Arriving Home
Your dog will arrive and be taken
straight to the Greyhound Rescue Sanctuary, where
the new owners will be waiting. After an initial
check over and introduction to his new family the
adoption forms will be signed and we will ask you
to take your new family addition home and settle
him in. It will have been a long day full of new
adventures so do not be surprised if he is
somewhat "spaced out". Different dogs
react in different ways and remember this hound
has lived a very regimented life with no home
comforts so many things will be alien to him and
may initially spook him.
When you arrive home take the dog
straight into the garden or designated toilet
spot and wait. Hopefully they will perform and
this should be rewarded with plenty of praise and
a tit bit. What for tell tale signs for example
the dog pacing or sidling up to something,
scratching at the door or circling and then take
him out immediately. Always take him out straight
out after meals.
Your new dog will have not been feed
on arrival day due to the travelling involved, so
a small snack would probably be appreciated
before settling him down for the night. Please be
patient whilst your dog adjusts.
You will sometimes find that for the
first few weeks your dog will follow you around
everywhere. You are his only link with the
outside world and he needs that security but as
he gains his confidence this will lessen and he
will be content to lay nearby or even in another
room. They also sometimes feel the need to take
something of yours to their beds just like a baby
with his comfort blanket - we always think this
is a lovely gesture.
FEEDING
Many new owners already know how and
what they wish to feed their dogs based on past
experience. There are many products on the market
but we find greyhounds do very well on the
Burgess Complete Food - Supa Greyhound or Supa
Sensitive. If your dog seems happy with this food
and his stools are firm then you've cracked it.
As with all dried foods, water nearby or indeed
in the food is essential. Some dogs will like the
food soaked, dry or half and half.
Feeding at the same time twice a day
is recommended and as with other deep chested
breeds, greyhounds are prone to bloat or torsion
- serious life threatening conditions. Immediate
medical attention is required sometimes to no
avail, but preventative measures include avoiding
exercise just before or an hour or so after
feeding. If you would like to know more on how to
spot signs and symptons please ask your vet.
G&M Hickmott 2007©
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