☑ store the greyhounds only number in your mobile phone: 847-421-9828.

Call us right away if your GO greyhound gets loose.

☑ Know the location and contact information for the nearest emergency vet, even when traveling.

This will save time if you need emergency vet services, or if you are calling around to inform local animal hospitals that your greyhound is loose.

☑ Make sure your dog is wearing a collar that is properly fitted.

Too often a hound can slip out of a collar that is too loose, especially when spooked.

☑ Always have identification tags on your dogs with your mobile phone number.

Use your mobile number — you'll probably be out searching for your hound and not sitting by your phone at home. Always be sure to update your dog's ID tags whenever you change your phone number! If you do not like the sound of jingling tags, tape them together or buy a tag silencer. If you are traveling with your dog, consider temporary identification including where you are staying.

☑ Leash your greyhound before opening the door.

Especially if your dog is a bolter or new. You never know when a dog might decide to make a break for it!

☑ when in an unenclosed area, Keep your dog on a leash at all times and always hold the leash around your wrist.

A slip-knot is an effective means of keeping the leash from sliding off your wrist if the dog suddenly pulls or if you are distracted.

☑ Never use a flexi lead (retractable leash). If you drop the handle and your dog takes off, he or she will be frightened by the plastic handle chasing behind.

Retractable leashes offer NO control over your hound. It takes only three paces for a greyhound to hit top speed, so by the time your hound reaches the end of his 20-foot retractable leash, you will not be able to hang on to it anymore, and your dog will probably pull you over. Also, the long thin lead can seriously injure your dogs legs (or your own) if it gets tangled.

☑ Never let your dog run loose unless in a fully enclosed fenced area with at least a five foot tall fence.

☑ Check that all gates to your yard are closed prior to letting your dog out.

Consider having gates that can only be opened from the inside so that people/neighbors cannot simply walk in. Beware of contractors or utility workers who may leave your gate open. Consider locking it so it can't be accidentally left open and people can’t simply walk in.

The same advice holds true if you are running your dog in a fenced-in field. Always check that the perimeter is secure and that the gates are closed.

☑ Place signs on your fence letting strangers know that you have dogs that may be in the yard.

☑ Anticipate holidays and be prepared to make special accommodations for your dog.

Fireworks on the Fourth of July and thunderstorms can be terrifying to dogs. For Halloween, if you have a door with a screen on the top only, remove the screen window to the storm door to give out the Halloween candy so that the door can remain closed. Consider a baby gate as an additional barrier on Halloween or any occasion when you are entertaining guests.

☑ Never leave your dogs outside alone.

Dogs can do some pretty amazing things if they become panicked, including scaling a fence.

☑ Keep your dog’s microchip registration up to date.

Since 2008, Greyhounds Only has microchipped all of its adopted hounds. It is a safe and effective method of identifying a lost dog. While most of the hounds we adopt out are also tattooed, ear tattoos can be difficult to read, and many people do not know to look for them or what they mean. Today, Greyhounds Only registers all microchips to the organization. If you update the registration to include your own contact information, make sure you keep that information up to date with the microchip company so you can be contacted if your hound is found.

☑ Consider using a GPS pet tracking device.

The ability to know which way your hound wandered can be priceless. If you do have such a device, make sure it is well charged. A low battery is not able to track for very long once a dog is lost.