Greyhound Poops In House And Eats Alot?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I have a 2 year old greyhound that is potty trained but likes to poop in the house. How do i get him to quit this? he also sometimes pees. I know that he isn’t trying to show dominance due to his submissiveness but am at a loss as to how stop this issue. He also goes past child gates and gets into food while we are gone. I tried shutting him in a room and he clawed through the door. we like the dog and want to keep him but need to get rid of these issues to keep him.
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First and for most you need to train your dog. Also consider that the dog might be having seperation issues. Did you adopt this greyhound? Greyhounds that have raced where always in groups with other greyhounds and your dog could be acting out because it is lonely.
I agree with tracymoo2002 call a greyhound rescue organization, or if he is a retired greyhound perhaps the people that fostered him (if you have their name and #). Yes obedience classes are a must even though they are mild mannered creatures. If he is a retired hound he is also crate trained, so put him in one instead of locking him in a room, its a safe place for him. Sounds like he needs a touch-up on his housebreaking too.
Good Luck!
I know that this behavior is both frustrating and infuriating, but if you are patient, your greyhound will most likely get beyond this. I have a 10 1/2 year old retired racer, who came directly from the track. Mine also had “accidents,” even though she was quick to be house broken and was on a schedule. I did my research and followed the rules for training dogs; however, she continued to have accidents when I was out.
Over the years, I have discovered the following about greyhounds:
1) They are different from other dogs (really!)–training tips from obedience class or reference books often do not apply to them. I would disregard advice from anyone that does not know greyhounds (call the rescue organization for the most effective information). If you try obedience class, find someone with experience and knowledge of sight hounds. It makes a huge difference. (My trainer actually used completely different techniques with my dog than with the others and explained to me why this was necessary.)
2) They have difficulty dealing with change–this stresses them out, and so, when adapting to new surroundings/new smells, they show their stress by having “accidents” or by acting out in other ways. My dog took about a year to really get comfortable when I was away. It took about as long for her to look me in the eye (a sign that she is fully comfortable with you). Then, when we moved to a new house, we went through the whole process all over again. Now she is really good, except for thunder storms. It is important to know that your dog can’t help what he is doing–it is an involuntary reaction to the stress. When he adjusts, the stress will go away, and most likely, so will the accidents. (This is what the greyhound agency told me, and I found it to be true.)
3) Greyhounds are tremendously sensitive. On the plus side, they will comfort anyone that needs them. In terms of training, they do not respond well to negative reactions, such as yelling, strong touching/shoving/pulling, etc. For some dogs, this shows dominance and they straighten out quickly. For greyhounds, any kind of anger or forcefulness just adds to their stress level and aggravates the situation.
4) Greyhounds are people oriented. They really, really want to make you happy. They respond well to rewards, and punishment is counterproductive. We’re big on treats in my house–treats when going to the bathroom during a walk, treats when coming in from outside. My dog has reached the point where she will do anything to avoid having an accident because she associates being outside with both relieving herself and getting the much-anticipated treat.
5) Greyhounds hate enclosed spaces. Your dog most likely clawed through the door because he was panicking. A child gate would normally be a good way to go. It would be worthwhile talking to someone at the greyhound rescue organization about either another option or about how you could train your dog to respect the gate as a boundary.
4) Greyhounds are both intelligent and inflexible. Just because you don’t allow your dog to get into the food when you are around, and you may have him well trained to stay in his place and wait while you eat, doesn’t mean that he sees this as similar to grabbing food when you are away. Different situation, different rules. Again, though, this is most likely a stress reaction. I would suggest you put all food away and in a place he cannot reach, if possible. If you can get training ideas from the greyhound folks, that would be a good way to go. Also, I don’t know if you have any chewy toys, but these might be a good diversion. And finally, at two years old, your dog is still young enough to have a lot of energy–dogs this age can be destructive, and he may well outgrow this problem.
5) Greyhounds are very independent-minded. They do best under conditions where they feel they have made their own choice and not had a choice forced upon them. This is why they respond well to rewards (they make their own choice and get a reward).
As to the peeing and pooping, after learning from the greyhound agency that I had to wait this out, I decided to buy some woven throw rugs, which I can toss in the washing machine whenever there is an accident. (I got mine at Ikea).This was invaluable to me during the adjustment period, and I still use these as insurance in case of a thunder storm or a delay in getting home.
I was never comfortable with crates, and so never used one, but I am told that they are a great way to go. So, I would also look into this.
Please don’t give up on your greyhound. He needs time to get used to things, to become comfortable and to feel safe when you are away. Anything that you can do now to make things easier on yourselves, while giving him the time to get settled in, will be well worth it for all of you. The patience and kindness you show him will be returned many times over, once he gets adjusted.
He’s definitely for some separation anxiety issues. Greys are almost never destructive. Is this a rescued racer? If so, he’s crate trained and for his own safety, he needs to be in a crate when no one’s home to watch him.
You said he eats a lot – what do you mean by a lot? What are you feeding him?
Greys are also extremely easy to house train, but you need to start by using a really good enzyme cleaner to make sure all the smell is gone (so HE can’t smell it or he’ll never quit). Again, when housetraining, keep him in the room with you so he doesn’t have a chance to make a mistake. You also need to go outside with him, tell him “go pee” and give him a ton of praise the very second he does. Dogs need to know very, very clearly what the right thing to do is.
Greys are very sensitive dogs who are so easy to train because they can’t stand being in trouble. If you can’t train this dog, please, please contact a rescue group in your area. They’ll be more than happy to help you so this guy doesn’t lose his home!
