Renewed Life for Greyhounds

Greyhound Care Guide

1.  Give your dog a SOFT bed of it's own, a stuffed toy, and an old article of YOUR unwashed clothing.

 

2.  Keep the muzzle ON when the dog is left ALONE in the house until your greyhound gets used to you and the new home - - this prevents chewing from loneliness.  Also leave the radio on.

 

3.  Keep the muzzle ON when introducing your greyhound to other pets, ESPECIALLY CATS

 

4.  Feed twice a day - early AM and mid PM is preferred - 2 - 2 1/2 cups per feeding. Use a premium brand dry food.  Do not allow your dog to run for 1 hour after eating. Greyhounds, like other large breeds, are susceptible to bloat and gastric torsion (stomach flips over) and can be fatal

 

5.  If more than one pet lives in the house, feed in separate bowls

 

6.  NO PEOPLE FOOD - follow diet above (#4)

 

7.   NO BONES except dog biscuits.

 

8.  Always have FRESH WATER available

 

9.  To HOUSEBREAK, take the dog outside soon after eating (but do not allow to run) and praise the dog when it"goes" on leash.  BE PATIENT.  Scold but do  NOT HIT the dog if it has an accident.  Get the greyhound on regular schedule of 4 outside trips a day starting when you get up and ending just before you retire for the evening

 

10.  Check that the fenced yard is secured and the gates are closed before letting the dog outside.  Consider locks on ALL outside gates

 

11.  Take extra care, especially early in the greyhound’s training, to insure the greyhound does not get out of any open gates, doors, or windows. 

 

12.    Do not leave the greyhound in a fenced yard when you are not home.  Never allow a young child to hold the leash because a greyhound is too quick and strong.  Do not tie up or chain the greyhound, or use an overhead trolley-type dog run for restraint, exercise or any other purpose

 

13.  Never leave the greyhound unattended around pools, lakes, or other bodies of water, as the greyhound is probably not a good swimmer.  If you have a pool, you will show the greyhound how to use the steps to get out

 

14.  Never put the greyhound in the back of an open pick-up truck (no cap) and/or leave the greyhound in a vehicle in the heat or cold

 

15.  Do a check of your house, garage, etc., to make sure that there are no SHARP or DANGEROUS things to injure or POISON the dog (such as household cleaners, antifreeze, medicines, and poisonous plants)

 

16.  No squeaky toys please.  This reminds the greyhounds of rabbit killing days and may re-enforce small animal aggression.  Also, the squeaker may come loose and become lodged in the dog's throat

 

17.    BATHS - Use a mild grooming shampoo or Johnson's Baby Shampoo, rinse well and towel dry.  Use Adams Flea Shampoo or Mycodex 3X Flea Shampoo, if you see fleas

 

18.  FOR FLEAS  - Use a topical flea prevention, such as ADVANTAGE or FRONTLINE monthly on the dog.  You may also use an oral product such as SENTINEL or PROGRAM for monthly flea prevention.   Never use flea collars!

 

19. FOR DIARRHEA - one tablespoon or 2 tablets of Pepto Bismol or Immodium AD every 4-6 hours while fasting for 24 hours.  Be sure the dog is still drinking water to prevent dehydration.  If still sick, call your veterinarian and take in a stool sample to test for intestinal parasites

 

20. Keep a copy of the "Veterinary/Anesthesia guidelines" in the glove compartment of your car when traveling with your greyhound.  If your greyhound needs medical attention, the vet you seek will have some helpful information that could save your greyhound's life

 

21. IF THE DOG GETS AWAY - walk and drive the neighborhood looking and calling for the dog.  Ask local people if they have seen the greyhound.  Contact the police, animal control and humane society with the dog's description and give name and phone number of a Renewed Life representative along with your own.  Call members of Renewed Life to help scout the area.  Put an ad in the local paper and offer a reward, post flyers around the neighborhood.  If you find the greyhound, do not chase, scold, or scare it.  Try to coax it back with food and a soothing tone.  DO NOT SCOLD THE DOG for running off, it will think you are angry it came back.

 

Be patient with your new Greyhound.

Call us at 616-335-8725 or 616-786-3430
if you have ANY problems or questions.