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Some dogs will require a crate for the first few days or weeks until they have fully adapted to their new homes. Although not all dogs require a crate, it really helps, especially if your dog turns out to have a bad case of separation anxiety. Crates can be obtained at Albertson’s, Petsmart, Petco or other pet supply stores. If we have a crate available, you may purchase a crate from us for $75. When you no longer need it, we will sell it on consignment for you, and you’ll get the full $75 back once the crate has been sold. If you decide to buy your own, make sure the crate is no smaller than the equivalent of a Pet Porter 500 (Extra Large).
A six foot leash ("lead" as it's known in the racing world), either nylon or leather. Horse leads are also very effective and are less expensive than a traditional dog lead. If you have a greyhound that will have to go potty on lead, buy a long lead! At least 6 foot, if not longer. A little privacy is essential for those bathroom habits. Expandable leads like Flexi Leads are not recommended for greyhounds.
A martingale or greyhound collar will come with your greyhound. This type of collar is essential for walking your greyhound on lead because greyhounds' heads are smaller than their necks. A greyhound collar will tighten just enough to hold your dog without letting them slip their lead or choke. Fancy greyhound collars are available from numerous Internet sources.
Your dog will go home with an RMGA Inc. tag, but you also must keep an identification tag with your name, address and telephone number on the dog at all times. With both tags on the dog, should he ever get lost, the chances of a speedy return increase. Darlaine Dawson provides an affordable tag for your new companion. We try to provide her information with your adoption packet but should we run out of order forms, contact her at 303-428-0841.
You’ll need large food and water bowls which can be purchased relatively inexpensively from
Petsmart, Target or Wal-Mart. Be sure to get an extra bowl for water for the yard. (If you adopt more than one dog, get a set of bowls for each dog.) Greyhounds are
notoriously messy eaters; you may want to place towels or large placemats under each bowl to
help with the mess.
A good quality dry dog food is needed. Some brands to choose from: Petsmart Authority, Purina O.N.E., Nature’s Recipe, Pro Plan, Nutro or Sam’s Exceed Lamb & Rice. Dog biscuits are also recommended. Science Diet has been known to cause the Big D (diarrhea) in Greyhounds and is not recommended.
Imodium AD (tablets rather than liquid) is almost always a necessity when taking one of these guys home. If diarrhea occurs, give them an adult dose every four hours until they “firm up." If diarrhea persists for more than a day and a half, take them to the vet with a fecal sample and let us know!!!
Canned pumpkin, no sugar added, will also aid in the relief of the Big D (diarrhea). The best way to keep the pumpkin from spoiling is to freeze it in an ice cube tray.
Plain yogurt with live cultures will also help with the infamous Greyhound Gas. A few
spoonfuls on your greyhound's food should help to alleviate the noxious odor that
greyhounds
are known to emit.
Each dog varies, but due to their short hair and lack of body fat, most greyhounds get chilled at low temperatures. You should buy a jacket made especially for greyhounds, due to their deep chests. For an inexpensive alternative, a XXL sweatshirt, with sleeves rolled up a bit and the waistband tied up over their backs also works well. One of our volunteers, Judy Johnson makes Greyhound coats and donates a portion of the proceeds to RMGA. If you are interested, send her a note or call her at 303-680-3856. Greyhound Manor Crafts offers free patterns for just about anything greyhound! Boots, coats, costumes and more can be found on their site.
Because they have such low body fat content, Greyhounds need a soft
place to sleep. Be sure the bed is large enough (42-52” diameter
at least). Many people use old comforters or quilts. The blanket on top gives them something to paw on and "nest" in a
greyhound habit.
MICROBIAL CLEANER/ODOR REMOVER
Accidents will happen. These cleaners/odor removers really work well: Nature's Miracle and Simple Solution both available at any
PetsMart, or StainAway or Dog-Tergent, available from Foster's and Smith catalogue (see list of pet supply catalogues).
Also, if you have an area that the odor just won't come out of, try this: 1 part water to 1 part
white distilled vinegar saturate the area, allow to stand one hour, blot up with towels, rinse with
clear water, blot up and allow to dry. It works well on old odors, but doesn't work very well on
stains. Another effective odor remover is plain baking soda, sprinkled
generously on the spot and left until the next vacuuming. For old stains, try Spot Shot or Shout's Carpet Science.
If you live in an area that requires a pet license, pick up an application. Many cities levy a hefty fine if your dog is found without a dog license. Don’t take a chance; take the time necessary to license your dog. Most licensing agencies also keep a database of licensed pets and will call you if your dog is picked up.
A soft brush and a shedding blade (sold in pet stores and feed stores for use on horses) are about all you need. Once a week with the shedding blade followed by a soft brush and then a damp towel keeps them from shedding and keeps them nice and clean. Other nice to have items: rubber-grooming mitt fits over your hand, textured on both sides and
works really well for baths. Greyhounds don't have a "doggy odor" and are very clean by
habit. Do not bath often. On the few occasions they do need a bath, and you need a flea/tick shampoo,
we recommend Adams products. Otherwise, any shampoo that is safe for puppies and kittens.
Toys are an absolute necessity, especially for young dogs. We have found that if they have lots of toys to choose from, they tend not to chew on things they shouldn’t. Some favorites: rawhide bones, stuffed animals, old socks tied with a knot. Rawhide bones: buy only white bones. Tan or brown colored rawhides are treated with chemicals. Don’t get bones that are too small -- at least 8” are best. Stuffed animals: frequent Goodwill and Salvation Army type places to get cheap, used stuffed animals. Throw them in the washer and dryer before giving them to your dogs.
A good idea if the dog has been fostered, a great idea if the dog has not. For males, get men’s briefs size 38 to 40. For females, get size 36 or so. Diaper pins are a must to keep things in place.
Get plenty of sleep the night before you pick up your new friend!
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