Oxford Retired Greyhounds

Owning a dog should be fun for all of you, not just when playing in the garden but also during training. Play with your dog as much as you can and give him two good walks a day (two twenty-minute walks a day will help to keep your greyhound healthy). Do not let your dog off the lead until you are completely confident that he will behave well and respond to your command. When he has got to know you and recognizes your voice, you may let him off the lead in an enclosed area with a muzzle securely in place. He is a greyhound and has a natural instinct to chase. Training them to behave to your command is not difficult but is often best done in conjunction with a training class.
In the initial stages of taking a greyhound into a new home, many dogs will show signs of stress such as heavy panting and maybe even standing completely still - these are all signs of fear. Your dog may only have known the life of a racing kennel surrounded by many dogs. Stairs, vacuum cleaners, large areas of glass, washing machines etc are new to your dog and can cause initial worries.

Upon arriving home, let your dog into the garden or designated toilet spot, wait until he relieves himself and then praise him profusely. Do this before entering the house and it will help prevent him from having an "accident". On entering your garden and before letting your greyhound free, ensure other animals such as squirrels, foxes or cats which may have wandered onto your property, are given adequate chance to retreat.
Greyhounds do not require any more room than any other dog of a similar size, your garden does not need to be a racetrack, and they will be happy and safe within a fenced garden where they can be let out regularly.

If you already have a dog, it is recommended that you arrange a first meeting between the two in a neutral area, this does not include any areas where your dog regularly walks, as these will be considered secondary territory. Allow them to smell each other on loose relaxed leads. Continue walking until the dogs are relaxed with each other, and then take them back to the house and into the garden. Ensure your existing dog's toys, beds, bones, food and water bowls are taken up and put out of sight, so there is nothing for them to fight over. Your existing dog might not like another playing with his belongings at this stage. When you start to put the possessions down make sure there are more than enough for both dogs. To avoid future problems between your dogs remember to 'back up' your pack leader. The pack leader will be the first through doors, the first to seek attention and the first at the food bowl.

Listed below are a number of guidelines that should keep your dog fit and healthy.

Water should be available at all times and changed regularly. Never leave your dog without fresh water.

Complete foods are the most effective, economical and efficient way of feeding your dog the proteins, vitamins and minerals he needs. In the first instance, buy only a small bag; this saves wastage should your dog not take to that particular brand or flavour. Follow feeding instructions on packaging according to the weight of your dog. Keep an eye on your dog's stools, should they become loose due to a change of food, you may need to think again. Generally complete foods are based on biscuit or cereal, additional tinned food is not necessary but can make a meal more appetizing.

Great, all animals love a treat and are very appreciative of any leftovers. However, this is not needed every day. They will also eat left over vegetables.

Biscuits can aid a dog's digestion and help keep teeth clean.

Excellent for helping to keep teeth clean and healthy. Use regularly and as an extra treat. Not all chews are liked by all dogs. Keep experimenting, otherwise extra teeth cleaning duties will be needed.

A tablespoon of oil added to main food will help maintain glossy coats. Cooked eggs in any form are usually enjoyed once a week or so. Small amounts of cheese, either crumbled on top of food or as a lump after feeds is fine. Oily fish, such as tinned tuna, pilchards and other filleted fish are a healthy treat.

Training should begin as soon as your dog arrives home. House training greyhounds is generally not a problem. After the greyhound's initial visit to the garden, it is advantageous to take your new pet for a short five minute walk every hour on the first day, every hour and a half on the second day and every two hours on the third day. During this time, it is unlikely that the greyhound will have had a chance to have an accident and at the end of this three-day regime, he will be thoroughly familiar with the idea that any 'toilets' are to be done outside.
Thereafter, if your dog does have an accident indoors bear in mind punishment does not work and can make the dog worse. Anticipate when your dog needs to go and take him outside and praise him when he 'goes'. Any 'accidents' inside the home should be washed thoroughly in a solution of biological washing liquid, as this will take the smell away for him, it is the only thing that really works, otherwise he will constantly re-mark over that spot. Take him to the toilet immediately after food, when he gets up and before he goes to bed and, of course, in between. Some signs to look for when your dog needs to go to the toilet are pacing up and down, whining, scratching at the door or circling. Of course, at first there may be no signs as it will have been used to living in a kennel, but greyhounds are generally clean animals and learn really quickly.

Make enquiries at your local vet to establish their knowledge of treating and dealing with greyhounds. You may be taking on a greyhound as an additional family pet and already have a vet you know and trust. Should you wish to go on holiday and place your greyhound in a kennel, the kennel will require an up to date vaccination card. In order to ease the cost of veterinary expenses, we recommend taking out pet insurance. This will cover you for third party accidents sickness, kennel fees (in the event that you become ill or hospitalized) and the loss of a pet by theft, straying or injury. There are many companies now dealing in pet insurance's, so it is advisable to shop around.

If your greyhound is not already neutered we strongly advise that this be done as soon as possible. There are many reasons why all pet dogs (not just greyhounds) should be neutered but very few reasons not to have this done.

Some greyhounds suffer from poor teeth because of the soft diet they have been fed whilst racing. Do not let their teeth get into a bad condition, as the acids caused by tooth decay will cause stomach complaints. Regular chews, bones and a good brush when you groom your dog should aid good health. Regular brushing with canine toothpaste helps. Check your dog's mouth for ulceration's regularly and if your dog has bad breath it can be a sign of tooth decay. Seek veterinary advice if in doubt.

Ears should be checked and washed carefully with warm water, as should eyes when grooming. In order to keep your dog's coat healthy, a good brush and a bath will help. After giving your dog a bath, ensure he is dried quickly and can lie down somewhere warm.

There are a variety of products available to control parasites, however the more effective ones need to be obtained from a veterinary surgery.

Keep your greyhounds nails clipped. Greyhounds require yearly booster inoculations. As a racer, greyhounds would have had all puppy and subsequent inoculations and only require annual boosters during their retirement.

Your greyhound will appreciate having its own bed. A folded duvet complete with cover is very good and inexpensive.

It is essential that when introducing any canine into a home where small children and babies are present, special care is taken - there is no exception with a greyhound. Children and babies should never be left unattended with the dog. The children should be educated to be calm and gentle with the dog and have respect for its needs and its bed (an escape place is a good idea, so when the dog has had enough it can retreat to its own space).

Greyhounds over the centuries have been specifically bred for chasing. You will have been advised if the dog is suitable or not to go to a home with cats. However, if you have a dog which apparently shows no interest in cats, you should be aware that it is possible, even if your dog eats and sleeps with the cat, if the cat runs or comes charging through the cat flap, your dog may chase it Not having cat flaps avoids the situation and when letting your dog into your garden, alert any cats in the garden and allow them time to leave the area before letting your dog free. Your dog may see the garden as his territory. Do not excite the dog when introducing him to the cat. Do not pick the cat up, as this will heighten the dog's interest. It is essential to put a muzzle and lead on the dog during the introduction to the cat and that the person holding the lead is confident to do so. Ensure that the cat has a place to escape. If necessary, put a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs so that the cat can get through but the dog cannot.


		Some useful information from the leaflet YOU AND YOUR RETIRED GREYHOUND produced by The Retired Greyhound Trust