Introducing your Greyhound to your children.
Even if you do not currently have children, we do recommend you familiarise yourself with our advice below. For the safety of your children and your Greyhound are paramount.
There are steps to be taken when introducing a Greyhound (or any breed of dog) into its new home where children are present. Much like children - your Greyhound requires consistency in training, and welcoming any breed of dog into your home is training for everybody involved - its a team effort.
Greyhounds are not a rough and tumble breed, it is best not to let children play tug of war or a similar rough housing game in the first few months. Playing these may boost your Greyhounds confidence in a negative way, leading to dominant behaviours which is not favourable. Instead, focus on games where the Greyhound can run around from one child to another - like fetch. Avoid children 'chasing' your Greyhound. If crowded or backed into a situation they are uncomfortable and cannot escape - they may 'fear bite'. It is crucial to set those boundaries and provide your Greyhound that 'safe space'.
Children should not approach your Greyhound (or any breed of dog) whilst they are eating. If you wish to include your children in their feeding routine, it is best done once your Greyhound has settled in completely. You could start with your children providing treats - always do so while under supervision.
Try not let children dive in to hug your Greyhound without warning, Greyhounds (like other breeds) may not like to be hugged/kissed/touched on or around their faces, as this could be threatening to them - especially since a child is around their size. If for any reason you are unable to supervise children with your Greyhound, return the Greyhound to their 'safe space' for a few hours, or until you can reassess the environment. Your Greyhound will take time to adjust to the amazing life ahead, be patient and remember to call them to you for attention.
Avoid your children approaching your Greyhound while they are sleeping, or are on their bed as Greyhounds can sleep with their eyes open and can easily be frightened, and this may cause them to 'sleep startle'. Remember to set boundaries that if your Greyhound is on their bed - they are to be left alone. If you are unable to set clear boundaries and trust your children not to disturb the Greyhound when instructed so, we highly recommend the usage of a crate to create that 'safe space'.
It is not advised to get a Greyhound for your child specifically. Adopting a Greyhound should be a family decision, therefore the Greyhound would become part of the family. With the purest of intentions to provide your child responsibility in caring for this Greyhound, it could lead to unintentional stress for you, your child and your Greyhound. You have to remember the whole pack leader situation - children of young ages would be unable to fill that role.
We advise not to leave your Greyhound alone with young children, as even the most tolerant of Greyhounds can become aggravated as they cannot stand up to badgering. Ensure your Greyhound is not subjected to a loud environment as this may confuse your Greyhound, mistaking it for danger/trouble.
If you find yourself saying:
"The dog snapped at my child for no reason" - there was a reason, it was just unfortunately not recognized as children cannot read body language.
"But I thought my family was matched with a Greyhound who liked kids? Why is it growling at them?" - your Greyhound would love the attention that the tiny hooman provides, but not when the Greyhound is being badgered/hugged or disturbed by them constantly - remember, your Greyhound needs that quiet safe space for when things get a little too much.
Lastly, it can take your Greyhound three days to decompress and adjust to this new life, so remember to keep their world small. After three weeks, your Greyhound will be adapting to your routine and learning their own. Once your Greyhound has noticeably settled in, a great way to build the relationship between your Greyhound and your children is through exercise and obedience training. Take your children on a walk with you and guide them through how to properly hold the leash - just keep in mind some Greyhounds may get excited with distractions. Obedience training can be an excellent tool in aiding bonding between your children and your Greyhound, as eventually your children can give your Greyhound commands. Ensure to reward for good behaviours - it's like giving your Greyhound a job.