Any Greyhound owners here?

[goat]

Just picked up a Greyhound from a local rescue. About 30 hours ago.
She has been off the track about 9 days. So She has not had a long adjustment period. Since I have only had Vizslas, she is soooo different!
What should I expect?
Here is a pic..
Training?

[vash]

i know a bunch of ladies that adopt old race dogs. apparently a grey hound is the only dog that should wear clothing when the weather gets cold. they have these blanket type sweaters the dog wear. they are over the top. last time, they were wearing holiday sweaters...

cool pooch.

[obrut]

We've fostered a couple of these and got them ready for permanent rehoming - expect to have a great dog, very affectionate and pretty chilled out/couch potato.

Treat them like puppies for basic training. She should house train easily, but may find stairs, glass doors and other 'house' features very new/strange.

They are often race trained without having a name, but will lead very easily if you grab the collar.

Watch out for the chase instinct until you get to know her. We had one with very little chase instinct and another that saw little dogs (especially pugs) as lunch...

Lastly, congrats for a good deed.

[Rikao4]

like he said..
not really like a Viz in the energy department..
more of a dragster..few runs ..
done for the day..
fragile as well..
you did good..

Rika

[goat]

Thanks!
It is really weird to have a dog that is a few years old yet has been called by name to come.
She is super skinny too.

[dtw]

Damn she is a beautiful girl. Hope she has a long happy life in her new home.

[Loomis]

Bet she'd have fun at the beach!

[goat]

Originally Posted by Loomis

Bet she'd have fun at the beach!

I only wish.
I was told they can reach 40 miles an hour in two strides. and I guess they don't come back!
Would be fun though to see it.

[Zeke]

A gay lady across the street has had a couple, now a new one. Apparently they don't live to be too old. Loudest bark I have ever heard.

It got out one day when some workers were there. I had witnessed this woman do a total-freaked-out-break-down-and-cry when the dog's gate was open one time before; it didn't even leave.

So, I figured I better go get it. As I approached the dog, I felt its fear of humans but in a non aggressive way. I talked softly to the dog while trying to keep it calm. AFA as being out, it wasn't going very far very fast.

No collar, so I take a BIG chance and wrap my arm around its neck and shoulders thinking I'm going to guide/nudge it home, about 4 houses. This is going OK but the dog is not wanting to move with me too well. Can you blame it?

Now, I've got this beast half way off its front legs and working back towards the house all the while monitoring it's behavior. We stop every few feet while I talk softly and reassure the thing that I'm a good guy (I'm OK around dogs, but I don't like them much).

I get the dog up to the open gate and scold the workers for letting it out. The dog knows it's home, so no drama.

All in all, I'd have to say these dogs are very mellow (after that story, who wouldn't?). They so seem to exhibit having been broken, but I guess if you don't make a bad move, you're good.

It's surprising how heavy these skinny things are, but I guess it's solid muscle. She has to walk the dog every morning and night or I think it would go nuts. It goes nuts enough when other dogs are walked by.

I think they sleep a lot.

[Scuba Steve]

How old are they when they're done racing?

They seem cool. I see a couple of people with two of them going for walks every evening and the dogs seem well behaved anyway.

[txhokie4life]

I have had one live to be 13.

Our latest is 3.

They are the fastest couch potatoes on earth.

They have all kinds of demeanors but generally like to be around
people they know but can be very mindful, almost timid.

Buy one of those big pads from costco -- maybe $25 and where ever
that pad is you'll find our Greyhound.

They can not be trusted to be off leash -- they are not car or situation aware.
They are sight hounds and small animals can attract attention very quickly
and they will bolt.

Our latest is pretty mindful -- unless he gets out of the house -- then its game on.

Generally they are very well leash trained.

They are usually very quiet dogs, it would be months between barks from our old gal,
this one only seems to vent at the little yap dogs next store.

They are muscle, skin and bones. They can be fragile --- think of your 911 hitting a pot hole....
ouch!

We love our Greys -- they also tend to have very good support groups.

We never have difficultly finding a place for our Grey if we travel. As long as you
extend the olive branch the other way.

mike

[azasadny]

I have heard nothing but good things about greyhounds.

[goat]

Good advice Mike.
She is slowly learning the ropes. This morning she saw one of the Duck decoys we have in a pond trotted on over and fell in! I don't think she has ever been around deep water. Was sort of funny in a sad way tho.

[obrut]

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

How old are they when they're done racing?

One of ours had come from a 6 year racing career and three litters. The other had one race and was promptly retired - she was the one with very little chase instinct which seems to make sense.



Another thing: you may have to teach her what a toy is - one of ours would collect anything plastic/rubbery (thongs - the foot kind, remote controls, DVD packets etc) and couldn't really tell the difference between them and a chew toy.

[Joeaksa]

I was just thinking about buying a Greyhound bus.... does that count?

[Jagshund]

Have been considering adopting one to go with the Dachshunds. Funny to watch them figure out stairs!! As I understand it, most have never been true indoor dogs but make great companions.

[goat]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I was just thinking about buying a Greyhound bus.... does that count?

Feels like I have one now in the house. They are tall!
Thankfully I have no stairs, I've heard they don't know how to go up or down them.
Yep they know nothing of dog toys. but did like a nice slipper. beer bottle cap. bright plastic small items!
She learned that counters & tables have snackable items. Super counter surfer!

[Joe Bob]

The Dachshund will still rule the roost....

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I was just thinking about buying a Greyhound bus.... does that count?

Probably smell worse than a kennel.

[txhokie4life]

Originally Posted by 1968Cayman

Have been considering adopting one to go with the Dachshunds. Funny to watch them figure out stairs!! As I understand it, most have never been true indoor dogs but make great companions.

They have no social skills at all,

most have never seen stairs, played fetch, and are generally so submissive
that playing tug of war isn't possible.

While not the smartest -- they do pick up on things -- Ours navigates stairs
just fine now, can catch the ball in the air, but still gives up anything in
his mouth at the slightest tug -- which is not really all that bad a thing anyways.

Now if we leave the door open -- its like someone shot the gun in the 100yd dash!
And there is 0 obedience at that point.

We used to take out our old grey to an enclosed ball field -- that was
great fun -- unbelievably fast.

you can do far worse than adopt a grey.

Mike