Exercise and Enrichment
Greyhounds need both physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and well-adjusted. Learn how much exercise they actually need, where to walk them, and what enrichment activities work best.
The benefits of a walk
Slow down and give your greyhound time to use their amazing sense of smell to explore the environment. Although walks provide physical exercise, walks should also allow enough time for mental stimulation.
- Sniffing is calming: Studies show sniffing lowers the pulse rate and promotes calmness
- Reduce stress: Sniffing reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels - the stress hormone
- Promotes wellbeing: Important for mental and emotional wellbeing - provides an outlet for natural behaviour
- Choice, freedom and agency: The freedom to choose to stop and sniff helps dogs feel more in control of their environment and builds self confidence
- Reduces cognitive decline: Sniffing different things and interpreting that information requires mental effort which helps reduce cognitive decline.
How often should I walk my greyhound?
Although greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog, they achieve their incredible speed in one all out sprint and do not have a lot of endurance. For this reason, greyhounds require less exercise than breeds of dogs and are generally happy with one or two short walks per day of around 15-20 minutes. If you intend to walk your greyhound for longer periods, you will need to start at 20 minutes and gradually build up their stamina.
Where should I walk my greyhound?
Greyhounds have often not had recall training so ensure you walk your greyhound with a good quality lead under effective control. Due to your greyhound's speed, retractable leads are not recommended as they can cause injury to you, your dog, other people and animals.
Remember your greyhound must be kept on a leash at all times when in public. While there are off-leash dog parks in Victoria, it is illegal for greyhounds to be offleash in them.
There are also many greyhound walking groups around Victoria which is a great way to socialise for all involved. You can find groups listed in the Walks tab, found here: https://gap.grv.org.au/news-events/upcoming-events
What about other mental enrichment?
Soft toys, puzzle toys with food treats, daily exercise and training are essential in creating a mentally enriching environment for your greyhound.
Toys could include chew toys, rope toys or kongs (rubber dog toys in which food can be hidden). Other activities you may include are hiding small amounts of food around the outdoor area for the greyhound to find or freeze a treat in an ice block (water or stock) for the greyhound to lick and chew (also good for cooling in summer!).
Remember to avoid feeding immediately before or after exercise.
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Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Zoodles ARP
John
Rose
Tanjiro
Treble ARP
Treble is a strikingly handsome male greyhound with a big personality to match. Affectionate and full of enthusiasm, he has a puppy-like zest for life that makes every day brighter. Treble is excitable in a joyful way and loves being involved in whatever his people are doing, eagerly soaking up attention and sharing his playful spirit. His warm, loving nature means he bonds quickly and thrives on interaction and companionship.
Treblewould do best in a home with children aged 10 and over or with adults who canmatch his lively energy and guide him with consistency. He is suited to livingas the only dog, where he can be the centre of attention, or with a compatiblemedium to large canine companion. With the right home, Treble will flourish,bringing fun, affection, and a vibrant spark to his forever family.
Treble ispart of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and healthassessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners untilthey find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. Thismeans that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing thedog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particulardog, and no other dogs currently in our care.
Toby ARP
Toby is a quiet, calm and gentle boy with a sweet nature and handsome looks to match. He’s more of an introvert, taking his time to feel comfortable, he’s submissive and alwaystries his best even when he’s feeling a little unsure. With patience and a kind approach, Toby’s personality really begins to shine. Toby would suit to be in a home by himself or may be suitable to live with small, medium or large dogs. Because of toby’s calm personality he may be suitable to live with children aged 5+.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and no other dogs currently in our care.
Willow
Pistachio
Fabrizio ARP
Fabrizio is a quiet and calm boy with a friendly, personable nature that makes him a genuinely lovely companion. Unhurried and easy-going, he carries himself with a gentle warmth that is immediately endearing, and he has a way of making those around him feel completely at ease. He may do best as an only dog or alongside a canine companion of similar size and would likely thrive in a home with children aged 10 and older.
Whatever home Fabrizio finds himself in, he will reward his family with quiet devotion and steady, gentle companionship. He is the kind of boy who doesn’t ask for much — just love, patience, and a comfortable spot to call his own — and in return he will give you everything he has.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Pumba ARP
Meet Pumba, a friendly, outgoing boy with a big personality. Pumba is confident, affectionate and loves to be around people. Always happy to soak up attention and pats. He is a personable boy who will make a fun and loving companion. Pumba may suit living on his own or with medium or large dogs and may be suitable to live with a family with children aged 5 and over.
This dog ispart of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with theirracing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are broughtback into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog,we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adoptingthem. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwisewould be able to.