Helping greyhounds and lurchers into homes

Advice and Support

Forever Hounds Trust is committed to providing support to all our dogs and homes for life.

Hound in red coat

Care guidelines

We have developed care guidelines on topics including bringing your new dog home, feeding your dog, caring for their health, and much more. Read our Fact Sheets on a wide range of care topics here:

Fact Sheets & Downloads

Our fact sheets and downloads answer some of the most common dog behaviour and training questions we are asked about sighthounds.  Each fact sheet is free to download and has been written by one of our qualified behaviour team.

We will be adding more facts sheets over the coming months, so please do revisit this page for updates.

In the meantime, if you are experiencing any issues with your Forever Hounds Trust dog, please call your Home Visitor or Regional Homing Officer, call our helpline on 03000 111 100 or email us at: behaviour@foreverhoundstrust.org

Remember, we provide FREE behaviour and training advice for all Forever Hounds Trust owners and dogs through our Post-Homing Support team of qualified behaviourists.

Fact sheets available for download:

  1. Freezing on walks
    Information and advice explaining why some sighthounds freeze on walks.
  2. Using food in dog training
    Our ‘Dog Pay Scales’ leaflet explains why using food is the smart way to train your dog.
  3. Feeding options
    When it comes to deciding how to feed your dog, there are lots of options to consider.
  4. House training
    A handy guide to house training your new dog.
  5. Toilet training
    A handy guide on how to teach your dog to toilet outside.
  6. Reacting on walks
    Information explaining why some dogs react to other dogs when on a lead.
  7. Recognising the body language of fear and stress
    Illustrated guide to the common and more subtle signs of fear and stress in dogs
  8. Introducing your dog to stairs
    Many of our hounds have never seen stairs before and have no idea how to negotiate them. This handout will help your dog learn to negotiate stairs, safely.
  9. Your new puppy
    Our booklet contains essential advice and guidance to help your puppy settle into their new home.
  10. Issues around food, toys and resting areas
    Ex-racing and working dogs can sometimes feel worried about sharing precious resources such as toys and food. This leaflet provides information and practical advice about the topic.
  11. Behaviour and training methods
    A general guide to training your dog, and the methods we recommend.
  12. Dominance in dogs
    Our expert myth-busting guide to this dog behaviour theory.

Behavioural support

All Forever Hounds Trust homes receive a four-month post-homing visit to make sure all is going well for hound and home, and offer any support that is needed.  When you home a Forever Hounds Trust hound, you always have access to the advice and support of our volunteer Behavioural Support Team, who are all qualified behaviourists who can offer you guidance on any issues that might arise.

To contact our Behavioural Support Team, email behaviour@foreverhoundstrust.org

Bereavement support

Forever Hounds Trust understands how hard it can be losing a companion, and now offers a bereavement support service for anyone struggling to come to terms with their loss. Our volunteers are trained and have undergone the loss of special family companions themselves and are happy to listen and support if needed.

Contact us at bereavementsupport@foreverhoundstrust.org.