Owner's Manual - Greyhound Pets of America
Contents
1. GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER OWNERS MANUAL Acclimation 5 Alone for the First Time 10 Baby Gates 11 Celebrating Greyhounds 27 Change of Address 22 Exercise 19 Jogging Companions 19 Flea Control 19 Food 14 Adding Other Foods in Diet 16 Bloat 16 Feeding 15 Gastrointestinal Problems 17 Moisten the Food 15 Rawhide and Bones 17 Storage Containers 15 Switching Brands 15 Commandments 25 Greyhounds and Children 7 Grooming Your Greyhound 17 Ears 18 Teeth 18 Toenails 18 Housebreaking 8 Introducing with other Pets 7 Introduction 3 Low Thyroid 13 Membership Application 26 Obedience Classes 21 Pacing and Panting 6 Sleeping Arrangements 11 Steps 6 Suggested Reading 23 The Wardrobe 12 Thievery amp Chewing 20 Using A Crate 9 Trust 4 Vacation 22 Veterinarian Calling Your Vet 12 Spaying Neutering 13 Your First Appointments 12 Ways to help 28 What to do if your Grey becomes lost 24 Windows and Mirrors 6 Check our Website www floridagreyhounds com This manual is your reference guide to successfully having a retired racing greyhound as a happy healthy treasured pet The information we provide is based upon collective decades of experience with greyhounds One word you will read repeatedly is supervision In no way do we suggest that a retired racing greyhound sh2. If your greyhound has been in a foster home and is doing well on a particular brand of food this is the food you should buy Changing the food can lead to an unnecessary digestive problem in addition to the stress of adjusting to a new home Greyhounds have sensitive digestive tracts and may develop gas diarrhea and or vomiting from food they can t digest properly Your GPA Placement Rep knows best If you have any questions or problems please call for advice FOOD STORAGE Dog food should only be stored in containers made for food storage Trash cans trash bags and other containers not made for food storage can contain dangerous chemicals that may be absorbed by food Take the same precautions that apply to the people in your family If a container wasn t manufactured for food storage don t use it for that purpose SWITCHING BRANDS If your dog is doing well on a good quality dry food there is not need to switch brands If you need to change the brand do so gradually Start with a three to one ratio for a few days If all goes well try a ratio of 50 50 for a few more days and then make the complete changeover Don t invest money in a 40 pound bag of food unless you are sure that you dog does well on it Start with a small bag FEEDING Raised stands holding stainless steel food and water bowls are recommended for greyhounds Plastic bowls can harbor bacteria especially as they accumulate scratches Stainless ste
3. Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes 9 of a second after it was opened and that is really latched DON T LET THE DOG OUT is you second most verbalized expression The first is NO You worry and fuss constantly terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow You friends comment about whom you love most your family or the dog You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever And so the weeks and months pass with your puppy becoming more civilized every day and the seeds of trust are planted It seems that each new day brings less destruction less breakage Almost before you know it your gangly slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant dignified friend Now that he is a more reliable sedate companion you take him more places No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car And darned if that cake wasn t still on the counter this morning And oh yes wasn t that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night At this point you are beginning to become infected The disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind And then one of your friends suggests obedience You shake your head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead but you are reassured when she promises the events are held in a fenced area And wonder of wonders he did not run away
4. Street Address _____________________________________________________ City State Zip _____________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________e mail__________________________ Type of Membership General __ Family 20 __General Sponsor 25 __ Donor 50 __ Activity Sponsor ___Frontline Application for 6 greyhounds 30 ___Broken Leg Treatment sponsor member will receive bio on greyhounds and progress reports ___Donor to cover cost of x rays 75 ___Donor to cover cost to Feed recovering greyhound for 6 8 weeks 60 ___Donor to cover surgery 200 1 700 ___Special Testing or Treatment Sponsor member will receive bio on greyhounds who need special testing or help ___Donor for Detail Thyroid Testing 50 ___Donor for Thyroid Medications 75 ___Donor for Tick Titer testing 90 ___Donor for Returned Elder Greyhound Dental 100 ___Donor for Heartworm treatment 250 We need volunteers Interested in becoming more involved in GPA CF Want more information on how you can help YES NO Let us know Subscribe Now CELEBRATING GREYHOUNDS The Magazine Enclosed is my payment of 25 payable to The Greyhound Project Inc Please enter my one year subscription to Celebrating Greyhounds The Magazine I understand that I will receive four issues per year starting with the current issue Name _________________________________________________________________
5. some type it is best to put it out of reach The dog will quickly teach the family to put away prized possessions Of course some greyhounds never steal anything at all Greyhounds may also steal food off the counter table or buffet They have been known to snatch sandwiches or cookies from a child s hand Only rarely will a greyhound gnaw on woodwork or furniture If this should happen Bitter Apple is a product available in pet stores for discouraging this behavior It comes in a liquid spray form or in a paste safe for most wood finishes The key to train is to distract the dog and take the item away from him but immediately replace it with something that belongs to him Praise the dog for good behavior so he won t exhibit negative behavior for attention The dog does not know what the rules are so remove temptation and supervise Don t fight battles that you can t win If your greyhound is stealing trash you will never convince him that trash isn t yummy Buy a trashcan with a lid or move it to another location If you have questions or problems call your GPA Placement Rep Dogs don t think the way people do One greyhound stole a box of liver treats and consumed the entire contents His owner found him in the living room bouncing up and down as if to say I m a good boy He was always a good boy when he got one liver treat so he was REALLY a good boy for eating all of them Th
