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SHOW ME GREYHOUNDS Hands On Training Program |
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Show Me Greyhounds will assist adoption groups outside the metro Kansas City area with potential adopters in conducting a hands on training program if the adoption group is considering a long distance adoption.
Our hands on training program consists of an 8 to 10 hour hands on in depth training program in person for the potential adopter to learn about Greyhounds up close and personal. It's similar to preparing a Greyhound to live as a pet in the home only we prepare the human adopter how to live with a pet Greyhound in the home. Most generally, the reasons for return is not the dog's fault but a poorly trained adopter not knowing how to handle certain situations that might arise. Frustration or fear sets in and the result is the dog being returned. This hands on training program was developed by Therese Skinner in 2000 to educate the potential adopter before they adopt, to reduce the number of returns for various reasons and to reduce the number of repeated questions a potential adopter might have after they have adopted. It's not meant to place fear or doubt in a potential adopter but to educate them better than just making them read books about Greyhounds. Real life situations are the best teachers overall. Therese has had much success with this training program and never had a Greyhound returned once the adopter went through her training program.
Our program includes grooming techniques (teeth, ears, nails, brushing, bathing, etc), proper adjustments of martingale collars and harnesses, how to keep a Greyhound from backing out of it's collar, how to hold a lead properly, why flexi leads are dangerous to use with a sight hound, walking a Greyhound on lead, learning body language for behavior such as aggressiveness, playing, prey drive, alpha/non alpha status, checking for parasites, feeding, medicating if applicable, muzzling if needed, crating, training with commands, traveling with a Greyhound, common Greyhound illnesses, what to keep in a Greyhound first aid kit, when to seek medical attention for a Greyhound and lots more.
We provide adoption groups with a completed check list already graded and marked where the potential adopter passed, needs improvement or has failed the training program. Of course, we leave the final evaluation of the potential adopter up to the adoption group. We are here only to assist in the capacity of an additional evaluator for the adoption group.
If an individual would like to go through the training program before they seek adoption with an adoption group, we charge $200 for the complete training program of 8 to 10 hours of hands on training with a retired Greyhound. When you complete the training program, you will get a letter stating you have successfully passed our training program. If interested, please contact us via email. If you are adopting a Greyhound through Show Me Greyhounds, the hands on training program is required before adoption takes place but is free of charge.
In the event of a GUR and the Greyhound is passing through Kansas City, our home is available as a layover or as a place to rest before the next leg of the GUR begins. Please note, however, we can not travel long distances to fulfill GUR's. We can, however, travel short distances (such as 30 minutes to an hour one way) to meet up with the next person fulfilling the next leg of the GUR to hand off the traveling Greyhound. |