Golden rule: in week one, quiet, predictable and boring is success. A kennel dog learning house life needs routine more than tricks.
Start here — read in this order
Reading order
At a glance: greyhound basics
- Retires typically at 3–5 years old; expect 10–15 years together.
- Two short walks a day (20–30 min) — sprinters, not marathoners.
- Thin skin, low body fat; gets cold easily; needs a thick soft bed.
- Sighthound prey drive — always leashed outdoors, muzzle initially.
- Happiest in a house or apartment with a consistent routine.
- Usually quiet, gentle and people-oriented; may be shy at first.
Watch first: GAP NZ settling video diary (30 days, real dog)
Trainer Bec fostered greyhound Coby through his first 30 days as a pet and filmed everything. It shows what "normal" really looks like when you let a dog process at their own pace: days 1–2 keep it small; day 5 clicker training and "on your bed"; day 9 growling (must-watch); days 13/20 first nights and alone time; day 21, three weeks in, a reminder to go slow; days 22–28 car training, "chicken training" for cats, sleep routines and walk games.
▶ Watch the 30-day video diary — GAP NZ
Trusted resources used to build this pack
| Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|
| GAP NZ — Settling In (About Greyhounds) | Top-10 settling steps, 3-day stress recovery, 3-step bedtime routine, sleep-startle warning. |
| GAP NZ — Training / Behavioural Advice | Evidence-based training, marker and clicker work, Basic Manners, Social Hound, myth-busting old-school methods. |
| 1. Being inside a house for the first time | Stairs, slippery floors, glass doors, furniture rules, collar-grab practice. |
| 2. Fear and Anxiety | Body language: fidget / freeze / flight / fight — never punish fear. |
| 4. Crate Training | XXL 120 cm crate, four steps, 4-hour rule, phasing the crate out. |
| 5. Toilet Training | Empty-bladder rule, marking, the "pees just inside the door" fix, surface preference. |
| 6. Learning to be left alone | Micro-absences, toy tie-outs, eat-away game; physical → mental → food-toy before leaving. |
| 7. Freezing on Walks | Why greyhounds freeze (fear, not stubbornness), no walks 3–7 days, familiar routes. |
| Settling Video Diary (Coby, 30 days) | Real-time days 1→30: growling, training games, car training, chicken training. |
GAP NZ top-10 settling rules (summary): crate, playpen or baby-gate when unsupervised · a quiet undisturbed rest area · leave them alone on the bed · play, enrichment and fun training · all child contact supervised at the dog's pace · eat alone, away from other animals · off furniture for at least 3 weeks · no walks for at least 3 days, then quiet only · always on lead, with harness and long-line for sniffing · muzzle when meeting new dogs and animals. Full detail is integrated into Guides 1–4.
Adoption FAQs
The questions first-time greyhound adopters ask most.
Are retired racing greyhounds good first dogs?
Yes — often excellent. They are calm, quiet, affectionate and people-oriented, already used to crates, collars and leads, and need only modest exercise (two 20–30 minute sniffy walks a day). Individual dogs vary: ask your adoption group to match temperament to your household, including cats, children and stairs.
How long does it take a rescue greyhound to settle in?
The 3-3-3 rule is a good guide: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routine, 3 months to feel fully at home. GAP NZ stresses that stress hormones need at least three quiet days to normalise before a dog can process new things — so keep week one predictable and low-key.
How much exercise does a retired greyhound need?
Two short walks of roughly 20–30 minutes a day, ideally sniffy and on-lead, plus indoor enrichment games. Greyhounds are sprinters, not marathoners, and many sleep 16–18 hours a day while settling in.
Can a greyhound live happily in an apartment?
Yes, with a consistent routine: a nearby toilet spot, two walks a day, more frequent toilet trips while house-training, quiet streets to start, and short gradual alone-time sessions. Check lease rules, landlord permission and your insurance before adopting.
What should I buy before bringing home a retired racing greyhound?
An XXL crate (about 120 cm), a thick orthopaedic bed, flat collar with ID tag, fixed lead, well-fitted harness, basket muzzle, the kennel's current food, an enzymatic cleaner, baby gates and small high-value training treats. The full checklist is in Guide 1 — What to Prepare.
How long does greyhound toilet training take?
With a fixed routine most become reliable in 2–4 weeks: one toilet spot, frequent escorted trips, toilet-before-freedom, and enzymatic cleaning of accidents. Dogs with strong kennel surface habits can take months — patience, never punishment. See Guide 3 — Toilet Training Plan.