What Tips Does Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare Offer for Greyhound Owners?

Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare (WGW) offers practical owner guidance mainly through short videos on its website: a "Top Tips" video for present and future greyhound owners, a guide for new and existing greyhound parents, and a video on the common walking problem of a hound that stops and won't move ("Stopping shouldn't be a show stopper"). These are general orientation and everyday-care tips rather than a written training manual, so they are best treated as a starting point before or just after you bring a greyhound home.

What the tips cover

The site groups its owner advice into three video resources, listed under the "Top Tips" heading:

The third item is the most specific: stopping on a walk is framed as a normal, manageable behaviour rather than a reason to give up on the dog. The site does not publish the detailed content of these videos as text, so watch them directly on the WGW site before relying on any particular technique.

Why these tips matter for retired racers

WGW is an independent, self-funding charity that cares for retired racing greyhounds and finds them homes. Its guidance is written from that experience — dogs that have lived in kennels and on tracks, not in houses. That context shapes the advice: new owners are typically managing a dog that is learning stairs, household noise, lead manners and unfamiliar routines for the first time.

For example, a hound that freezes mid-walk is a familiar scene for anyone rehoming a racer; the "Stopping" video exists precisely because it is common enough to worry new owners.

How to use the tips alongside a visit

The owner guidance sits alongside WGW's hands-on visiting arrangements, and combining the two is the most practical approach:

1. Watch the videos first. Review the Top Tips and new-owner guide before your first visit so you know what to expect from a retired racer.
2. Book a walking appointment. Walking is by appointment only — call 01932 251894 and leave a voicemail to book. First-time visitors should bring proof of identification.
3. Arrive within walking hours. The site states walking arrivals are from 11am to 1pm, with walking continuing until 2pm; check the current Opening Times Update on the site before travelling, as these details can change.
4. Watch the pre-walk video. WGW asks visitors to watch its kennel walking video before walking greyhounds at the kennels.
5. Ask about homing separately. Homing appointments are at your booked time even if it falls outside walking hours.

Expected result: you arrive prepared, handle the dog according to the charity's guidance, and get a realistic sense of life with a retired racer before committing to adoption.

Common sticking points

• Turning up without an appointment. Walking is appointment-only; without a booking you may not be able to walk a dog.
• Skipping the videos. The pre-walk video is a stated requirement, not optional background.
• Assuming the tips are a full training course. They are short orientation videos. For ongoing behavioural work, especially with a dog that stops or freezes, plan to build on them with your own trainer or behaviourist.
• Relying on cached opening times. The site carries a dedicated "Opening Times Update" notice, which signals that hours change — confirm before you go.

Where to go next

Start with the Top Tips and new-owner videos on hershamhounds.org.uk, then call 01932 251894 to book a walking appointment. If you are considering adoption rather than a visit, the site's homeless hounds gallery and homing information are the natural next step, and the owner tips will make more sense once you have met the dogs in person.