Naughty Whippet

[abbey07]

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Need to ask some whippet questions as i am going mad!

I have a male whippet whos over a year old now and hes such a mennace. He has dug up the lawn broken lots of things chews constantly and pees everywhere and loves to bolt around our house like a rocket!

He seems to have springs in his legs! wanted to ask if we should have him neutered to try and calm him down! we wanted to have a litter or pups from him so we could keep another but not sure if we should. And wanted to ask if theres anyone whos got the same mad whippet after they have being doctored!

How often do you walk yours? as he is on one walk a day for say 20 mins roughly.

Also wanted to know how much food yours all eat as he eats lots and lots and worry he may be too fat! and wanted to ask how much he should weight. and what food you recrommend and he goes off foods and is allergic to many.

We do love him and would never want to loose him. so want to do everything right by him!

sorry for all the questions hope someone can help me out on them.

 

[rls22]

Neutering isn't a magic cure for behavioural problems - so I would not advise this at all.

When you say he pees everywhere, do you mean in the house?

What do you feed him at the moment? As this could very easily be contributing to the fact that he is so hyper.

My personal recommendation would be to feed a raw diet - tripe, mince, chicken wings, lamb ribs etc with wholemeal mixer. If you do not want to go down this route a good quality complete like Burns, Arden Grange and James Wellbeloved.

How tall is he? My adult 20.5" dog is 33lbs, my 13 month old 19" dog is about 26lbs.

 

[bertha]

Sounds like he is ruling the roost!!!!!!! Does he get a good run off the lead? The food advice from ris23 is good. I think you have to be firm with him and stop him from flying around, does he have a crate to sleep in? If you got him trained to like a crate you could put him in it when you go out and leave him. Then he couldn't chew things.

I am afraid some whippets can be very active as youngsters, castrating will not make any difference to that. Why would you want a litter from him? You would I presume have to find someone who wanted to use him at stud on their bitch. Unless you are well known that won't happen and could upset him and make him chase bitches. Think carefully before going down that road.

 

[bertha]

Sounds like he is ruling the roost!!!!!!! Does he get a good run off the lead? The food advice from ris23 is good. I think you have to be firm with him and stop him from flying around, does he have a crate to sleep in? If you got him trained to like a crate you could put him in it when you go out and leave him. Then he couldn't chew things.

I am afraid some whippets can be very active as youngsters, castrating will not make any difference to that. Why would you want a litter from him? You would I presume have to find someone who wanted to use him at stud on their bitch. Unless you are well known that won't happen and could upset him and make him chase bitches. Think carefully before going down that road.

 

[Noise]

I'd say it is worth looking at his diet too.

If I had a hyper active dog, I'd make sure he gets a lot more than a 20 minute walk a day, definately more walking and a run off lead in a secure area and include some games and mental stimulation.

 

[Esty]

He does sound a menace, but you should be able to get him better!

Firstly, as rls55 points out, get his food sorted. There's so much muck in most of the supermarket foods (as we found out!)it will make them hyper and crave even more. I feed mine James Wellbeloved Junior now (they are nearly 9 months old) and they thrive on it. You might have to adjust the amount you give him (mine eat a bit more than recommended on the packet but are growing boys and get a bit 'ribby' otherwise.) It doesn't work out more expensive as they need less of it because it isn't full of rubbish to bulk it out. We buy one bag a month for two dogs, works out at 40 quid plus whatever extra mince etc we buy from the supermarket to supplement it.

As for walks, ours get at least one walk a day of 50 minutes or more and also have access to a big garden to run around in. At weekends and in the summer they usually get two walks. I'd say 20 mins isn't really enough, especially if he is on lead all the time - ours are off lead for most of their walks as we go to local nature reserves etc where it's safe to let them off.

If you haven't been already, it does sound like he would benefit from training classes - the one we go to is only 17 quid for the whole year, so is excellent value.

If he's chewing, take things out of his mouth and give him a toy or something he IS allowed to chew. If he's chewing walls etc, spray with those sprays you can get to keep them off. He could be chewing because he has too much energy or is bored.

There is no reason why a dog of his age should be peeing everywhere ( I assume you mean inside the house). You need to make sure he is going out into the garden or on a walk regularly to get him into the habit of going outside. Do it every half hour until he starts getting the message. You'll have to watch him like a hawk, he will need basic training like he's a puppy again.When he DOES go outside say 'toilet' or 'wee' or something and he should eventually get the message. Make sure he goes last thing at night and first thing in the morning ( we let ours out at 6/7am). If he is still weeing in the house get him checked by a vet - do you think he is weeing more often than he should, or is he just doing it where he shouldn't?!

