3 Common Sighthound Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: Your sighthound was bred for speed, grace, and explosive energy. Their sensitivity and gentle nature aren't weaknesses. They're what make them incredible companions when understood properly.

Where Do Sighthounds Come From?

Sighthounds (also called gazehounds) are among the oldest domesticated dog types in human history. They were bred to hunt by sight, speed, and agility rather than scent. They spot prey at a distance and chase it down in short bursts.

Common sighthound breeds include:

• Greyhounds (the most common ex-racers)
• Whippets
• Italian Greyhounds (Iggys)
• Salukis
• Afghan Hounds
• Borzoi (Russian Wolfhounds)
• Scottish Deerhounds
• Irish Wolfhounds
• Galgo Español (Spanish Greyhounds)

Key breeding traits: Sighthounds have long, lean bodies built for speed. They have deep chests and flexible spines. Their eyesight is exceptional—nearly 270 degrees of vision. They can spot the tiniest flicker of movement from far away. Their temperament is calm and sensitive at rest but explosive when chasing. They're independent thinkers who respond to connection and clarity, not harsh corrections. Most are surprisingly lazy at home and love nothing more than a soft bed.

Why Do Sighthounds Have These Behaviour Problems?

Many sighthounds, especially Greyhounds, come from highly structured racing environments. Their entire lives were predictable. Feed time, turnout, kennel, walk, race, rest. Everything was decided for them. They never had to make choices.

When they enter your home, everything changes overnight. Suddenly they have freedom, soft couches, and constant affection. But this can feel overwhelming. They don't understand the new rules. They try to work out who's in charge and where they fit.

Their hunting instincts create challenges too. They were bred to chase anything that moves. A cat running past, a bird taking flight, or a small dog darting away can trigger their prey drive instantly. This isn't naughtiness. It's centuries of selective breeding.

Problem 1: Extreme Separation Anxiety

What's happening: Your sighthound panics when you leave, follows you everywhere, paces constantly, barks or howls when alone, and may destroy things or toilet indoors.

Why it happens: In racing kennels, they were never truly alone. There were always other dogs nearby and humans on schedule. They lived in constant companionship. Being alone contradicts everything they've known. They don't understand that you'll come back. The uncertainty creates panic.

The fix:

Start with "mini leaves" around the house. Go into the bathroom and shut the door for 10-20 seconds. Come straight back out. Ignore your dog completely for 5 minutes until they're calm.

Practice this dozens of times daily. Put out the bins. Get the mail. Walk to another room. Every time there's something between you and your dog, it's a training opportunity.

Keep departures and returns boring. Don't make eye contact or speak emotionally when leaving. Just walk out quietly. When you return, ignore your dog until they've completely relaxed. Wait five minutes, then invite them over for gentle affection.

Create independence at home first. Close doors behind you when moving between rooms. Use baby gates to create gentle boundaries. Encourage them to stay on their bed whilst you move around. If they never spend time apart from you at home, they'll struggle when you leave.

Build up gradually to regular separations. Start with seconds, then minutes, then longer periods. If your dog becomes stressed, shorten the duration next time. Success comes from repetition, not speed.

Is your sighthound still struggling after weeks of practice? Join our live Q&A sessions where you can get personalized troubleshooting for your specific situation and timeline.

Problem 2: Lead Reactivity and Pulling

What's happening: Your sighthound pulls constantly, lunges at other dogs, freezes mid-walk, zigzags across the path, or spooks at noises.

Why it happens: Sighthounds have exceptional vision—nearly 270 degrees. They see movement everywhere. Their "line of sight" is a much bigger factor than with other breeds. Many ex-racers only walked with other Greyhounds and rarely met small, fluffy dogs. When they see one now, they often don't know what they're looking at. Their prey drive kicks in. The famous "Greyhound freeze" happens when they're overwhelmed. They pause to process because they never had to navigate unpredictable environments before.

The fix:

Start before you step outside. Pick up the lead quietly, then put it back down until your dog stays calm. Ask for a sit before clipping on the lead. Take a few steps around the house first. Practice walking to the closed door, pause, and return to the lounge. Build up gradually: doorway, driveway, short loop, full walk. If your dog jumps up or gets overexcited at any stage, wait 5 minutes and restart.

