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Greyhound running

Exercising your greyhound

Your greyhound will spend most of his time indoors relaxing and laying around. He needs to burn off this conserved energy with a run in the yard, a nice walk or a burst of energy up and down your hallway. Greyhounds need at least an hour of exercise per day. Although backyard exercise is perfectly acceptable, daily walks provide more mental and physical stimulation for your dog and help build a bond of trust between you and your new pet.

Greyhound exercise

Your living space will be a big factor when evaluating your dog's exercise needs. If you live in an apartment, small house, or condo with no yard, your dog will need around 2-3 short walks per day and 1-2 long walks. Your greyhound will also enjoy a good run in a completely enclosed fenced area a couple of times a week.

The age and condition of your greyhound will also determine the type of activity you can engage him in. A senior greyhound may be not as eager to join in romping with other dogs, but will love a nice quiet walk with just the two of you - he still wants to be part of your life even though he is slowing down.

Greyhounds are sprinters, not distance runners, so if you intend to run long distances with your dog, start with a one-mile jog and slowly increase the distance. A long run can be detrimental to your greyhound's health if he is not conditioned.

Greyhound and heat

Whether it is jogging or walking, make sure to monitor your greyhound for signs of fatigue or overheating. Heat exhaustion is common in dogs. It can happen in your backyard, or on a walk. New environments and areas can be exciting to your greyhound and he can easily overdo it. Always carry a bottle of water in case your dog gets overheated. Dogs cool themselves by panting. If panting does cannot adequately reduce the body temperature of your dog, he will develop heat stroke. Look for signs such as heaving sides, heavy panting, vomiting and wooziness while standing. If this happens, give your greyhound small amounts of water at a time so he does not vomit it back up. Apply cold, wet towels or cloths and walk him slowly to cool him down. Immediately call a vet. If you can, take your dog's temperature. If your dog has heat stroke every second counts and it is imperative that you act quickly.

Greyhound Playing

Never walk your dog in the heat. Early morning and evening walks are the safest times to walk your pet during the warm weather season. If the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on. Greyhounds are also prone to sunburn. Gentle sunscreens made for children can be applied to your greyhound's skin, but it is best to keep your dog in the shade whenever possible.

Wait at least an hour after your greyhound has eaten before engaging him in any kind of physical exercise to protect against bloat or indigestion. Bloat is a condition affecting mainly large-breed dogs where the intestines become twisted and blocked. Symptoms can include pacing, restlessness, a swollen stomach, and attempts to vomit. This medical condition is extremely serious and will require emergency veterinary care. A nice short leash-walk after a meal is fine.

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