Exercising My Greyhound

How much exercise does a greyhound need?
Are greyhounds easy to walk?
Can I let my greyhound off-leash?
How do I teach my greyhound to play fetch?
Where can I let my greyhound run?
Why do greyhounds do Zoomies?

How much exercise does a greyhound need?

Greyhounds are known for their low exercise requirements compared to other breeds, as they are sprinters and not long-distance runners. They are generally not as active or energetic as other breeds, and their exercise needs can be met with short walks or playtime sessions each day to keep them fit and healthy. Greyhounds can be satisfied with a 20 to 30-minute walk each day and a longer walk once or twice a week. Your greyhound may also be happy to go for a jog or run with you (on a lead). If commencing jogging with your greyhound they should be gradually introduced to running, with the distance gradually being increased so that they can build up their endurance. We have had a greyhound in the past that loved to go for a 20-minute jog, and he got to know the route so well that he would accelerate over the last 500 metres as though he was racing us home. Our current two retired racers go for a 45-minute walk most mornings and regularly protest or make it known that they are not happy if their walk is delayed due to other commitments. They remember the locations where they have previously seen wildlife such as foxes, kangaroos or rabbits and go on high alert with their ears up whenever we approach, expecting to see the same animals again. The amount of exercise that each greyhound prefers will be different depending on their size and age.

It’s also important to provide greyhounds with mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. This can include but is not limited to toys, training sessions, and agility courses. Greyhounds are highly intelligent and enjoy learning new things, they are also known for their calm nature. It is important not to over-exercise them and to let them rest after exercise.

Are greyhounds easy to walk?

Greyhounds are generally easy to walk, but they can have some specific needs and behaviours that may require extra attention. Greyhounds are sighthounds, which means that they have a strong prey drive and can be easily distracted by small animals or other moving objects. Therefore, they should always be kept on a leash or in a securely fenced area when outside to prevent them from running off. Being a relatively low-energy breed means that they do not require a lot of exercise and are content with a moderate-sized backyard or a daily walk.

Some greyhounds may have a tendency to pull on the leash or become overly excited when they see other animals. This can be addressed through positive reinforcement training and by using a harness or head collar to help control their pulling. It is important to note that greyhounds have sensitive skin, so they may require a gentle harness to avoid skin irritation, and a good quality collar (with a tag with your contact information). Greyhounds are usually friendly and sociable dogs and enjoy going for walks, but it’s important to socialise them from a young age with different people, environments and animals. When adopting an adult greyhound, it is recommended to introduce them to new environments gradually to help them feel at ease with new people, sounds and other animals.

We have been lucky with our greyhounds over the years, as they have all already been trained to walk on a lead when we adopted them. With our current two who are siblings, one is dominant and has to walk in front of the other whilst the other is happy to walk with his head in line with our hip whilst going for a walk. This all changes though when they see a kangaroo and their ears are pricked and they gain a spring in their step.

Overall, Greyhounds can be easy to walk with proper training, socialisation and management, but as with any dog, it is important to be aware of their specific needs and behaviours and to take the appropriate steps to ensure their safety and well-being.

Can I let my greyhound off-leash?

It is not recommended to let a greyhound off-leash in an unsecured area, due to their strong prey drive. Greyhounds have been bred for racing and chasing, so they have a natural instinct to run and chase. Even if your greyhound is well-trained and well-behaved, it is not safe to let them off-leash in an unsecured area. Greyhounds should be kept on a leash or in a securely fenced area.

Whether or not you can let your greyhound off-leash will depend on several factors, including the training and socialisation of your specific greyhound, and the environment in which you are allowing your greyhound to be off-leash. Is it important to ensure that your greyhound is well-trained and fully understands basic commands such as “come” and “stay” before letting it off-leash. It is also important to consider the location where you will be letting your greyhound off-leash, in a fenced and secure area such as a dog park or a large fenced-in backyard, where it can run and play safely without the risk of running off or getting lost. It’s also important to make sure that the area is free of any potential hazards such as cars or other animals that might harm your greyhound. Even if your greyhound is well-trained or socialised, it’s important to keep them in a secure and visible area, or on a leash when in unfamiliar or busy areas. Check your local legislation for any rules regarding muzzle requirements and use off-leash areas.

