New Owner Questions

1. My dog is crying all night. What's wrong?

When this happens, the problem is usually that the greyhound is being made to sleep apart from its new family. This sort of separation can be very traumatic for a dog that is accustomed to having dogs constantly surrounding it. You should allow the dog to sleep in one of your bedrooms, next to the bed. If you can't fit a kennel into the bedroom, put a baby gate across the doorway to keep the greyhound confined.

2. My greyhound is lying around sleeping a lot. Is this normal?

Yes, it is. Not only are greyhounds notorious couch potatoes; they tend to respond to the stress of a new situation by sleeping or resting a lot. This gives them the down time needed to process all the new stimuli they're encountering and to adjust to it.

3. My greyhound follows me EVERYWHERE. Is this normal?

Yes, it is - or at least it seems to be a common behavior for newly adopted greyhounds. Bear with this behavior until the greyhound becomes more comfortable and independent in its new surroundings.

4. My greyhound won't come when I call his name - and I'm using the name he/she came with!

As most retired racing greyhound owners know, the name on a greyhound's papers is not necessarily the name he/she is called (if the dog is called by a name at all). Often, a racing greyhound only hears his
official name over the loudspeaker at the track. You should work consistently with the name you want the dog to respond to - whether it's the name the dog came with, or a new name.

5. My greyhound doesn't like to be left in his kennel - is it cruel to put him/her in it?

Certainly not - especially for the beginning transition period. Until a new greyhound learns the rules of the house, and, more importantly, learns that when the rest of his new pack leaves, they will come back, he/she needs to be confined when left all alone. If a greyhound is resistant to going into the kennel, make a game of putting him/her in it, using treats as bait, and letting the greyhound experience a little "time out" in the kennel when everyone else is home. Another way to soothe a greyhound left alone in a kennel is to leave a radio on. If a greyhound is
urinating and/or defecating in the kennel, or destroying the kennel, a more serious problem needs to be addressed. Call a Rescued Racers representative.

6. My greyhound sometimes chokes when he/she eats or drinks. What's wrong?

This choking behavior is not a sign of something wrong; it simply means that the greyhound's bowls need to be elevated. The distance a greyhound has to stretch to reach down to its dishes can sometimes cause it to choke, and elevating its bowls is the easy way to eliminate the stretch.

7. My greyhound has some diarrhea. What should I do? With new greyhounds, diarrhea can be caused by a couple of things:
a. Stress of being in a new situation. This will stop with time; help it along be adding a little cooked rice to the food.
b. Food - do not buy big bags; if a food disagrees with the greyhound, you can try a new one without a major investment.
If you have any other concerns in this area, you should contact a Rescued Racers representative.

8. My greyhound keeps gathering things (especially stuffed animals) - is this normal?
Yes. Get your new greyhound their own stuffed toys - chances are they'll love 'em!