Exercise and Enrichment

Health & Well Being
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.

Related Resources

Meet our dogs ready for adoption

All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.

Available

Name

0 Years Old

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla.

Learn more
Available

Name

0 Years Old

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla.

Learn more
Available

Name

0 Years Old

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla.

Learn more
Available

Name

0 Years Old

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla.

Learn more
Available

Name

0 Years Old

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla.

Learn more
Available

Name

0 Years Old

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla.

Learn more
Available

Amigo

3 years old

Amigo is a gentle and personable three-year-old boy with a wonderfully calm and quiet nature that makes him an absolute pleasure to be around. Sensible and easy-going, Amigo takes life in his stride and carries himself with a quiet friendliness that wins hearts effortlessly. Whether he is out on a walk — where he is a model citizen on the lead — or simply relaxing at home, Amigo brings a serene and soothing presence to everything he does. Amigo is a wonderfully adaptable boy who could slot into a wide variety of homes and lifestyles. He may be happy as an only dog or could enjoy the company of a canine companion of any size, and his gentle, sensible temperament means he could potentially share his home with children aged five and older or the elderly. Thanks to his exceptionally quiet and calm nature, Amigo is one of those rare dogs who may even suit apartment living — making him a perfect match for someone looking for a truly chilled and devoted companion.
Learn more
Available

Barry ARP

4 years old

Meet Barry, this handsome boy is friendly and outgoing with lots of energy. He is enthusiastic about life with his helicopter tail. Barry may suit a household with medium or large dogs and may suit living with kids 10+. Because of his boisterous energy he will require a backyard.

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.

Learn more
Available

Charlotte

8 years old

Meet Charlotte. Charlotte is a quiet, polite and sweet girl. She is friendly, personable and affectionate. Charlotte has a submissive side, but she warms up quickly and wants to please. She is loves to lean up on people for pats and attention. After completing behavioural rehabilitation training, she has come out of her shell and is ready to become someone's dream pet. Charlotte would suit being an only dog and receive all the love and affection or she may be suitable to live with medium or large dogs. Charlotte may suit a family with children aged 5 years and older, and because of her quiet and gentle nature she may be suitable to live in an apartment.
Learn more
Available

Paris

5 years old

Want the city of love to come to you? Well, here he is! Paris is ready to fill your home and hearts with love, cheekiness and affection. Paris has ticked all the boxes at GAP and in foster care where he really shone! He cant wait to get into a house of his own. We think that he might suit living with or without another medium or larger dog. We also think he may suit living with children 10 and over and with full time workers. Paris has an old injury to his left hock and it is stable. He would benefit from joint supplements in his future. He also has a low grade heart murmur, which is commonly seen in greyhounds. Regular checks with your vet is recommended.
Learn more
Available

Ruby ARP

3 years old

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya! Know what you're doing doing to me! You and me, could it be, could it be? Ruby iso nly 3 years old but she is premature greying, but it happens to the best of us! Ruby is a quiet, gentle girl who is personable, but not overly needy for affection. She may suit living with or without a canine brother of any size,children aged 5 years and older and she may even suit apartment living.

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.

Learn more
Available

Ric ARP

5 years old

Ric is full of royal freshness and just a little bit “up to no good” in the best way. This very handsome boy is cheeky, friendly, outgoing and confident, with a big personality to match. Ric is a big character and may be a little too much for some dogs, so alike-minded, confident canine friend would suit him best. He may suit a home with medium or large dogs and dog-savvy kids aged 10+. If you’re ready for charm, confidence, and Fresh Prince energy — Ric’s your guy!

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.

Learn more
Available

Brae

4 years old

Brae is a pretty little girl with a quiet and sweet nature. She’s personable and loves her pats, leaning into affection once she feels safe. Brae can be a little stress at times and is submissive, so she’s looking for a calm, understanding home where she can relax and build her confidence. She would thrive as an only dog but may be suitable to live with medium or large dogs, she also may be suitable to live with kids 10+. Because Brae is a little anxiou at times, she would suit a quiet neighbourhood.
Learn more
Available

Milky Bar

4 years old

Meet Milky Bar – a striking male greyhound with a beautiful white coat adorned with eye-catching brindle patches. As sweet as his name suggests, Milky Bar is a friendly, outgoing boy who approaches life with confidence and enthusiasm. He’s incredibly affectionate and loves spending time with his people, happily soaking up attention and always ready to charm you—especially if treats are involved! His bright personality and loving nature make him a wonderful companion for someone looking for a dog who is both fun and loyal. Milky Bar is best suited to a home with adults or children aged 10 and over who can appreciate his energy and respect his boundaries. He would thrive as the only dog or potentially with a compatible medium to large canine companion, but he is not suitable for homes with small dogs or cats. Having completed behavioural rehabilitation training, Milky Bar is ready for a committed adopter who will continue to support his progress and provide a structured, caring environment. He is not suitable for elderly owners, but in the right home, He has a previous hock injury on his right hind leg, which is stable. He would benefit from joint supplements in his future and regular checks with his vet. Milky Bar will be an affectionate, engaging and rewarding addition to the family.
Learn more
Available

Spense ARP

3 years old

Spence is a pretty female greyhound with a sweet, affectionate nature and a playful, puppyish energy that shines through in everything she does. She’s full of life,excitable in the best way, and loves to have fun, whether it’s zooming aroundthe yard, playing games, or soaking up attention from her favourite people.Spence forms strong bonds and enjoys being part of an active household where she can express her joyful personality.

Spence is best suited to a home with children aged 10 and over or adults who can match her lively spirit and provide appropriate guidance. She would do well as the only dog or with a robust medium to large canine companion, but she isn’t suited to living with cats or frail, older dogs or people due to her enthusiasm. Spence will thrive in a home with a backyard where she can burn off energy and play. With the right environment, she’ll grow into a wonderfully loving and entertaining companion. Spence 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, atwhich 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.

Learn more
Available

Delta ARP

4 years old

Darling Delta is ready take flight onto finding her new home! She is sweet, puppyish and personable but she can be a little shy at first so a home thats able to let her settle in at her pace will be the best home for her. We think she may suit living with or without another male companion of any size and children 10 years and over.

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.

Learn more