We keep our dogs on a lead at all times when going for a walk and make use of our local slipping track. This allows us to let our two greyhounds off to run and play in a safe, secure and controlled environment. We are always mindful of other dogs as we have seen too often on social media greyhounds being attacked at parks and in open spaces by other aggressive dogs, greyhounds have very thin skin, so they suffer considerable damage.

How do I teach my greyhound to play fetch?

Teaching your greyhound to play fetch can be a fun and enjoyable activity for both you and your greyhound. We have found the best way to teach a greyhound to play fetch is:

Choose the right toy: Chhose a toy that your greyhound is interested in and that is easy for it to pick up and carry. A soft, lightweight toy is a good option to start with.

Start with short sessions: Begin with short, 5-10 minute training sessions, and gradually increase the duration as your greyhound becomes more comfortable (sometimes they just won’t feel like it).
Encourage the fetch: Hold the toy in front of your greyhound and encourage it to grab it with a “take it” or “fetch” command. If your greyhound picks up the toy, praise it and offer a treat.
Teach the “drop” command: Once your greyhound has the toy in its mouth, say “drop” and offer a treat. Repeat this step until your greyhound reliably drops the toy on command.

Begin the fetching process: Once your greyhound has the “drop” command down, start playing fetch by tossing the toy a short distance and encouraging your pet to retrieve it.
Increase the distance: Gradually increase the distance of the toss as your pet becomes more comfortable with the fetching process.
Use positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to encourage your pet and reinforce the fetching behaviour.

With patience and consistency, most greyhounds can be taught to play fetch and will enjoy the physical and mental stimulation it provides.

Where can I let my greyhound run?

If you have a greyhound, it is important to provide them with plenty of opportunities to run and exercise. Some options for letting your greyhound run are:

Dog Parks: Many communities or Councils have dog parks where you can let your greyhound off-leash to run and play with other dogs. Be sure to check the rules of the dog park and make sure your greyhound is comfortable with other dogs before visiting. Whilst at the park it is also a good idea to make sure you are content that the other dogs at the park will not pose a safety risk to your greyhound.

Slipping Track: Some greyhound organisations or local councils have tracks where you can take your greyhound to run and exercise. These tracks are surrounded by a large fence and these facilities are designed for greyhounds to be able to run at full speed.
Fenced-in yards: If you have a secure, fenced-in yard, your greyhound can run and play in a safe and enclosed space. Make sure the fence is tall enough to prevent your greyhound from jumping over it.
Professional dog walkers: You can hire professional dog walkers who can take your greyhound for a run or a walk. This can be a great option if you are unable to provide enough exercise for your greyhound on your own. Dog walkers can be utilised on a regular basis or an as required basis.

Open spaces: Some greyhound owners who are confident that their greyhound is sufficiently trained for recall utilise open spaces such as large parks to let their greyhound run off-leash. It is best to check the local legislation for greyhounds off-leash before doing this. Personally, we do not let our greyhounds off-leash in unfenced areas as we are not confident in their recall abilities.

It’s important to keep in mind that wherever you choose to let your greyhound run that they are safe and secure and remember that they have a strong prey drive and may be inclined to chase small animals. You should always supervise your greyhound whilst they are running and make sure that they are wearing identification tags in the event that they get lost or separated from you.

Why do greyhounds do zoomies?

Greyhounds, like many dogs, may engage in sudden bursts of energetic activity, known as ‘zoomies’.

Some common causes include:

Excitement: Zoomies can be a natural expression of excitement and happiness, such as when your greyhound is greeting you after a long day at work or has just finished playing.
Release of pent-up energy: Zoomies can also be a way for greyhounds to release pent-up energy, especially if they have been inactive for a prolonged period of time.
Stress relief: Some greyhounds may also engage in zoomies as a way to release stress and anxiety.

Physical release: Zoomies can also be a way for greyhounds to release excess physical energy, especially if they feel are not getting enough exercise.

Zoomies are a natural behaviour for many greyhounds and can be a fun and entertaining way for them to express themselves. However, it is important to provide your greyhound with adequate exercise and playtime to help prevent excessive zoomies and ensure its overall well-being.