6. administer to greyhounds Advantage and Frontline are topical treatments that can also be used safely on this breed They attach the nervous system of the flea and the manufacturers claim they will not be absorbed into the blood stream of the dog Frontline is the only Topical that is effective on Ticks The Preventic Collar has been safely used on greyhounds for tick control Once fleas have been introduced into your home you may have to treat the premises with an Insect Growth Regulator IGR Let it dry for two or more hours before exposing the dog to it When using both flea sprays and shampoos stick to the same brand for chemical compatibility Remember to vacuum regularly and dispose of the bag Wash bedding as needed As new products become available our best advice is to ask questions and investigate Is the product absorbed into the blood stream Is it a proven non carcinogen Hs it been tested on greyhounds WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF A PRODUCT CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN Refer to the periodic updates on flea control in the newsletter EXERCISE All dogs need exercise If you don t have a fenced yard four to six walks per day are required to establish your schedule and allow the dog to relieve himself In addition to that a long brisk walk is needed for exercise If you do have a sizable fenced yard your dog will still enjoy walking It is an essential part of socializing your
7. general if your greyhound is not acting quite right call your veterinarian immediately BLOAT is a medical emergency Your dog s life may depend upon your fast action ADDING OTHER FOODS TO THE DIET If you wish to add vegetables olive oil or a bit of canned food to your dog s diet please wait a few days to be sure his digestive system is on an even keel This way if your greyhound develops a digestive problem you will know the probable cause and you can discontinue that food Holiday leftovers such as turkey or turkey skin ham and gravy can bring on a violent case of colitis Chocolate and grapes raisins can be fatal Onions can also be toxic Use common sense Feed the dog before the family eats and don t allow begging at the table If you want your dog to be maintained on a well balanced doggy diet go easy on the treats and extras It is human nature to be amused by a dog s reaction to new foods but we must consider the dog s well being above all else RAWHIDE AND BONES Chewing rawhide and bones can also help to keep your dog s teeth clean BUY ONLY AMERICAN MADE RAWHIDE Imported brands often contain dangerous chemicals Most greyhounds prefer rawhide bones that aren t too large The compressed bones tend to last longer so the dog doesn t ingest great quantities of rawhide If your dog is consuming a lot of rawhide try to find types that are less easily destroyed Thick beef marrowbones
8. month supply of Heart Guard Plus in the adoption package It is important to keep your greyhound on preventive heartworm medication year round Your greyhound will need to be examined by your veterinarian once a year for a check up Vaccinations are given at the time of the annual examination It is important to keep vaccinations up to date as this is the best prevention against the most common canine diseases A stool sample should be checked at least once a year to rule out worms Veterinarians require a blood test annually or bi annually to rule out heartworm SPAYING AND NEUTERING It is our policy to have all retired racing Greyhounds spayed or neutered prior to adoption Spaying and neutering does not change the basic personalities of our pets but it does make them better healthier pets The obvious reason to spay and neuter is to prevent breeding The proven health benefits include prevention of some type of cancer of the reproductive system and decreased risks of certain other health problems LOW THYROID CONDITION IN GREYHOUNDS We have heard about a number of greyhounds being evaluated for low thyroid condition soon after adoption Sometimes for no reason other than a thin hair coat a veterinarian will run a T4 blood test If this reading is below the range considered normal for most dogs 1 0 to 4 0 the vet will prescribe thyroid hormone supplements Before you have your dog tested or begin this therapy
9. or large knuckle bones boil for 10 minutes or bake in oven are a real treat for dogs Avoid poultry and pork bones which can splinter causing internal punctures choking or impaction Only large thick beef bones should be given not round steak bones or T bones When in doubt check with your veterinarian GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS Greyhounds from the track sometimes have loose stools during their acclimation Diarrhea can be caused by something the dog ate stress infection disease or parasites Discontinue vegetables and canned good An adult dosage of Imodium AD or Pepto Bismol given once in the morning and once in the evening may help Feed dry kibble with equal parts water mixed half and half with cooked rice or pasta Call your veterinarian If the diarrhea continues more than a couple of days If you see blood in the stools If your dog begins to vomit or have diarrhea GROOMING YOUR GREYHOUND It isn t unusual for a new greyhound to suddenly start shedding a short while after adoption Changes in climate water diet and stress can cause it After that shedding is minimal except for blowing the coat a couple time a year A grooming glove a rubber curry brush or a short bristle brush can be used to keep the coat in good condition removing loose hair and dead skin A tablespoon of olive oil can be added to the food to help alleviate dry skin in winter Linatone and Lipiderm are two of
10. shalt find a veterinarian who understands the special needs of thy greyhound with anesthesia Thou shalt use caution with the types of shampoos and flea products as certain chemicals are toxic to thy greyhound Thou shalt call freely upon a GPA rep if thou ever hast questions about thy greyhound Thou shalt rejoice that thou made the wise decision of adopting an ex racing greyhound 26 Membership Application Greyhound Pets of America needs your support to help with our many expenses The fee associated with adopting the greyhounds does not always cover our actual expenses GPA Central Florida depends on donations to cover all emergency veterinary expenses foster home supplies and many other costs incurred that are not met by adoption fees Please consider becoming member As a member you will receive our newsletter and be informed of events that are happening in our area GPA is a 501 c 3 organization dedicated to the placement of retired racing greyhounds A copy of the Florida Registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling 800 435 7352 within the state Registration does not imply endorsement approval or recommendation by the State Please take a few minutes to fill in and mail this application to Greyhound Pets of America Central Florida 3525 Manassas Ave Melbourne Fl 32934 Name ___________________________________________________________
