Greyhounds have a different upbringing from all other dog breeds. They spend a lot of time from birth with other greyhounds, which could be his littermates or racing mates. The first time your greyhound is or has been left alone is most likely when you do.
Use a crate: Your greyhound will be more comfortable using a crate. It will help keep your dog and the house safe. Having something familiar to your dog like a crate will greatly aide his transition to home life. Having never been in a home, it can be quite overwhelming for your greyhound. Put your dog in the crate 10 or 15 before you leave. This gives your greyhound a chance to settle in the crate before you leave and keeps him from associating the crate to you leaving.
Exercise: Just because greyhounds are referred to as couch potatoes doesn’t mean they do not need exercise. A good walk and the chance to run in a well-fenced area regularly are sufficient exercise. Exercise will tire your dog out making it easier to relax.
Visual of the outdoors: Leave the blinds down so that your greyhound can see outside.
What Can Make Greyhounds Aggressive?
It is most unusual for a greyhound to be aggressive; however, when they are aggressive, it is almost always fear and anxiety-based.
There is little difference between anxiety and fear, but fear is a natural response to a situation that has the potential to cause harm.
At least, how your dog perceives the situation anyway.
Anxiety is anticipating the event, so whatever is causing the fear might not be present, yet your dog is showing signs of fear.
Let’s discuss examples of situations where a greyhound may become aggressive:
Psychological trauma
Greyhounds are very sensitive, and psychological trauma from past experiences, especially those that involve physical mistreatment, affects their overall behavior.
Create a safe space: A clear structure of safety would be handy for a dog that exhibits psychological aggression. In the newly created safe place, allow only positive vibes and things to happen. This was way your dog won’t feel like any pressure has been placed on him.
Give your greyhound choices: Offering your greyhound choices, whether it is about the environment, care, or schedule, gives him a sense of control. Teach your dog appropriate behavior that allows them to, in turn, get what they want. This way, they learn that they have control over what happens to them. The reward reinforces your greyhound’s confidence to choose.
Support: Both animals and people who have undergone psychological trauma greatly benefit from social support. The sense of belonging, experiencing love, and security helps build trust, thereby breaking through the trauma. Repetition and routine are vital in rewiring your greyhound’s brain. It takes time to accumulate repetitions, but remember, recovery takes patience and time.