Settling an adopted greyhound

Every greyhound is unique and will adjust to retired life at their own pace.

Remember that greyhounds have been athletes with a specific job to do and their transition to pet life can be similar to bringing a new puppy home.

The milestones outlined here are a general guide to settling your GAP greyhound and what to expect from them in their new home at three days, three weeks and three months. If you have any concerns, please call GAP on 1300 087 021 we are here to support you and your GAP greyhound. No question is silly.

Greyhounds are not suitable to take to off leash areas such as public dog parks or off leash dog beaches.

Greyhounds run very fast and have poor recall, and can easily run into a fence and injure themselves, or run on to a busy road. For the safety of your greyhound, keep it on a leash.

Allow the first three days for your new family member to settle into their home and surroundings. This time will allow the greyhound to decompress. Your greyhound may display the following behaviours:

• Feels overwhelmed
• Scared and unsure of their surroundings
• A little withdrawn
• Hides under furniture
• Puppy like behaviour

These behaviours are normal and to help with the transition to their new surroundings we recommend:

• No visitors allowing for maximum interaction and bonding with their new family
• Short walks in a quiet area
• Simple routine
• Allow greyhound to discover their own space
• Placing their bed in a quiet area just for them
• Passive and calming activities
• Kong and chewable toys

In the next three weeks, your greyhound will start to settle in and learn a new routine and the household
boundaries.

Greyhounds love routine and at this milestone, they will become open to your routine. Start how you mean to continue, the family need to be enforcing the same rules.

Your greyhound may display the following behaviours:

• Feeling more comfortable with you
• Inquisitive about their new environment
• Start to show their personality
• Adjusting to separation – unsettled when alone

 

These behaviours are normal and to help with their transition to their new surroundings we recommend:

• Continuing to build independence
• Practice alone time
• Lessening the time people are home
• Incorporating solo activities
• Leaving the radio/TV on
• Increasing walking and exercise
• Recognising and rewarding calm behaviour

During the next three months your greyhound will start to feel right at home and show their true personality. Your greyhound is becoming more settled with the household routine and lifestyle. Twelve weeks is a relatively short time in their new family compared to their previous athletic life.

Your greyhound may display the following behaviours:

• Keenness to walk longer or more frequently
• Increasing confidence
• Relaxed when you are moving around
• Not continually watching you or jumping up

 

These behaviours are normal and to continue to help with their transition to their new surroundings we recommend:

• Increasing time or frequency of exercise
• A basic obedience class
• Positive reinforcement training class
• Supervised – introduction of visitors and pets
• Outings with more stimulation