How to Prepare for Adopting a Retired Racing Greyhound Dog

Retired racing greyhound dogs make wonderful indoor pets. However, greyhounds have special needs that are different from most other dogs. Before you adopt a retired racing greyhound dog, you need to learn all you can about the breed so that you will be ready to meet the dog's special needs. Here is how to prepare yourself for adopting a retired racing greyhound dog.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Crate
• Dog Sweater
• Leash
• Martingale collar

1. Educate yourself about a greyhound's racing life. Your retired racing greyhound had a life before he joined your home that was very different from most other dog's experiences. He lived in a crate for over 20 hours a day next to numerous other crated greyhounds, only leaving his crate to relieve himself, race and train.
2. Anticipate possible causes of anxiety in your home. Most retired racing greyhounds have never seen stairs, so if the dog must walk up stairs to enter your home, you will need to teach your dog how to climb the stairs. Most retired racing greyhounds are unfamiliar with windows, so you will need to take steps to prevent your dog from running through a glass door.
3. Determine what clothing the dog might need. Because greyhounds have thin fur and very little body fat, they need protection from the elements. If the weather is cold enough for you to need a coat, then your dog will, too. So, if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you will need to purchase a lined raincoat for your dog.
4. Decide where the dog will sleep. Retired racing greyhounds have never slept alone; other greyhounds have always surrounded them. If you do not have another dog, consider setting up a crate in your bedroom where the dog can sleep at night. Otherwise, your dog will feel anxious about being left alone for the first time in her life.
5. Plan how you will keep your retired racing greyhound safe. Greyhounds are not street smart, and they are very fast. If a greyhound is not supervised outdoors, he can get away from you and then become lost, hurt or killed. Fence in your backyard, or purchase a Martingale collar and leash for walking your greyhound.

Tips & Warnings

• Martingale collars come in a wide variety of designs, so have fun when picking out a collar. You can purchase holiday collars, collars with your favorite sport team's mascot or a collar that expresses your personality in other ways.
• Never let your retired racing greyhound off the leash unless he is in an enclosed area. Greyhounds are sight hounds and can run away in seconds if they see a small animal run by.