No - he'll play growl at the whippet, but you can tell it is just play. He goes off to play with a stick or find a distraction and he'll be quiet, and then he'll walk up to you and just start growling.
I tried to engage with him by throwing the old rugby ball he brings along, but he snaps at me for that. Also, when I let myself into the house and go up to him he just sits, stares and growls.
don't make eye contact. make yourself unthreatening. i always approach at an angle with my face sort of turned away. when i'm leashing, i'll look away and try to do it under the chin if at all possible. i'd give it time, i think it'll be okay if you don't press the issue and just wait for him to warm up to you.
i've had 2 similar experiences. one was a pom who was crated and sounded like the tasmanian devil the first time i went to get him (having never met him before) but now i go and he has to do the happy dance all around me including squirming on his back and FORCING me to rub his belly. the second was a great dane who was so skeevy of me that it took me 30 minutes to get a leash on her. by the end of the weekend (i was dogsitting as a backup for a woman who was out of town so it was me taking the dog out or nobody) this dog was my BEST FRIEND.
with all of these dogs, i just take my time and take it easy.
since you have the 2nd dog too, it might be best to just focus all your attention on that one.
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I've tried treats - he will sit, but will not stop growling.
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I tried to engage with him by throwing the old rugby ball he brings along, but he snaps at me for that. Also, when I let myself into the house and go up to him he just sits, stares and growls.
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with all of these dogs, i just take my time and take it easy.
since you have the 2nd dog too, it might be best to just focus all your attention on that one.
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