By Dennis McKeon
copyright, 2024. The original post can be found here.
There is no breed or population of dogs more thoroughly schooled in canine social skills, or canine signaling and body language, than the racing greyhound. Their pack and colony upbringing and their unique experience as members of the colony, has exposed them to vastly more social and bonding opportunities than virtually every single one of the non-greyhound dogs they might encounter, as adoptees. They are exceptionally fluent in speaking the language of "dog".
When they encounter non-greyhounds---either at play, or simply when having a walk---who are still at the baby talk stage, it can be a problem for them. Specifically, when their signals and body language are ignored, or their space is mindlessly or aggressively invaded. Inasmuch as they are used to communicating with other greyhounds, who are at or about at their extremely refined level of erudition, comprehension and deportment.
Hence, we can have huge greyhound gatherings, involving hundreds, if not thousands of retired greyhounds, without a single incidence of bad acting.
Greyhounds are bred to have lightning quick reflexes and reactions, to allow them to compete in contests of speed, skill, stamina, courage and heart---where it is only nano-seconds that separate the greatest from the least.
Quite likely that there is nothing wrong with or troubling your "dog-reactive" greyhound, other than culture shock.