Blog

We always talk about what life is like for our retired greyhounds once they come into our homes, but before they are roaching up a storm on our couches, they lived the elite athlete lifestyle. And who was right by their side through this part of their lives?

There are tonnes of ways to keep a greyhound entertained, and I have tried them all over my 5 years of owning greyhounds. There are several reasons you may want to provide some extra enrichment for your dog: they get bored when they are alone, or maybe you need a way to slow down their eating.

I used to work as a dog trainer, and I have honestly seen it all when it comes to dog behaviour. It is a common misconception that large breeds are more aggressive than small ones - but I completely and utterly disagree. The only dogs that have ever scared me have been chihuahuas and dachshunds - but in truth, a dog's temperament comes a LOT from its training.

As I write this, I am patting my newest pet, Mr Pancake, and admiring his fancy new green collar – he passed his assessment earlier today, and we adopted him on the spot as planned. He passed with flying colours, and I am oh so proud of my big boy! It occurred to me that not everyone will know exactly what goes on at an assessment, so I thought I would break it down for you.

It is no surprise to hear that Australia has hot summers – we are famous for it. With the mercury set to tip over 45 degrees multiple times this year, it is increasingly important to be prepared, especially when it comes to our beloved pets.

New Year is an incredibly fun time of year for us humans – there are parties, food, drinks, celebration, resolutions, and even fireworks!

Christmas can be a stressful time for us all, but it can also be filled with joy.

Greyhounds are such strange creatures: some of my friends claim they are not of this world, or not even dogs at all. They're a weird concoction of long legs and attitude, and my three catch me off guard all the time with their quirks! I've compiled some of my absolute favourite greyhound-isms for you, so that you can look out for them in the hounds you know.

Modern purebred dogs are often victim to several health ailments, many of which have been bred-in to accentuate certain features that are ‘desirable’ in show dogs. For example, German Shepherds often suffer hip issues because of their slanted backs, and Pugs often suffer sinus issues due to their squat noses. Greyhounds, however, have been bred to be prime athletes - strong, healthy, and fit - and this means they have fewer health issues than many other breeds!

When a foster greyhound comes home, you have to remember that they have likely never been in a house before. Everything in your home is brand new and super cool and interesting! They’ve never seen any of these weird human things before, and that can elicit a lot of excitement, as well as apprehension.

One of the most common questions we get asked from those considering adopting a greyhound is ‘how much do I need to feed them?’ – and this is no surprise. Greyhounds are large dogs, and concerns about food budgets and sourcing are valid! However, most hounds aren’t very picky – and we have so much information to share with you on this topic.

No dog breed is perfect – every single dog comes with its challenges. Greyhounds, though, are some of the most peculiar dog breeds I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Their many quirks are most often endearing – but occasionally, they can be stressful.

These days, greyhounds are synonymous with super speed and athleticism - but this isn’t where the breed began, and the history might surprise you!

"Having worked as a dog trainer with dozens of different breeds I can tell you this – there is truly nothing quite like a greyhound".

Fostering a retired greyhound is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. But how do you decide if you’re ready to do it? Would you like to know more about what’s involved? We are here to answer all your questions!

Young kids and dogs have one very annoying trait in common – they make taking medicine one of the most difficult tasks on earth.

Nothing breaks your heart more than hearing your greyhound crying as you pull out of the driveway. They miss you already, and now the whole neighbourhood knows about it. So, what do you do from here?

Ask Usain Bolt to run a marathon and you’ll watch him lose – badly. But what about a greyhound?

Greyhounds enrich all of our lives, and the way we can make their time with us even better is through positive reinforcement.

Greyhounds are a hugely popular breed of dog these days. But there are still lots of people out there potentially wary of adopting greys due to a few common misconceptions about greyhounds. Here are the Top 9!

Older greyhounds require a baseline activity of around 20 minutes, twice a day.

Please note that as of 4/3/22, GAP no longer requires its staff, volunteers, and fosterers and adopters to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to attend any GAP facility or event.

The ideal walking pattern is when a dog walks close to its owner’s hip with a loose leash.

Fruit is jam-packed full of good stuff like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. This goodness can provide many health benefits for your dog including boosting their immune system, improving gut health, and have also been known to help prevent cancer.

To understand how hot weather affects greyhounds, you first need to understand the difference between people and greys, and the different ways in which our bodies work to maintain a stable operating temperature.

Now is the pawfect time to get your dogs' breath in check and set up a dental routine that will keep them smiling without the pawful breath.

The GAP SA team will be working from home from 30/12/2021 for the foreseeable future and as a result, the office will remain unmanned. All visits will be required to be conducted via appointment only.

Thinking of buying a pooch this Christmas? Consider a retired greyhound!

Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) announces that a new COVID vaccination requirement for all staff, customers, volunteers, visitors, suppliers and industry participants will apply from 26th December 2021.

GAP Racenight 2021

The purple carpet was rolled out last night at Angle Park for GAP's Racenight for 2021

GRSA are delighted to announce that Nicole Massey has accepted the role of GAP Manager

New greyhounds are available for foster or adoption will now be added to our website on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9am.

Here at GAP SA, we use a method of training called ‘Positive Reinforcement’. Put simply, this means to reward our greys for doing a desirable behaviour or to reinforce good behaviour by adding a resource, like yummy treats, toys, or even a good pat. Positive reinforcement training is the best training method to use with any breed of dog but is especially important when training a greyhound. 

The GAP SA team has resumed operations as normal, and we are back in the office. However, all visits will still be required to be conducted via appointment only.