As for breeding him, we'd considered this with ours as they are such gorgeous and good natured fellas BUT you have to leave emotion out of it, I'm afraid. There are already too many dogs out there, especially in this economic nightmare - you might not find good homes, you might have pups returned to you when people's circumstances change etc. The way I see it, if you breed a litter, you are responsible for them for the rest of their lives and if you can't afford to take them all back on if things change, you shouldn't breed them. It is really, really tempting, I know, but my opinion now is not to breed just because you want a pup yourself - get one from somewhere else. I'm sure I read that if you like a young dog, don't breed from him, get one from his father ie a brother/ half brother to your fella. You should only breed if you are genuinely contributing to the gene pool or need a specific dog for a specific job and can't get it another way. I volunteer at a racing greyhound rescue kennels and it would break your heart to see these beautiful boys and girls waiting patiently for homes as people pass them by for puppies

Soz if this is too much info! Best of luck with him - and btw whatever you do, he will have his mad half hours as it's part of the breed!

 

[abbey07]

thanks for all the advice you have all given me. Think his diet shall be the first to change as at the moment hes on beta puppy (cos he wont eat other dry ones!) although may try possibly the raw diet and shall do some read up of that!

I shall defo increase his exercise would he be ok with two 20 mins a day like am and pm! or would a midday one be needed too! could take him on my school run ! should be able to do more excercise that way!

Think i shall put him back in a crate for overnights to try and stop the peeing! and then retry when older.

Am not wanting to breed him i think ! may consider getting another whippet but older as i think a pup would not be good! need to try and get the family to all agree!

so today shall start as i mean to go on and start the walks and then wait till i get payed to change the food!

shall let you know his progress!

thanks again whippet people!

 

[teachtrinity]

Some great advice has been given here. The first thing that struck me was the exercise, Molly (9 months old) has a 30 - 45 min walk in the morning most of it off lead and another 45 - 60 min walk in the evening, again off lead. I can always tell if she hasnt had enough exercise as she goes loopy too.

Best of luck with him, I'm sure with a few small changes you will have a totally different dog

 

[Esty]

thanks for all the advice you have all given me. Think his diet shall be the first to change as at the moment hes on beta puppy (cos he wont eat other dry ones!) although may try possibly the raw diet and shall do some read up of that!

Ahh, if he's on puppy food that would explain a lot - it's extra high energy for growth so would probably explain why he's a bit nutty! If he's fussy I'm sure there are threads on the Frequently Asked Questions section that can help. Mine like their dried food with a little bit of warm water on, just enough to coat it and seems to make it more palatable to them - think it gives off more meaty smells!

 

[TillynPip]

I agree with all the food and especially the exercise comments. If my two had a 20 min on lead walk a day they would probably be just like your boy! Mine get a minimum of 1 to 2 hours off lead charging around woods and fields. In addition they have at least two further on lead walks and we have a large garden and, weather permitting, they have free access to this. I also interact quite a bit with mine, messing around in the garden but a lot depends on how much time you have. My two are on Burns complete although I do add fresh chicken/sardines/raw veg and the puppy is on James Wellbeloved but I may change her to Burns when she's a bit older. Give him a good hyper-allergenic food and knacker him with exercise and see how it goes. GOOD LUCK !!!

 

[affieluver]

hi and welcome some really sound advice given already i certainly would change his diet i have just recently changed my too back onto a complete diet as i just havent got the room for another freezer at the moment and they are on arden grange i must admit this is the only dry food that mine seem to do well on they still get their chiken wings and turkey necks as a treat though as i would never be forgiven :lol:

also i would change his exercise regime my 5 month old is having a 25 minute stroll at the moment the general rule is 5 minutes per month of their age so at a year old he really should be having a lot more good luck im sure he will settle down in no time keep us updated

 

[Julie D]

our little whippet really was the pickiest of eaters, she acted like she was too posh to crunch, she's small build 20 lb and we give her the small sized kibble, she seemed to leave it all the time and wasn't even begging from us, have you ever known a dog that isn't interested in Sunday dinner leftovers ?!!

She finally found a better appetite when she was about 3 (now she's 4) and it is sooo true what they say.....if you only leave out their food they soon get the message and realise nothing else is going to be offered and eventually eat theirs.

I believe in letting her graze, she always has a munch last thing at night before bed.

We have a supplier who's willing to let you try various samples of different brands/flavours to see what they seem to like best....absolutely no point in us buying the huge economic bags, she makes very little dent in them !

Burns seems to be a very good brand, everyones choice is individual I know, but friends have a Springer on Bakers and he does at least 5 big poos a day, really ( one of the benefits of a whippet....small bowel = small pick ups !!)

Good luck with the gradual changes, I'm sure you'll get a well behaved pet in the end, puppy classes well recommended.

