Adopting A Greyhound—A Loving Commitment
Below is a copy of the Commitment Contract that you will be required to sign before adopting a Greyhound. Reading, signing and returning this sheet to REGAP with your application means that you have committed to the time and effort involved in adopting a greyhound.
Greyhounds make great pets, are very sensitive and intelligent and thrive on love. BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, THEY ARE DOGS - and potential adopters should reconsider it they are not willing to have the patience and spend the time and effort to help a Greyhound become a wonderful pet. REGAP receives back between 5% and 10% of Greyhounds adopted - probably the same (or less) than any breed's track record. The following are examples of the kinds of experiences any dog can provide, not just Greyhounds. Not being prepared for life with any new pet can result in problems - AND REGAP WOULD RATHER NOT ADOPT OUT A GREYHOUND THAN TO HAVE IT RETURNED BECAUSE THE ADOPING PERSON WAS NOT COMMITTED TO THE ADOPTION AND THE GREYHOUND!
Also included are some ideas to help with these experiences but the best suggestion is to call REGAP volunteers with any questions and listen and act on the suggestions given.
Finally, always remember that the Greyhound has lived its life to the point of adoption in a very structured environment. A Greyhound has never been in a home. It has never had to deal with a glass door or window or go up and down steps. Try to remember what it was like on your very first day at school. Everything was new, foreign and different. And you were away, for the first time, from the life you had since being born. Remember? Now you are a little closer to how these dogs feel. Be patient, be loving and BE SURE that you have a commitment to your new pet to give him or her up to possibly sixty days to become acclimated to his or her new world.
| POTENTIAL PROBLEM | COMMENTS | POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS |
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Children need special attention so as not to be in any dog's face or hang on the dog or bother the dog while it is sleeping. | Watch the children closely and use having a pet as a learning experience. |
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Being alone is the biggest challenge for your new pet who has never been alone in this life. | Do not adopt a Greyhound if your schedule does not allow for significant loving and nurturing time with your pet. There is a possibility that while you are away, a crate might be used as a temporary, transitional tool only. Often a dog will not accept a crate even for a short time and in those instances we will recommend the use of a muzzle. If additional problems arise, use the REGAP support group listed below who are ready and willing to help in any way! |
| Chewing | Often due to being alone. | Muzzle, crate. Use product like "Bitter Apple" on furniture. |
| Housebreaking | Sometimes habit forming | Feed the dog daily at the same time so bathroom out times are more predictable. |
| Urinating in house or Crate | Often a sudden case of indoor peeing may indicate a urinary tract infection | Contact your veterinarian for a urine check for your dog. |
| Other Pets | Greys are playful but sometimes don't know restraint at first | Muzzle |
| Any Questions | A support group is here to help. Use the experience we have accumulated by helping nearly 600 Kansas City families adopt and enjoy the wonderful experience of living with and loving a Greyhound! |
Robyn Stone Olathe, KS 816-763-3333 Kevin & Sherry Neuman Overland Park, KS 913-681-2228 Chris & Julie Morrison Lenexa, KS 913-859-9142 |