When Greyhound Max can’t be left alone
Have you ever come home to chaos after leaving your dog alone?
True stories from the life of professional dog behaviourist Theo Stewart. She lives in a pretty town in South West England and has helped thousand of dogs and their owners to live happier lives together over the last 20 years.
What happens when a newly rehomed greyhound panics the second the door closes?
Meet Max. And meet his very overwhelmed humans.
Max is a two-year-old greyhound, fresh out of the racing world—and straight into a world of chaos.
His new family loves him.
But they’re exhausted.
Max spent his entire life in kennels, surrounded by other greyhounds.
Noise. Company. Familiar routines.
Now, he’s in a quiet house with a young couple.
It’s a huge change.
For the first few weeks, Max paced and panted, restless and anxious.
But slowly, he started to settle…
…until they left him alone.
That’s when everything fell apart. Max panicked.
They came home to a wrecked sofa and a carpet torn to shreds.
Desperate to protect their home, they tried a crate.
But Max managed to escape.
The couple didn’t realise how big a challenge this would be.
Now, they juggle schedules. Dropping Max off at parents’ houses. Shuffling work shifts.
But some days, Max has to be left alone.
And that’s when the fear returns.
What’s really going on?
Is it separation from people? Or just being alone?
Max has never been without another dog.
It’s not just about missing his new humans—it’s the fear of isolation.
Apart from his panic, Max is the perfect house dog.
Calm. Gentle. Friendly with strangers.
Smart too—he picked up ‘Touch’ training with a clicker in no time.
The couple even thought of returning him to the rescue.
But they’d fallen in love. And they weren’t giving up.
We created a simple, gradual plan.
Tiny absences. Shutting doors for just a few seconds at a time. Always coming back before Max gets anxious.
Departures are paired with treats. Returns? Boring and uneventful.
They’re using a camera to monitor him.
It’s slow work.
But Max has already adjusted to so much.
We believe he can overcome this too.
While they work through this, the couple is finding creative solutions.
A neighbour with two greyhounds might help. Maybe Max can tag along to work sometimes.
The more they can avoid leaving him alone right now, the faster he’ll improve.
It’s early days, but Max is already proving to be a gem.
He’s adjusting, slowly but surely.
And his family?
They’re learning to navigate life with a dog who just needs a little more time.
Does your dog need Theo’s help?
Click here if you would like to get Theo’s expert help tailored to you and your dog.
“The video session was really worthwhile, wish we’d done it sooner! Thank you”, Emma
“We’ve changed the way we are with him and he’s almost like a totally different dog. I found the meeting itself absolutely perfect, You got straight to what we needed to do and helped us out no end, you were absolutely lovely, friendly and approachable and would definitely recommend you to anyone who needs behaviourist services!” Ky
Next time
Now that Max and his human family are feeling calmer, it’s time to meet a new friend who’s stirring up a different kind of chaos.
Next time, you’ll meet Pete, the Sprocker who turned simple walks into tearful battles.
You won’t believe how his owners found joy in the chaos—and how Pete found his stride.
About the author
Theo Stewart is a dog behaviourist who lives in a pretty town in South West England. She has been a regular dog behaviour expert on local BBC Radio.
This is a true story. For privacy, names and details have been changed.
Remember, every dog is unique. Always consult a professional for advice tailored to your dog’s needs. Click here to get help that will be tailored to you and your dog.
Author: Theo Stewart
Editor: Sarah Hyndman (Theo’s daughter)
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