Misty

[Misty Taylor]

Hello
Misty is our beautiful nearly 6mth old whippet. She is very loving but also very naughty and I hope to share info and maybe pick up some tips on training, behaviour etc.
Anne

 

[Hemlock]

Welcome! Whippets are gorgeous, and we have another whippet owner on the Board. "Misty" is a very whippety name.

 

[Misty Taylor]

Welcome! Whippets are gorgeous, and we have another whippet owner on the Board. "Misty" is a very whippety name.

Thank you - I was about to give up with this forum as I'm not brill with PCs and the site is so complicated. Does this reply count as a post as I have to have 10 posts to get started?

 

[JoanneF]

Hi Anne,

I don't think you need 10 posts to get started, maybe you need 10 to do particular things like sending private messages, but you are definitely in.

How can we help?

 

[Whippylove]

Hi and welcome
Whippets are adorable, love the name!

 

[JudyN]

Welcome to you and Misty! I think you need to have 10 posts before you can post links, which includes quoting someone else's post with a link in. Do please persevere, and we can help if you find yourself going round in circles.

 

[RGC]

Welcome onboard. I also have a whippet. She’s a rescue with a few issues but with help from the forum and the odd prayer she should be fine. Like you I do struggle with I.T but I put that down to age - we still point at aeroplanes in Herefordshire. Look forward to the photos as and when.

 

[Misty Taylor]

Hi Anne,

I don't think you need 10 posts to get started, maybe you need 10 to do particular things like sending private messages, but you are definitely in.

How can we help?

As first time dog owners it's quite a learning curve and with lockdown it's hard to do the sort of structured recall training I read about. Misty's fine coming back in the garden but in the open if she sees another dog she rushes to play so I worry that either we won't be able to let her run free or she'll be a nuisance to others.

 

[TrunksTheCanaan]

Hello
Misty is our beautiful nearly 6mth old whippet. She is very loving but also very naughty and I hope to share info and maybe pick up some tips on training, behaviour etc.
Anne

Hello Anne

Welcome. I joined today also. My previous Anatolian was good friends with a whippet that he used to love to chase

 

[JoanneF]

As first time dog owners it's quite a learning curve and with lockdown it's hard to do the sort of structured recall training I read about. Misty's fine coming back in the garden but in the open if she sees another dog she rushes to play so I worry that either we won't be able to let her run free or she'll be a nuisance to others.

I don't know if whippets are as challenging off lead as other sighthounds, other people will chip in about that.

But in my experience there are three main reasons in my view why a dog doesn't comply with what we ask.

First, he doesn't understand. That's where training comes in, you need to teach him what you want, and reward when he gets it right so he knows he has done the right thing. so that's all the practice you do in the garden and in low distraction environments where there are no other dogs.

Second, the motivation or reward of doing what he is already doing is higher than the motivation or reward of doing what you are asking. This is why some dogs won't, for example, recall when they are playing or chasing squirrels. So make sure what you offer is of far higher value - or, if you can't beat something like a play with another dog, don't allow the opportunity for it to happen (i.e. don't set him up to fail). Use a leash or a long line (only ever attached to a harness, never a collar, for safety) to keep control. There is a trainer, I can never remember who, whose mantra is BMFI. Be more flipping interesting. By you being the source of all fun and good things, your dog will want to stay engaged with you and much less likely to bog off to play with other dogs. It also helps with other training because it will be a lot easier to keep his focus.

Third, you are working against a deeply rooted breed trait that the dog has been selectively bred for over centuries. There is a reason why we don't use terriers to herd sheep - it can be done but it is a lot harder. That's what I mean about sighthounds, they are hard wired to run and keep running.

I'd add, 6 months is a tricky age - he is out of puppyhood and becoming naturally more independent. But hang in there, with consistency it will get better.

 

[Misty Taylor]

I don't know if whippets are as challenging off lead as other sighthounds, other people will chip in about that.

But in my experience there are three main reasons in my view why a dog doesn't comply with what we ask.

First, he doesn't understand. That's where training comes in, you need to teach him what you want, and reward when he gets it right so he knows he has done the right thing. so that's all the practice you do in the garden and in low distraction environments where there are no other dogs.

Second, the motivation or reward of doing what he is already doing is higher than the motivation or reward of doing what you are asking. This is why some dogs won't, for example, recall when they are playing or chasing squirrels. So make sure what you offer is of far higher value - or, if you can't beat something like a play with another dog, don't allow the opportunity for it to happen (i.e. don't set him up to fail). Use a leash or a long line (only ever attached to a harness, never a collar, for safety) to keep control. There is a trainer, I can never remember who, whose mantra is BMFI. Be more flipping interesting. By you being the source of all fun and good things, your dog will want to stay engaged with you and much less likely to bog off to play with other dogs. It also helps with other training because it will be a lot easier to keep his focus.

