2. Preparations for Your New Pet
The Greyhound is an intelligent, adaptable dog. Each dog has a distinctive personality and the ability to adjust to life as a companion.
Raised with littermates where they competed for attention, the Greyhound will now love to be the center of attention. Although well cared for as a racer, the retired Greyhound is longing for love and a soft, quiet place to lay its head.
Gather Supplies
Purchase supplies such as:
- a high quality food
- an elevated feeder for food and water
- toothbrush and special dog toothpaste
- dog beds
- marrow (soup) bones and
- play toys.
As part of your adoption fee, you will receive a collar and leash, a special nubbed mitt for grooming, and other supplies.
Acquire a Crate
A crate will help with housebreaking and to make your new pet fee more at ease. You will receive a loaner crate from GPA/GO for the first ten days. You will be asked to You will be asked to leave a crate deposit. It is important that this crate is returned in a timely manner so that it may be used for the next placement.
Dog Proof the House
Prepare your house for your new family member by
- removing any fragile knickknacks
- checking your fencing for holes or weak spots, and
- placing clips or locks on your gates.
You’ll also want to check the latches and locks on screen doors and mark large windows and sliding glass doors with a band of tape for easy visibility.
Deter Counter Surfers and Garbage Diggers
Clear your kitchen counter of any tempting treats and cover your waste container with a secure lid or place it inside a cabinet. This will solve problems before they ever become problems. Things in the garbage can be very harmful to your curious pet. Even something as common as aluminum foil can be fatal if consumed. A plastic grocery bag can be a suffocating menace.
Control the Night Environment
Select his/her sleeping place. Our suggestion is in the master bedroom with the door closed. Place his/her bed next to yours. This suggestion serves several purposes. The dog can tell you if he/she needs to go out. It reassures the dog to sleep with others in the room. Remember, the Greyhound has never slept alone in its entire life. Also, the dog should not roam the house at night. Sleeping in your room means you know what’s going on.
Find an Exercise Area
Scout nearby parks for enclosed, safe, and suitable areas to exercise your new dog. Dog parks with small and large dogs running loose are a potentially hazardous situation.
Prepare Your Veterinarian
Contact your veterinarian to alert them about your new family member. Set up an appointment to review your Greyhound’s medical information and discuss ongoing health care programs. GPA/GO will recommend a veterinarian that is knowledgeable about the special needs of Greyhounds. See veterinarian insert.
Establish the House Rules
Discuss Greyhound pet rules with all family members, particularly children. This will ensure an easy transition period. If you don’t want the dog to get on the couch, decide now. Breaking a habit is much more difficult than training. After your Greyhound jumps on the couch or takes food from the table for the first time, he/she has immediately formed a new habit.
Strange Greyhound Behaviors
Even if you claim to be an educated dog owner, you won’t be prepared for the first time your Greyhound smiles at you. A smiling Greyhound pulls his lips back to show his teeth while wagging his tail furiously. It’s a little scary at first, but then you can’t help but laugh at your silly pet.
Another unusual Greyhound trait is ‘air snapping’. An excited Greyhound will click his teeth together in the air making a snapping sound. Both of these behaviors are common greetings once your Greyhound has become attached to you.