Greyhound Care
Training

The information in the Greyhound Care section has been written to help you and your new pet to get to know each other and to build a relationship that will last for many happy years ahead.
 

Basics
Training
Making friends with your other pets
Dealing with Anxiety
Health and Maintenance
Heat and Cold
Special Needs
Babies and Children
Getting Older

House-training

We can't guarantee a house-trained dog but most Greyhounds are clean in their kennels, and once they know where you want them to empty, they will be happy to stick with that routine.

House training should begin as soon as your dog arrives home. Take them straight into the garden, wait until they relieve themselves and then reward them with a small piece of cheese or a dog biscuit.

After this initial visit to the garden, keep repeating the routine at regular periods throughout the day. It is advantageous to take your new pet for a short 5 minute walk at regular periods throughout the day.

During this time it is unlikely that the Greyhound will have had a chance to have an accident and they will be thoroughly familiar with the idea that any 'toilets' are to be done outside.

Thereafter, if your dog has an accident indoors, bear in mind punishment does not work and can make the dog worse. Anticipate when your dog needs to go, take them outside and praise and reward them when they 'go'.

Any 'accident' in the home should be washed thoroughly with a solution of biological washing liquid, as this will take away the smell, otherwise they will constantly re-mark over that spot.

Take them to the toilet immediately after food, when they get up and before they go to bed and, of course, in between.  Some signs to look for when your dog needs to go to the toilet are restlessness, pacing up and down, whining, scratching at the door or circling.

Of course, at first, there may be no signs as the dog will have been used to living in a kennel, but Greyhounds are generally clean animals and learn very quickly.

Remember, all pet owners have a responsibility to pick up any mess your dog does while walking anywhere on public ground. It's not only illegal, with fines to be paid, but also very nasty to tread in and offensive in a modern society. Poop scoops can be bought from your local pet store or vet practice or you can use 'Nappy sacks' which are a cheaper alternative.

Obedience training

Dogs must learn basic commands. Why?  Because like people, dogs need a basic level of education and socialising to enable them to feel confident and behave in a socially acceptable manner.

You will need to give your dog verbal praise and reinforcement. Treats of small pieces of cheese can reinforce your verbal commands and are an effective training aid - as is a water sprayer!  Should your dog be doing something they shouldn't e.g. jumping up at visitors, paws up on the kitchen counter etc,  a quick 'blast' in the face from a water sprayer will quickly prevent your dog from committing the same crime!

Be quick to praise your dog for good deeds, and reinforce bad behaviour with the word 'NO' spoken loudly.  Please refrain from hitting your dog - it will not understand and may become distressed.

As with young children, do not leave things lying around that your dog could get hold of - either something they could destroy or harm themselves with.  It is better to prevent accidents before they happen.

Dog training classes can be good fun and can help your greyhound socialise with other dogs.