Help Needed Pls - New Greyhound Barks!

[mrspinkrat]

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And they say Greyhounds don't bark! LOL.

On a serious note, we do need help please.

Adopted our lad and had him a week now.

He is 2 1/2, a failed racer....aww, bless him!

BUT after a brilliant start he seems to be going downhill.

Originally, he slept at night with no problem - a whimper the first night, a wuff and a whine the second, a bit of barking on the third and THEN 45 minutes of constant barking last night and we were woken at 6am by barking this morning. He had been fed, watered, walked etc.

He sleeps in the kitchen, a fairly small but cosy space. We can't allow him run of the house as he has the odd accident and as I am renting it is someone else's property which will take the stick. Also, I have children who need their sleep and peace and quiet.

Anyway, we were very depsondant this morning and almost ready to give up - we need to solve this problem quickly as we already manage on limited sleep due to children, work etc.........

The crucial things we need to know are:-

Do we ignore the barking or do we tell him off?

I am worried that neighbours will become upset at constant barking every night (I would!) but if we come down stairs to tell him off he's got what he wanted - our attention.

PLEASE HELP as I don't want to have to give up on him.

Thank you

Oh BTW, he also barks if I go upstairs to the loo etc., sometimes straightaway or sometimes after a couple of minutes........

 

[bertha]

My show bred grey who I have had from 9 weeks old barks!!!!!!! In the end I got one of those collars that spray either lemon scented or an un-scented blast under her nose, that has stopped her. I can now leave it off, but if she slips back I put it on, but leave it switched off! She doesn't know if it is on or off.

At least is has shut her up, as she would just stand and bark just for the fun of it!

 

[oakmoorehill]

William is a barker he too is a show bred. We didn't have much sucess with the spray collars with William he liked the smell so barked to set it of on purpose although they are definitely worth a try. Ask your vet they may be able to hire one out to you to see if it will work before you buy one my vet rented me one.

If you can it is best to ignore him as you say if you go down to him he has won and got his own way in the fact that he has got your attention. Try just banging on the floor or shouting for him to shut up. Racing greyhounds are usually kept in pairs so he may be feeling lonely at night you could try leaving a radio on with the volume turned down. Also greyhounds like their comfort make sure he's not feeling chilly at night.

Another idea is do you get on with your neighbours? Go round and explain he's come out of kennels and will take a short time to settle in. Take a bottle of wine or some chocolates to keep them sweet.

 

[June Jonigk]

William is a barker he too is a show bred. We didn't have much sucess with the spray collars with William he liked the smell so barked to set it of on purpose although they are definitely worth a try. Ask your vet they may be able to hire one out to you  to see if it will work before you buy one my vet rented me one.
  If you can it is best to ignore him as you say if you go down to him he has won and got his own way in the fact that he has got your attention. Try just banging on the floor or shouting for him to shut up. Racing greyhounds are usually kept in pairs so he may be feeling lonely at night you could try leaving a radio on with the volume turned down. Also greyhounds like their comfort make sure he's not feeling chilly at night.

  Another idea is do you get on with your neighbours? Go round and explain he's come out of kennels and will take a short time to settle in. Take a bottle of wine or some chocolates to keep them sweet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

That sounds like excellent advise :thumbsup:

And if all else fails, take him to bed with you :lol: Actually, I was joking then, but do you think he would sleep in a bed in your room? He might just be feeling lonley as he's probably never been on his own. You say he's getting worse - but that just means that he loves you, so is missing you more each night :wub:

 

[mrspinkrat]

Thanks for all your advice - I think we are going to try the banging on the floor tecnique tonight. Just wondered if he doesn't quieten down after that - ie. if he wuffs for an hour what should we do next?

I'm beginning to dread bedtime......... :wacko:

 

[oakmoorehill]

Thanks for all your advice - I think we are going to try the banging on the floor tecnique tonight. Just wondered if he doesn't quieten down after that - ie. if he wuffs for an hour what should we do next?I'm beginning to dread bedtime......... :wacko:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

You can shout at him from the top of the stairs but don't go down. Thechances are he's lonely William loves teddy bears. He doesn't chew them he just carries them round but before we had Button he always had a teddy in his crate at night.

