Play

Saluki puppies start to play with their litter mates as soon as they become more aware of their surroundings. Romping around the whelping box on legs that won't stay underneath them, they practise their fiercest growls and sharpen their newly-emerging teeth on each other. At this point, the dam frequently decides that enough is enough, and jumps out of the whelping box to observe the shenanigans from a safer vantage point. As they grow older, the games become positively violent in their frenetic energy. Every action, every move, is part of the learning and developing process as they acquire new life skills and establish themselves in the hierarchy. Just as suddenly as the gaming starts, it will abruptly end, as every youngster collapses in the communal heap to recharge their batteries for the next burst.

Young Saluki are naturally inquisitive, boisterous and full of mischief. Play is an essential part of the learning experience. A range of toys are essential so that the puppy has something with which to amuse itself during its play period.  Although there are many commercial toys on the market, Saluki are also rather fond of shredding newspaper or cardboard tubes, or even plastic bottles (with the tops removed).

Because the hunting instinct is very strong in Saluki, you may want to tie a piece of sheepskin to a thin rope. This you can drag around the garden - at great speed, of course - and encourage the little one to chase it. (Probably won't need much encouragement)

A Saluki's favourite toy is a fluffy wotsit. Unfortunately they don't last long because they're generally disembowelled within the hour, but do take care to remove the fluffy toy's plastic eyes before handing it over. Some Saluki like playing with a Buster Cube, which allows bits of kibble to fall out of a tunnel-like hole, encouraging the pup to keep rolling it around, trying to empty it of all its titbits.

Socialising

Socialisation is such an important part of a puppy's preparation that it cannot be over-emphasised. In Western society, we expect our Saluki to be sane and sensible members of the family unit. This attribute doesn't always come naturally, so we also need to teach the Saluki youngster how to accept the big, wide world.

Your breeder would probably have introduced the young puppy to a number of experiences, such as cars, people, and things that make noises. Now you need to take these early lessons a step further. A young Saluki puppy may be a little shy, but generally friendly and inquisitive. If your puppy is nervous or aggressive, you will have to work extra hard to socialise the little thing to normal life....but do it.

Start by finding out if there are puppy socialisation classes in your area. At these classes, members sit in a protective circle and allow the pups to romp with each other in the centre. It is an ideal opportunity for your Saluki pup to meet other youngsters and people in a friendly, non-threatening environment. Gradually, the pups are taught the basic principles of sitting, standing, lying, and coming when called. and they're also introduced to a number of human inventions such as umbrellas, buckets and spades, lawn mowers, brooms, raincoats, hats, etc. A trainer will watch the pups' body language closely and step in immediately to intervene in times of potential stress. If there is no such group in your area, why not get together with some like-minded people and start a group!

You need to take your pup out as often as possible, too. If supermarkets or malls allow dogs, take your Saluki for a short walk to see the goings on and meet people. Monitor the experience carefully, though - if the environment appears even slightly stressful for the little thing, rather come back and try again another day. It doesn't mean, however, that you should leave your Saluki in the hot car while you do your shopping!!!!

Taking your pup as a visitor to a dog show is an ideal opportunity for him to look around, meet people and sniff at other dogs. The kind of people you'll meet at dog shows are also very familiar with the socialisation process and they will be only too willing to gently stroke the youngster and talk to him as he wanders around (on a lead, of course) at your side.

Little by little, try to expose your Saluki youngster to as many different experiences as possible. With you at his side, he should gain confidence from your clear leadership and reassurance.

Exercise

Never be tempted to over-exercise your puppy within the first nine to twelve months of its life.  By all means allow it the freedom to run around your garden until it decides enough is enough, but don't allow an adult dog to run with it for too long as this will encourage the puppy to over-exert itself.  Don't take your Saluki puppy out for long walks until it is about 6 months old and limit the length of the walk.  The bones and muscles are still developing, and if a puppy is given too much exercise in the early months, long term problems can develop, such as deformity of tendons and ligaments.  It is difficult to specify exact amounts of exercise for individual dogs.  As a general rule never walk or run your hound into exhaustion - just try to take the edge off their energy.

Exercise is a different matter once your Saluki is an adult. The Saluki is one of the fastest animals on earth and possesses endurance that a Greyhound lacks. An adult Saluki needs plenty of exercise, both on the lead and off, to develop good muscle tone. Try to find a venue where your Saluki can safely run free - the beach, a large enclosed field, or sports fields. The sight of an adult Saluki doing what it likes best  running at full stretch, a large grin on its face, ears streaming behind, and the tail sweeping first one way and then the other like a rudder  is a joy to behold.

Avoid areas that are close to traffic and, of course, the Saluki must never ever, no way ever be let off the property alone to wander around the streets. Yes, she will find her way home, but maybe a car, a vicious mongrel, or a thief will find her first.

© Joy McFarlane
Fleetwind Salukis