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After years of debating it, today we pick up a 5 year old retired greyhound.
Any last minute tips for new dog owners?
Pic will, of course, follow.
One of our neighbours has just taken in a greyhound rescue. Initially it was very nervous as it clearly was not used to being in a domestic environment but slowly it’s started to come out of its shell in a laid-back way. She walks it in the nature reserve behind us and it just walks behind, off-lead. The other day, some deer ran across the field and suddenly the hound was off zooming around the field - we could see the dog doing laps/ zoomies around the trees and bushes with the bemused owner stood in the middle 🤣 After a few minutes he came back, tail wagging. Apparently he doesn’t jump over walls or fences.
There's quite a big community for owners of retired greyhounds, arrange meet up etc Friends of ours are involved as they have one.
With retired racers just remember everything about domestic living is a new experience. Patience and time and you will have a chilled out hound who will love you deep.
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Our lunatic experiencing the beach for the first time.
Out of curiosity, which charity did you use?
There’s quite a big community for owners of retired greyhounds, arrange meet up etc Friends of ours are involved as they have one.
I always thought that's a lovely way to rescue a dog. Congratiulations, and pics later yeah?
We’re lucky that this one has had 6 weeks in a foster home, so knows the basics of home living.
We’re expecting a nervous, if somewhat sleepy beast who will take some time to get used to his new world.
As first time dog owners, it’s all a little scary!
Should be ok, they're known as 30mph couch potatoes. Greyhounds and whippets are very chilled out dogs.
Looking forward to the pic of dog sprawled on the sofa.
Yeah, they like a kip! As we speak, Ms RM is out at parkrun, hound is asleep on her side of the bed while I drink my morning coffee and chat on here.
Soon it will become old hat and like they've always been there.
95% of our photos are of ours asleep. Look forward to seeing the pics!
Should be ok, they’re known as 30mph couch potatoes
Good luck with your new hound!
Many years ago I had an ex racer and it was the easiest dog I've ever had. As long as it got a decent walk, it was happy to chill for the remainder of the time.
See the pics pics pics new dog thread for more details.
We have a rscue dog of 4 weeks now. Not a greyhound but follows the pattern of berserker.sloth.
Ours has been a delight from day one with nothign more than a chewed pencil and a few mysterious dissapearing food items (pot of peanut butter, block of cheese, pack of lurpak). The biggest training issue has been me being a soft touch!
Awesome! We've had Jez for nearly 9 years, and Sal for nearly 7. We also fostered about 7.
But don't fall for some of the nonsense that you are told about greys.
Don't go out for big walks straight away. They are sprinters with limited endurance when fresh out of racing. Build them up slowly.
Be gentle and patient. They are delicate souls, who haven't been raised in the way most other breeds have. They can find the world frightening for a while.
Look into the term 'trigger stacking.' It relates to cortisol build up and stress responses. It was very helpful with our first grey Jez. Basically it's about trying to avoid too many stressful situations.
Read up on dog communication. Key things like yawning, lick licking, whale eye, play bowing. I'll try and post a link to a good site. The first three are potential indicators of a stressed dog.
Give the dog the space it needs. It may not need much. Our Sal loves cuddles, Jez much less so.
Brush its teeth regularly. Sal has just had 11 teeth out. We did brush, but not regularly enough, clearly.
Just show them kindness, and they should respond with the same. They are incredible companions.
Enjoy!
be prepared for your heart to melt the first time you get a play bow.
Excellent and look forward to some pics. This is an option for myself as not sure whether a puppy is gonna be too much hard work.
THE FARTS!!! 🤣💩
My SiL has a greyhound and the farts are epic.
Better order a case-load of air freshener! 🙂
Here he is.
Can the rescue greyhounds ever be let off the lead?
Can the rescue greyhounds ever be let off the lead?
We’ve been told that some can, but most can’t. You have to be very confident they won’t run off, lots of training on a long lead I needed.
IF you are doing long lead training learn how to pay out rope and coil it back in fast.
it makes it much more fun than untying your ankles
Awwwwwwwww! He is awesome. What's his name?
We'd dearly love another dog but as we spend 6 months of the year in the States unfortunately it's no longer practical for us - may consider short-term fostering though. Our whippet-staffie cross rescue fella passed last year - miss him so much.
Enjoy - rescue dogs rock!
A distinguished and handsome chap. Enjoy having fun teaching him the way of the pet.
@zippykona Start recall training in the house calling the dog when you change room and rewarding with baked liver (Cheapest treat going £1 a kilo for fresh liver and some time in the oven for literal dog crack).
Didn’t see that question @relapsed_mandalorian.
We got him from Dudley Greyhound Trust. Very friendly people who were really helpful in the process.
Congratulation, Eric is a handsome chap. Those ears are great
Got friends who has done this for ages. They have had half a dozen or so and generally in pairs. All the advice as above with the emphasis on never let them off the lead.Even in what you perceive as the safest of places.
The story they tell of one of the first ones they had was about visiting friends. They arrived and having parked in a large enclosed garden let the dog out of the car sans lead. It sniffed the air and charged off to return with a dead cat in its mouth. Knock on door, "Hello looks like Fido has caught a cat". "Oh that is ours". Not a great way to start the weekend!
Whereas my neighbour lets hers off the lead in a field of rabbits and it trots around a little bit in a vague attempt of chasing them before returning for a treat.
It could do with catching some of the bloody things.
Can the rescue greyhounds ever be let off the lead?
Totally depends on the dog. Sal is an off lead dog now, where it is safe to do so. She loves people, dogs, and treats. Her recall is good, she doesn't pester people or dogs if they aren't into her, and she reads other dogs quite well. Jez was OK off lead when he was younger (he's 10 now). He just stopped listening. Sadly ended up with a broken wrist when he went to play with another dog. He's recovered, but on-lead only now.
Only just spotted the picture. He's a handsome lad. Love those ears!
If overnight was quiet you're probably acceptable to Eric. We've only ever had one dog that was a bit noisy the first night most have bedded down without a peep.
Cracking first night. Took him for a stroll, and he slept from 9pm until 6:30am. Had a small pee inside but it was on the wood floor so I can live with that.
He had a burst of energy around 8am before going back for another nap.
Good start to things so far.
Lola does that, she gets up and mooches about until i activate and show some entention then she pisses off back to bed and ignores me until she wants to walk.
Right, new question. What radio station for a dog? Classic FM? 6 Music? TMS when it's on is a given.
A talking station provides background for Bodie to reduce any loneliness.
He looks a really chilled pooch and great that he's settling in so well.
Nice one. If I ever got a dog, I think a retired greyhound would be the way I'd go
also......
The other day, some deer ran across the field and suddenly the hound was off zooming around the field – we could see the dog doing laps/ zoomies around the trees and bushes with the bemused owner stood in the middle 🤣
FENTON!!!!!!