Always check consent
Your hound has a mind of their own and isn’t necessarily always going to want to interact with you. For this reason it is imperative to check that you have their consent before interacting with your hound.
How to check consent
Firstly, it’s best to have the hound come to you when possible. Avoid appraoching a hound that is eating, sleeping, or lying down. To check consent pat the hound briefly on the chest, shoulder, or chin and then move away. If the hound seeks out further interaction then you have their consent. If they move away then they’re telling you that they aren’t keen on pats right now. Sometimes a hound may stay in a situation where they aren’t comfortable becasue they’re not sure what might happen if they move away. This is why it is important to check that they are really keen for interaction and also to keep an eye out for any signs that they aren’t comfortable.
How to tell when they’re not happy
It’s important to learn the signs that your hound is uncomfortable with an interaction so that you can stop. Some of the telltale signs are quite subtle, so learn to look for these cues before your hound gets too upset.
Signs that a dog is uncomfortable include:
*Ears pinned back
*Licking lips
*Wide eyes
*Turning head away from you
*Shying away from contact
*Cowering
*Growling
Trust takes time
Many rescued greyhounds haven’t had much human affection, and some may have been mistreated. Trust can take time, and if your hound knows that you won’t put them in uncomfortable situations then they’ll come to trust you more quickly and it will strengthen your bond. Remember that your hound may change their mind and withdraw consent, and that’s okay too!