Greyhounds are known for their speed and grace, but these beautiful dogs make excellent pets too, regardless of their age. Especially when older, these dogs have a calm demeanor and are often very affectionate, making them ideal companions. However, older greyhounds may require a slightly different approach to training than a younger dog. Here, you will explore several smart tips to train an older greyhound efficiently and effectively.
Understanding the Greyhound Breed
Before delving into specific strategies for training an older greyhound, it’s essential to understand the breed’s unique characteristics. Greyhounds are often retired racing dogs, which means they have been professionally trained to perform one task: chase. Consequently, they may have limited exposure to other experiences that many other dogs do, like meeting new people, encountering different sounds, and visiting various environments.
Moreover, greyhounds possess traits of ‘sighthounds’ or hounds that primarily hunt by sight and speed, rather than scent. As a result, greyhounds are very alert and will chase anything they perceive as prey. This instinct can make it challenging to train them, especially in an outdoor environment. They are also known to be highly sensitive dogs, which means harsh or forceful training strategies will likely be counterproductive.
Positive Reinforcement is Key
Irrespective of the breed, positive reinforcement has proven to be among the most effective training techniques for dogs. It particularly resonates well with greyhounds due to their gentle and sensitive temperament. Rewarding your dog for positive behavior, instead of punishing them for negative behavior, helps reinforce the desired actions. This strategy involves using treats, verbal praises, or gestures of affection as rewards when they perform a task correctly.
Keeping Training Sessions Short and Sweet
Greyhounds can tire out easily despite their reputation as racing dogs. This trait, combined with an older greyhound’s natural loss of stamina resulting from aging, means training sessions should be kept short. Short, frequent training sessions are more effective than extended, infrequent ones. Aim for multiple ten-minute sessions generously spread throughout the day rather than a single long session.
Addressing House Training Head On
Older greyhounds may require special attention when it comes to house training, especially if they were previously housed in kennels. Routine and consistency are key to successfully house train a greyhound. Establish and stick to routine timings for meals and bathroom breaks to help your dog understand your expectations.
Leash Training is Essential
Given their chase instinct, leash training is exceptionally crucial for greyhounds. It’s not uncommon for a greyhound to see a squirrel, take off running, and not stop until they’ve caught it or are exhausted. As a result, it is essential to get your greyhound accustomed to walking on a leash at a constant pace beside the handler. Start in a quiet environment before gradually introducing more distractions as your dog becomes comfortable on the leash.
Socialization is a Gradual Process
Socializing an older greyhound takes time and patience. Since most retired racing greyhounds have lived sheltered lives, it’s critical to expose them gradually to new sounds, sights, smells, and people. You can start by taking your greyhound on walks in quiet places before progressively increasing to more populated areas.
Learning Basic Commands
Older greyhounds can still learn basic commands like ‘Sit,’ ‘Stay,’ ‘Come,’ and ‘Heel’. Using verbal cues consistently followed by a reward when the command is correctly followed, reinforces the behavior. Persistence combined with a reward-based approach ensures an older greyhound learns new tricks successfully.
Addressing Separation Anxiety
Many older greyhounds have never been left alone because they’ve always lived with other dogs. As a result, they may experience severe separation anxiety when left alone. Training an older greyhound to be comfortable when left alone often involves gradually increasing periods of separation while providing a safe, secure, and engaging environment for them to occupy themselves independently.
Using Crate Training
Crate training can provide your greyhound with a secure place to retreat. Retired racing greyhounds have typically lived in crates before adoption, so they are likely already comfortable with it. However, ensure the crate is used positively and is never used for punishment.
Training an older greyhound may seem overwhelming due to their racing backgrounds and breed characteristics. Yet, with patience, consistency, and an insightful understanding of their behavior and past experiences, you can successfully shape an older greyhound into an obedient and loving companion. Remember, positive reinforcement, familiarization with leash and crate, and gradual socialization are key factors when training an older greyhound to adopt and adapt to their new homes and families.