If he is lonely there is another thing you can do

get him a friend (w00t) ducking to aviod anything thrown

 

[jayp]

Some good advice on hear already, a week is hardly any time at all although im sure it must feel like it he will need time to get used to his new life which to him is so different to what he has been used to, I always take my new dogs to bed with me as when they are used to their new home i have no trouble leaving them downstairs after. I find they settle quicker this way than getting all anxious and being shouted at :- "

 

[vs1]

First of all DONT PANIC! I know it's stressful but you will get there. Stick with it and try not to let your frustration show as that will add to his insecurity. It's still early days and remember your boy has gone from a busy kennel surrounded by loads of other dogs and where he slept with a friend every night, to being very lonely all on his own with no familiar sights and sounds. His insecurity is perfectly reasonable, imagine I came and picked you up, took you away from your family and left you on your own in a strange room - I bet you'd cry! He will soon feel at home and I'm sure once he's settled he won't feel the need to bark anymore. Personally I would avoid using a spray collar at the moment, he's confused enough as it is. I would start by investing in a large greyhound sized crate. Greyhounds are used to being crated for travel and for treatment in mag boxes. This is an environment in which they feel secure and relaxed. Put the crate in your bedroom the first night. He will feel safe in his 'den' and knowing he has company. Over the next few nights slowly move the crate closer to the door, then the landing, then downstairs etc. He is very unlikely to soil his crate so the risk of an accident is minimal and it won't be on the carpet! This will ease him into solitary sleeping a kinder way. Stay calm and ignore the unwanted behaviour. If you respond to it in any way you will make things worse. No shouting, banging, no fussing, no cuddles or you'll make him think he had something to worry about in the first place. You just carry on like everything is normal and he will soon realise he has nothing to worry about. By crating him you will give him a chance to adjust a bit more slowly and he is more likely to sleep quietly if he has your company. I've used this method with great success. If the problems continue contact the people you got him from. Most rehoming places offer support and some have dog behaviourists that can help for free if the problems persist. Good luck with him. Don't give up. Greyhounds really do make wondeful pets but it just takes them a while to get over the shock of a move from kennels to their new homes. Most soon realise they are on to a very good thing and are eternally grateful Please PM me if you need any more support. If you live anywhere near Aylesbury I could lend you a large crate.

Vicky

x

 

[jgear]

I would like to second what Vicky says. We had 2 greyhounds and for the 1st 5 nights not a wink of sleep. Howling barking, chewing and clawing doors. The rehoming people brought round 2 crates, and I was admant that I would not put them in cages. Luckily they ignored me and threw a couple of biscuits in the crate, they jumped in and settled immediately - bliss we never had noise at night again. I put a blanket over the crate to make it nice and cosy and a soft bed inside. A kong filled with some biscuits is good too, as they are too busy getting the biscuits to notice they have been left alone.

We used them for about 6 months, until they were both really settled. Crates are so useful, I will always keep mine for when we are visiting or the dogs are ill.

Wishing you all the best, in a few months you will be laughing about this, as greyhounds once settled are so calm and lazy you hardly know you have them.

 

[mrspinkrat]

Hi

Thanks to you all for your help.

We are really keen to try the crate idea - can anyone help with a crate in the Derby area please? If not, we will look into ordering one - its difficult as we don't have a car to go and collect one.

Would you recommend that we try him in a crate in the kitchen where he is currently sleeping or bring him into our bedroom?

Any suggestions welcome.

We are also considering the DAP diffuser - if anyone has any more comments they'd be welcomed.

 

[jayp]

HiThanks to you all for your help.

We are really keen to try the crate idea - can anyone help with a crate in the Derby area please? If not, we will look into ordering one - its difficult as we don't have a car to go and collect one.

Would you recommend that we try him in a crate in the kitchen where he is currently sleeping or bring him into our bedroom?

Any suggestions welcome.

We are also considering the DAP diffuser - if anyone has any more comments they'd be welcomed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Read Vs post again spot on advice there, calm is needed, no spray collars, no banging, no shouting,, let him sleep in the bedroom in a crate until he has settled

much quicker and kinder and you get to sleep too !!!!!!!

 

[jgear]

I got my crates from ebay, I forgot which seller, but I think most do next day delivery. Just go for a big one - the dog must be able to stand up and turn round. Personally I would put the dog either in my bedroom or just outside with the door open so that the dog can smell you. If you can sleep with the dog in the same room they will settle so much quicker. If not put some clothing that has been next to your skin in the crate.

