How to Prepare Home for Retired Racing Greyhound Dog

By FaithAllen

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Bedding
Crate
Dog Food
Dog Sweater
Food and water bowls
Leash
Martingale collar

Step 1:
Set up a crate in your family room. Retired racing greyhounds have spent most of their lives (over 20 hours a day) in crates, and they view their crates as "home." A retired racing greyhound's crate is his den, which he views as his "safe place." Your retired racing greyhound will be much happier if you provide him with a crate for sleeping and taking some private time.
Step 2:
Line the crate with thick bedding. Greyhounds have thin fur and very little body fat, so their bodies are sensitive to lying on a hard surface. Buy a thick, comfortable liner for the crate as well as blankets on which the retired racing greyhound can recline when she is not in her crate.
Step 3:
Purchase a Martingale collar. Greyhounds have large necks and small heads, which makes it easy for a greyhound to slip out of a standard collar. The Martingale collar is designed for greyhounds so that it tightens if the dog is slipping out of the collar, but it is much gentler than a choke collar. The Martingale collar is also safe to leave on the dog at all times, whereas a choke collar needs to be removed when the dog is unsupervised for the dog's safety.
Step 4:
Get a leash. Retired racing greyhounds are not street smart, and they are very fast. This is a dangerous combination. Retired racing greyhounds should always be either on a leash or in an enclosed yard.
Step 5:
Obtain food and water bowls. Choose a food bowl that comfortably fits inside the crate. The water bowl can remain outside the crate as long as the retired racing greyhound has access to the water bowl twice a day.
Step 6:
Supply high quality dog food. Less expensive dog-food brands contain more waste, which causes the dog to have to relieve herself more frequently. Also, most retired racing greyhounds are thin and need quality food to gain weight safely.
Step 7:
Purchase a dog sweater. 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 wear a coat, then your greyhound needs to wear one too.

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.

Resources

Crazy Collars

Photo/Video Credit

Faith Allen

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