HI!
My name is Brooke and I am adopting my first Greyhound,(Libra from GFNC), on Saturday and I was hoping to get any advice or tips to help make the transition for Libra as easy as possible.
I am in the Sandhills area, Southern Pines NC. Are there any play groups nearby?
If you Know Libra from GFNC, I would love to know more about her!
Thank you!!

Hi Brooke! First of all, congratulations, that's greyt news! You are going to love having a greyhound around. I've had Trooper for about 2 years, and we just added a second grey, Milo, about a month ago. Here is what I've noticed about greys: they learn very quickly the routine in the house, and how to fit into it. They are extremely adaptable! But here's a hint: don't be wishy-washy with your rules! If you don't plan on allowing Libra on your furniture, don't let her "just once"--you'll never get her off! As far as helping her fit in, just be sure you have the basics--bed, a couple of toys and maybe a ball, bone, etc, food and water. Anything else can be added later. Don't yell at her if she makes a mistake--greys are very sensitive--and if she goes for something she shouldn't touch, redirect with something that's hers. Try not to leave her alone too long at first, if possible, some greys get major separation anxiety (SA). And she may not be too used to the car--Milo wasn't--but after a couple of rides (take 'em someplace fun!) they generally learn to love the car. Be prepared to have to teach her about stairs (sometimes they go up before realizing that eventually they're going to have to come down--for Milo, bologna on every other step provided a little incentive to help him down) but she'll learn. You've probably heard all this before (and did anyone warn you about the nervous greyhound passing gas?), so I'm sure you'll do just fine! They're really quite easy to get along with. Good luck!

Greyhound Gas WOW!!!! Fennel seed tea is good for this. Or a quarter of a GasX pill works.

Have you picked up a copy of the Greyhound For Dummies book by Lee Livingood? This book is a wonderful resource. One thing I found to be important with greys is a schedule. Greyhounds have been on a schedule their entire life and moving into a home disrupts the schedule which can make them nervous. They like to start their morning early. Mine have now learned the difference between a work day and a weekend. They will let me sleep until 7 on weekends. (I prefer later but oh well.) They develop their routine and they know it. Mine get a cookie after the last potty break. The other times they walk right past the cookie jar. But last out they stop and stare at it until they get their cookie.

Being consistent in what you want is important like kdbeaar says. If they are getting ready to do something wrong a quick No will stop them. Doesn't have to be loud, just enough to get attention. Then give them something else they can have.

Everyone here will help you and give you tips on what has worked for them. What works for one greyhound may or maynot work for another. Like people they have their own personality. Good luck! And post any questions you have. The kennel is also available if you need anything.

Thank you so much for the advice! I have 2 dogs. How did you introduce your dogs to Milo on his first day home?

Definitely do not just walk your new dog into your house! This might be best as a 2- or even 3-person job. I would suggest a neutral location, like the sidewalk or area in front of your house, to have one person hold Libra on the leash. Let her sniff around a bit and take care of any business she has to do after her car ride. Then have another person bring out one of your dogs (on a leash) so they can meet, and when they're comfortable, bring out your second dog to meet Libra, then have all 3 stand around together for a few minutes so you can be sure that everyone's comfortable. (Be careful of entangled leashes! Milo really panics if he gets caught up in a leash, and I've seen that before, too, with other greys.)
When you're sure everyone's comfortable (and chances are they will be, especially your grey whose pack instinct runs high), let your old dogs into the house first, then bring Libra in. My recommendation would be to not have any dog toys lying around; if Libra takes one the others might not handle it too well at first. Then, what we did with Milo, was feed everyone treats! (Go with small ones they can eat in one bite; if one makes crumbs and the other goes to clean it up, you may have a problem.) For a few days, Milo would make a grab for everyone's treat when I handed them out; I always say which the treat is for (and I vary who gets theirs first) and now he knows his is coming so he waits patiently. They are such fast learners!
Good luck and keep us posted on how she's doing!
Lynda, that's funny about your treats--ours are exactly the same! They only get a Milk Bone after their last trip outside, and they all know to gather by the box only then! (Travi won't even touch a Milk Bone at any other time of day!)

Brooke,

When you pick up Libra on Saturday all of the questions you have asked will be covered by the adoption counselor that will be getting Libra ready to go home with you. I will be on duty myself from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm so I might be the person talking to you.
Also most all if not all of the information is on the GFNC website

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. You might want to check out .
Maybe I'll see you Saturday and congratulations on your adopting a greyhound.

Bonnie

Hi Brooke, keep us posted on how it's going with Libra! Did the introductions go okay?

Congratulations on adopting Your first Grey, You won't regret it. Sometimes they need a little work but the rewards are well worth the effort. Good luck.

Gary

Hi evryone at GFNC!

I want thank all of you for all of your kind words and suggestions. Thank you especially to Patricia for answering all of my millions of questions!!
Libra is doing great and my other dogs love her. She is the sweetest and best mannered dog I have ever met
I love her to death!

I will keep in touch and hopefully be up for a play group soon!

Thank you!!
rooke

I'm glad things are going so well with Libra. She is sweet!

Way to go everyone!! As folks said, don't hesitate to ask questions, plus there are lots of good resources online. If you haven't gotten a copy yet, Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies is a terrific book and resource.

That book is Our bible !!! We have gotten a lot of very useful info from it.

Gary