Language Matters: Greyhounds Aren’t Untrainable
Why "Untrainable" Hurts Greyhounds
You’ve probably heard someone say it:
"Greyhounds are dumb."
"They’re too stubborn to train."
"They just don’t get it."
These statements are often tossed around casually, sometimes even affectionately. But language like this matters, and not just to us as owners. It affects how we interact with our dogs, how much patience we offer, and how much agency we believe our dogs have.
When we call a greyhound untrainable or difficult, what we’re really doing is lowering our expectations—and giving up on their potential.
4 Ways Language Shapes Greyhound Training
Words Shape Beliefs
Calling your dog "dumb" or "stubborn" leads to frustration. You’re more likely to label a behaviour as disobedience instead of asking: What are they trying to communicate?Negative Labels Reduce Patience
If you believe a greyhound "just doesn’t get it," you’re less likely to try a new training technique or give them the time they need to learn in their own way.Kind Language Creates Space to Learn
Reframing our language: saying “He’s still learning” instead of “He doesn’t get it”, helps us show up with more empathy and creativity in training sessions.Greyhounds become less appealing to potential adopters who want to train their dogs
If someone thinks greyhounds are ‘untrainable’ or ‘dumb’, why would they consider the breed?
What the Science Says About Greyhounds & Learning
Despite common myths, greyhounds are incredibly capable of learning. Studies on canine cognition show that breed traits don’t predict intelligence, experience, environment, and motivation do.
Greyhounds often haven’t been exposed to the same environments as other dogs. Many come from racing kennels where socialisation, enrichment, or even basic household skills weren’t priorities. They're not slow to learn, they're learning everything for the first time.
And when you’ve never had the chance to learn something, struggling doesn’t mean you’re "dumb." It means you need support.
What to Say Instead
Changing just a few words can completely shift how we view and support our dogs. Here are some common phrases and more helpful, compassionate alternatives:
Instead of “She’s too stubborn,” try saying:
“She’s finding this tricky today.”Instead of “He just doesn’t get it,” try:
“We haven’t figured out the right approach yet.”Instead of “She’s dumb,” try:
“She learns best with gentle repetition.”
These small shifts in language help us stay curious, patient, and open to progress—no matter how slow or non-linear it might be.
From Our Life With Jayce
When we adopted Jayce, we were told greyhounds “don’t sit,” “don’t play,” and “can’t be trained.” None of that has been true.
Jayce is thoughtful, deeply in tune with us, and an eager learner, once we learned to communicate in ways he understood.
Training didn’t “fix” him, it helped us understand each other better. And changing how we spoke about him helped us change how we showed up for him.
Final Thoughts: Mind the Words, Mind the Dog
The words we use matter, because they influence how we see our dogs, how we treat them, and how they grow under our care.
Greyhounds aren’t untrainable. They’re unique learners. They’re intuitive, sensitive, and deserving of the same belief and patience we’d give any other dog.
Let’s give them the language and the learning space they deserve.
Have You Noticed This With Your Dog?
Have you caught yourself using unhelpful labels? What’s one way you’ve rephrased how you talk about your greyhound? Share your reflections below or tag us on Instagram @jayce_the_greyhound—we’d love to hear your story.
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