11. t CALL VETS HUMANE SOCIETIES ANIMAL SHELTERS in your city county and surrounding counties and or the cities and RADIO TV STATIONS PUT AN AD IN YOUR LOCAL PAPER FOR THE NEXT POSSIBLE EDITION POST SIGNS IN LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR AREA INCLUDING CONVENIENCE STORES VET BULLETIN BOARDS ETC The Sign should include REWARD LOST DOG COLOR BREED DATE LOST YOUR PHONE NUMBER BE PERSISTENT BE PREPARED TO RESPOND TO SIGHTINGS AND KEEP SEARCHING CHECK YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE FREQUENTLY WHEN YOUR GREYHOUND HAS BEEN FOUND o Notify GPA and all volunteers searching for your dog o Adjust Collar if necessary o Have your dog checked by a vet for injuries o Repair fence gate or door Install locks and automatic gate closure so you greyhound cannot escape o Do not leave your dog unattended for long periods in you fenced yard o Do not exercise your Greyhound off lead unless the area is totally fenced on all four sides and secured by gates 25 Thou shalt love and care for the greyhound as long as ye both shall live Thou shalt keep thy greyhound as an indoor pet Thou shalt keep ID on the Greyhound at all times Thou shalt discipline thy greyhound with a firm voice not a heavy hand Thou shalt provide thy greyhound with cool water healthy food and a soft bed Thou shalt keep thy greyhound securely leashed when not in a safely enclosed area Thou
12. takes much longer He spies the neighbor dog across the street and suddenly forgets everything he knew about not slipping outdoors jumping out windows and coming when called due to traffic Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze or even just the sheer joy of running Stopped in an instant Silent forever You heart is broken as his still beautiful body The disease is trust the final outcome hit by a car Every morning my dog Shah bounced around off lead exploring Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called He was perfectly obedient perfectly trustworthy He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car Please do not risk you friend and your heart Save the trust for things that do not matter Acclimation From Kennel to Home This period can last a few days weeks or months Dogs are individuals just as children are Have patience and be consistent Give lot of positive reinforcement Call your GPA Placement Representative on a regular basis to advise him her of your dog s progress We are here to assist you Greyhounds love to run This is what they were born to do It is our experience that the more opportunity your dog has to walk and run in the first few weeks the easier the transition from athlete to family pet Greyhounds experience stress confusion anxiety and excitement during the acclimation period Allowing them to run every two to
13. the dog if needed when you can t be there to supervise It is a tool to be used wisely in the transitional phase Crating should be done daily until the routine has been established for at least a couple weeks Make it the most wonderful place in the house Place the crate in an area of family activity or near sliding glass doors or windows not in a garage or basement away from the family Use washable bedding during the acclimation period Try practicing closing the door of the crate with the dog inside when you are at home Weaning your greyhound away from the crate should be started with short periods of time alone gradually building the time until the dog feels secure without it Your greyhound should always have access to the crate with the door open when you are at home The crate should be the same size or larger than the GPA Crate that was loaned to you It measures 42 x 28 x 32 high We have found that retired racing greyhounds are very individual in their behavior If you have resisted the idea of crating you may want to reconsider If you have been advised that you dog definitely needs a crate please follow the advice It is not a life sentence and can be a valuable aid in training Again we stress that this is NOT A PUNISHEMENT and never should be used as such It is cruel to deprive a dog of a crate if he needs that sense of security and protection Some greyhound owners have reported tha
14. three days eases the stress ALWAYS RUN YOUR GREYHOUND IN A FENCED AREA GREY HOUNDS CANNOT BE TRUSTED WHEN OFF A LEAD OR OUTSIDE OF A FENCED YARD EVEN WITH OBEDIENCE TRAINING ACCEPT ING THIS FACT IS PART OF YOUR ADJUSTMENT TO BEING A RE SPONSIBLE GREYHOUND OWNER Greyhounds are not wise to traffic and other dangers They can be severely injured or killed crossing streets Running through briars and sharp branches can cause deep cuts to skin and muscle tissue Remember the greyhound is second only to the Cheetah as the fastest land mammal Greyhounds can see up to half mile away What we see as many unfenced acres is just a microcosm to a Greyhound a few seconds of travel We can t say this clearly enough IF YOU TRUST YOUR GREYHOUND OFF LEAD WITHOUT BENEFIT OF A FENCE THE RISK IS DEATH WINDOWS AND MIRRORS Tap on windows to let the dog know they are solid surfaces Greyhounds sometimes try to walk through glass doors screens or mirrors Decals on windows at dog eye level are essential as are ribbons hanging from screens PACING AND PANTING Greyhounds will usually pace the floor and pant when brought into a home for the first time Panting does not always indicate that a dog is overheated They will also display this behavior when they are nervous Frequent walks are in order to acclimate the dog into thinking of your yard as the turnout pen he is accustomed to Being anxious puts stress on bladder and bo
15. MENT REPRESENTATIVE _____________________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER ___________________________________________ 28
