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Breeds Pack behaviour - Zoomies

Dog bites dog: Scratchy's version

June 27th 2009 02:36

I'll never understand bitches.

See, there's one I've met a couple of times at the park. Her human calls her Tiger but Short Black calls her Little Brindle. I like Tiger.

She looks like me but that's not why I like her. I like her, I think, because, well ... aw, I don't know, I can't think of the right words.

I can't think of any words at all when I see her. I get all-tongue tied . When she runs I'm okay though. I know how to do that.

That's what she did two mornings ago and I chased her and it was so much fun. But then, I don't know why, I got excited and gave her a nip except it was way too hard and I hurt her.

And she got annoyed — very, very annoyed — and bit me back. She bit me harder than I bit her, and in a much more sensitive spot. I mean, you don't know pain until someone sinks teeth into your nose.

But worse, much worse, was the realisation of what an idiot I'd been. I'd bitten the bitch I fancied.

I really needed some quiet time then; I wanted to hide my face because for a moment there I thought I might ...

Anyway, I found a quiet corner and stood there cursing my stupidity when — you'll never believe this — she came over and said she hoped she hadn't hurt me too much. I couldn't stop myself then — there was a rush of feelings and a tear or two squeezed out and do you know what she did? She just stood there, shoulder to shoulder, and said it was okay.

I can't stop thinking about her.

Hey, wouldn't it be cool if the bite on my nose turned into a scar and then I'd have a permanent reminder of her.

Previously: Little Boss's version of the story, Daisy's version of the story

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Greyhound, Pack behaviour, Pet interaction

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Dog bites dog: Daisy's version

June 25th 2009 23:47

BB used to stand for Big Brindle, but I'm changing it to Big Boof. He's got a thing for Little Brindle, you see, and when they met at the park this morning, he got so excited, as usual, he did the nip thing.

Except he does it too hard. I've told him, without a word of exaggeration, a million times that he does it too hard, but he just can't help himself.

But to bite someone you're sweet on is pretty daft, even for Big Boof, and he realised it big time when Little Brindle turned on him and gave him a hard nip on the nose. Broke the skin and drew blood, she did.

I had to laugh at the look on his face, as if he'd been told he'd never get another bone in his life. He dropped his head and went off to sulk and maybe, I thought, he'd finally learned his lesson.

I wouldn't have thought any more about it except for what happened next. Little Brindle surprised us by heading over and saying she was sorry she had bitten him so hard. I won't tell you the rest of the conversation — never heard such soppy stuff in my life.

Tomorrow: Scratchy's version
Yesterday: Little Boss's version

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Greyhound, Pack behaviour, Pet interaction

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Dog bites dog: Little Boss's version

June 25th 2009 12:01

It was a big morning at the dog park. For a start, Falco was back after a two-month holiday on a farm. How spoiled can a city dog get!

And secondly, Nina and Tiger were there too. These are the only other greyhounds to be seen regularly around our way, and it's such a big treat for Daisy and Scratchy to have other greys to run with.

We have what might be termed, in canine psychology terms, a socialising behavioural issue with Scratchy which means he is normally kept on the lead when other dogs are in the park. What he does is nip. He doesn't bite hard and the behaviour seems more herding instinct than malicious intent, but we can't get him out of the habit. Daisy knows how to control him, but we don't let him play with other dogs.

The owner of Nina and Tiger, however, when she heard this the first time the four dogs were together in the park, suggested we let Scratchy join the fun. Her dogs, she said, could probably take care of themselves.

So that morning, a couple of months ago, Scratchy ran, and Scratchy chased, and Scratchy got close enough to Tiger to nip her. Tiger who is smaller but otherwise a brindle replica of Scratchy, turned and retaliated with speed, vigour and intent. Scratchy fled.

That's why it was special this morning to see Tiger and Nina again. Off came the leads and four greyhounds flew around as only they know how. Scratchy chased Tiger, got close enough, and nipped.

And so history repeated itself. Tiger turned on Scratchy and sank a tooth or two into his nose. Scratchy yelped and turned quickly away. He shook his head but the pain stayed. Then he lowered his head, down past his knees, and walked away to a corner of the park, the most disconsolate creature you have ever seen.

Tiger's owner was apologising profusely as if the blame were somehow on her side, which of course it wasn't. Daisy and Nina were sniggering quietly, then lost interest and wandered off to smell some flowers.

But Tiger was watching Scratchy. And after doing so for a few moments, she walked after him. When she reached him, she lowered her head next to his, and then just stood there quietly with him. We guess she said a few consoling words, but whatever she did the two were inseparable for the rest of the park visit, and Scratchy looked much happier on the way home.

Tomorrow: Daisy's version of the story.

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Greyhound, Pack behaviour, Pet interaction

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