Lead training

You can put a lightweight collar on your puppy and let her play around for a while. It is not a good idea to let a Saluki wear a collar all the time, because of the possibility of it getting caught and strangling the puppy. Turn the business of putting on a collar into a game, and after a few days, you can attach a light lead as well.

When you feel that your puppy is accustomed to the experience, you can begin by taking the other end of the lead and calling her to you while gently tugging the lead. She will probably buck at the new sensation - go with it, avoid tight pressure on the other side or it will frighten her. With patience and understanding you will be able to hold the lead without her panicking, then you can encourage her to respond to the lead, always using exciting call noises and treats. Eventually, she will be able to walk next to you on the lead - not very straight at first - but if she comes with you, half the battle is won.

Learning to behave

One thing is guaranteed - your Saluki puppy will find mischief... and it is a well-known fact that Saluki adolescents can be horrific if left to their own devices. As long as you are prepared for the worst, it shouldn't shock you too much when something gets chewed to shreds...

Because prevention is better than cure, it is important to puppy-proof your home and keep the untouchables untouchable. Shoes lying under the bed, for example, are inviting to be chewed. Take special care to hide all telephone and electric cables.

A bored Saluki puppy will find something to amuse itself - and that something could be your great-grandmother's antique tapestry. It is not a good idea to leave the puppy entirely to his own devices around the house. You need to observe and be pre-emptive in the selection of playthings. Keep the puppy interested in cow hooves, stuffed toys (with plastic eyes and nose removed), balls, doggy toys, empty plastic bottles and cans.

Please don't let your puppy become the master of the household. It is, in any case, too much of a responsibility for him and he will look to you to lay down the groundrules. In the wild, no pack leader tolerates disobedience or challenges, and neither should you. This doesn't mean that you should be harsh and forceful with your little Saluki - far from it. All discipline should be tempered with affection - and NEVER in anger. When the worst is over and there's been a sufficient 'cooling off' period, reassure him with a hug and a pleasant tone of voice. Next time, if he gets it right, heap on lots of praise and positive reinforcement.

As soon as possible, you should teach the pup the meaning of the word NO! This is normally delivered in a strong tone, and you may also find that a loud noise - such as clapping hands or a rolled-up newspaper against your legs - will help to alert the pup to the command. Make it clear that you mean it - there is nothing more deaf than a Saluki that feels like ignoring you! The secret to effective discipline is to catch him red-handed. You can use some really stern words, but don't overdo it! In extreme circumstances, you can give him a good shake about the neck as his mother would have done, and turn him onto his back in a submissive position.

NEVER punish a puppy after the crime. The pup has no memory of such a transgression and will not understand why he is being punished.

NEVER punish a puppy as soon as he returns to the scene of the crime if he is called. What are you doing? You're reinforcing that it is a bad idea to come when called!

NEVER give a Saluki a hiding - you will spoil the dog forever because he will never forget and will probably take it out on your prized possessions anyway! The last thing you want is a dog that is scared of you.

NEVER try to chase after a naughty Saluki puppy. Oh, what a wonderful game....! Or it could turn into a frightening experience to which no puppy should be exposed.

NEVER banish a Saluki puppy into isolation. A young puppy cannot associate isolation with punishment and it will cause trauma and anxiety.

Unlike a human, your puppy will understand perfectly that you will set the parameters for attention and petting. You can decide when you want to cuddle your puppy - call him to you and heap lots of praise on him for coming. It's not a bad idea to end a petting session before the pup gets bored with the attention. In other words, play hard to get so that you're constantly in demand.

Coming to call

Saluki are notoriously deaf when it suits them. Most times you will just have to put up with this trait and try not to work up your blood pressure! Besides, getting angry and showing irritation only makes matters worse. You will soon learn to time your calls so that they have maximum effect - in other words, don't waste your breath trying to call back a Saluki that is on a mission. He's not likely to listen to you, and the unheeded yelling will become entrenched in a bad behaviour pattern. Try to call when you sense he has finished his business and is most likely to respond - then, reward him with lots of praise and even a titbit or two. Generally a Saluki that doesn't want to be caught will run in circles around you, just out of reach.  Try not to lunge at him, no matter how strong the temptation!  A trick that works reasonably well is to walk away in the opposite direction. A Saluki hates to be ignored, so he will soon come galloping back to see why you are not entering panic mode. Gently and calmly hold the collar and heap praise and affection on him for coming back, even if you are at your wit's end. Never show irritation, and never yell or smack when he arrives. Do this, and the message he learns is that you become angry when he comes to you!

A tin of treats or biscuits is quite a useful magnet as well. Once your Saluki learns there are treats at the end of the run, a shake of the tin could stop him in his tracks.

Formal obedience training

Two words on this subject = highly advisable. No, you don't need to train him to be an Obedience Champion (unless you really want to), but you need to live with the dog, so the basic commands of Sit', 'Stay', and 'Come', etc, are essential. You can teach your Saluki puppy the groundrules and basic commands at home, but you'll find that a doggy training school teaches your youngster to socialise with other dogs and people. Don't believe people who claim that hounds are untrainable. Saluki require a gentler, more empathetic approach than, say German Shepherds do, but they are intelligent - if wilful - and can learn to do anything they believe to be important enough. Many Saluki have successfully completed their Obedience titles, as well as Agility, Dog Jumping, Carting, and even Tracking.

If you're planning on showing your Saluki in the breed classes, it is strongly advised that you attend ringcraft and socialisation classes as soon as your pup has had his last inoculation. These classes help to prepare the youngster for the strange goings-on around him in daily life and will accustom him to being handled by strangers and paraded in front of other dogs and people.

A reasonably obedient, responsive, well-socialised Saluki is an asset instead of a liability. Do take the training and socialising aspect of his growing up extremely seriously.
© Joy McFarlane
Fleetwind Salukis