CARING FOR YOUR GREYHOUND

Grooming your Greyhound

One of the nicest features of your pet Greyhound is that he is virtually permanently pressed! Grooming needs are minimal and take just a few minutes a day:

  • Your Greyhound should only be bathed when soiled. Greyhounds have little oil in their skin so they have little "doggy odor" and rarely need a bath
  • If you need to shampoo, select a conditioning shampoo designed for animals from a good pet supply store or your veterinarian. Never use human shampoo. Even products as gentle as baby Shampoo will seem harsh to your pet. Aloe Vera & Oatmeal Shampoo is recommended
  • Be sure to rinse, rinse, and rinse after bathing. Any soapy residue left can be an irritant to your dog's sensitive skin
  • Most of the year, a quick brushing with a soft bristle brush in the morning will keep him looking great. During the spring and fall shedding weeks, you may need to repeat this routine in the evening as well
  • A short nibbed rubber brush or mitt will aid in removing more stubborn elements such as dead hair and dried mud
  • Once a week, you should inspect your pet's ears and clean them gently with a cotton ball or swab dipped in baby oil, or in one part hydrogen peroxide and 10 parts water
  • Your Greyhound will have its teeth professionally cleaned upon adoption. When you take your new pet for its first check up, have the veterinarian inspect his teeth. To maintain dental hygiene, your veterinarian will be happy to show you how to brush your Greyhound's teeth
  • Greyhounds are used to having their nails trimmed while they stand. Just lean over and bend each foot backwards, so that you can see the underside of the nail. If you're nervous about trimming the nails, ask your vet or local groomer to show you how much to trim
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Feeding your new pet

  • Do feed your Greyhound twice a day
  • Do use a small chunk, high-quality food
  • Do pick a quiet corner of the room where your dog will be left to feed when you're gone
  • Do feed your dog at the same time every day
  • Do pick a time that will be convenient enough to allow you to let your dog out about twelve hours after feedings to relieve him/herself
  • Do monitor your dog's eating habits
  • Do pick up any food not eaten in 10 minutes and discard
  • Do add one or two tablespoons of corn oil, cod liver oil, or Vita shine to their food if they have itchy, flaky skin
  • Do treat your dog with carefully selected snacks such as pig's ears, cow hooves, & biscuits
  • Don't let your Greyhound eat everything in sight
  • Don't let your Greyhound drink large quantities of water or exercise immediately before or after eating; allow at least one hour
  • Don't be surprised if your new pet expects you to share your banana as you slice it for your cereal. Your Greyhound may have eaten bananas, pumpkin, applesauce, spinach, and even vanilla ice-cream on a limited level as a racer
  • Don't ever feed your dog chocolate. It is poisonous to dogs
  • Don't feed your dog 'people shaped' treats like miniature hot dogs or bacon. Stick to the basics of good quality biscuits
  • Don't feed your dog any food treats containing red dyes or beef-based chews
  • Don't feed your Greyhound from the table
  • Don't leave alluring items on kitchen counters
  • Don't be alarmed at your Greyhound gulping down his/her meal. Greyhounds generally 'bolt' their food without much, if any, chewing
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Home Alone

Up until now, your Greyhound has led a very different life than that of a house pet. Even the most simple, common things in our everyday life can be completely foreign to a Greyhound and a little intimidating. A little patience and a lot of love will help you and your new pet make the adjustment. When leaving your Greyhound alone, remember:

  • One of the hardest things for your Greyhound to adjust to will be loneliness. This dog has lived its entire life with either litter mates or kennel mates and people coming and going most of the day
    • Practice leaving your greyhound alone for several minutes building up to a couple of hours
  • Never leave your dog outdoors, particularly in the the winter. With their short hair, Greyhounds are very susceptible to cold (and heat exhaustion)
  • Never tie your Greyhound outside on a rope, chain, or "runner" as Greyhounds are not used to being tied to something stationary. They can get tangled up and injure themselves, or will pull, wiggle, or chew their way out. They also could forget they are tied, take off running at their amazing speed, and snap their neck when they hit the end of the line
  • A big asset in this adjustment period is the crate. This portable home provides the security your dog needs as well as protecting both the dog and your house from each other
  • The first few days you should use an old washable blanket or something similar. A favorite bone can be placed in it and the door left open
  • At mealtime, place your dog and its food in the crate. This will reinforce the idea that this is his own spot
  • Before you leave your dog for an extended period, you should practice leaving for short time intervals and then build up
  • Don't pay attention to your Greyhound a half hour before leaving, or half hour after coming home. This will help the transition period for your dog and curb the separation anxiety problem
  • The next time (even a few minutes later) repeat the process, but this time leave the room. Plan to hide for several minutes and then let him out. This teaches him that you always come home
  • If your Greyhound acts up when crated, stomp into the room and tell him he's terrible then stomp out again. You can even smack the top of the crate if you like-ham it up! After a few minutes of quiet, praise him enthusiastically again
  • Keep repeating this "crate game" extending to longer periods each time. It's a good idea to put your coat on and go outdoors as if to work and then listen to protests from the porch. If there's a problem, repeat your stomping performance
  • The crate will provide an escape for your dog if children are harassing him. Of course, the strictly enforced rule is that no one bother the dog when he's in the crate.
  • If you decide not to use a crate because someone is home most of the time, you should choose a room to keep the dog in when you're gone. This room should be in a busy part of the home like the kitchen where a baby gate can be used to keep them in. This way they will not feel shut away. You will need to practice just like the people using crates. GPAC will have sent a muzzle home and shown you how to put it on. It will help protect the dog and your furnishings
  • All dogs, including Greyhounds, have a need to chew. It helps to relieve tension and anxiety. We strongly recommend a large sterilized bone or cow hoof to chew while you are away. Children should understand that this bone is strictly the dog's, and not a toy to be taken away from the dog
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