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My Whippet Keeps Mouthing Other Dogs

I have a female 3yr and she constantly mouths any dogs she meets on walks.

She doesn't hurt them but if you didn't know better it looks and sounds like she's savaging the poor dog.

She ignores me when she's doing it. I tried muzzling her but she still did it, it's starting to crack me up.

She's a great dog other than this.


ANSWER

For a start I suggest you keep your whippet on a long line to avoid any accidents but still allow some freedom and socialisation.

The last thing you want is an escalation toward aggressiveness.


All the best for your whippet training!

Nervous and Temperamental with Other Dogs

by Yvette
(UK)

We have a 5yr old male castrated whippet bought privately 6 months ago. He is housetrained and extremely friendly and loving at home and with other people. My only problem is that he scent marks a lot on walks which we have learnt to limit by keeping him on the leash and walking, and when he sees another dog he tends to start whimpering as we walk past. On a lot of occasions (70%)if another owner introduces their dog to him, the dogs tend to have a sniff around each other and very often they then snap at each other. The next day he will remember that dog and snarl if he sees it. However, on other occasions he will approach and get along fine with other dogs. I am really confused with how to handle him on walks. I don't walk him off the leash but would love some advice as to how to make our walks more enjoyable for the both of us. Thank you.

ANSWER

Keeping in mind that also dogs have their preferences and the right to pick their own friends, have a look at our page about whippets and other dogs.

Always be cautious when introducing your whippet to other dogs and when on walks, offer a little treat when your dog ignores other canines and/or behaves nicely with them.

In time he will learn that something good happens (food is offered) when another dog passes by and he will learn to relax in their presence.

1 whippet or 2?

We have a 10 month old, cheeky, whippet boy, Dash.

He lives in a busy household of 4 young children who he adores but obviously they are at school a lot!

We have 2 walks a day together across fields where he dashes (sorry!) around off the lead but I wonder whether he would like a running partner (I try but am getting old now, teehee) and a cuddle buddy for when the girls aren't around and I'm ironing.

We love our boy so much and don't want to upset him or would 2 be even more fun & love?

P.S:
I did try to send a photo but couldn't do jpg.


ANSWER

Whippets love company of humans and of other whippets.
It is difficult to resist their charms, variety of colors and captivating personality.

Rarely whippet people have only one dog. At the moment I happen to have only one and I am already scheming to get the second one soon.

Of course, two dogs means more commitment, expenses, energy and complications but if you think you are up to it, go for the second one, you won't regret it!

Whippets wtih Other Dogs

Do Whippets get along well with Greyhounds?

ANSWER:

Whippets get along well with other dogs and especially well with other sighthounds like greyhounds, saluki, borzoi.

Whippets and Small Dogs

by Debbie
(Winnipeg )

My son is looking at getting a whippet dog but we already have a small 1 year old chihuahua.
Do you think the whippet could attack and hurt the chihuahua?


ANSWER:

Certainly a small dog could be seen as prey and attacked by a whippet but I noticed that my dogs respect and get along well with self assured small dogs.

If the chihuahua is already an established member of the household, you get the whippet as a puppy and introduce the two dogs properly, there shouldn’t be any problem.

At the beginning supervise closely the dogs while playing and reprimand any game that seems too rough.

Whippet and Other Dogs. Boy or Girl?

by Murray
(Hull)

We have a 14 month whippet girl.
Would you recommend getting another girl or do they not get along ?
Pros & Cons, please.

ANSWER:

Although most whippets get along with other dogs, the safest bet is to get a whippet of the opposite sex.

To make a decision about a boy or girl, click on the link.

Two dogs will play together and keep each other company but they'll require more work and expenses.

Training two dogs at the same time is more difficult because they tend to become a pack and will pay less attention to the trainer. Your whippets will need separate training sessions and attention.

Whippets and Other Dogs

by Bonne
(Greencastle)

Will whippets become aggressive around other aggressive dogs or keep their neutral attitude?