 

[Suerose]

I would say that he isn't getting nearly enough exercise. Grace was mad as a youngster (it isn't just the boys!) and only started to calm down when I could let her off the lead for a really good rush around. You will need to be careful about finding a safe space, away from roads and, if he is keen on other dogs, where he can't rush up to other dogs until you have checked they are friendly. Any food intolerances wouldn't help either. Nothing wrong with being firm (tone of voice, not smacking!) to get better behaviour - there are plenty of trainers around who will help you. He will get easier as he gets older, I know it is hard when they are at this stage.

 

[Lisa S]

I agree with all the food and especially the exercise comments. If my two had a 20 min on lead walk a day they would probably be just like your boy! Mine get a minimum of 1 to 2 hours off lead charging around woods and fields. In addition they have at least two further on lead walks and we have a large garden and, weather permitting, they have free access to this. I also interact quite a bit with mine, messing around in the garden but a lot depends on how much time you have. My two are on Burns complete although I do add fresh chicken/sardines/raw veg and the puppy is on James Wellbeloved but I may change her to Burns when she's a bit older. Give him a good hyper-allergenic food and knacker him with exercise and see how it goes. GOOD LUCK !!!

I completely agree with this. My boy gets 2 walks of at least 1 hour every day with off lead running around and access to the garden. If we miss a walk then I see his behaviour change straight away and he does get hyper. If you cannot do the extra walking then perhaps more interaction with you in terms of hiding his toys and getting him to find and playing with you may help?

Good Luck

 

[eve]

I agree with the other comments.

Toddy was nearly 8 months old when we got him (now nearly 10 months). We had to housetrain him and teach him manners. He had so much energy, he was bouncing off the walls.

He should not still be on puppy food as the energy content is too high. James Wellbeloved seems popular. My older dogs are on Aurkarty available from Costco and Toddy is still on Iams puppy food. If you are worried that he is overweight, persevere with the new chosen food. it sounds like he likes his food even if he is fussy. He may miss a few meals but when he realises that that is all he is going to get, he will probably wolf it down with relish. The advice I was given for feeding Toddy from other k9 members was 2% of body weight per day of dried kibble.

Toddy gets two walks a day of at least 45 minutes. He is off the lead and he runs around the whole time playing with Lilly and other dogs so he burns a lot of calories. I noticed a huge difference in him after I was able to let him off the lead on walks. The first 3 weeks we had to keep him on a lead he was hell in the house even with 2 x 45 minute walks.

He is still a pest chewing things that are left lying around like pens but we have become a lot tidier! He tends to pick up things if he is bored and I find a KONG stuffed with treats helps. We shut our dogs away in the utility when we are out (everything out of reach!) and he seems to settle well now.

I was really tempted to have a litter from my little Lilly. She is show standard, superb pedigree and sweet natured but I decided that breeding is better left to those who are repuitable and experienced. A lot of thought and planning goes into a litter bred by a repuitable breeder so that the result is a credit to the breed.

All my whippets and lurchers have been rescues, unwanted or adopted because they needed new homes. There are too many people who want a puppy from their own darling dog. The problem is that on average, you are then seeking to find homes for the other 5 - 10 puppies. I knew I could find homes for 4 of Lillys pups but decided that as an unshown, unplaced bitch her puppies might struggle to get the kind of homes I wanted for them.

Rescues and taking on older whippets are not without problems too as you are often having to undo other peoples mistakes, cure phobias, deal with the consequences of neglect etc. They can be quite demanding. Sometimes you can find an older whippet on preloved or Epupz but you need to find out the history and if possible, see it in its own home.

I would get your lad sorted out with some extra walks, change of diet and perhaps training classes and then cosider the 2nd dog options.

 

[whitleybaywhippets]

Sounds like he is ruling the roost!!!!!!! Does he get a good run off the lead? The food advice from ris23 is good. I think you have to be firm with him and stop him from flying around, does he have a crate to sleep in? If you got him trained to like a crate you could put him in it when you go out and leave him. Then he couldn't chew things.

/quote]

I am not sure how this crate business works. Leaving them alone and locked up? My youngest goes ape when locked anywhere and has twisted her leg in the gaps between cage wires when i tried her in there just for a few minutes? Is it safe to lock dogs up when they are hyper? I could see my bitch rolling the thing over!

I was spoilt by my first, recent whippet (I have had another years ago but you forget what they're like when young). I got him last March and he was an angel from the start. My bitch Millie woke me up to how troublesome and destructive whippet puppies can be. She is nigh on 11 months old. I can't leave her for 2 minutes before she chews through everything in site. She has peed all over the house. I have take her out every half hour and encourage her all the time. I had her checked several times by the vet-no urine infections found. She likes her pee scent everywhere although thankfully she is only peeing indoors a couple of times a day now. I will take her out for a walk and she seems to hold it in until we get back.