One more thing, greyhounds cannot be shut in a room, especially a room without windows. If this dog was adopted from a rescue group, that would have been one of the things you agreed to in your contract.
well first of all get a cage. they will not (or should not) be able to get out, and they won’t mess in there. make sure to put him in there anytime you go somewhere and at night. also obidience training. dont give up on him.
Two words:
Obedience Training.
I would have to agree with other posters that you should contact your local greyhound rescue. They would be more than happy to help you work through these issues. I know of greyhounds that will do whatever it takes to get out of their crate or wherever they feel confined. Your best resources for this issue is your vet, pet behaviorist, and/or a greyhound rescue group.
Racing greyhounds are used to the constant companionship of other greys in the kennel. Your dog is probably lonely and trying to get used to his surroundings. The lapse in potty training is probably a result of stress. Just start back at the beginning with potty training.
Try contacting your local Greyhound Rescue and get their advice (see below for possible link).
I agree it sounds like this dog is missing the companionship of a pack, but there may be help for you. Don’t give up on this dog – greyhounds are so sweet!!
I have a suggestion and that is try the crate training method, and not leaving him out unattended, This method really works, before you leave take him out to potty, and when you return take him out right away, before going to bed take him out, and when you wake up take him out,
It sounds like his house training has broken down for some reason. Firstly, you might want to get him checked by a vet. Starting to pee in the house for example can be an indication of a urinary infection.
If nothing is wrong, I would suggest starting his housetraining again from scratch.
Keep him fully supervised while in the house and take him outside for regular toilet breaks (about every couple of hours, plus after eating, first thing in the morning, last thing at night etc). Go out with him and give him lots of praise or a treat when he does his business.
If you catch him about to start messing in the house, clap your hands or something to distract him and take him straight outside, then praise if he goes there.
If you find a mess later do not do anything to the dog – he will not associate your reaction with something he did earlier. Make sure you clean it up properly so as to leave no smells, as these will encourage him to use the same spot again.
For the other issues you may want to look into training discs. These are just a few metal discs joined together that make a noise when dropped on the floor. Contrary to popular belief, they are not actually used as a distraction. Once you introduce the dog to them in the proper way they become a “no reward” signal. In other words, the dog learns that hearing the discs means “don’t even bother doing that”.
If some of your problems are happening when the dog is left alone he may be suffering from either separation anxiety or boredom. If it is boredom he may benefit from some interactive toys to keep him amused, such as stuffed kongs, or an activity ball. If it is anxiety at being left, you need to make him feel comfortable with being alone, which takes time, effort and patience. You need to get him used to being apart from you, very gradually and slowly building up the length of time.
If you have trouble coping try finding a decent humane trainer or an animal behaviourist to help you. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to physically punish the dog as this can make his problems much worse as well as cause fear and even aggression.
Good for you adopting a retired racer! I find this unfortunate. Whoever you adopted your dog from could have given you better advice preventing all of this. The good news is that you are not dealing with anything that can not be easily managed.
First.. you need to buy two things… a good book about greyhounds ( Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies” – Livinggood or “Adopting the Racing Greyhound” – Cynthia Branigan) and a crate. Our adoption group does not place dogs in homes unless they have both.
People need to understand that greyhounds are not your typical dog who has lived a life that other dogs live. Greyhounds have always lived a very controlled, contained, and structured life with everything scheduled and spending up to 22 hours a day in a kennel. So their first few days in a home is a whole new word to them. They have never been left alone, much less alone in a house full of strange things and temptations before! He is likely acting out from separation anxiety. Some are known to panic the first time they are left which why baby gates and shutting them in a room don’t usually work. But he could also be marking his new territory. Is he having accidents when you are home or just when you are out?
Crating your dog when you are not home will accomplish two things.. it will keep your house intact and will give your greyhound a sense of security. It is an essential tool for separation anxiety, which is common in greyhounds. But by crating him, he will have his own safety zone and he should not soil his own “den.” And you don’t have to worry about what you will come home to.
I assure you that they are used to being crated. Even if he is reluctant to go in, he is better off in feeling safe and contained than loose and freaking out. And after time, as he matures and settles, he can earn his freedom to be left loose in the house. I have two greyhounds who are both trustworthy, but I crate all of my fosters.
Another thing.. exercise. if he tired and empty.. he is less likely to go potty or act up.
Both books I suggest are good at explaining the life of a greyhound and why they are different from your typical dog. They are full of great tips including sections on all of these issues with your grey. Be sure to read up on/get advice on proper crating.. get the right size, never use for punishment, make it pleasant with food, toys, treats.. you get the idea. Also if there is a greyhound group in your area.. they could offer some advice, play dates (which are great to help dogs with issues), etc… And there are many groups online in yahoo’s groups full of people with lots of experience and advice.
Also leaving a tv or radio on can help. They play music in many of the racing kennels to block out external noise and keep the dogs calm.
If he is marking, you may want to consider a belly band. You can order them online or make them from an old towel and some elastic or velcro. They wrap around the abdomen (and over the privates) as an incontinence garment.
Regarding the “getting into the food”.. the only food he has been around has been for him. He has to learn about kitchens and human food versus his food.
Hang in there.. with a few changes, it will get better. Good for you for seeking help! Listen to the knowledgeable people and Ignore the silly ones who SHOULD NOT be giving advice when they clearly know nothing about greys. Good luck!!
use a crate….