• All adopters are requested to have a crate for their new greyhounds.
• Using a large wire crate will keep your new greyhound safe when not being supervised.
• Your crate should be large enough for your dog to stand and comfortably turn around in. Purchase the 4' long and 3' high all wire crate.
• At the track your dog has always lived in its crate, where it felt safe and secure.
• A crate not only offers physical security for your dog it also helps averting possible accidents during the adjustment period. It is a very effective tool in graduating from crate-broken to house-broken.
• A crate is not a jail and should not be used as such. NEVER use the crate for punishment. Put your dog in the crate at different times during the day. Not only when you leave the house. Don't let your dog associate anything negative to the crate.
• Make the crate a fun place. Put a nice pad in it, some toys or your hounds favorite stuffed animal.
• The crate should be kept in one place, easily accessible and where your hound can see you, especially at night. Do not isolate your new greyhound.
• Your new greyhound should be crated during your absence from home in the beginning. This serves a couple of purposes. The dog is housed in a safe, secure place and your home and furnishings are also safe during your absence. This is a win-win situation.
• Some dogs experience separation anxiety. This is when your dog finally gets to stay home ALONE. Your dog sees you are going and it does not know if or when you will be coming back, he/she becomes scared and confused.
• You should never leave your dog, home alone out of the crate, until you are sure your hound has adjusted and you are confident he/she will not do any damage to itself or your house.
• Put your dog in the crate about 5 to 10 minutes before you plan on leaving your house. Always make sure your hound has been given a chance to relieve itself before you crate him/her.
• Start to leave your house for 15 minutes every hour and then gradually increase the time till you leave him/her alone for a few hours.
• Do not make a fuss over the dog before you leave or for about 3 minutes after you return.
• If your dog whines, ignore it. Remember do not make a fuss over your hound before you leave or immediately upon returning and make sure it had a chance to go out before he/she is crated.
• Your dog will soon get the idea that you will always come back and its anxiety will start to disappear.
• When you are confident that your dog is an angel in the house, and comfortable being left alone in its crate start to leave your dog out of the crate and alone for very short periods of time.
• Your greyhound may first go to the windows to look for you. If there are blinds or other objects in the way, they could be a possible hazard if he/she gets anxious, so keep the window areas clear.
• Gradually increase the amount of time your hound is left alone.
• At first leave the crate door open so your dog can have easy access when it wants and leave plenty of toys around to keep him/her busy. Some use a Kong toy with a bit of peanut butter in it.
• Come home and make sure all is okay. Never yell at your dog if something is wrong. It's too late and your dog will not know why you are yelling at it.
• If you find your dog is not the angel you thought, then resume leaving him/her alone for only very short periods of time. When you are confident that your dog is comfortable alone, start increasing the length of time the hound is left alone.
• Try not putting your hound in positions where he/she is doomed to fail. Give your dog milestones where you know it will succeed and give your dog lots of praise.
• When you are home and you catch your greyhound doing a "no-no" don't forget they are voice sensitive so a stern NO should suffice. Anything more or any physical abuse will cause your dog not to trust you for a long time.
• If it seems nothing is working, don't panic. It just takes time. Start putting your hound back in the crate when you leave and when you feel it is comfortable being left alone start the process over again. It may take a few tries.
• Few greyhounds exhibit behavior that is inappropriate due to separation anxiety. Some may relieve themselves in the house or kennel, they may chew the cage, or furnishings or even woodwork. If needed ask your Veterinarian about medications that might help keep them calm. Keep in mind separation anxiety is a behavior seen in all breeds.

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