Once you have made the decision to adopt a greyhound, you will need to find ways to make the process as seamless as possible. Apart from taking the obvious factors into account, you also need to learn more about the breed so that you become a great pet parent. Learning about the pet breed will highly influence your understanding of the dog’s behavior, personality, needs, and wants. As an animal-lover, adopting and fostering a greyhound can be one of the most fulfilling endeavors in life. By handling the entire process right, there is a good chance you will have a loyal and well-mannered companion for years. Here is the information you need to help make your work easier before, during, and after the adoption process.
Is greyhound adoption right for you?
While adopting a pet is likely to be exciting, becoming a pet parent is a serious responsibility. This is why it is important to determine whether bringing the animal into your home is the right decision. Regardless of the pet you want to get; you should consider whether they will fit into your lifestyle and family. This will be a long time commitment, with the animal coming with a wide range of needs—these range from behavior, care, housing, cost, training, and feeding. You will have to consider the number of people in your home and their individual needs. You should also think about how large the pet should be relative to the size of your home. Other considerations include your daily free time and the relationship you want with the pet.
Greyhounds will generally make wonderful family pets. They have relaxed and laid back personalities, are affectionate and easy to love, and have low exercise and grooming requirements. These dogs rarely bark, get on well with other dogs, have good manners, and are great for apartments and small yards. For all the advantages associated with this breed of dog, you need to be aware of a few management and personality quirks. Greyhounds are sensitive to extreme temperatures, have bigger appetites than other dog breeds of similar weight and size; they can be fragile and are prone to developing certain health problems. The dogs are bred for speed and like to chase small moving animals and objects, a factor that can present significant safety risks.
Tips for adopting a retired racing greyhound:
Most retired racing greyhounds have never been in a house before. This means that the new environment may be unfamiliar, leading to tension and possible withdrawal on the dog’s side.
Familiarize yourself with the adoption process.
Before making any move, you should begin by familiarizing yourself with the adoption process. This will help you do things right and avoid getting frustrated in case the process does not go as you had expected. Knowing what is required of you will give you time to prepare adequately, ensuring that the process carries on smoothly from the time to kick-start it. You can consider getting the information you need from loved ones who have adopted greyhounds recently as well as online resources. This information will also help you to determine the best dog that will smoothly fit into your home and situation.
When it comes to the adoption application, the first step would be to fill the greyhound adoption application. Here, you will answer both general and specific questions regarding your family, other pets, and your home environment. You may also need to agree to certain conditions such as adequately exercising the dog, keeping him licensed, and ensuring the vaccinations are current. Some agencies will require that you agree to return the greyhound to them in the event you are unwilling or unable to take care of the dog. In order to be sure that the dog will find a happy and safe home with you, you may need to provide references relating to your history of care for any other pets you may have. Once you have completed and submitted the application, you may be required to pay the adoption fee.
Find a greyhound adoption agency near you.
You will want to make sure that the greyhound you intend to adopt is free of common diseases, has a sound temperament, and will give you an easy time during and after the period that it settles in your home. Such factors will go a long way in ensuring you enjoy a great relationship with your canine companion. Adopting a healthy dog will also save you frequent vet visits that will cost you a lot of money in the long run. Considering that greyhounds are prone to suffering from certain health issues that could lead to death, all the decisions you make should take into account the interests of the dog. This is why you should consider adopting the dog from a reliable greyhound adoption agency near you.
One of the best ways of finding a greyhound agency is to conduct an online search. A search on the internet will give you a number of options that you can consider. You can also ask your friends and relatives who may have worked with such agencies before. Once you have identified an agency, take time to meet some dogs that are up for adoption. This will give you an opportunity to determine whether your personality and that of the dog mesh. Ensuring that you can easily get along with the dog will help to limit surprises once the dog is in your home and promote a long-lasting relationship between the two of you. You should never adopt a dog without having met him in person.
Keep the process simple.
Regardless of the breed of dog, it takes a lot to make sure that they fit into the new environment. The process of adopting a retired racing greyhound and ensuring he settles in comfortably can be particularly tough. Depending on the personality of the dog as well as their previous environment, you may notice behavioral and anxiety issues during the period when the greyhound is adjusting to the new environment. You should be ready and have realistic expectations about how the dog will behave in the first couple of weeks in their new home. One of the best ways to promote a seamless transition is to keep the process simple.