Every day she runs free for up to 3 hours but still has more energy than those Duracell Bunnies and if i leave her for a couple of hours she chews the door frames and slavvers all over the floor tryin to burrow her way out!

I hope i will see an end to this soon and I can certainly empathise with your situation. I have tried many foods but I think its character rather than diet but maybe i'm wrong.

 

[~Annie~]

Re. the exercise, 20 mins on lead is definitely not enough. But you can overdo it too ... in some cases the more exercise the more hyper the dog. My two (10 mths and almost 2 yrs) currently get anything from 30 minutes to 2 hrs off lead every day and a daily on lead walk of any thing from 30 mins to an hour. In my view it's the off lead running that is the key ... they need a good blast ... allow your chap even fifteen minutes off lead at speed and you'll probably notice the difference. I don't know why but I get the impression from your posts that the 20 mins you are doing at the moment is all on lead. If I'm right can I ask why ... I know not every one has access to open spaces, but some whippet owners don't free run their dogs because they are worried about recall and I just wondered if that was an issue here. If so I'm sure we can all offer advice that will help you overcome that.

Annie

 

[Pimmscass]

Sorry to be blunt but I dont think your boy is getting nearly enough excercise!

My two are 3 and 4 years old, they are normally (normally!!!) very well behaved and are great in the house, however if for whatever reason they dont get enough excercise they can revert to being menaces, and actively look for things to chew which normally they would never dream of looking at. My excercise regime is not set in stone, but they do come out with me on the horse/to do the horses, and they either get a good run in the local park, or sometimes come out at work with me. At weekends I try and make sure they get a really long run, so we normally go to the beach once or twice a weekend.

It is very important that he gets off the lead running, you will find that this should calm him down a lot. If recall is an issue then pick where you walk him/times you walk him carefully to avoid other dogs, and make sure you have lots of treats to reward him when he comes back to you when you call him. If he will play with balls you could always take him to the park and play fetch with him, that is if he wont run run run of his own accord (I am sure he will!)...

If chewing in the house is as issue then crate him when you go out and leave him alone (for short periods obviously) and give him a hide bone or similar to keep him occupied. If he has his own toys to play with and hide bones to chew then he shouldnt actively seek out household items to kill. Mine cant have any soft toys as they just get shredded, so they only get the pressed hide bones usually, they LOVE them and they last for quite a while. Likewise with the weeing in the house, it usually helps if they have routine, ie out before breakfast, out at lunch, and out before bedtime. If he wees when you leave him alone you will probably find that the magic crate will prevent this from happening as they dont like to mess their own beds.

As for the weight thing, if you excercise him more then his weight should come down. If like others have mentioned you are feeding puppy food then it is definately time for a change. I have heard good things about Wellbeloved, though my two love Wagg which you can buy from Tesco. Mine get two bowls of food per day to share, so one large bowl a day....they have to eat together as my bitch refuses point blank to eat alone :angry: . They also get scraps from dinner, ie pasta/veg to keep them interested.

I am sure your boy will calm down with a new feeding regime, and more free running. Good luck!

 

[abbey07]

thanks so much for all the advice. shall take all onboard and put them into practice! exercise and food!

For letting him of lead is the problem, i am worried he may see something being a sighthound. at the weekend i take him to virginia waters where the polo place is cos its enclosed and dont have to worry so much about cars and him bolting after something! and we try best to do that at the weekends. through the week is hard due to me not being able to drive and so near home is a walk on a lead.

Have being trying to get some doggy people together so that i can walk with them and that way i can let him of the lead and see how he would be but not many or any to do that with where i live!

I am going to try and take him on school runs and would anyone think cycling with him would be ok!? do you find your whippets hate water! he walks around puddles wont walk in mud its so funny!

He had a hour walk this am and he was good most the day! still managed to have a mad whippet moment lol!

i tried him on chappie today too and he gulped it down and well think we may try that! he hates the biscuit type! so may be lucky with the chappie!.

 

[eve]

If you are introducing a new food to your dog you should do it gradually. Many dogs get really upset stomachs if you just switch from one food to another.

One problem with Chappie is that it does nothing for their teeth and can lead to dental decay unless you feed plenty of bones, raw chicken wings and chews. He would eventually eat the kibble type food if there is nothing else.

If you cannot let him off the lead, then he will require even longer walks at least 1 hour in the morning and 1hr at night to take some of the bounce out of him. When you say that you have a school run to do, are your children old enought to take responsibility for one of his daily walks? Cycling may be OK if you do not go faster than his jog and the roads are quiet. My whippet dogs love water, the girls hate it (strange!)

I would recommend that you persevere with James Wellbeloved or Arden Grange dog food for the sake of his teeth.