Third, you are working against a deeply rooted breed trait that the dog has been selectively bred for over centuries. There is a reason why we don't use terriers to herd sheep - it can be done but it is a lot harder. That's what I mean about sighthounds, they are hard wired to run and keep running.

I'd add, 6 months is a tricky age - he is out of puppyhood and becoming naturally more independent. But hang in there, with consistency it will get better.

Thank you - all good advice. Not sure about training leads as the breeder advised us that harnesses are not good for whippets. Think we need to up the fun stakes!

 

[JoanneF]

The reason for using a harness with a long line is that the dog can build up speed and get stopped really suddenly when he reaches the end of the line, causing injury to his neck, threat or trachea. For normal walking, by all means use a collar but with a long line it could be quite dangerous.

 

[JudyN]

I'd also say, don't recall her if you don't think she'll come back - she'll just learn that she can ignore the commands. I have a range of 'recall' cues, ranging from 'suggestions', i.e. 'I've got a treat for you if you come here,' through to the whistle, which I only use if I'm pretty much 100% sure he'll come back. As I had to train the whistle very carefully, i.e. building up very gradually, 'Sausage' was a very useful one for a while!

You might be able to find an enclosed field you can practice in - there's a website here that helps you find one in your area: The Original Listings Site for Enclosed Dog Walking Fields in the UK I've a feeling some may have closed because of covid though, and they might not be local enough to be considered 'local' right now.

 

[Misty Taylor]

I'd also say, don't recall her if you don't think she'll come back - she'll just learn that she can ignore the commands. I have a range of 'recall' cues, ranging from 'suggestions', i.e. 'I've got a treat for you if you come here,' through to the whistle, which I only use if I'm pretty much 100% sure he'll come back. As I had to train the whistle very carefully, i.e. building up very gradually, 'Sausage' was a very useful one for a while!

You might be able to find an enclosed field you can practice in - there's a website here that helps you find one in your area: The Original Listings Site for Enclosed Dog Walking Fields in the UK I've a feeling some may have closed because of covid though, and they might not be local enough to be considered 'local' right now.

Thanks for all the tips. We have got a secure field nearby which we do use, recall there is good but not so good elswhere where there are distractions.

 

[Whippylove]

Hi whippets can have choice hearing especially when young. Also if they see something to chase they will definitely not listen so be careful she doesn't run. I'm lucky we have a huge back garden so mine can run as much as they want. There isn't anywhere near me that I can safely let mine of the lead. If you can use a secure area take her their to learn recall lots of treats help.
All mine wear harnesses I wouldn't use anything else on mine I use ruffwear webmaster and Indi dog Houdini which is designed for whippets it has an extra strap so they can't back out which are good for walks.
Would love to see pics

 

[Misty Taylor]

Hi whippets can have choice hearing especially when young. Also if they see something to chase they will definitely not listen so be careful she doesn't run. I'm lucky we have a huge back garden so mine can run as much as they want. There isn't anywhere near me that I can safely let mine of the lead. If you can use a secure area take her their to learn recall lots of treats help.
All mine wear harnesses I wouldn't use anything else on mine I use ruffwear webmaster and Indi dog Houdini which is designed for whippets it has an extra strap so they can't back out which are good for walks.
Would love to see pics

Thanks thats very interesting esp about harnesses. We have a big garden but as she's our only dog it's playing with other dogs she really wants. Will try and send a pic. Have to try again - my images are all too large.

 

[Misty Taylor]

Thanks thats very interesting esp about harnesses. We have a big garden but as she's our only dog it's playing with other dogs she really wants. Will try and send a pic. Have to try again - my images are all too large.

 

[JudyN]

Oh she's an absolute beauty!

 

[Whippylove]

She's beautiful, I love fawn whippets definitely my favourite

 

[Whinpin]

Welcome this is a very good site for advice I have found it very helpful. I have a 4 month old whippet Rosie she is hyper. I will say she is learning to recall to the whistle in the garden. When we are out in the fields I use a harness and a long training leash and I let her go on a long leash then recall her with the whistle and praise her loads and give her a treat when she comes back. When we take my daughters dog which is a Lab. I let her play with her on the long leash and recall her back and she is coming back. Having said this I would not let her off on a free run, she requires more training and I need more confidence in her. Yesterday I introduced her to some geese and swans on the lake on a short leash and she was not interested she had a look and that was that. This may change has she get older plus she is quiet nervous this been one of the reason for the introduction but is still very young I am hoping confidents will come. I love the harness and long leash.