At bed time keep everything calm, pop a treat or a toy in the crate and they will follow. If the dog is reluctant (which will be unusual) just very calmly put them in the crate and talking softly and before you know it you will all have the best nights sleep ever!

Wishing you the best of luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[vs1]

How's it going? Are you making any progress? Please give us an update and let us know how you are getting on.

Vicky

x

 

[mrspinkrat]

Hi All..........

WELL..........I don't want to count my chickens etc.....BUT, no barking for the past 2 nights!



Can't believe the change in him. I still go to bed expecting him to bark but, fingers crossed, I think we've cracked it. All we did was say 'No, Bobby' very sternly and it seems to have worked.

We were on the brink of buying a crate for him but unless we have any more problems will leave him where he is. He does seem to have accepted that his bed is in the kitchen and understands that we are coming back. He has also cottoned on to the fact that when I go upstairs in the day, I'll soon be back.........

Not sure if he wuffs in the day if I have to go out but one of my neighbours says not, so only time will tell.

I'll report back again at the end of the week to let you all now how the rest of the week goes.

He is settling in very well now. He's a really well behaved boy and seems happy to be here. He did jump onto the dining room table today though - :rant:

I'll post up a pic too once I've sussed out how to do it.

THANK YOU ALL for your help - it was nice to know you were all there for us.

:cheers:

 

[cazzajack]

Hiya

Ive only just seen this, So sorry Bobby's been a naughty boy, But well done for your work with this

He is such a gorgeous boy and would be such a shame if he had to go back to his kennels.

If you want to mail me the piccies of him i'll post them for you

Caroline

X

 

[Finleyfoofoo]

And they say Greyhounds don't bark! LOL.On a serious note, we do need help please.

Adopted our lad and had him a week now.

He is 2 1/2, a failed racer....aww, bless him!

BUT after a brilliant start he seems to be going downhill.

Originally, he slept at night with no problem - a whimper the first night, a wuff and a whine the second, a bit of barking on the third and THEN 45 minutes of constant barking last night and we were woken at 6am by barking this morning. He had been fed, watered, walked etc.

He sleeps in the kitchen, a fairly small but cosy space. We can't allow him run of the house as he has the odd accident and as I am renting it is someone else's property which will take the stick. Also, I have children who need their sleep and peace and quiet.

Anyway, we were very depsondant this morning and almost ready to give up - we need to solve this problem quickly as we already manage on limited sleep due to children, work etc.........

The crucial things we need to know are:-

Do we ignore the barking or do we tell him off?

I am worried that neighbours will become upset at constant barking every night (I would!) but if we come down stairs to tell him off he's got what he wanted - our attention.

PLEASE HELP as I don't want to have to give up on him.

Thank you

Oh BTW, he also barks if I go upstairs to the loo etc., sometimes straightaway or sometimes after a couple of minutes........

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Good on you for not giving up.I rescued a Greyhound 6 months ago,with a little work,she is now a fabulous ,well settled dog.It must be so strange for them,however,i do have two other dogs,so i think she soon learnt where her place was,as she just followed there lead.

Amandaxx

 

[mrspinkrat]

Hi all.

Just to let you all know that the barking at night has all but stopped! We've had lots of wuff-free nights now - the only time he's barked is when we've had some fireworks go off nearby and who can blame him?

Thanks Cazzajack - I'll get some pics to you soon.

Lxx

:thumbsup:

 

[urchin]

So glad you've turned the corner mrspinkrat - greyhounds are fantastic dogs and the more that can retire to a family sofa the better!

do we have any pics yet though, thats what i want to know!

 

[cazzajack]

Well heres Bobby ( one could say settled ) in his new home (w00t)

 

[clairerichard]

We have a twelve month old whippet who was crated until he was about 6 months. When we took the crate away, believing we were being kind he was brilliant for about 2 months. Then he started crying and weeing at night!!! We tried everything and finally got a new crate - he was delighted when it appeared out of the box and got straight in!! He loves being in it - he sleeps there in the day with the door open and takes himself to bed at night when we shut the door. Anyone who believes that crates are unkind (as I did) are definately wrong. We have now got an 11 week old pup who also sleeps safe and sound in a crate - we will not be getting rid of them again. I hope everything goes well with your new addition and if you begin to struggle I would seriously think about getting a cosy crate for quiet place as his bedroom. Good Luck!