16. _ Address _________________________________________________________________ City________________________________________State___________Zip___________ Mail to Celebrating Greyhounds Magazine P O Box 358 Marblehead MA 01945 0358 Great Savings Local Area Pet Stores are very supportive of our program PetsMart Evans amp 192 West Melbourne PetsMart Vero Beach Petco Shoppes Drive Viera Petco Titusville Take a copy of your Transfer forms to PETsMART or PETCO and receive a coupon savings booklet valued up to 100 towards the purchase of pet products Save Purina Weight Circles GPA is a Purina Pro club member and can redeem weight circles from Purina Dog Food and Cat Food Please clip out and save the circles This helps to significantly reduce the Dog Food expense that we incur taking care of hounds in our kennel Circles can be mailed to GPA at 3525 Manassas Ave Melbourne FL 32934 Save used Inkjet Cartridges amp Old Cell Phones GPA is a member of Cash for Critters and can redeem empty Inkjet or Laser Cartridges Those old cell phones can also be redeemed They can be mailed to GPA at 3525 Manassas Ave Melbourne FL 32934 We will have also have collection boxes at all GPA events Old used Carpet If you are planning on any remodeling or know someone who is GPA can use your old discarded non Berber type carpeting for the hounds in our kennels Call 321 242 9010 NOTES PLACE
17. anket style rather than one requiring legs to be put into sleeves If additional information is needed call your GPA Placement Rep CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN You have brought your new dog home and you re off to a good start NOW is the time to call your veterinarian and make an appointment Your veterinarian should have experience with our beloved greyhounds You should be able to communicate and feel comfortable with this person After all you have been advised of the greyhound s sensitivity to anesthesia and your dog s very life depends upon this person s skill and experience Please make a copy of the anesthesia protocol and take it to your veterinarian There have been tragic cases where greyhounds died because veterinarians did not realize just how sensitive greyhounds are YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT The initial examination allows your veterinarian to log in some basic information on your greyhound s medical record Your veterinarian will want to see proof of vaccinations and verify that a blood test was negative for heartworm He or she will advise you of the proper weight for your greyhound and whether weight gain is necessary Take a stool sample to be checked for worms that may not have been detected in the pre adoption examination If your greyhound has been recently spayed or neutered your veterinarian should examine the incision to be sure it is healing properly You were given a six
18. but came every time you called him All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes And after a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home Why not he always runs straight to the door dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in And remember he comes every time he is called You know he is the exception that proves the rule And sometimes late at night you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in At this point the disease has taken hold waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head Years pass it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn it takes only one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway He still gets into the garbage but nobody is perfect This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently Sometimes it only has to wait a Even though the greyhound you get is not a puppy in age he is like a puppy in maturity This article which is also a true story is very relevant to those adopting a retired racing greyhound Year or two but often it
19. cal groomer TEETH good dental hygiene can be maintained at home following the program recommended by your veterinarian Ideally your greyhound s teeth should be brushed every day after the last meal In addition to this your veterinarian should clean the teeth periodically A number of products are available for canine dental hygiene There are toothbrushes flavored enzyme toothpastes cleaning solutions etc Your veterinarian will tell you the procedure and the products best suited to your dog Do not buy instruments to scale the teeth at home This creates etching tiny grooves on the teeth which collects food particles Scaling and polishing should be left to the professional following the maintenance program he or she suggests FLEA TICK CONTROL PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN USING FLEA CONTROL PRODUCTS ON YOU GREYHOUND THE RISK IS POISONING There are flea collars sprays topical treatments and pills which can cause illness and or death At one time it was enough to say Never put a flea collar on a greyhound Safe products are sprays that contain natural based pyrethrins such as Adams or Zodiac water based pyrethin sprays Safe to use but questionable value are herbal collars brewer s yeast and garlic tablets and ultrasonic flea collars Science and technology have rapidly changed the entire approach to flea control It is generally accepted that PROGRAM is NOT a safe tablet to
20. e owner quietly cleaned up the shredded box and made a mental note to put them out of reach next time OBEDIENCE CLASS Greyhounds are normally well behaved and respond well to positive reinforcement and proper tones of voice However there are other reasons for attending an obedience class Our retired racing dogs do not share a common language with us in the beginning They do not know words or commands They feel as we would if we went to a foreign country where we didn t speak the language and couldn t communicate An obedience class can assist in establishing that common language between owner and dog Greyhounds are very pack oriented dogs Obedience Class helps to strengthen the bond necessary for you to be the trusted leader of your pack It can also build self esteem in your pet Until now your dog was an athlete who reaped rewards from being a winner He will benefit greatly from having a new way to be a winner in your eyes Without proper guidance a greyhound can become as spoiled and demanding as any other dog Having chores to do every day obedience commands used throughout the day makes the dog earn praise and rewards He learns that humans are in charge and this aids in preventing the dog from taking the upper hand Obedience commands can be as basic as putting your dog in a sit stay and then releasing him to eat Or try having your dog do a down stay for a few minutes while y
