Advice Needed, New Pup Mayhem!

[Vixfinn]

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I'm just writing for some reassurance or downright honesty from all you experienced whippet owners.

I brought my beautiful blue whippet bitch home three weeks ago, she's now just over 12 weeks. I was reassured by the vet, breeder and the books I read that introducing her to my 3 yr old Jack Russell bitch wouldn't be a problem. That the terrier would assert herself and put the playful whippet in her place.

However, the little whippet is supremely dominant over my Jack Russell, who is so gentle and docile that she now won't come downstairs and trembles when in the presence of the little blue streak of lightening. I'm aware the whippet is simply a playful pup but I'm worried that this sets a precedent of how it will be in the future. She attempts to bite the terriers stomach, ears and back leg (She only has 3 legs due to a birth defect), she is getting increasingly rough with her yet gentler with my family. She nudges her out of the way of food,won't allow her to curl up with us and jumps on her back when she's sleeping. Bearing in mind the little blue will be 3 times the size of the Jack Russell in time, in all honesty what can I do? :unsure:

I'm trying stern words and intervention, separation and aversion. Praise when good etc. The whippet already sits when I'm training and is learning to fetch but there's no diversion from attacking the terrier. It's not fair on either of them. I was hoping "Little Nell" the Jack would be dominant and enjoy her new blue companion "Zsa Zsa" but it seems she's just too submissive and at present really unhappy. What can I do and will this situation honestly change? We're all very concerned and don't feel it's fair on the pup either to be constantly told off

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Hula]

I think it's a bit too soon to be using the word dominant . She is simply a little puppy who knows absolutely no manners at all and it's up to you to teach her them . Do not allow her to do these things to your little Jack Russell . She needs to learn the meaning of the word No . If she does these things you need to tell her No . Then remove her from your other dog and give her a toy etc to distract her . Feed them separately till she learns some manners . I have 10 month old pup who is still being fed in the hall while the other 3 eat in the kitchen . She will one day join them . If I give them treats I still hold her by the collar while she eats hers so cannot steal .

I think dominant is an over used word . I have 4 dogs and none of them are dominant over the other ones . There may be dominant dogs around but not all .

If you have crate then it can be useful to put the pup in there if it is where you are and not putting her away thus making the crate like a punishment .

Whippet pups are notoriously naughty and yours sounds like my latest one ! However these are the ones who generally have fantastic personalitys once they learn how to behave !

Good luck with your pup , some pics of her would be nice )

 

[Vixfinn]

Thankyou Hula, I had a lovely PM too, reiterating the "No" and being consistent point and for me to persevere with the little madam. She was from a litter of 10 so I guess she figured out how to assert herself early on. Good point re: getting a collar as it's so difficult to restrain or catch the slippery one. Also, I will definitely feed them separately from now on. Fingers crossed Little Nell will regain some confidence, I think the sheer speed of Zsa Zsa round the house is a bit intimidating to a three legged Jack

 

[gypsysmum]

You could put a house line on her collar so that you can stand on it to control her??

It does sound like exuberant puppy behaviour. While some bitches will put a puppy in its place others won't. My lurcher just waited for me to do the right thing all the time when we brought our Whippet puppy home. When it matters to her (ball possession or sometimes food) she will stand up for herself but most of the time she just ignores the bad behaviour.

A crate is an excellent tool and my Whippet loves hers. Stair gates are also useful to give your Jack some peace.

 

[Hula]

Wow , she is a little cutie and looks like a little angel o

 

[Vixfinn]

Wow , she is a little cutie and looks like a little angel o

Ahem!

Will phone my cousin for a lend of her crate. All good advice, thanks everyone. )

 

[TTT]

She is a lovely pup! Get a crate and alternate the dogs in it. It will also be somewhere for the older bitch to feel safe (unpestered) for a while. Work on training your pup - it is good physical and mental activity for her. :luck:

 

[Janimal]

Beautiful little pup, Good luck in learning her some manners... :blink: its just some take longer than others lol.. :clown:

Good advice about the crate, Id never had one before till I got one of my whippets in 2004 after having an oldie before that

it was the best thing I ever bought, but never used it as punishment, only for introduction to other cats and whippets, and for

safety when I went to work for a couple of hours.

 

[masta]

I know it seems a pain now but it will pan out and i would imagine coming from a large litter has made the situation more intense my last litter were a 10 and they were a nightmare for fighting etc

On the bright side at least its not the terrier being dominant because in my experience that generally involves a lot more hassle and vets bills!

 

[Vixfinn]

Ok, I'm almost sorted. Crate being loaned on Tuesday, she's had much discipline (and ignored me) this evening. She's getting the hang of "stay" but not chuffed with "No".

Getting a collar tomorrow after her final jabs. Only hoping she sleeps past 5am tomorrow morning -_-

Thanks all, it's a relief to know I'm not alone in having a less than placid whippet

 

[robandkay]

She looks a little sweetie!! :- Keep up with the training and in a few months time you will look back and smile!

Good luck. :luck:

 

[Louise_Simon]

My little girly Whippet was a complete nightmare as a pup, she drove me and the greyhound to tears on more than one occasion, we'd huddle on the sofa hoping that the tiny bundle of teeth and claw and sheer naughtiness wouldn't notice us, then she grew up and is the sweetest thing ever, I've got 3 boys as well now and in no way did they come near to the levels of devilery that she reached.

Good luck and have fun

 

[Vixfinn]

Just two nights of stern "No's" and intervention and it seems to be getting through to Zsa Zsa. We have a way to go and can't wait for the crate, but thanks to good advice and assurances here and at home, I'm now convinced she'll be well worth the effort and Little Nell will thank me for her one day :sweating:

 

[Seraphina]

All good advice above. Crate is a good way to go.

My daughter has an old Chihuahua Lily who is fine with the Whippets when they are quiet, but when they run around or when we have pups, she hates them. When Lily comes to stay with us I make sure she has places to hide; I have a cat carry crate & Lily also has her own little cat crate, which I put in strategic spots in the house and Lilly can zip in one of them when she feels threatened.

Your blue girl looks gorgeous, and I would also say it is not really a dominance thing, just happy outgoing puppy