Greyhound and small pets?

Question

We recently adopted a greyhound (ex-racer) and had her for 3 weeks now. So far, she has been a real lady, minding her manners and coming around with affectionate behavior. We have a Cairn terrier and 2 cats. We still keep a soft muzzle on her when the other pets around just in case since she is new to everything and we want to make sure she is small pet friendly (she was tested by the organization as being that). Whenever the cats come into the room, she perks her ears up, wags her tail and whimpers and will occasionally swat at our Cairn terrier’s behind when he gets rowdy. I can’t tell if this is being playful or nervous/scared behavior. She has responded well to the word “no” when she gets too nosy with the Cairn terrier and the cats, but she looks alert enough to chase. It sounded like she was clicking her teeth last night when she spotted the cat. Does anyone know what this means? I know she wants to smell the cats for inspection, but I am still nervous. Thanks.

The muzzle we have on her is soft rubber that allows her to drink, pant and eat. She has been allowed to go in the backyard with the Cairn terrier and most times, she just lies in the grass soaking up the sun. She'll then get up, prance around the yard, develop a gallop and swat the dog on his behind. It seems playful to me, but I never saw how they trained her on the track with rabbits and I wasn't sure if she was immitating a "Kill." I'm also afraid that cats might rip her up with her thin skin, but maybe she needs a swat on the nose to know that she is to leave them alone?

It would be hard to tell about her background since she came off the track in mid September and we got her the first week of October. I think she spent one week at the vets/kennel for her spaying and then with a foster family for a few days.

Answer 1

The teeth clicking your dog was doing is "chittering". Most all greyhounds do that when they're happy.

If your girl was going to go after the cats as prey she'd be charging at them, muzzle or no muzzle. She'd still be fixated on them and want to get them. They stand all stiff first, staring at their "prey" before they go after it. If she's wagging her tail and whimpering, she's just wanting to meet them.

As for your cairn, she just wants to play! Greys usually really like other dogs, they're used to living with groups of other dogs and they're very playful. I wouldn't let them outside together just yet, but sounds like she's safe to play with the cairn.

As for the cats, I don't know your cats, but a cat-friendly grey will be ok with cats who don't hiss and spit at her. If the cat runs, she'll chase, not necessarily to kill, that's just what dogs do. Make sure the cats can get away if they feel the need.

Two of my greys are cat friendly. One of them had a cat who would come running to him when he saw him and jump up on him, so the cat's front feet were on the dog as they nuzzled each other. Then they'd go for a walk together. Cats and some greys can definitely be friends. If the rescue group tested her as being cat and small dog safe, I think you can start giving her a bit more freedom, just stay close at first. Good luck!

Answer 2

First off, she was NOT taught to chase. She is a sighthound, and it is INSTINCT for a sighthound to chase anything that moves. They love squirrels, bunnies, kitties, slippers, mopheads, rags, etc. She is acting normal, but in the case of some GH's they can be bad for house kitties. Testing at the adoption center is not 100% guaranteed, so ALWAYS keep an eye on her around the cats. It would help to keep her in a kennel muzzle like she wore for several years as a puppy and at the track. Here's a link:
http://www.birdwellenterprises.com/index_files/Page466.htm

The pat at your other dog is most likely play, and small terriers are usually assertive enough to stand their ground with a new dog. The kennel muzzle will help with this too, just in case. The teeth clicking is usually a sign of happiness. I've seen and heard the dogs do this on cool crisp mornings for apparently no reason and I've seen them do it on the way to weigh in at the race track. They were excited and feeling happy, so I would count that as a good thing. Please watch her closely around the cats. Once she learns her place and te cat's place in the family she should be OK. Just don't ever allow her in a situation where she would havean evident upper hand with them. Good luck and God bless you for adopting a GREYT dog!!!

Answer 3

My Aunt has had greyhounds for 15 years now. She has always had cats in the house and knock on wood, she has never had a issue with a GH and a cat. The swatting the rump part sounds like play. Take off her muzzle and keep her on a leash. Shes just curious, if they told you she would be fine with the little guys then more likely she will. I've never known a greyhound rescue not to test them about cats and tell you that they did. They don't want a lawsuit so she more then likely is fine with them.

Answer 4

I don't own any greyhounds, but have had several conversations with the greyhound rescue group in the booth next to mine at events. The teeth clicking is apparently a rather normal thing. I am told they do it when they are happy, so it may be that your new dog just wants to play. I have also been told that some greyhounds don't do well with small pets in the house as they are sight hounds and small animals are looked on as prey. This is not true of all greyhounds. This group usually brings four or five dogs with them and only one of them is dangerous to small dogs. I do minpin rescue, so they always tell me which one to keep my dogs away from.
Is it possible to go back to the group you got the dog from for more info on this girl's personality? Many of these dogs live in foster homes until they are adopted and they may have some info.
Good luck with your new girl and thanks for adopting!

Answer 5

You should contact the adoption group that you got her from and ask them what you should expect behavior-wise from her as far as the cats and the dog are concerned.

Adoption groups that foster test the dogs with cats and small dogs before adopting them out to be sure that they won't eat them and they have a few ways of doing this. The dog may even have been fostered in a home with cats or small dogs.

Call them and ask them and they can tell you about her SPECIFICALLY---where we can only tell you in general.

Most groups I know are wonderful about the cat and animal testing and only say greys are small pet safe if they are REALLY safe. They tend to err on the side of caution and any sign of a problem earns a "not cat safe" sticker on their file.

Call thr group---I am sure they will be thrilled to hear she is doing well in her new home.

Answer 6

Opps she's alerting on the cats - bad sign! It can be possible to break a dog of cat chasing but procede with caution. by a

AS for the carn I can't tell if this is play or not without seeing body language...

By the way she would probaly be more comfortable in a actual NGA kennel muzzle which allows panting & even drinking.

Answer 7

Ditto Ragapple's comments.

I would suggest having a trainer come to your home to observe the dog with your other pets. Her perking up at the cats may just be curiosity, but given the dog's history it would make me exceedingly nervous to have her around my cats.

You can ask your vet for a referral to a trainer, or go to www.apdt.com.

Answer 8

She was taught to chase. I would say you are very lucky that she is as docile as you say. I had an ex-racer that would chase my fluffy slippers as I walked! Just work with her slowly, but I would never give her total trust. Teeth clicking might be her trying her best to refrain from chasing the cat.

Answer 9

only service animals are alowed. no other animal in a carrier or not will not be transported. (No dogs, cats, birds, or other animals will be transported. However, a service animal, trained for the purpose of accompanying a disabled person, will be permitted to travel with the disabled person at no additional charge.) that was from their website

Answer 10

Greyhounds don't discriminate. Any kind of smaill pet is delicious to them. So, no problem!