21. el bowls are more sanitary and should be flat bottomed to allow the food to spread out to slow the dog s good intake Feed multiple dogs or animals in separated areas This will avoid food aggression A raised stand needn t be expensive A stand for a single bowl can be made by cutting a hole for a bowl in the snap top lid of a five gallon plastic bucket the type kitty litter comes in An inverted plastic wastebasket with the bottom cut out holds a single bowl and comes in decorator colors Two smaller meals per day are recommended for greyhounds rather than one large meal per day The amount of food will depend on the body weight exercise and metabolism of your dog Average greyhounds eat four to six cups of food per day half in the morning and half in the late afternoon or early evening You have probably discussed the amount of food with your Placement Rep Food intake can always be adjusted according to the changing needs of your dog In general males should gain 5 to 7 pounds above their race weight and females 3 to 5 pounds Obesity can substantially shorten your greyhound s life MOISTEN THE FOOD Most greyhounds bolt their food They gulp a mouthful of food and swallow it whole without chewing This is why large chunky food is not recommended Moisten the dry kibble with an EQUAL amount of warm tap water to prevent choking or coughing Float the dry food Feed immediately while the kibble is still crunchy which is bet
22. greyhound to get him used to new sights sounds and odors that he has never encountered before It is a great way to meet your neighbors as they stop you to admire the new addition to your family JOGGING COMPANIONS A greyhound can be an excellent jogging companion but it will take time to toughen the pads of his feet and for him to slow his stride to yours Being sprinters rather than long distance runners they have to adjust gradually to longer distances Allow your dog to relieve himself after running and again an hour later to prevent kidney tie up Use good judgment when choosing your route avoiding hot pavement lawn chemicals rough terrain and in winter ice and salt on the road Dog boots can be an aide in protecting the feet from sharp stones or ice THIEVERY AND CHEWING Many greyhounds steal things in the beginning although most are not destructive They simply take items that appeal to them and some will even start a small collection of valuables on near or under their bed or some other favorite spot Treasures found in greyhound stashes include remote controls milk jugs trash stuffed animals eye glasses dirty laundry slippers bones dishes Barbie Dolls VCR tapes screw drivers pliers garden tools and vacuum cleaner attachments Some specialize in soft items such as stuffed animals washcloths and socks Others have affection for certain types of plastic If you have a valued collection of
23. leep in an adult s room on his own blanket or bed Confinement is acceptable to greyhounds when there is human companionship It is wise to close the door or put a baby gate across the doorway This way if the dog has to go out during the night he will hopefully awaken you with his restlessness The best type of bed for a greyhound is one that is a pillow type with a washable cover and filled with shredded foam or similar filler Soft bedding is a necessity due to the greyhound s lack of body fat and padding on elbows and other joints Some greyhounds are allergic to cedar chips that are in some of the commercial bedding THE WARDROBE Your GPA Central Florida Greyhound came with a special collar friendly choker and leash This Humane sight hound Choker is the type of collar the greyhound needs to wear at all times when walking Greyhounds have a very narrow head and neck and can slip regular collars Our GPA identification tag is to be kept on the dog Order your personal ID tag and also place it on the dog collar The Humane nylon choker collar is fully adjustable and should be tight enough that it cannot be slipped over both ears at once In cool weather if you intend to be outside for an extended period of time your greyhound should wear a sweater or blanket In cold weather a coat is a necessity The best type of coat for a greyhound is one that is lined for warmth and slips over the head bl
24. ng The Racing Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan o Included in your adoption package Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies by Lee Livingood Greyhounds The Sporting Breed by Alan Lennox Play Training Your Dog by Patricia Gail Brunham A Dog is Listening by Roger A Caras All About Greyhounds by Anne Rolins Help My Dog Has An Attitude by Gwen Bohnenkamp The Reign of the Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan The Complete Book of Greyhounds by Julia Barnes Celebrating Greyhound Magazine by Greyhound Project The Hounds Run by GPA Central Florida is a quarterly newsletter subscription is included with yearly Membership 23 Immediately CALL GPA Central Florida at 321 242 9010 or your Placement Rep to report your lost greyhound When your dog is found immediately notify GPA because volunteers may be searching for your dog DO NOT RUN OR CHASE AFTER THE GREYHOUND Have a leash and your dog s special treats with you Keep calling his her name If you see your dog squat and call him in a wonderful high happy tone of voice PRAISE your dog for coming to you never scold him when he comes to you WALK ANOTHER DOG WITH YOU TO ENTICE YOUR DOG INTO COMING TO YOU ASK YOU NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN TO ASSIST YOU IN SEARCHING Consider offering a reward Be aware that scam operators may call you claiming to have your dog when they don
25. o meet other greyhound owners and to share in a day of fun for the whole family YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AN ADVENTURE THAT YOU WILL TREASURE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE First Printing April 2001 Second Printing January 2004 Third Printing September 2005 Fourth Printing September 2011 Fifth Printing March 2013 By Sharon Mathers There is a deadly disease stalking your dog a hideous stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend It is not anew disease or one for which there are inoculations The disease is called trust You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted The breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you drummed it into you head Puppies steal off counters destroy anything expensive chase cats take forever to house train and must never be allowed off lead When the big day finally arrived heeding the sage advice of the breeder you escorted your puppy to his new home properly collared and tagged the lead held tightly in your hand At home the house was puppy proofed Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator cats separated and a gate placed across the door to the living room to keep at least part of the house puddle free All windows and doors had been properly secured and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to CLOSE THE DOOR
