Greyhounds are loyal and docile and will go out of their way to avoid conflict. It is essential that your attention will be required at ALL times when your child and your dog are interacting. This will enable you to protect the greyhound from too much rough attention and to inform the child when the dog should be left alone. 

Your new dog is not a toy and should be treated with consideration and respect. Children are at "bite height" when interacting with a dog. They usually will be bitten around the face or arm if there is a biting incident.

PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY IF THERE IS A BITE, the earlier we intercede with problems, the more we can do to help you. Be sensitive to when the dog has had enough of the children. A female will snap at her puppies when she has had enough. She doesn’t bite them but it’s a warning to stop what they are doing. If your dog is looking harassed separate it from the child.

Keeping the gate closed is a necessity when there are children running about. If the gate is open and closed and opened, a lock on the gate may be what you need. When your dog and child are playing in the yard keep an eye out that your greyhound doesn’t get nippy with all the excitement. Your loping dog may knock your child over. Remember, it’s a big furry kid and will get just as exuberant as a child will. Please remember to have children wash their hands after playing with your hound.

It’s a good thing to keep parasites out of children’s way. Many dogs have been wormed before being adopted but caution is always best.

Do NOT allow your child to discipline your dog.

A child does not have the stature to back up a command with the posture necessary. Your child will be considered a litter mate by your dog. It is an equal. One of the adults in the household will be the alpha dog, the disciplinarian. Do not let your child play tug of war games or wrestles on the floor with your dog, these are dominance games and your dog will want to win! DO teach your children, as they get bigger, to reinforce the "sit" command or “come” command. They will move up in pack order as they get bigger and your dog will respect them.

When your greyhound is eating they are enticing because they are standing in one place.  Yourg without interference. He will appreciate it and this will keep him from becoming food defensive. Likewise, if the dog is eating a rawhide chew or a knucklebone keep the children away until YOU have determined that the treat can be taken away without a growl or snap. Our foster families will check this out, but it is always good to double check this point as, this can be a major bone of contention. If your dog growls at you, use a sharp "NO!" and take the treat away.

Give it back in a few minutes and try taking the treat again. If a growl ensues repeat the "NO!" and take the treat away again. Your dog will learn not to challenge YOU (the alpha dog) for the treat. Do not let your child do this exercise.

Dogs teach children compassion and caretaking. With the proper supervision, your child and greyhound will become the best of friends and develop a lasting and loving relationship that will last for years.

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