Use stop-and-start training on walks. When your dog pulls ahead, stop immediately. Stay quiet and relaxed—don't yank back. When they turn or soften the lead, walk again. If they surge ahead again, calmly turn away and walk in a new direction.

Break line of sight when they fixate. If they lock onto another dog or a cat, gently turn them around or step in their way. Use figure-8s to keep momentum whilst breaking their fixation. Walk them in a small curve, keeping them on the same side, then reverse direction to form a figure-8 pattern.

Read your dog's stress level. At level 1 (relaxed, soft eyes), they can learn. At level 2-3 (scanning, faster steps, tight tail), use techniques to bring them back down. At level 4-5 (panting, trembling, fixated), they're too stressed to learn. Retreat calmly to a quieter space.

Stay quiet and relaxed during reactive moments. Sighthounds mirror your body. Loose arms and calm breathing tell them everything's okay. Walk confidently when you decide to go in a direction.

Want to see the figure-8 technique in action? Watch our video demonstrations showing exactly how to handle the Greyhound freeze and lead pulling.

Problem 3: Resource Guarding

What's happening: Your sighthound growls when you approach their food bowl, snaps when you reach for a toy, tries to hide bones or treats, or shows teeth when touched whilst on the couch.

Why it happens: Many rescue sighthounds spent their lives making sure they guarded food and comforts. They haven't experienced abundance. They don't understand that more food will always come. When they enter your home with soft beds and regular meals, they still operate from scarcity. They want to protect what they have.

The fix:

Set up for success by removing temptation. If your sighthound leaves food in their bowl, pick it up. Don't leave it out. If you give treats or bones and they don't finish them, pick them up immediately. If your dog is sensitive around a toy, put it away when you stop playing. Don't approach your dog to cuddle—call them over, give them a pet, then send them away.

Decide clear consequences for crossing the line. Agree with your household what happens if your dog uses their teeth, snaps their jaws, or scratches excessively. A helpful tool is a brief timeout. Calmly take your dog by the collar and put them in another room. Close the door. Wait for them to bark or scratch (can take 25 minutes the first time), then open the door and let them out. Don't speak to them or cuddle them. Return to what you were doing.

Manage mealtimes carefully. Everyone except small children must rotate feeding your sighthound. If they leave food in the bowl, pick it up. Don't leave it down. This teaches that food comes regularly and doesn't need guarding.

Handle bones and rawhides properly. They will try to hide them, which causes major problems. When they stop chewing, pick them up immediately. No exceptions.

Manage personal space interactions. If your dog growls during cuddle time, don't force it. Call them over. If they come, reward with a cuddle for a couple of minutes, then move them away. If they don't come over, don't go to them. If they demand attention, move them away and call them back a minute later.

Struggling with a dog who's already bitten or shown serious aggression? Our community trainers can assess your specific situation in live Q&As and recommend whether you need additional professional support.

Is a Sighthound Right for a New Owner?

A sighthound can be a wonderful choice for the right owner. Here's what makes them special:

A calm, gentle companion - Despite their athletic background, most sighthounds are "40 km/h couch potatoes." They love short bursts of exercise followed by long naps on soft furniture.

A sensitive, affectionate nature - Sighthounds are emotional dogs who form deep attachments. They're incredibly loving with their people and respond beautifully to calm, consistent handling.

A low-maintenance exercise routine - They need regular walks but don't require hours of daily exercise. Most are happy with 30-45 minutes of activity and then sleeping the rest of the day.

A unique, elegant presence - Their graceful appearance and gentle temperament make them wonderful conversation starters. They're truly special dogs who stand out.

A rewarding rescue opportunity - Many sighthounds, especially Greyhounds, are available for adoption. You're genuinely saving a life and giving them their first real experience of home.

This breed does require commitment to structure, patience during adjustment, and understanding of their unique needs. But for owners who want a gentle, loving dog with a fascinating background, they're genuinely extraordinary.

Get the Full Support System for Your Sighthound

This article gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a sighthound—especially an ex-racer—is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community—to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific sighthound and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from post-racing adjustment to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other sighthound owners who understand exactly what you're going through
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques like figure-8s and calm departures in action, not just read about them
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your sighthound.