26. omforting Say your parting phrase such as Guard the House or I ll Be back When you go to work arrange to have a neighbor or a relative visit during the day to take the dog outside for a few minutes Greyhounds are very schedule oriented and have been used to a different schedule from yours NEVER PUT THE GREYHOUND ALONE IN A ROOM AND CLOSE THE DOOR More than likely you will come home to destruction Greyhounds do not understand closed doors and will sometimes try to tear their way out during acclimation Gradually adjust your dog to being alone behind closed doors A crate is the best solution for a greyhound that requires confinement since it is a familiar concept Patience and consistency will teach your greyhound that you love him and will always return when you leave If you have questions or problems call you GPA Placement Representative BABY GATES Some greyhounds can be confined behind a baby gate while others cannot Choose the designated room and try it when you are a home If the dog lies down after a few minutes and appears to be comfortable with the arrangement it might work If there is pacing panting and anxious behavior chances are that the dog will not be behind the gate when you return home Practice using the gate and supervise before you try leaving the house with the dog behind the gate SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS The easiest transition happens when a greyhound is allowed to s
27. ou are getting ready for work Obedience class is a wonderful way to begin your dog s socialization You may not end with a dog as well trained as Lassie but you will both have a very satisfying sense of accomplishment Greyhounds are intelligent and a mind is a terrible thing to waste As you give him the care he needs and the mental as well as physical exercise your greyhound will blossom right before your eyes CHANGE OF ADDRESS LOST GPA ID TAGS Please report changes in you address or telephone number as soon as possible Call us for lost GPA ID Tags and we will send a replacement We also need to be notified if your Greyhound is deceased Please contact us at Greyhound Pets of America Central Florida 3525 Manassas Avenue Melbourne Florida 32934 321 242 9010 VACATIONS If you have planned a trip and are depending on friends relatives or neighbors to care for you greyhound please share this Care Manual with them Make sure that the person caring for your dog is aware of the following Greyhounds MUST be leashed when not in a secured fenced in area Do not leave greyhound outside unattended in a fenced yard and NEVER tie a greyhound outside under any circumstance Keep the collar bearing identification on the greyhound at all times Make available your vet s name and phone number If the greyhound should get out contact GPA immediately 22 SUGGESTED READING Adopti
28. ough we have greyhounds in homes with many other types of pets supervision and care should always be exercised GREYHOUNDS WITH CHILDREN Harder on greyhounds than bossy cats are small children Greyhounds are normally patient and gentle with children However even mild mannered greyhounds have limits They do not appreciate being stepped on laid upon or manhandled Nor should you expect a greyhound to share beds or crates with children Canines can be protective of sleeping spots rawhide bones and toys Most greyhounds do not like to be startled from a sound sleep If you need to awaken the dog call his name first so as not to startle and call the dog to come to you Small children should not be left unsupervised with any dog The greyhound will need to have a balance between interaction with the family and a quiet place to rest when the activity of the household gets tiring It is normal for a greyhound to sleep a lot We think the word couch potato was added to the dictionary in 1993 just in honor of the greyhound At the same time you are teaching the dog proper behavior with children the children must be taught to respect the dog as a living creature capable of feeling pain fear and possessiveness If the children are too young to understand that a dog chewing a bone should not be bothered give the dog a bone only when the children are not present Supervision and good judgment on your part are
29. ould be turned loose in you home and expected to be a perfect dog from Day One A greyhound does not come to you as a finished product You share no common language with this dog It knows nothing about the rules of your household or valuable collections of books or Teddy Bears A greyhound is not a beautiful statue to be admired placed on a shelf and dusted it lives it breathes The first discovery of consequence is that the kitchen is the center of the universe This is where The Keeper of the Food HIDES the food If left on the counter the food is fair game Advice is worthless if it isn t followed Some circumstances require time and effort on your part If you are willing to invest the time and the effort you will probably succeed There is no such thing as a dumb question about greyhounds We want progress reports especially in the first few days and weeks A telephone call to your Representative can lead to a wealth of new information Even if you have experience with dogs a person experienced with retired racers can sometimes offer a new approach that works with this breed If you have a question or a problem call your GPA Placement Representative We WELCOME Volunteers Please call any GPA Representative for information about volunteering or the various events we attend Greyhounds are welcome at many events throughout the year Plan to bring your greyhound to Woofstock our annual reunion It s a wonderful opportunity t
30. ovided you with a muzzle and we believe that with proper handling your dog will adapt successfully The initial introduction should be made with a muzzle and a leash on the dog If the dog shows any sign of aggression or excess interest give a quick jerk on the lead saying sternly NO CAT Immediately praise the dog when he looks away from the cat Greyhounds want very much to please the people around them Emphasize positive reinforcement and show the dog that the cat is a loved and valued member of the family Chasing the cat is simply not acceptable behavior When it is apparent that the leash is no longer needed keep the muzzle on the dog until you are confident that he is not going to react in a negative manner to the cat ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION Also be aware that greyhounds can accept an indoor cat but may chase the same cat outdoors If questions or problems arise call your GPA Placement Representative If you have other dogs the initial introduction should be made on neutral territory Some experts recommend rubbing some of your cologne as head of the pack on the hindquarters and necks of both dogs before the introduction Praise and pet both dogs Quickly correct any aggressive behavior on the part of either dog Allow friendly interaction and expect curiosity Take them for a 5 10 minute walk and bring them both inside Separate the food dishes and supervise at mealtimes Alth
