does she need a doggie friend?

[Giselle]

She sounds like she'll need a lot of "rehab" - occupational therapy for being a dog. Perhaps greyhound rescue websites would be helpful for you, as she, like many greyhounds, has always been caged ... they have tips for overcoming fears.

Sorry, Karen, I have to vehemently disagree here. Perhaps it's the way I read it, but it implies to me that greyhounds are fearful because they've been "caged" their entire lives. Racing greyhounds lead very unique lives, but, as a whole, they are incredibly well socialized with other dogs and humans. They *really* know dog communication because they've been raised, literally, with a large pack since puppyhood. They are also handled frequently with a plethora of people. Greyhounds are introverted as an innate breed characteristic, rather than the way they are nurtured.

Anywho, back on topic

Do you have puppy/adolescent socialization classes or playdates in your area? Check your local doggy day cares. Doggy day cares often host socialization play dates for well-mannered dogs of similar statures/ages to mingle, often under the supervision of a trainer/experienced kennel hand. The only way your dog can learn "dog" is through positive, personal experience.

[Karen]

Sorry, Karen, I have to vehemently disagree here. Perhaps it's the way I read it, but it implies to me that greyhounds are fearful because they've been "caged" their entire lives. Racing greyhounds lead very unique lives, but, as a whole, they are incredibly well socialized with other dogs and humans. They *really* know dog communication because they've been raised, literally, with a large pack since puppyhood. They are also handled frequently with a plethora of people. Greyhounds are introverted as an innate breed characteristic, rather than the way they are nurtured.

I never meant or implied that they are fearful because of being caged their entire lives. What I meant is that many greyhounds have fears of specific things like grass, stairs, cars, etc. - things they have never encountered, and that her dog may have some of the same fears because of her circumstances.

Some greyhounds are so sheltered that, combined with a greyhound's usual nature, it make getting used to the big world outside a slow and delicate process. I have known some, a teacher I knew had one that was afraid of everything when she got her. I only met her about 6 months into her living at her new home, and it was on one of her first "outings" to somewhere with a big crowd of people. She was doing pretty well, but only if her "sister" - a goofy sweetheart of a well-adjusted greyhound, had been rescued several years before - was on one side of her and her human mom on the other. Otherwise, she'd stand and shake, poor thing.

That's why I recommended greyhound rescue sites - they are more used to dealing with helping sheltered critters learn about the world in a nonthreatening way.

[Giselle]

Again, I disagree. Track life is a very unique and misunderstood life. Track dogs are exposed to large turn out pens which often have sand and grass, machinery (and, yes, cars and trucks!), other packs of dogs, grooming, the racing life (which entails being in constant socialization with large crowds of people, photographers, various kennel hands/trainers, visitors, veterinarians, loud noises, etc.). Considering that racing is an institution in and of itself, they do a pretty darn good job mass socializing these dogs. Many greys, if not genetically predisposed to "spook", are often social butterflies (at the very least, amongst other greys).

When you suggest talking to greyhound people about these things, I assume you're referring to the large community of ex-racer owners. The large online greyhound community is fairly unarguably GreyTalk.com. And if you post on there, I'm probably going to be one of the first responders because my main interest is in the Behavior/Training section So you might as well ask me now LOL!

In fact, the best people to talk about dog fears and adult socialization are people like Pat McConnell, Karen Pryor, Emma Parsons, Jean Donaldson, and anybody else who is of the mindset that fears and emotional "disabilities" can be overcome through correct usage of positive reinforcement and socialization.

Edit: I hope I'm not coming off vicious or anything. My ears and mind just perk up anytime the word "greyhound" shows up, especially in discussions of behavior (another passion of mine!).