Getting to know Deano

Shellgaz · Old Hand

Getting to know Deano

Jennifer · Big Cheese

Oh dear! bit embarrassing

At least you know now what he is like and no one has been hurt

-- Edited by Jennifer at 20:30, 2006-01-15

Lesley · Guru

Oh dear - naughty Deano. But at least now you know, and no damage was done! It is a worry when they meet small dogs isn't it. I am somewhat suspicious of Skipper's 'keen' interest in very small bustly dogs/puppies, and one day in a local park (Skipper on lead, but not muzzled) we came across a couple walking a truly tiny dog - I have no idea what it was but it looked like a miniature pug puppy - all black and the size of a long legged guinea pig! Skipper was intrigued and strained and strained backwards on his lead - even when I managed to get him to walk onwards his head was turned back staring at it.

Even Suzie (aged 10), who is fine with other dogs, was fascinated by it.

Fortunately we managed to keep our distance and the couple remained indulgently smiley - little did they know what might have been going through Skipper's mind.

Shellgaz · Old Hand

lol!!!

I was told the other day that Deano is too big! He was really interested in a small black poodle and the woman walking it said 'that dog is too big!' - I just ignored her but I know that Deano was thinking 'No, your dog is too small!!'

Shelley

Teresa · Enlightened One

too big? for heaven's sake !! what an idiot.

anyway, who'd have a poodle when you can have a greyhound!!

mind you, it is scary when they see small furries. apart from dave's little meeting with the cat in our garden (which was the most scary thing i've ever experienced) he's always been on the lead when we see "lunch on a lead". there is no doubt whatever that dave and daisy would attack small dogs and cats.

Shellgaz · Old Hand

"lunch on a lead". .... love it!!

max · Enlightened One

greyhounds are not too big, it simply means you do not have to bend down to clap them, perfect!. Nora

Jennifer · Big Cheese

thats so true Nora, they are just the right height. My other 2 dogs are often jelous that i pat Millie more than them, its not favouritism, (honest) its just she is at the right height to be petted and they're not lol

I have to say, im really lucky with Millie, she is good with small dogs and cats

-- Edited by Jennifer at 22:09, 2006-01-15

Amber · Master

I tend to have foster dogs on lead and muzzled automatically, until I get to know what their reactions might be...it's hard to tell sometimes, as some can appear very interested in small dogs but are actually OK and just want to play with them (my Petra was like this when I got her), whilst others can outwardly show the same level of interest, but want to eat them! Whilst others show no real interest from a distance, but would eat them up close...so better safe than sorry I think!

Mind you, I think if this was a genuine prey-driven attack, you were very very lucky that he only grabbed hold of a leg and didn't cause any damage.

My 2 are OK with small dogs, but one time we were in the park when I saw this man pick up some very small wriggly thing...I thought, what's that, a tiny puppy? NO! It was a ferret! And he had this ferret out with no harness or anything, running freeIt wriggled out of his grasp and started wiggling about and my 2 went totally crazy - thank goodness they were on their leads, as sometimes they are off in the park - that would have been the end of his ferret. But you just don't expect to see ferrets on the loose down the local park; other dogs of all sizes yes, but ferrets, no. Will people be taking their cats and pet rabbits out next?!

-- Edited by Amber at 17:30, 2006-01-16

Dave · Enlightened One

To be honest Shelly you were very lucky and I'm glad you'll be muzzling Deano some more now till you get to know him better. Lesson learnt I guess and to a greater extent thats exactly what fostering is all about, learning about the foster dog!..

Shellgaz · Old Hand

Yep, gonna muzzle him from now on. This much I have managed to find out about him:

* He prefers adults and older kids (although he isn't aggressive)

* He will chase and eat cats

* He will chase and eat small dogs

* He loves cuddles

* He will not return if you call him (!)

* He will steal cuddly toys and hoard them in his bed

* He has a lot of love to give

Amber · Master

Poor old Deano! Though he obviously needs 'caution' around small dogs at the present time, to be fair, he didn't actually injure the dog (whereas a really high prey drive dog definitely wuold have), so he *might* learn how to behave around them in time - though best not take any chances.

I know muzzling is a contentious issue with some folk, but have been having the most extraordinary argument with a greyhound rescuer on the Irish Board today, who claims never to have had to muzzle a greyhound and insists that they can be walked perfectly safely in cat infested streets, so long as you have lead control (and eyes in the back of your head, presumably). Whilst I don't like to see dogs muzzled unnecessarily, I've learnt the hard way that its better to be safe than sorry. At the end of the day we cannot control the environment or the exact location of other animals - some cats will run right under a greyhound's nose - and cannot always anticipate the unexpected and I personally feel that it is more of a stigma on the dog if something happens, than it being muzzled in certain situations. There is also the issue of potential prosecution if the dog attacks in a public place, even if it was an 'accident' and to me that would be a really big worry, as it could potentially threaten the life of my dogs.

I'll get off me soapbox now!

-- Edited by Amber at 16:39, 2006-01-17