ANSWER:

It depends on the individual whippet. Some are more dominant than others.

I had a lot of troubles with one of my whippets who would fight any aggressive dog while he was extremely well behaved around less dominant canines.

Whippet Dog FAQ: Aggression

Rupert is a 20 month old Whippet, and I have had him since leaving his mother at 8 weeks. He used to be very friendly towards all other dogs,except collies and huskies which he tends to fear.

Recently he has shown signs of aggression to other dogs/bitches. He used to run up to them and want them to chase him, but now it is like he is provoking them or trying to show dominance over them. This is causing me a bit a concern as I do not want him to turn into a "bully boy".

What has brought on this change of attitude and what can I do to revert him to the pleasurable dog?


ANSWER:

Difficult to say what may be the causes of Rupert’s change of attitude towards other dogs, maybe fear caused by traumatic experiences or just the fact he is no longer a puppy and he’s trying to asses his dominance toward other dogs.

Training Rupert for agility or obedience could help him focus on you instead of dominance issues and keep him under control.

Consult your vet about neutering your whippet, this operation often resolves dominance and other related problems like marking the house, romantic escapades and unwanted extracurricular activities.

Finally, as aggression can turn into a safety problem for Rupert and other dogs, I encourage you to consult a dog behavior professional before any serious accident happens.

Adding Another Whippet to the Family

Are a male and female whippet better together, or two males?

ANSWER:

Generally two dogs of opposite sex get along better in the same home although I know of same sex whippets that live peacefully together.

If you choose dogs of opposite sex, you would have to consider spaying/neutering your whippets if you don't want to breed and for your peace of mind.

Whippet Dog and Chickens

Can a whippet dogs be trusted around chickens?
I have 8 chickens.
You have said that a whippet will hunt or pursue a cat or other small animal.
Could you train a whippet from a pup not to go after them or would instinct just take over?

ANSWER
Good question!
I have found that generally whippets are not interested in chickens as they are in furry creatures.
My whippet puppies were dissuaded from any rough play right at the beginning, by particularly fierce chickens that wouldn't stand no nonsense from young dogs.
After these first encounters my dogs always kept a safe distance from the domestic fowl.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't trust even a trained whippet in a chicken coop.

Whippet Sociability

by Lorraine
(Aberdeenshire)

I have a male whippet who is 22 months old - I am considering getting a companion for him.

Will he appreciate another dog in the house or is it best to keep him on his own?

ANSWER:

Well socialized whippets appreciate the company of other dogs especially other whippets or sighthounds because they enjoy playing the same games.

Often a companion of the opposite sex is accepted without too many problems.

Whippets and Other Dogs

by Lori-Ann
(Edmonton, Alberta)

I have a 4yr old shepard female mix, she is very quiet, smart and loves to play. I also have a 4 year old son.

Can you tell me, would I be best to get a male or female whippet and do they mix well with other dogs? My husband and I are only out of the house 1-2 hours max per day.

Thank you.

ANSWER:

Whippets generally mix well with other dogs even of the same sex.

To be on the safe side I would choose a male whippet.

Whippet Dog FAQ: Aggresion Towards Some Dogs

by dj
(Cobourg, On, Canada)

Stridder and Spock the cat

I have adopted a 5 year old whippet from a reputable breeder after he was sent back by the previous owner.
He is very good except he is unpredictable with other dogs. I work in a pet store with dog grooming and he comes to work with me.
He is full male and will be stud 2 more times. On leash he is territorial only at the store. Off leash he was better until he decided that the store was his territory. This may be why he was sent back and I have no other dogs. He is fine with cats.
What do I do? I don't want to leave him at home since I got him because I can take him to work. Please help.

ANSWER:

One of my whippets was always very opinionated about the dogs he liked and the ones he didn't.
There was very little we could do to make him change his mind.
Obedience training and neutering can be a great help in these situations.

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