Forever Hounds Trust is committed to providing support to all our dogs and homes for life.
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 our helpline on 03000 125 125 or email us at: behaviour@foreverhoundstrust.org
Remember, we offer free behavioural advice for your Forever Hounds Trust dog through our Post Homing Support team of qualified behaviourists (mainly by telephone, email or online). For more complex issues (e.g. requiring in-person visits / ongoing training), we can signpost you to accredited private behaviourists in your area.
Fact sheets available for download:
Advice on helping your new dog settle in to their new home.
Handy tips for a quiet and settled first night with your new dog.
Everything you need to know about your legal duties as a dog owner.
A handy guide on how to teach your dog to toilet outside.
How to help your dog feel comfortable on their own at home.
6. Recognising the body language of fear and stress
Illustrated guide to the common and more subtle signs of fear and stress in dogs.
7. 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.
8. Sighthounds and other dog breeds
Ex-racing greyhounds can sometimes need extra help when meeting different breeds of dog. This leaflet explains why, and provides advice on how to manage this.
A general guide to training your dog, and the methods we recommend.
10. Using food in dog training
Our ‘Dog Pay Scales’ leaflet explains why using food is the smart way to train your dog.
Our expert myth-busting guide to this dog behaviour theory.
Information and advice on dog-dog behaviour, and helping your dog socialise happily with other dogs.
Information explaining why some dogs bark, lunge and appear aggressive towards other dogs on walks.
14. Trigger stacking and coping thresholds
Does your dog have fears or phobias? Do they ever act defensively or appear aggressive? This leaflet explains why these responses can sometimes seem unpredictable, and how to help your dog cope with stress.
15. Feeding options
When it comes to deciding how to feed your dog, there are lots of options to consider.
Information and advice explaining why some sighthounds freeze on walks.
17. 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.
18. Your new puppy
Our booklet contains essential advice and guidance to help your puppy settle into their new home.
19. Muzzle training
Advice on introducing your dog to wearing a muzzle.
20. Recall training
Everything you need to know about safely exercising your hound off the lead.
Advice on how to help your dog cope with fireworks
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.