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Whippet Puppy Crate Training

by Stephanie
(Wales, UK)

I absolutely LOVE your whippet website. It's well written and very informative. So first of all, thank you!

I have a 4 months old whippet, Filou, who is absolutely amazing. He knows so many tricks, and he is very intelligent and responsive. What I am not sure about is:

1. How long can I crate him during the day?
2. Should I crate him every day? If so, until what age?
3. How can I tell him off? He doesn't seem to understand when he is doing something he shouldn't. He either ignores me, or barks at me and starts to play with whatever I don't want him to play with!

Thank you again, I learned a lot of valuable tips today!

ANSWER:

Thank you Stephanie for your message, you made my day!
It is nice to see our website appreciated.

Let's answer your questions.

1. How long can I crate him during the day?

The crate should be a place for your dog to rest and relax.
For your puppy it is the equivalent to a toddler's crib where you can leave him without worrying for his safety or your home.
Place him in the crate when he is beginning to fall asleep, in a quiet corner of the house but where you can still ear him.
There isn't an exact rule about how long can a pup stay in a crate but I would not leave a young pup there for more than 3 consecutive hours during the day.

2. Should I crate him every day? If so, until what age?

A puppy will need to sleep and rest everyday and also for an adult dog the crate will provide a safe haven and a quiet place where to relax.

3. How can I tell him off? He doesn't seem to understand when he is doing something he shouldn't. He either ignores me, or barks at me and starts to play with whatever I don't want him to play with!

If your whippet puppy is doing something naughty, say a firm "No!", take away what he is not supposed to play with and ignore him.

I suggest you read a book about general dog training or something about whippets in particular.

If it is possible enroll in a puppy training class, it is a wonderful way to learn about your dog and socialize him at the same time.
All the best for your new pup!



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Whippet Dog FAQ: Crate Training - How Long to Leave in Crate

by Dave Hudkins
(Vancouver, WA)


We've been taking our 12 week old whippet puppy out of the crate every 4 hours now. In what increments can we leave the pup in the crate as she gets older? I've read that after 4 months we can leave her in for 6 hrs.

She's been very good at going to her crate at 10:00pm so we've been getting her up at 2:00 then at 6:00am when my wife goes to work.

ANSWER:


The general rule of thumb is to crate the puppy for no more hours than her number of months.
For example if she is 3 months old, you can crate her for 3 hours.

Most trainers add 1 more hour to the number of months but to me it seems a little too much to ask to a young puppy.

I wouldn't leave a puppy or an adult dog in a crate for more than 3 consecutive hours during the day.

All this is valid if your puppy is receiving enough exercise, attention, a regular feeding schedule and proper house training.

The good news is that by the time she is six month old, she should be able to sleep through the night in the crate.

Even adult dogs shouldn’t routinely be crated for too long.

How long is too long? It largely depends on the temperament and age of your dog.

If your pet becomes depressed or overactive, reduce the amount of crating hours.

Have a look at the page below to figure out what could be the perfect housing arrangement when you have to be gone for many hours at the time.


Home Alone




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Whippet Dog Questions: Crate Size

by Isobel

We are looking to buy a crate for a whippet puppy and are confused about which size to get.
Medium crates are about 22/23" high, large are 26/27" high and 36" long which seems huge!
He is a boy puppy so may get tall but the big crates just seem so huge.
What would you suggest?!

ANSWER:

Small puppies do grow up into adult whippets and they can be larger than you would expect now, especially males.

The crate must be big enough for your adult dog to stand up and turn around comfortably.

Crates might look huge now but you'll need at least a medium size one for your grown up whippet.

If you plan to use it at home (not for air travel) you can opt for a wire, collapsible one that can be put away when not in use.


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Where Do You Put Your Crate?

by Philip
(UK)

Soon to pick up our whippet pup and wondering where people put their crates at night.

I don't personally know anyone that has done this but the current advice seems to be to put the crate in our bedroom for the first few days (or weeks even) and transition but progressively moving the crate downstairs.

We are in a 3 story building with our bedroom on the top floor, and I intend to allow the dog on the ground floor, not least so as to give the feline of the house a refuge.

So, if we were to crate in the bedroom initially, that wouldn't be setting the right precedent. The pup wouldn't have easy access to his crate during the day.

Additionally, when house training, we would be having to take him downstairs to the "designated" area.

I'm not that long in the tooth, but when I was younger we (my wife had whippets before and I grew up with Labs) never crated in the bedroom. What has changed in the years since? Is this current trend to "touchy-feely" and instead we should as benevolently as possible crate the pup downstairs.

I am sure there are many differing opinions and I am not expecting absolute consensus, but thought I'd ask to see what people have to say.


ANSWER

The main reason to have the puppy crated in your bedroom or close to you at night is to make sure that, in case your pup has an emergency, you can ear him and take him to the designated area.

If the pup gets into the habit of soiling his little den, the crate loses its value as training tool.

Your vicinity also helps reassure the puppy that finds himself suddenly alone and will spare you a few nights of a crying pup.

I suggest you use a crate in your bedroom and another one at the ground floor to solve your dilemma.

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