The GAP SA team will be resuming operations as of Wednesday, July 28. We will continue to work from home where possible and as a result, the office will remain unmanned. All visits will be required to be conducted via appointment only.

As a result of the recent COVID-19 lockdown, our office will be closed for the next 7 days. We are still accepting applications and all calls from GAP will be from a private number. We are still here to assist all our greyhounds!

Adopting a Retired greyhound will now help seriously ill children such as Alex Tann, thanks to Greyhound Racing SA

There has never been a better time to open your home to adopt a greyhound, with Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) set to donate the proceeds from the Greyhounds As Pets SA (GAP SA) program to the Little Heroes Foundation (LHF).

We all love our greyhounds and want to be able to provide the most loving and comfortable homes for them. Just like people, dogs want to come home to a house and family where they feel safe, secure, comfortable, and cared for - this includes having some personal space and alone time.

It was an exciting day at GAP Headquarters on Saturday as we celebrated National Adoption Day for the first time since 2019. With over 300 registered attendees and many beautiful greyhounds looking to find their forever homes, it was great to feel the greyhound love in the air.

National Adoption Day Photo Competition Terms and Conditions

the Greyhound Adoption Program SA will be rebranded to Greyhounds As Pets. This rebrand better fits the organisation which not only adopts, but also foster greyhounds, as well as educating new owners and promoting the fact that greyhounds make great pets.

We are renaming the Greyhound Adoption Program to Greyhounds As Pets.

Not being able to leave the house isn't just affecting us it is also affecting our pets. Here we have put together some great tips on how you can help your greyhound during lockdown.

We know a knew process can be confusing that is why we have put together a list of FAQs to assist you in navigating it.

Our svelte foster star Colby certainly deserves her race name “Where’s Sparky” - one minute she’s a tornado, the next she’s asleep...

Colby instantly felt like she was meant to be ours, she adapted to our routine, she's never soiled the house, and so our foster role has become a foster fail because we're keeping her! 

Have you ever been out and noticed a dog wearing a muzzle and assumed that it must be because the dog isn’t friendly or must be aggressive? Don’t worry you aren’t the only one to have this thought, but it is often a misunderstood accessory that can lead to negative breed connotations.

We have a few tips to help your greyhound adjust back to your normal routine as you return back to the office.

If you have made the switch to working from home, it’s important to consider the impact this change in routine may have on your foster or adopted greyhound.

KEEPING YOUR GREYHOUND OCCUPIED DURING ISOLATION. Need something to do with all those leftover toilet rolls? Here is the perfect use for them!

Greyhound Racing SA and Little Heroes Foundation have been teaming up for the last 12 months, with some big wins both on and off the track, to help seriously ill children.

Found yourself with a lot of spare time while you’re stuck at home? Luckily Netflix is here to get you through those days and nights on the couch with your greyhound, although don’t plan on your greyhound making it through the whole show without dozing off!

GAP receives a lot of questions about cats and greyhounds, so we've answered some of the most frequently asked.

You probably remember Smokey our amazing foster carer Jennie Alcorn's 100th hound… well here is is a little update on what he is up to these days now he has been adopted by the Jones Family.

Summer is here and it is only going to get hotter whether we like it or not. Due to their slender bodies, greyhounds can be very susceptible to heat stress and heatstroke.  So, with temperatures in the high 30s.....

Christmas is a time when lots of people decide to get a new pet to give as a gift. While it may seem like a great idea, the reality of the time and financial commitment is often not something that is thought about.

Fostering or adopting a greyhound is one of the most rewarding things any animal-lover can do. While they’re known for their speed and athleticism, greyhounds are naturally quite docile, which makes them a wonderful, easy-going indoor companion. What’s more, their gentle and affectionate nature is bound to melt your heart.

There are a few myths out there about this gorgeous breed, so we thought we would clear up the main ones for you. So listen up, and prepare to learn some surprising things about these athletic yet ultra-cuddly canines!

Greyhound Adoption Program SA

Tips for fostering or adopting a greyhound!

If you’re also suffering frostbite and seafood cravings, our topic today is guaranteed to warm you from the inside out. (Secondary effects include spontaneous greyhound adoption.)

For six weeks you’ve taken mine and Dave’s word for it. Greyhounds are the best! we bark. Adopt a tall, skinny pup! we plea. Your life will be changed forever and ever amen! we shriek while roaching on the couch. But there’s a limit to how persuasive one gal and her silky black hound can be. Thus, we decided to collect stories from around the globe to back us up.

It took me three goes to type ‘greyhound’ and ‘objections’ in the same sentence. My hands seized at the keyboard, clouds swept over the sun and somewhere in the distance, a lonely hound howled. Those two words don’t go together.

This week, Dave donned a monocle and spoke (in secret dog lingo) to Professor Anna Chur-Hansen from the University of Adelaide about pets and their impact on human health.

Tapping my plastic and grabbing the snacks, I glanced once more in Dave’s direction. He now stood, tail wagging and snout extending towards a woman as light as a leaf.

It’s 8 in the morning. The sun has lost its summer oomph and is now a pale presence in the living room, providing little warmth. Dave and I are rugged up accordingly - me sporting an itchy woollen beanie, Dave, a pinstripe felt kimono with a big bow tied around his waist.

Do you dream of owning a castle, complete with rolling paddocks, puddles and a smattering of delectable doggie treats for your hounds to roll in?

Love at first sight. I was never a believer. It was something that happened to Meg Ryan, and occasionally when faced with a fresh almond croissant.