Ivy's found her voice...

She's two and bit, we think she was born August 2019 if the info we have been given is accurate. Her activity level is tricky to work out really. When she first came it was really low probably because she was so tired and overwhelmed in a new place. Today has been a less active day with a couple of shorter walks, mostly in response to her bringing me home for the first one and the second because she's been stopping a bit more so we're taking that as she's feeling a bit overwhelmed again. Plus some sniffing activities indoors and out, some training, a stuffed Kong and her kibble ball. On other days where we've done big walks with lots of sniffing, been out, taken her for a good run at the secure field etc., she still has these unsettled times so it doesn't seem to always correlate with the physical activity. She went like this a few weeks ago and we found adding an extra evening walk at best made no difference and at worse brought her home even more hyped up (especially if a cat had been sighted).

I hope it's an adolescence type thing, I know in the grand scheme of dogs she's very easy but certainly feeling at times like she's going a bit 'Kevin'! She was so easy in the beginning I think it gave us a false sense of security so now when she challenges us it's like 'who are you and what have you done with our sweet girl?!' and fear we've ruined her with our inexperience.
 
SusieT said:
I think if shes growling on the sofa while beside you, I would not let her on the sofa for the moment - it just presents an opportunity for there to be an incident. I would calmly have her on the floor- and a line attached to her may help. Obviously have a nice bed for her.
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Yep, when Jack first came to us he growled a lot. Asking him to move off a chair resulted in a full melt down and I actually found myself sitting somewhere else to avoid upsetting him - until I came to my senses. Lead on. And not allowed on the furniture until he got over himself.
 
In some ways the fact that greyhounds are often not as demonstrative as 'normal' dogs (less tail wagging, etc) makes them difficult to read. I reckon it took me and Joe about a year to get used to each other and I hope that if/when I ever have another dog I'll be more relaxed about it from the get-go, I think they definitely pick up on the fact that you're watching them like a hawk/worrying if they're happy/sad/bored etc!

You've definitely not ruined her. She really sounds like she's having fun, getting her feet under the table and exploring her 'madam' side! ?
 
It's the eyes and staring that weirds me out the most I think.

Miss madam has settled down nicely on an improved comfy spot set up in the living room for her to enjoy instead of the sofa. She had to work for a portion of her dinner when we got in from her walk, practicing settling on the new spot. I'm only using her kibble but she found it so exciting it was a bit of a challenge to settle but she got there. Training has to be short otherwise she gets a bit snorty and too bouncy!
 
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