How do you train a greyhound? Anneliese Thompson reveals all

Speaking in the Racing and Football Outlook this week, greyhound trainer Anneliese Thompson explains the process in how to get a dog to the racetrack

Now it’s no secret that Ireland seems to be the master at producing top-class dogs, the majority are reared and lightly schooled over there before heading here on the ferry.

However, more kennels are now venturing into the British breeding side of the sport over here.

Only a month ago we welcomed in five gorgeous puppies from the superb breeding of Magical Bale and Oasis Dream.

The pups tend to spend the first few months all together and with Mum – not something many other breeds can say.

Then, after their inoculations they’re turned out into spacious paddocks with shelters, where they can frolic and play until they’re roughly 12 months old.

A greyhound pup enjoys his rest

For the next few months we have the schooling period. This is where the pups are taught how to chase after a lure – although this comes pretty naturally to most, how to wait patiently in the traps, and also pass by other greyhounds without causing disturbance.

Not all puppies make it past this stage, and usually these are re-homed the quickest because they don’t have the chase instinct. You find that they can quite happily live with other animals, such as cats and rabbits.

Now the real fun begins! After they’ve passed the schooling phase, the greyhounds are taken to regulated tracks for marking up.
This entails samples to be taken to make sure there are no suspect substances involved, drawings are taken of the dogs, as well as ear markings and microchip readings.

After a minimum of three trials, the greyhounds are ready to hit the track competitively, and this is when the real work starts.
Pups are always worth keeping an eye on when it comes to betting, as their first few runs can be clumsy – heads and legs everywhere, but then something clicks.

They realise what they’re meant to be doing and can take off. There is such a thrill in watching a newbie go through the grades as they find their competition.

Every kennel has a different routine and way of doing things. With us at Haggswood, every dog is treated individually, each one of our 70 dogs has a distinct character and reacts differently to our training methods.

We start at 7.30 religiously every morning, which requires all the dogs going out in our large paddocks to empty, play and also socialise with other greyhounds.

Swift Hansel (trap 1) wins the Three Steps To Victory

In any sport, injuries are going to occur, and to cover off this we have magneto boxes, ultrasound machines, water buckets and massage equipment.

We’re rather lucky at Haggswood that we share the facilities with my dad, Ron, a racehorse trainer.

We make full use of the mile-and-a-half gallop for walking daily and the walking machine for added exercise. Every dog has a different metabolism and need for a separate diet when it comes to dinner.

We use two biscuit bases and add in something different every day, whether that be cheese, pasta, tripe, beef or chicken.
You then have dogs who need added extra help with cramping problems and low iron levels, for example. It can actually become quite a science.

Once dinner is settled, we’re back out for the afternoon. It’s continuous work but it’s so rewarding.

To help deliver an animal from birth to aiding them to learn their trade, to watching in awe as they become athletes and excel through the grade is a great experience.

You come to know everything about each dog and each personality. I mean, how many people can say they love their job? I absolutely adore mine.

If you wanted three of our own to watch and hopefully profit from I would give you these three – Haggswood Esme, Haggswood Aisha and Haggswood Danni.

Read Dave Clark's expert greyhound advice every Tuesday in the Racing and Football Outlook