31. s to other rooms with supervision Bells hanging on doorknobs have been used successfully to train dogs to indicate when they need to go out Males take longer to empty out than females due to their tendency to mark territory Chronic marking of territory in the house means that the dog has too much freedom and not enough supervision With thorough enzyme clean up and supervision the problem is usually resolved Sometimes a housebreaking problem can be medical in nature such as a urinary track infection We have encountered cases where a greyhound owner scoffed at the suggestion that the problem was medical when in fact it was Bacteria or crystals in the urine can cause a dog to exhibit abnormal behavior If your housebroken dog suddenly starts urinating in the house veterinarians recommend collecting a urine specimen and having it analyzed To collect a urine specimen simply unbend a coat hanger and make a handle to hold a small container Leash walk the dog and slip the container underneath at the appropriate moment With any housebreaking problem it is a good idea to rule out medical causes before proceeding A dog with diarrhea cannot be expected to wait eight hours before needing to relieve himself It is a simple matter to collect a stool specimen with a small plastic bag or a clean medicine bottle and a Popsicle stick Sometimes protozoa can take over the intestinal track and prescription medica
32. t they were glad they had crate trained They were able to revert to it in circumstances such as traveling change of family schedule or illness or injury of the dog when supervision wasn t possible If you have any questions or problems call your GPA Placement Representative ALONE FOR THE FIRST TIME A greyhound should be trained to be alone from the beginning Teach him to be his own best friend If allowed he can bond so quickly to his family that he develops separation anxiety when left alone This can result in destructive behavior whining barking or housebreaking problems A dog gets anxious because his favorite person is gone not because he is spiteful Prevent constant contact and always allowing him to follow you It isn t fair to him if you condition him to expect constant companionship and then suddenly leave to go to work A greyhound suffering from severe anxiety may need to be crated for several weeks or months into the adjustment period Fortunately this isn t the case for most dogs When leaving you dog alone start with short periods of time and gradually increase the time as you see progress Make your leaving and arriving home a very low key and ordinary event Leave the radio on no talk shows as greyhounds are used to music 24 hours a day Close doors to rooms that are off limits When leaving give a special treat such as a marrowbone An old t shirt with body odor on it can be c
33. ter for your dog s teeth Most greyhounds eat more slowly a few weeks into the acclimation period BLOAT As with any deep chested breed greyhounds should not be exercised freely for at least one half hour before eating and one hour after eating or drinking a lot of water However they can be leash walked This helps to prevent a condition called bloat which causes the dog s stomach to turn resulting in pain potential emergency surgery and sometimes death Free feeding leaving food out all day is a dangerous practice especially if the greyhound is allowed to run and you have no idea when he ate or how much food was consumed Even more dangerous is the combination of free feeding with a fenced yard and a doggie door Spoilage of the food is also a risk when food is left sitting This can lead to digestive upsets or serious illness For a greyhound s health and well being strenuous exercise and food intake should be monitored Allow at least one half hour of rest before meals If he she does not eat the scheduled meal within fifteen minutes remove the food Allow at least one hour of rest after eating The symptoms of bloat can mimic the signs and symptoms of other disorders Pay attention to abnormal behavior exhibited by the greyhound such as unusual pacing and panting an inability to get comfortable excessive stretching intestinal upsets gas trying to vomit acting agitated etc In
34. the commercial products which contain essential fatty acids Greyhounds normally stay cleaner longer than other breeds Bathing is usually not required more than once a month Of course this is with regular brushing and rinsing the feet to remove salt mud etc Use only shampoo and products made specifically for dogs Be careful to avoid getting water in the ears When you think you ve rinsed enough rinse again Soap residue left on the dog can cause itching and dry skin Flea products will be covered later Hint In a shower stall attaching a hand held shower wand assists in easy bathing of the greyhound EARS can be cleaned with a Q tip dipped in witch hazel or alcohol or a commercial product obtained from your veterinarian Never probe deeper than you can see as the eardrum can be injured Baby Moistened Diaper Wipes work exceptionally well for cleaning the ears also If a discharge or bad odor is present your dog may have an ear infection Consult your veterinarian TOENAILS can be trimmed at home nipping off tips and avoiding cutting the quick In light colored nails it is easy to see the fleshy part to avoid In dark nails it is difficult Exercise great care Have a styptic powder or pencil ready such as Kwik Stop to treat any bleeding that may occur Trim nails approximately once a week at first until the quick begins to grow shorter Your veterinarian will trim your dog s toenails for you as will a lo
