The rescued galgos need not only physical care, but also a deep emotional accompaniment to heal their invisible wounds. I have invited Annabel, from Be Kind. Canine Education. In this article she shares her experience and knowledge about the emotional recovery of these very special dogs. Through a respectful and trust-based approach, she guides us through the process of helping greyhounds rebuild their well-being and security.
FROM FEAR TO TRUST: THE EMOTIONAL RECOVERY OF RESCUED GALGOS
When a greyhound is rescued and arrives at a shelter, it is not only its body that needs to heal. The invisible wounds, those left by fear, insecurity and mistrust in humans, are the ones that take the longest to heal.
The state in which they arrive: fear, stress and disorientation.
Greyhounds rescued from hunting or racing often arrive in extreme conditions: malnourished, with open wounds, poorly healed fractures or signs of physical abuse. But beyond the visible damage, most of them carry a deep psychological trauma.
Some of the most common signs in these dogs are:
🔹 Extreme fear of humans, especially men.
🔹 Hyperalertness and constant startling at sudden noises or movements.
🔹 Difficulty to relax and rest due to a permanent state of stress.
🔹 Blocking or flight responses when feeling cornered.
🔹 Excessive attachment or, conversely, total detachment in their interactions with people.
This state is a direct consequence of a life in which they have never been treated as individuals with emotional needs. For years, their only function has been to perform, to run, to hunt. They have not learned what a safe place or a relationship based on trust is.
The first phase: safety and routine in the protective facility
The work of the shelters is key in the recovery of these dogs. In the first weeks, the main objective is to provide them with a predictable and safe environment where they can start to relax.
🔹Quiet, undisturbed spaces: many greyhounds need areas where they can observe without being forced to interact.
🔹Interactions without pressure: forcing them to be petted or approached can increase their fear. It is better to let them set the pace. The use of food in these cases can help us to facilitate trust, however, we can also end up easily forcing the dog to approach without being really prepared. That is why it is better to be cautious with this, and not use it to attract the dog when his communication shows us that he is not ready.
🔹 Stable daily routines: activities such as eating or walking always at the same time help to reduce uncertainty.
🔹Environmental enrichment: offer elements for them to sniff, bite, tear… It can help them to discharge their stress and improve their well-being. For this we can use natural elements, such as sticks or pine cones; and objects with different smells, textures, and even flavors.
From the shelter to the home: how to help them in their new life
When a greyhound is adopted, the process of adaptation continues. For many families, the first impression can be disconcerting: they expect a loving and grateful dog, but instead find a fearful animal that hides, trembles or avoids your gaze. This is not rejection, it is survival. The dog has left a place to which, hopefully, he had become accustomed; to be moved to a new and unfamiliar place, this change produces uncertainty, stress and worry, you know that the change is positive for the dog, but he does not know it yet.
Guidelines for adaptation at home
✔ Get to know the dog before taking it home: if possible, it would be advisable for the family to get to know the dog before taking it home, go to the shelter or foster home, and spend time with it, this will make the dog have some familiarity with the human part before moving to your home, facilitating the transition.
✔ Respect his space: when we adopt an animal we are eager to interact with him, to pet him and give him all our affection. However, it is very likely that our dog is not ready for such intense contact yet. Respect his space and his time, until he decides to come closer.
✔ Create a safe and quiet space: our dog needs peace and quiet to get used to the environment and feel safe. So during his adaptation, try to avoid loud noises and sudden movements, also visits and celebrations in your home.
✔ Teach them the world progressively: changes in environment can be very overwhelming, but when you add to this that the new environment is completely different and in many ways more demanding than the one they have lived in all their lives, dogs can collapse. This happens especially when we lived in crowded urban areas. Hunting dogs are not used to the city, and this environment can overwhelm them too much. If this is your case, try to teach him this new environment in a progressive way, starting with very short walks, choosing as quiet times as possible (early in the morning, late at night), and looking for the least noisy areas as possible.
✔ Use an anti-escape harness: Greyhounds are dogs with a tendency to run away when frightened, and their morphology makes it easy for them to break out of a conventional harness and run away.
✔ Establish routines: fixed schedules for food, walks and rest will help him feel secure.
✔ Give him time and patience: there is no standard time for the adaptation of a dog to his new home, and even more when we talk about dogs with emotional problems. Patience is key to any adaptation process.
The first few months are crucial. A greyhound that has spent years in captivity or mistreatment needs a decompression process before it begins to trust. Over time, many discover the pleasure of petting, the comfort of the couch and the joy of running without fear.
A second chance for a dignified life
One last but very important point, rescued greyhounds tend to come into our lives with a heavy backpack on their backs, the experiences they have lived play a very important role in their development, however, recreating ourselves in this past and treating them with pity, far from helping, incapacitates them to move forward.
Avoid treating your dog this way, trust him, trust his abilities and be the support he needs by giving him the tools he needs to overcome the challenges he encounters.
Every rescued greyhound is a story of survival, resilience and second chances. With the right support, they can learn to live without fear and become amazing companions. The key is to understand their process, respect their time and offer them an environment where, for the first time in their lives, they are valued for who they are and not for what they can do.
A special thank you.
I would like to thank Annabel from Be Kind. Canine Education for allowing me to share her knowledge and wisdom in accompanying rescued galgos, guiding them with respect and empathy towards their emotional recovery.
I invite you to visit her blog, where I talk about the current plight of these animals and the urgent need for protection and social awareness, and to continue exploring Annabel’s valuable work at Be Kind. Canine Education. .
https://bekind-educacioncanina.com/galgos-en-peligro/
If you want to know more about Annabel, visit her website: www.bekind-educacioncanina.com
