator I'm sure they'll be able to help with your pics

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Hi. Just to echo the previous advice of seperating them at night. It sounds as though maybe the new dog is getting "spooked" and maybe reacting to that. However if one of them does bite, apart from the physical aspect of it, it could overlap into other areas.

Thank you for your advice,

She doesn't bite, just warns him, but sounds really nasty doing it. Just had a major breakthrough last night I didnt go down to them once as only awoken by one warning, apart from that not a peep!!!!!! hopefully we have broken the back of these nightly disturbances.

Lady was on the sofa when I came down which is generally a no no, but if that makes her happier and free from disturbances, i think we can allow that at night!!!

Hopefully the pup is learning, its best not to get too close.

Thanks for the advice, I will keep you posted.

Does anyone know how to get photos to post !!!!!!

Thanks

Nikki xx

Hi Nikki

Thanks for the update & fingers crossed things settle down for you.

I upload my piccies to Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket (it's free but you'll need to register) then copy and paste the link into the text...

Good luck

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