35. the keys to success If you have questions or problems call your GPA Placement Representative HOUSEBREAKING The typical greyhound is easily housebroken If you are following the advice given under Pacing and Panting you are watching your dog If you catch you greyhound in the act of soiling in the house quickly say your code word for outside and immediately take the dog out Praise the dog lavishly within two seconds of the time he finishes Treats can be offered as positive reinforcements when the dog has gone where you want him her to go CLEAN UP away from the dog s sight if there has been an indoor accident We recommend using one of the enzyme products that eat away stain and odor Nature s Miracle and Outright are but two of the products available at your local pet stores Do not hit the dog or rub his nose in accidents This will only increase his anxiety Dogs have short term memory in relation to their actions and your reactions If you fail to catch the dog in the act quietly clean up and chalk it up to experience If the dog is choosing one room over the others perhaps a baby gate across the doorway will alleviate the problem Increasing freedom in small doses is a wiser approach than allowing total freedom and a negative pattern to be established Crating perhaps confinement to one room and supervision are the keys to success When you see progress allow acces
36. three factors give a more accurate appraisal of the condition of your dog s thyroid Greyhounds are typically in the lower range near 1 0 for T4 Current thinking is that this may be normal for greyhounds We have seen greyhounds that became aggressive when medicated to higher levels Once started on thyroid medication the body s ability to produce the natural hormones can be suppressed The dog may have to be kept on medication for the rest of his life although some dogs have been successfully removed from all medication with good results Disclaimer We are not veterinarians All animals are individuals and these statements will not apply to all animals at all time under all circumstances You should consider the potential problems that can arise when deciding on treatment for thyroid conditions FOOD A good quality dry good should be the basis of your greyhound s regular diet Some recommended brands of adult maintenance diets for greyhounds are Nutro Max Purina Pro Plan IAMS and Sensible Choice These are readily available in pet stores and sometime at local feed stores In general most grocery store brands do not provide high quality nutritional value Of the grocery store brands Purina One is a good quality food Read the ingredients Meat not meat by products should be the First and Predominate ingredient Corn and Corn meal are fillers Avoid products that have corn or a starch listed first
37. tion is required to restore the balance Internal parasites are often difficult to detect A dog can test negatively for worms if the worms are not shedding eggs at the time of the examination Your veterinarian will advise you of the appropriate steps to take A greyhound may be unaccustomed to doing business when being leash walked but be patient and heap on the praise when the dog succeeds If it is raining one must relax and be in a happy mood so the dog will relax the sphincter muscle and relieve him herself NEVER TIE A GREYHOUND OUT SIDE UNDER ANY CIRCUM STANCES Greyhounds do not understand being tied and in the frantic struggle to escape can be severely injured Greyhounds have been known to chew at themselves and or the leash to get loose There is also a very real risk that a greyhound will break his neck if he tries to run while tied This is not an acceptable solution to housebreaking problems Neither is leaving the dog outside unattended in a fenced yard for long periods of time Greyhounds can suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke in summer or hypothermia in winter A dog can always find a way to escape the confinement of a fenced yard He could even be stolen GREYHOUNDS ARE INDOOR DOGS Contact your GPA Placement Representative if you have questions or problems USING A CRATE Your greyhound is used to being kept in a crate at the track It is not a form of punishment but a safe haven for
38. wels Your new greyhound may not have the communication skills necessary to tell you that he or she has to go out There is no universal signal Some will simply stand and stare at you while others may whine softly or pace the floor Be observant STEPS STAIRS Can you imagine how frightening steps look to a dog who has never seen them before The best approach is to help him one paw at a time heaping on the praise for each little accomplishment If necessary treats can be offered as encouragement The dog may balk like a mule or try to take the whole flight of steps in a single bound Very often a greyhound can maneuver the front end but has not idea where the hind legs are Encourage the dog to do as much as he can on his own and then assist by moving the legs for him He will feel relief when his paws are firmly positioned again Going down steps sometimes requires a little restraint as the dog may want to leap Of course you could carry him but self reliance needs to be encouraged to develop self esteem and for safety Some new greyhound owners have reported that once their dog had mastered the steps he was observed practicing his new skill as if to say Look at me I m so proud INTRODUCING YOUR GREYHOUND TO OTHER PETS If you have stated that you have cats in your home we have chosen a dog for you that tested well with a cat However you will need to teach your dog to respect your cat We have pr
39. you should read the following information which we have compiled from greyhound literature and our own experiences over the last several years When you adopt a greyhound it is under a great deal of stress from exposure to a whole new way of life It may be newly spayed or neutered Greyhounds frequently receive various medications at the track i e females not spayed are kept on hormones to prevent going into heat Any of these factors could cause or contribute to low thyroid test results Some dogs react to the adoption process by becoming withdrawn but perk up after a few days in their new home Greyhounds are normally low energy dogs saving their strength for the chase Unless there are serious symptoms of low thyroid levels extreme lethargy depression lack of appetite you should wait at least six to eight months before you consider testing for low thyroid levels This will allow time for your dog s system to stabilize to the new diet and environment and will give a truer reading of your dog s health We feel that hair loss alone is not a serious symptom It may be the result of rubbing on the crate in the kennel or the general stress of the racing life It should in most cases come back with a good diet and a little care from the new owner When testing thyroid levels always check three 3 factors T3 T4 and TSH thyroid stimulating hormone following the University of Michigan protocol Together these
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