New Whippet pup Mom

[Nancy-Greymom]

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Hi All, I am a 1st time Whippet (and puppy) Mom. We have rescued adult Greyhounds for the last 25 years, and 2020 being an awful year for most of us given what was happening, we also lost both of our senior Greyhounds last year as well. Praying for a better 2021. Off to a good start with our new pup. We decided we needed to get a baby so we would have more quality years, hopefully.

Having a puppy is such an awakening - knew it was going to be a challenge, but to be honest, I am a bit overwhelmed.

She is good most of the time, and we are diligent about positive training, although I do lose my patience at times - I do hope she forgives me !

We got her at 3 months old from a US breeder who has several AKC and Westminster wins in her lines. Not that that matters at all to us, as she was very local and had pups available. We chose the Whippet because of the Greyhound background within the breed. I am praying that the behaviors we are experiencing are just 'puppy' phases, as the adult Whippets we have met in our travels have been much like the Greyhounds as adults.

She had Obedience training at 4-5 months, and will be joining her first puppy training/socialization class shortly, at 7 months. I am hoping this is perfect timing to help with the 'adolescent' behaviors that are starting to pop... very bitey and even mischievous.

With winter weather, it's been difficult to get her out for regular walks. I did get a small treadmill on the advice of my vet.

Couple of questions would love any feedback...

At 7 months old, I have been putting her on the treadmill at between 2-3 mph for about 5-6 minutes once to twice a day - is that safe for her development while still growing ? She will not be spayed until 1-1 1/2 yrs (after 1st heat).

Also, will crazy puppy behavior (especially in the evening - Hyde comes out... ) subside soon ? It can be very daunting, we try to distract and ignore her, but sometimes she gets the best of us - any advice on the best way to deal with this is much appreciated !

Thanks all !

 

[JoanneF]

I'll leave someone with more whippet experience answer about the treadmill, but the evening time behaviour is pretty normal. They are a bit like toddlers, overtired but reluctant to settle.

Prevention is better than cure, so if you can anticipate it, try to offer a calming activity, like licking the frozen contents of a Kong toy, or a frozen lickimat. You can try to use these to stop it (rather than prevent it) too, but if you can prevent it it helps break the habit.

And we accept payment in the form of puppy pictures

 

[Nancy-Greymom]

thank you very much for the tip - great idea ! Sometimes your so wrapped up in it, you don't think of the simplest things !!

 

[JoanneF]

thank you very much for the tip - great idea ! Sometimes your so wrapped up in it, you don't think of the simplest things !!

Have you seen our helpful articles pages for puppies?

Useful Links & Recommended Reading

 

[Nancy-Greymom]

I will check it out - thanks !

 

[Whippylove]

Welcome!
Beautiful whippet puppy you have
Whippets are very hyper when young but hang in there it does get better!
The treadmill isn't something I would use on my whippets especially when they're puppies and they are developing. Also a lot of exercise can over stimulate them and go the opposite way making them more hyper and harder to settle. I found with my 3 I kept the same routine daily and had to learn them when it's time to calm down or they would have been zooming around the house non stop lol

 

[Nancy-Greymom]

Thanks very much for the advice… Yes I tend to see that myself I think exercise is going to help but it’s just zooms her up even more… LOL

 

[Gilly697]

I agree with Whippylove.....ditch the treadmill. I would worry about it being too much exercise for a young developing pup's growth plates and body. I always remember one judge telling me she could always tell dogs that had been over-exercised and/or raced as youngsters by their over-developed hindquarters.

Perhaps a few minutes training and making her use her brain would tire her out....just 20 minutes scentwork is the equivalent of 3hrs free running exercise as it makes dog's use their main sense of scent.....put toys into random boxes and make her find it with her nose...hide treats around the house etc. One person who's videos I absolute love on Youtube is Emily Larlham (just look up Kikopup on YouTube) - she's done literally dozens and dozens of training videos on all manner of things to teach pups and older dogs.
Another one I like is Vici the Whippet She's gorgeous....makes me SO broody! Lots of videos of her on YouTube too.....very inspiring in that they show that whippets can do just as much as other breeds and aren't just for racing or showing.

I adopted my whippet Tina when she was 16 months old so she was relatively settling by then but I think ALL puppies are a wee bit bonkers One of the UK magazines recently did an article about 'Puppy Panic' and how folks get a pup and forget just how much work they are. But it DOES pass so hang on in there...keep on training little and often and one day you'll suddenly realise just AWESOME your pup has become Whippets ARE a fantastic breed....we're hoping to get another (or two) sometime this year.