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.
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.

Amigo

Barry ARP
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.

Charlotte

Paris

Ruby ARP
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.

Ric ARP
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.

Brae

Milky Bar

Spense ARP
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.

Delta ARP
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.





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