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If you would like to come walk our dogs here are some basic guidelines:
General info:
 Sign out each dog; dog's name, time out and back in, and walker's (or walking group's responsible party in attendance) contact information including phone number(s).
Dogs that can be walked will be marked as such with a "walking dog" symbol. If a dog is marked as "vetted" or as a "visitor" they cannot be walked. Unspayed an unneutered dogs cannot be walked either - generally dogs that have not yet been spayed or neutered are in the backroom. If you are unsure if a dog is walkable, ASK, or skip that dog if no one is there to ask.
Clip the lead/leash on the loop part of their martingale-style collars so that if they tug they do not slip out of their collars. (Diagram of an instant harness made of the leash, use if dog starts spooking or becoming difficult to manage is below.)
Greyhounds at the kennel are NOT EVER running-buddies. They are by nature sprinters and it takes a lot of work to build up their stamina for jogging or running for more than a couple minutes, so do not over-tax their system just because you want a running buddy. (If you would like to adopt a Grey for it to become your running buddy please ask about how to slowly build them up to that.)
Greyhounds are gentle dogs, they need kind words and soft commands. They may also be easily spooked by sudden noises or passing cars because they have yet to experience them; if you don't want to risk that then use the big yard to play with them in - keep them on lead as they may still spook and jump the fence.
Keep in mind that walking the dogs may be fun for you, but if the walking experience is not to the dogs' benefit for any of the reasons listed above - or others not yet noted - then do not walk them. Visit with them in the kennel if you'd like to just love them up, or turn-out area if you'd like to play with them off-lead.
And lastly ... If a kennel volunteer is there and says something to the effect of "dogs are not to be walked at this time" then please do respect that, there is undoubtedly a valid reason for that request. |
About knowing when it is appropriate to walk dogs in regards to the weather...
Greyhounds have little-to-no-fat layer and very thin coats for dogs; keep their walks SHORT, and water them well when they return.
If you would be shivering or over-heated after a few minutes of wearing nothing but jeans, a long-sleeve t-shirt and light shoes then it is too cold or too hot for anything more than a 10-15 minute walk.
If it is raining, cold enough to freeze water, or hot enough to overheat just from moving quickly then it is not appropriate weather for walking the Greys.
Even in perfect weather conditions they should not be walked for much more than 1/2 hour.
Walking the Greys is about socializing them with humans, not with other dogs.
If another dog-walker approaches you with their pooch in tow ask them to please stay back.
Not all Greyhounds have yet to recognize other breeds as being dogs too because they haven't ever seen anything but their own kind.
And not all Greys are small animal safe.
Greyhounds really are not dangerous dogs - they just lack experience - but other dogs may be dangerous to them.
So, even if you know that other dog, still no, keep them away. It is not fair to the Greyhound to put them in that position.
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(Just to reiterate; dog walking does not meet the requirements
for community service, it is what people do for fun.) |