Most racing greyhounds spend a good part of their lives working in a rural environment. For such animals, going from this kind of setting to a family home will definitely be a huge leap. Before adjusting to the new environment and lifestyle, the dog can be a little confused, scared, or anxious. You will need to keep everything simple so that the dog has an easier time understanding the new lifestyle. Take time to introduce him to the new way of doing things, making sure you are patient with them as they explore new things. Since greyhounds are gentle, you should make sure you treat them gently and avoid criticizing them harshly. If possible, consider adopting two or more greyhounds to help them feel more comfortable in the new space.
Get help from the adoption officers.
There is no doubt that you will be ready to do anything within your ability to provide your new greyhound with a safe and happy home. If you are to make the right decisions and take care of your dog properly, you need to learn as much as you can about the breed. In addition to doing your own research, you can consider asking for assistance from the adoption officers. These officers are not only experienced but will also have information relating to the history of the dog. As much as you may have met the greyhounds and possibly interacted with them, talking to the adoption officers will give you more insights. At the end of the day, you will know how best to handle the greyhound and what you need to do to ensure his needs are met.
Greyhounds are a unique breed of dog; they are sensitive souls and have special needs that prospective owners have to be aware of. During your handover session, you can get a wealth of information from the foster and adoption officers. They can advise on how to introduce the greyhound to the new environment while making sure they are comfortable with the children and other pets in the household. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask any questions you may have, irrespective of how silly you may feel. These officers are there to help and are interested in ensuring that the adopted greyhounds are happy and will thrive in their new homes.
Prepare your home for your new greyhound.
Before you bring the greyhound home, you must make sure that you prepare the house for the new member of your family. This is because the dog will be spending most of their time in and around your home. You should remember that the greyhound is not used to this kind of environment and may have a difficult time adjusting to the new life. Therefore, preparing your home for the pet will go a long way in helping them to have a smooth transition. Make sure you take into account any special needs that the adoption agency says the dog requires. It would also help to keep in mind the unique characteristics and personalities of the breed.
There is a lot you will need to do if you are to ensure that your home is pet ready. This includes buying the necessary supplies such as a leash and collar, name tag, crates, toys, grooming tools, cleaners as well as food and water bowls. When it comes to the house, remove fragile knickknacks that the dog can easily knock down, cover the waste container in the kitchen with a secure lid, secure cabinets that contain food or chemicals with childproof latches and keep bathroom doors closed. All electrical cords should be kept away from areas where the greyhound will be lying to minimize the possibility of the dog chewing on the cords. Preparing your home will also involve fencing your yard so that the greyhound remains enclosed in a safe area.
Start with basic behavior training.
One of the biggest concerns that prospective pet owners have is how the animal will behave once it arrives at the home. As such, training is an important part of any dog’s life. It’s a process that ensures the pets behave in a way that is socially acceptable to people. This will involve rewarding the dog for good behavior and teaching him the consequences of bad behavior. You will have to come up with effective training techniques that will help to impart important lessons and skills. In the end, you should make sure that the dog does not develop a negative attitude towards training.
Training greyhounds is a tough undertaking that requires time and patience. Some of the aspects you may want to start with are potty training, getting the dog to learn their new name as well as getting them used to meet strangers, new dogs, walking on different surfaces, and the vacuum cleaner. You also need to introduce the greyhound to common home appliances such as glass doors, slippery floors, and new noises from doorbells, the sound of a phone shrill, and television. Learn how to speak to your new greyhound, taking time to listen and interpret what he is trying to tell you. Even as you teach the dog good manners, you should set him up to win by helping him stay out of trouble. Make the training process fun and work on building a winning relationship while at it.
Give your new companion their own space.
The adoption process does not end until your new greyhound settles in and is comfortable being part of your family. Since the process can be a bit overwhelming at times, you should try to make it easier for the dog. In order to do this, you will have to understand the characteristics of the breed as well as the unique personality of the individual. By establishing clear communication with your pet, you will be in a better position to meet their physical and emotional needs. This will be critical in helping the two of you to develop a strong bond and maintain a healthy relationship. The greyhound will be looking up to you for protection and guidance, factors that will help them to feel more comfortable around you.
