Greyhound aggressive to cats! HELP....

Angelina_P

Hi,

I don't know if anyone can offer advice....

I have a rescue greyhound and he's a great dog, but he turns into a tasmanian devil when he sights a cat - it's getting to the point where he is throwing himself against me and he's quite a big boy!

Does anyone have advice on tackling poor toms cat obsession?

ka7e

Greyhounds are bred to chase small furry things! There is a lady near us who has 4 greyhounds and they have killed numerous cats after slipping their leads. I have heard of one, a few years ago, that killed a small dog.

Keep him on a lead and invest in a muzzle for walks where you may encounter cats. Racing greyhounds are used to being muzzled and he shouldn't find it any great hardship.

Kimberley

ka7e wrote: »

Greyhounds are bred to chase small furry things! There is a lady near us who has 4 greyhounds and they have killed numerous cats after slipping their leads. I have heard of one, a few years ago, that killed a small dog.

Keep him on a lead and invest in a muzzle for walks where you may encounter cats. Racing greyhounds are used to being muzzled and he shouldn't find it any great hardship.

I agree with this, i've looked after rescue greyhounds before and trust me you need to keep him firm on that lead and yes please muzzle him whilst out on a walk if you think you wouldn't be able to keep control of him.

Also if he is a recue then the rescue should be able to advice you as well and give you a muzzle for him. I looked after them for the greyhound rescue in walthamstow and they were always there if i needed help and advice.

Angelina_P

Hi Kimberley,

Thanks for the advice. I do muzzle Tom when we are out and especially when he is off the lead. I will however email the Greyhound trust to see if they can advise me on how to try and calm him when he goes go off on one. I have tried a bottle of stones, water and spray can - but nothing deters my boy!

Many thanks

Angelina

JennyW_2

I have a greyhound too. She used to be like your boy when I first got her. You just need to understand that unfortunately they have been trained to chase small furry animals and I expect it was part of his training when he was young (cats and squirrels)

I've had my grey for 3 years now and she's much better with cats and just stares at them :rotfl:

Best thing to do is when you dog takes any interest in a cat, to use a firm, stern "LEAVE" and continue walking etc. As soon as your dog takes his eye off the cat or turns his head away, give him lots of praise. It worked very well for my grey. She can spot squirrels now and will not run after them. It's just a matter of de-sensitising them and breaking the habit. It can be done but it's not an instant fix.

My grey would leap and bark all over the place at the sight of a cat. Now she just gives them evils

Angelina_P

Fab that's great advice. I will be sure to take lots of treats out with me starting from today. He has overcome squirrels and rabbits without me having to do anything.

I have to say that they are wonderful dogs!

Many thanks

JennyW_2

Angelina_P wrote: »

Fab that's great advice. I will be sure to take lots of treats out with me starting from today. He has overcome squirrels and rabbits without me having to do anything.

I have to say that they are wonderful dogs!

Many thanks

yes treats are good too, have one in your hand and as soon as his head turns away, give it to him.

I find too that my grey hates my "stern" voice, not sure if it's something greys don't like or mine is just more sensitive but sometimes if we are out in the woods and she starts staring at a squirrel, a firm voice breaks her out of the trance. Cody now understands that LEAVE means to walk away and ignore.

RedBern

Greyhounds are bred to chase small furry things!

Ange - you could try putting a blindfold on him when you're out;)

narabanekeater

try and get hold of one of the plastic type muzzles not the wire ones
If you cannot find one please message and I shall see if I can help
The advice of saying leave and then rewarding is very good
Ive worked around greyhounds for 15 years now and some go to new homes and are as soft as much others take a little work but are very worth it
My beautiful !!!!! that went to doggy heaven last year was so lazy she never even raced, until one day a squirrel came into the garden
I spend the next 20 mins picking up bits of squirrel
I really never had seen her like it usually getting off the sofa took too much effort
They really are great dogs

Angelina_P

Yes I agree they are wonderful dogs!

Sorry to hear you lost yours and thanks for the advice. I already have a plastic muzzel and Tom is always muzzled when we are walking around the neighbourhood and when off the lead. I will def try the Leave commend and treats.