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The Adjustment Period
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Recognizing the adjustment period and successfully managing it is a very important part of any greyhound adoption. It must be remembered that becoming a pet involves a dramatic change in routine which can be stressful for a greyhound, and he must be given time to adjust to his new surroundings. In this regard, a quiet greyhound may be fretful, a good eater reluctant to eat, a perfectly housebroken greyhound may have an accident. Give your pet time to get settled and don't worry about any odd behavior during their first few weeks. Your love, patience, and understanding will help your greyhound through this adjustment period which usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks.
Greyhounds are friendly, affectionate dogs who thrive on attention and human companionship and make terrific pets once they get used to their new homes. Raised with their littermates, where they competed for affection, greyhounds love becoming the center of attention as pets.
Housebreaking
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Your greyhound has been housed in a large crate in his trainer's kennel. He is used to being put outside in a fenced-in pen to relieve himself four times a day. He may be used to getting up early (around 6:00am) to be taken outside. To avoid accidents in the house, we recommended that you take him outside as soon as he gets up. You can gradually get him used to sleeping later. If your dog has an accident in the house, a verbal reprimand should usually suffice--then take him outside and praise him when he relieves himself. Do not hit your dog or put his nose in "the accident" as your dog will respond more quickly and more positively to kindness.
If your dog is a male, he may attempt to lift his leg in a few places around the house to "mark his territory." Watch him carefully as he walks around the house and try to catch him before he does it. If this should happen, it does not usually go on for long, so try to be patient.
If your dog has an accident, clean the spot, then rinse the area with a solution of white vinegar and water. This will neutralize the odor and discourage his going in that spot again.
For the first few days it's a good idea to go outside with your greyhound. This teaches him where his new home is and where he's supposed to "go," helps relieve the tension of being in a strange place, and prevents accidents. You can then praise him at the appropriate moment. We also recommend using a kennel crate to help in housebreaking and to eliminate "separation anxiety" while you are gone.
Bedding
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Provide your greyhound with as soft a bed as possible. Greyhounds not only love comfort, they require it. They have very little padding on their elbows and can develop a fluid condition if forced to sleep on a hard surface.
You will be surprised at how quickly your greyhound becomes attached to you, and what a difference your presence makes to him. Do not shut your greyhound in a separate room to sleep--he will much prefer to sleep in the same room with you (in the same bed, if you let him!). He'll feel more secure and is less likely to cry or cause damage.
Other Pets
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Your greyhound should get along well with other dogs as he has had lots of "socialization" experience in the racing kennel. Take care, however, to watch them carefully at first as the "old dog" may be jealous of the newcomer.
Separate your dogs for the first few days when you feed them. Dogs can get very feisty over food.
Many of our greyhounds live in homes with cats and get along well with them. They should, however, be introduced carefully. When introducing your greyhound to your cat, put the dog's muzzle on him. Then put him in the same room and allow them to get acquainted. Don't push it and don't be overly concerned. If the dog chases the cat, the cat will probably swat him and the dog will learn he's not dealing with a "bunny." When the dog no longer chases the cat, take the muzzle off.
Stairs
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Your greyhound has never had to go up or down flights of stairs. He may find them intimidating at first. He will learn, but you must be patient with him. If you encounter a problem, start by carrying him almost to the top of the stairs. Then put him down and allow him to climb the last few steps. Gradually increase the number of steps he climbs. Reverse the procedure for downstairs. Do not push him--if frightened, he may try to jump all the way down the stairs.
Equipment
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Your greyhound requires a lead (leash) with a heavy-duty clasp. His collar should be kept tight enough so it won't slip over his head if he backs up on his lead. Using a halter will eliminate this problem. NEVER use a retractable leash. If you drop it, the clang to the ground will scare the dog and he’ll be spooked and start running and there’s no way you can run as fast as a greyhound. Keep the collar with the rabies tag on him at all times and purchase an I.D. tag with your name and phone number on it. All tags should be worn both inside and outside for the utmost safety.
Never tie your greyhound outside on a rope, chain, or runner. Greyhounds are not used to be tied; they can get tangled up and injure themselves, and will pull, wiggle, or chew their way out.
Exercise
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
In retirement a greyhound's exercise needs are no different than any other dog's. It helps during the initial adjustment period to keep your greyhound well exercised to work off his tension and nervous energy.
Greyhounds make excellent jogging companions once they learn to adjust their stride to yours. Summer's heat and winter's salt can injure his pads, however. Keep this in mind when choosing a place to jog with your dog. If your greyhound does any strenuous running, give him a chance to relieve himself afterwards and again about an hour later to prevent kidney tie-up.
NEVER take your greyhound outside a fenced area without his leash on. He may become confused and run away or he may chase a cat or other small animal. He does not know about traffic and if permitted off leash he is likely to run into the street and be hit by a car.
Your dog is a sighthound, which means he hunts by sight, not scent. He can see a small animal move for a distance of half a mile and he can run at 40 MPH. If he sees the neighbor's cat (or a squirrel or rabbit) in the distance, he will not only chase it, he will probably catch it.
Diet
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
A high quality kibble is recommended such as Solid Gold, Canidae, Hill's Science Diet, Diamond Lamb & Rice, Trader’s Joes Lamb & Rice, Nutro-Max, Nature's Recipe, Pro Visions, or Pro Plan. At the AGR kennel, we feed the dogs Diamond Lamb & Rice, you may want to continue on that food during the dog’s adjustment period so not everything is new to them. A tablespoon or two of plain no-fat yogurt or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) may help diminish diarrhea.
Please have fresh water available at all times.
Grooming
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
There are four points to grooming a dog: coat, ears, nails, and teeth. Greyhounds are short-haired dogs who shed little if kept indoors. Frequent brushing will eliminate shedding. The outer ears can be cleaned with a Q-tip and mineral oil. Nails can be trimmed at home or by your vet. It is very important that your greyhound's teeth be kept clean, as plaque build-up will result in a gum infection., If plaque is built up on your greyhound's teeth, have the teeth scaled (you can buy a tooth scaler or have your vet do it). After that, sterilized beef bones will keep your greyhound's teeth clean.
Children
Adjustment Period · Housebreaking · Bedding · Other Pets · Stairs · Equipment · Exercise · Diet · Grooming · Children
Please read AGR's policy on Greyhounds and Children. Greyhounds are very patient dogs, but do not like rough-housing as much as some other breeds. Gentle, well-behaved children are a great match with greyhounds. Rather than becoming aggressive, most greyhounds tend to walk away from problems. If you are playing and your grey walks away, take it as a cue that he is done playing for now. Of course, like all dogs, greyhounds have their limits, and no dog should be left unattended with babies or very small children. One thing that children and adults need to be aware of is "sleep aggression." Like all dogs, they do not want to be disturbed while they are sleeping and may snap at anyone who does. Thus the rule, "let sleeping dogs lie." What you must teach your children is that greyhounds can sleep with their eyes open, so if they are quietly laying down, you must awaken them by calling their name before approaching. Do not attempt to awaken a greyhound or any dog by petting it.
Please do not hesitate to call us at 520-886-7411 with any questions you have about caring for your greyhound.
There are many excellent guides to caring for your greyhound on the Internet. Below are a few of our favorites:
Greyhound Guide from the Greyhound Gang
Greyhound owner's guides and more at the Greyhound Project
Adopting the Racing Greyhound (paperback) by Cynthia Branigan available at Amazon
Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies (paperback) by Lee Livingood available at Amazon
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