Greyhound and rescue support
Bringing a greyhound or rescue dog home is the beginning of getting to know who they really are, what makes them feel safe and how they experience their new world. Adjusting to a new home, routine and environment takes time, and it is normal to discover areas where your dog needs additional support along the way. Freezing on walks, staying close to you, difficulty settling, monitoring their surroundings or feeling unsure in unfamiliar environments can all form part of that adjustment. At Willowhound Dog Training in Sydney, I specialise in helping greyhounds and rescue dogs build confidence, develop practical coping skills and navigate everyday life with greater security.
Navigating the Transition
Adoption brings a significant change in environment, routine and expectations. Guidelines such as the “3 3 3 rule” can be reassuring, but they can also create expectations that a dog should behave or progress in a certain way by a particular point in time. Behaviour rarely follows such a predictable timeline. Some dogs settle quickly, while others reveal new behaviours as they become more comfortable or encounter new experiences. I focus on the individual dog, their behaviour, previous experiences where known, environment and progress rather than measuring adjustment against a fixed schedule.
Decompression and Home Life
It is completely normal for some dogs to need extra support as they learn the rhythms of life in a new home. I can help with sleep startle, resource guarding, following you from room to room, difficulty settling independently, sensitivity to household activity and gradually becoming more comfortable when left alone.
Confidence Outdoors
Build confidence outdoors if your dog freezes on walks, becomes overwhelmed by unfamiliar sights or sounds or constantly scans their surroundings. We start in environments your dog can cope with, introduce new experiences at a manageable level and use distance, movement, exploration, play and reinforcement to support them. As their confidence and recovery improve, we gradually increase the difficulty of the environment rather than asking them to handle everything at once.
Instincts and Socialisation
Learn how to safely manage prey drive when your dog spots a cat across the street, fixates on a small dog, suddenly lunges towards a bird or becomes highly aroused by something running past. We work on recognising fixation early, creating appropriate distance, improving disengagement and building reliable responses to you, alongside safe outlets for natural chase behaviour.
A holistic, individualised approach
Every dog arrives with their own past experiences and learning history. As a Steve Austin-certified trainer, our rehabilitation plans focus on subtle body language, stress thresholds, and positive reinforcement histories rather than forced compliance, ensuring real trust and long-term security.
As Your Dog Settles, Their Behaviour May Change
It is normal for a greyhound or rescue dog’s behaviour to change in the weeks and months after adoption. A quiet dog may become more playful, confident or demanding. You might notice new behaviours such as barking, guarding valued items, testing boundaries, becoming more interested in other dogs or wildlife, following you more closely, showing stronger preferences or becoming more expressive when they are uncomfortable. I help you understand what these changes are telling us and adjust your training and support as your dog becomes more confident in their new life.
Training Where Everyday Behaviour Happens
In home training is available across Sydney, bringing individualised support directly to you and your dog. Working in your dog’s everyday environment allows us to address the behaviours that matter most, from settling, independence, household routines, stairs and slippery floors to freezing on walks, leash skills and uncertainty around your local neighbourhood. You’ll learn practical strategies that fit naturally into daily life and can be continued long after our session.
