- Why does my new dog keep panting and is drinking so much water?
- My new dog keeps trying to eat my other dog's food as well as his own? How do I stop him?
- What is the best way to house train my dog?
- How often do I need to feed my greyhound/lurcher?
- My puppy keeps chewing the furniture. How do I stop him?
- How long will it be before I can let my dog off the lead?
- What sort of bed will my dog need?
Why does my new dog keep panting and is drinking so much water?
Panting and being very thirsty are typical signs of anxiety when your greyhound or lurcher first comes to his or her new home. The unfamiliar surroundings, especially for a dog who has always lived in kennels, can be quite frightening. This particularly applies to a dog who has been ill-treated in the past and needs lots of reassurance to understand that not everyone is cruel and that his new family is going to be kind and will treat him well. It usually only takes a few days for your dog to realise that he has no need to be anxious and to settle in.
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My new dog keeps trying to eat my other dog's food as well as his own? How do I stop him?
It is quite likely, especially if your greyhound is very thin, that he has not been fed properly in the past and is anxious to eat as much as possible in case he does not get fed again for some time. Feeding the dogs at opposites ends of the room, or even in separate rooms, is a good idea, and feeding times should always be supervised until the newcomer realises that he is always going to have enough to eat and will never have to go hungry again.
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What is the best way to house train my dog?
Greyhounds and lurchers are usually very intelligent dogs and are relatively easy to house train. It is a good idea to take him out into the garden every hour at first and always just after a meal. When he has an accident indoors, never scold him because he does not know that he has done something wrong. Instead, take him into the garden and stay with him for a while until, hopefully, he will perform. When he does so, give lots of praise and let him stay outside for a while to play with you. If he does not perform, just take him quietly back indoors and try again later. After a while, your dog will let you know when he needs to go to the toilet by standing by the door waiting to go out, or maybe by barking or by "talking" - making a noise that you will come to recognise as saying "I need to go!"
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How often do I need to feed my greyhound/lurcher?
As greyhounds and lurchers are thin dogs, their stomachs cannot take the amount of food that some breeds of dogs who need only one meal a day can take at one sitting, and they need two meals a day, one at breakfast time and another in the late afternoon or early evening. Like all dogs, they love treats of dog biscuits in between meals, although not too many or your slender greyhound may end up not so slender at all!
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My puppy keeps chewing the furniture. How do I stop him?
Chewing is perfectly normal behaviour for all puppies and the word "no" is one of the first words your puppy needs to learn! Never punish your puppy for chewing, as he does not know why it is wrong to do something that obviously gives him so much pleasure! Try to distract him by offering a tasty treat to chew or a toy that squeaks when he bites or chews it. He will grow out of chewing the furniture - eventually!
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How long will it be before I can let my dog off the lead?
It is a good idea to keep you greyhound or lurcher on the lead for about four to six weeks to give him time to get used to you and the areas where he goes for walks. When you feel confident that he can be allowed to run off the lead, do so at first in an enclosed field or park, with borders around it that are too high for him to jump over. Do not worry if he rushes off to the other side of the field as soon as you let him go and does not come back as soon as you call him. He is just enjoying his freedom and will return to you when he gets tired. Many dogs respond better to a whistle that to being called by their name, so brushing up on your whistling skills may be a good idea! Do not let your dog off the lead in open fields until he always comes back when called and you are confident he will not run off. Greyhounds can run a very long way in a short time.
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What sort of bed will my dog need?
Because greyhounds are such thin dogs, they need somewhere soft to lie down on, such as a duvet, a settee or your bed. They are quite happy to sleep on your bed or on a duvet on your bedroom floor at night, or if you don't want to share your bedroom with your dog, a duvet on the living room floor is OK, or they will be very happy curling up on the settee or in an armchair. Never put your greyhound outside in a kennel. He will be lonely and very unhappy there, and there is always the risk of someone stealing your dog.
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