Preventing a Lost Greyhound

Your dog should wear a well fitting Martingale collar at all times while outdoors. Routinely check the adjustment of the collar to make sure it is not too loose.

Always have identification tags on your dogs with your phone number. If the jingle of the tags bother you, buy a tag silencer or a tag that slides onto the side of the collar, but do NOT go without tags! If you are traveling with your dog, always make sure to, at the minimum, have a temporary identification tag including where you are staying and your phone numbers.

Your Greyhound should NEVER be off leash unless you’re in a securely fenced in area with all gates closed. When walking on lead, wrap the leash loop around your wrist and hold the leash in your hand. Also put the leash on BEFORE you open the door. We also recommend to NEVER use a flex-lead (retractable leash). If you drop the handle and your dog takes off, they will be frightened by the plastic handle “chasing” behind them. When the lead is at full length, your greyhound can reach their top speed and break the leash easily.

Always visually check that all gates to your yard are closed BEFORE letting your dog out. If you have small children, teach them that ONLY adults open the doors to the outside. Consider installing a latch or chain at the top edge of the door so that children can’t open the door without help from a grownup. Place clips on the gate latches so that children can’t easily undo and open gates. Also, consider having gates that can only be opened from the inside so that people / neighbors can’t simply walk in. Randomly check the perimeter of your fenced-in area to make sure that everything is secure.

Post signs on your gates which say “Please Keep Gate Closed” which lets people know that your dogs may be in the yard.

Fireworks and thunderstorms can be absolutely terrifying to dogs. Each year we hear of dogs bolting from yards in fear. Even if you have a fenced-in yard, consider taking your dog out on leash during these times. During Halloween, if you have a storm door with a removable screen, consider removing the top window so that the door can remain closed while you hand out candy through the top opening. Also, consider a baby gate as an additional barrier if you are entertaining during the holidays.

NEVER leave your dogs outside alone. Dogs can do some seriously amazing things if left alone and they become panicked. Scaling a 6 foot fence, or digging under it, and running off can be common with a scared dog.

Microchip, Microchip, Microchip! This does NOT prevent a lost dog, but it may help in returning your dog to you if they do become lost!