When you first bring your dog home please remember that he/she has never been into a house before.

They have never known real love or had a chance to play. Missing out on puppy-hood, these dogs are set to work in their infancy, all most have ever had is their bed and their food. Please give them time to realise that they are allowed to relax and enjoy life as never before. All are traumatised in some way from racing so try to stay on the dog's side and they will repay you tenfold with the love they return. Assume the dog will need careful introductions to all aspects of home life and you can't go wrong. Having said that I am not alone in being amazed at how our first greyhound breezed into the home as if she had read up on living with humans.

Taking household appliances, children, house training and our cat all in her stride, settling quickly into a much overdue, joyful puppy hood, watching her character develop, her depression recede and guiding her in her new life has been one of the most rewarding (and hilarious) experiences of our life - a feeling shared by many owners of ex-racers. It does take work, thought and training though, which is the reason behind this advice page.