INTRODUCTION

Greyhounds are kennel trained, meaning they learn not to mess their crates in the kennel, but to wait for “turnout” to relieve themselves.  This makes house training a relatively simple process.  Here are a few suggestions to make the transition that much easier. 

During the first few days at home, make sure you take the dog out several times a day, tell them it's time to go potty, and praise them lavishly when they do! Watch them closely those first few days for any anxious behavior that could mean they need to go outside and quickly get them outside, whether they really need to go or not.

DIAPERS

You may want to use diapers on your Greyhound for the first few days to make sure he knows relieving himself in the house is not acceptable.  Greyhounds are very clean by nature.  With diapers on, if they begin to relieve themselves, the fabric of the diaper will catch the “relief” and cause them to stop immediately.  Don't remove the diaper immediately after the dog soils.  Leave him in the soiled diaper for 20 minutes or so, then replace with a clean diaper.  Your dog will hate the feeling of the wet material next to his skin and learn quickly not to repeat the act!  Keep them in diapers as long as necessary to get the point across but make sure to take the diaper off before you let them outside, or you will really confuse them! 

A pair of men’s briefs, size 38-40 works well for most dogs.  Small females will need a size 36 or smaller.  Put the briefs on the dog, checking for where the base of the tail hits the briefs.  Take them off and cut a hole for the tail.  Then  put them back on, adjust the waistband until snug, and secure with a diaper pin.   A panty liner may be added for those dogs that don’t stop urinating immediately upon feeling the moisture.  

CLEAN UP

When you have animals, it is inevitable that you will at some point have messes to clean up.  There are many products: Spot Shot (aerosol), Carpet Science (spray or foam), Nature's Miracle and Simple Solution for messes on carpets.  Some people swear by white vinegar diluted with water for urine spots, some people say it only encourages more use of that spot. Another wonderful invention is the Bissell Big Green Clean Machine.  Particularly if you succumb to the “can't have just one Greyhound” disease and you end up with multiple greyhounds in your house.