Naturally, your new greyhound will be curios once they set foot in your home. Make the necessary adjustments to ensure your new companion can explore. Although greyhounds are social animals, they tend to be shy when around strangers and will not be comfortable in noisy environments. This is why you should provide them with a safe space where they can retreat when they need to have some time alone. Whether it is a bed or a mat, introduce your dog to the space and help them settle in by putting them in it with a bone or toy. It is important to make the space nice and cozy as well as ensure the dog is fully awake before approaching them when they are in their space.
Develop a routine and stick to it.
Once you adopt a retired greyhound, the two of you will engage in different activities together. This is why it is important to ensure the dog learns and is able to keep up with your lifestyle. Part of training a dog involves developing a routine and implementing it from the first day. As the dog gets used to the new environment, they will also be adjusting to the new lifestyle. It will take time and effort to get the greyhound from the routine they were used to and teach them to embrace your way of doing things. This will require you to be patient and understand that training is a process. You will need to teach lessons in stages and at a pace that will ensure your canine friend learns.
Apart from developing a routine, you will have to stick to it. Greyhounds take time to learn new things, and consistency will help to adapt to the conditions. Stick to the specific times for feeding, toileting, and play so that it is easier for your greyhound to adapt to family life. Routine will ensure that the dog knows what to expect and at what time, effectively minimizing the likelihood of misunderstandings. This will not only enable the retired greyhound to settle in quickly but also promote a good relationship between the two of you. At the end of the day, you will have managed to keep your new pet happy, healthy, and safe through the adoption process.
Keep a close eye on socialization.
You will want every member of your family to enjoy the new experience and create a strong bond. How your new pet socializes will influence how quickly and perfectly they will fit into your family. This is why it is important to know the personality and special needs of an individual greyhound before bringing them into your home. While every individual will have their unique personality, a dog that gets along with other pets and your family members is likely to settle in more smoothly. Depending on his personality and reactions, you may need to seek expert help when it comes to introducing the new greyhound to other pets in the home.
Generally, greyhounds are laid back and will not get into much trouble. However, you should remember that the animal has no experience of being a house pet. In case the greyhound is the only dog in the home, you may want to let him settle in before getting another dog. It would be important to supervise how the greyhound interacts with children. However, children should be taught to respect the dog’s space and avoid disturbing them when they are sleeping. While the dogs are not typically aggressive, they will defend themselves in case of disturbance when eating or sleeping. When it comes to interactions with other family pets, train your greyhound out of any interest they may have in cats. You will also need to be diligent when introducing the new dog to existing ones, making sure this is done on neutral territory.
Feed for general health and dental health
Feeding is an important part of keeping your pets healthy and strong. Make sure you consider the nutritional needs of the animal before adopting him. You will have to learn what, when, and how to feed your new pet right from the time you welcome him into your home. Giving your dog the best food will contribute to their quality and length of life, effectively keeping them happy and active. Quality food in the recommended proportions will also save you the headache associated with frequent trips to the vet. You can talk to the adoption officers or a veterinarian to help you on how to feed the dog for good overall health.
Generally, most greyhounds will eat more than dogs in other breeds with similar weight. Because of their long snouts and shape of their jaws, greyhounds tend to have poor dental health. In order to help remove the build-up of tartar and plaque, you should consider giving your new greyhound dry kibble or uncooked bones. As much as you do not want a skinny dog, you will also want to avoid getting them fat since this will exert added pressure on their limbs and spine. In addition to food, be sure to change drinking water regularly so that the dog has access to fresh water at all times.
In conclusion, the first 72 hours are critical when it comes to housetraining your new greyhound. If you are to understand the subtle signs your dog will use to communicate, you will have to pay attention to your new dog. You will also need to be open to learning more about the breed as well as the specific dog you foster. Remember that the adoption group from which you got your greyhound cares about the dog and will want the adoption process to be successful. This means that they will be ready to help in case of any challenges.
