What is my dog doing this for

[Kay 3,709]

The last few days the dogs been much more confident outdoors seemingly, head up etc & not cowering when she hears a loud noise

 

But this behaviour i dont understand, she stops dead when she sees a person & puffs her cheeks out , its only if i am with her though, she dont do it when my husband walks her

 

Is it normal behaviour & whats she doing it for if anyone knows the answer

 

Thanks in advance

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

I'd have to see it, Kay, to be 100% on this one. But it sounds like what ye describing there is a defence behaviour. I may be totally wrong as I may be picturing the wrong 'expression'. But a Dog 'Puffing its cheeks out' sounds, to me, like a Dog on the verge of going " Whoof! ". And a whoof is, often as not, precursor to a proper and more all out bark. Only, Greyhounds aren't the worlds biggest barkers.

 

Like I say; I'd have to be there and see it. Her body language would tell. Mheanwhile though, don't let anyone come at her and try to touch her uninvited. She sounds a bit disorientated by strangers yet and it could do no one any good. She'll possibly get skittish. At worst, there's always the slim possibility she may snap at them, out of fear.

 

As ye say, she's coming out of herself now. Coming. She's not quite there yet. Don't let anyone force anything

[Kay 3,709]

She isnt grumbling or growling , just the cheek puffing which is only slight , her stance i would say is quite confident i will see if i can get a camera shot off her stance later on & pop it on the thread

 

I can move right from her side & she isnt moving towards me she just stands there like a statue , i had to move her on earlier & use the side off my leg to guide her round the other way & she kep turning her head to see the person

[Sighthound 49]

Yep I agree with Ditch,

I once had a bitch that used to do that, if the person moved closer she'd let out a small growl.

I stopped it by taking her to places with lots of people ie walking her in the high street, once she realised they were not a threat she stopped.

I'm having a related problem with my pup at the moment in that she is so pleased to see people when she is out she bounds over to them and wants to play ;( no malice but for people who dont like dogs a bit of a worry, it doesn't help when people pet them either. I shall have to take her out about where there are crowds as well to see if that stops it.

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Yeppers. What ye've just completed the description of there is classic, Kay. It's fight or flight thing. She's bothered by the people.

 

As I said above; Just don't let anyone get in her face. I'm honestly not sure, looking back, I've Ever heard a Greyhound bark. But, f*ck me, can they lay on a surprisingly nasty bite!

 

That attitude's probably due to much of what she's now encountering being new to her. She'll have only known kennel regimen before. And these people she's seeing now are not the kennel hands she was used to.

 

As with all else with her, just take it gently and ye'll bring her round, I'm sure.

[cúagusgiorraí 57]

My whippet greyhound puffs the cheeks out when she is about to bark. Your greyhound is going into 'alert mode'. If I were you I would carefully, little by little, everyday walk her pass a pedestrian that wont be too crazy (like a child or something), and completely ignore her and the pedestrian. After you have passed the pedestrian, when her attention is off the passerby and she is looking forward or to you, give her a small tasty treat. She will soon learn that a passerby means a reward. Do the same for traffic. Whatever you do dont, shout at her, drag her along, hug her, stop and stare. Try to remain calm and confident. Also crossing the road may be a good idea until she stops paying so much attention to the pedestrian. I have had to do this before with skittish dogs. It works.

[Kay 3,709]

What you say actually makes sence the stopping & not moving ment i wouldnt move nearer to the object she was unsure off either , she also lifted her front foot up for a few seconds as well i forgot to put previously .

 

What i try to do is walk her for toilet duty first then a path walk for the rest off the 20 mins or so , and i must admit she has only done this the last two days , she seemed fine when walking her round the area off the village where the shops are, i will try the sugestions you make & thanks for the helplfull replies