A greyhound's coat may change as it adjusts to its new home.  This is caused by an environmental and dietary change.  Spaying/neutering can also cause some coat "blowing".  People who are allergic to dogs are usually pleasantly surprised by the little or no reaction to a greyhound.

Greyhounds do not need frequent baths.  They have little or no odor when clean; some people swear that a clean greyhound smells like a cookie.  Unless they roll in something foul, or have a flea problem, brushing is sufficient.  Bathing tends to dry the skin and cause flakiness and itchy irritation.

When GReAT places a greyhound, he or she is fully equipped with a matching 6 foot nylon lead and safety collar with a GReAT adoption ID tag.  The safety collar is a 'martingale' or 'champagne' style.  Because the greyhound's neck is larger at the base than the dog's head, the safety collar is designed to softly tighten should the animal back away and jerk.  However, you need to keep a firm grasp of the leash.

Greyhounds have been taught to walk politely on a lead when they grew up at the track.  But even a well mannered dog may forget that he is walking on leash with a human if some lure such as a squirrel, cat or even paper bag catches his/her eye.  Remember: this dog can see up to a half a mile away.  To be safe, use the 'greyhound grip' (slip the leash loop over the wrist and hold the lead below the group.)  This will give you more control.

Never tie a greyhound to a rope, chain or slide 'runner'.  Greyhounds have never been tied to anything stationary.  The dog may become entangled, pull, wriggle or chew his/her way to freedom.  In a worse case scenario, a greyhound can hang him/herself or snap its neck if he/she takes off at top speed while anchored.

The collar was originally called the Champagne? Safety Collar was invented by Honey Loring, a pioneer of the adoption movement in New England.  The collar was actually named for one of Loring's first greyhounds.  This collar is ideal for almost any breed with a smooth or short coat, the collar is especially wonderful for greyhound because it:

• provides control without choke

• is made of durable, strong nylon webbing and welded stainless steel rings

• is escape-proof when used properly

• is washable and dries quickly

• minimizes tangling, wearing and discoloration of neck fur

• owners can easily grip the collar by the safety loop -- like a handle

One of the most common mistakes made by a new recipient of a greyhound is that the "kindly" human frees the dog from its life in a crate.  More often than not, the greyhound is totally overwhelmed with its "freedom" and fails.  The crate is the best transitional tool made and is expected to be used.  GReAT requests that all adoptive families comply in order to ensure a successful placement.  Crating is a wonderful thing!  This is why:

• to remind the dog that its housebroken

• to give him/her a familiar transition device between track kennel, foster home and permanent home

• to provide a comfort/safe zone when the dog is getting used to being in his/her permanent home...safe for the home and safe for the animal

• remember: the greyhound is a dog, dogs are canids, canids live in dens, dens are like the crate (Wow! the logic of it all!)

• the crate makes a wonderful time-out spot and will save a lot of wear and tear on the adoptive family's brain.  any behavior problems, lead the dog to the crate, put it in, and say "Good Dog!"

Overall: Racing greyhounds spend a major portion of their lives in their crates.  It is something that they are used to and that familiarity will carry them through the process of being fostered and placed.  Don't worry about having to decorate around the crate.  It may only be a transition device.

If a greyhound is crated when alone, and as he/she becomes more familiar with and confident in the family routine, freedom can be given a bit at a time.  Some people like to use the crate, with the door open, as the next step to free-run of the house.  The dog can still enter the crate to feel secure but does not have to stay there.

Crating also gives the new family piece of mind whenever they cannot be there to watch the dog and prevents the possibilities of chewing and/or soiling done by a nervous, bored, or stressed dog.

Greyhounds get used to fairly loud music at the track.  Follow suit at home and leave the TV or radio on to help the dog ease into home life.

During the initial adjustment period, it's a good idea to keep a greyhound well-exercised.  That will relieve pent up tension and nervous energy.  Walking together and talking with the dog will build a strong life-long bond.

Many greyhounds make great jogging companions once they are conditioned to learn to adjust their stride and pace to the slow-footed human.  Summer heat and winter road salt can injure their pads, so keep this in mind when choosing a place to jog.  When a greyhound does any strenuous running, give him/her a chance to relieve him/herself afterwards and to cool down.  To prevent a condition known as kidney tie-up, allow the animal to relieve him/herself again in about an hour.

Take the dog back to the same spot each time.  That will help him/her understand what is expected.

If an accident is detected after the fact, punishment is futile.  Do not strike the dog or push its face into the mess.  And never let your dog see you cleaning up the mess.  To a dog, this is affirmation - the human is paying attention to what he/she did!  The dog will not see that the human is upset - just that attention is being given, negative though it may be.

A good clean-up protocol is disinfectant, followed by a white vinegar and water solution to minimize the smell.

The secret is in the human's tone of voice. Praise: nice happy high tone.  Reprimand: Low tone, voice drops at the end.  Save really loud for the big stuff.

Plush toys can be found at many places but the Salvation Army is a good source.  But look out for hard button eyes.

It's important to make children understand that the dog's toys are only for the dog and may not be taken away from the animal.

If a dog gravitates to a "toy" which belongs to a human, such as a shoe, towel, hat or other personal object, correct the behavior while removing the toy and replace it quickly with one of the dog's toys, responding with a great big "Good dog!" when the trade is complete.