Unsettled New Whippet

[nickyshiers]

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Yesterday brought my new 13 month old brindle Whippet home. His name is Flynn. He is from a breeder who had to re-home him as his father (her breeding male) had taken a disklke to him through no fault of his own.

He has come from a home with his parents, siblings, kids, other puppies; to a quiet home with plenty of space in the Sussex countryside with just me and my husband. I can understand this is traumatic for him.

He was sick on the journey home (90 miles), but seemed to recover yesterday and spent the afternoon snoozing in the sun. He ate, drank, toileted and relaxed in the living room in the evening. He was quite nervy on and off though. Still, I though we were doing well with him.

He cried in his crate last night and I went down to him at 3am and then at 6.30am. I let him and left the back door open so he could come in and out as he pleased. I could hear him crying in the garden but did not want to fuss him everytime he did this. Next thing I knew he had gone quiet and I went down to check. He had managed to jump a 4ft high gate (the lowest thing in the garden, which I thought was Whippet-proof). 4 hours oof frantic searching the nearby woods and fields and a local resident calls to say he is with her and is fine. Heart stopping.

I've brought him home now, he's eaten and drank. However he just keeps putting his nose in the air and crying. It doesn't seem to matter if I give him attention or not, it doesn't help. He is in the garden (on a long lead to avoid a reoccurance of this morning - although an extra piece of tellis has been secured). His ears are up all the time and he wont settle, and wont stop crying.

I know it's early days but I'm not sure what could be setting this off, especially as attention doesn't seem to alleviate this.

Any tips would be gratefully received.

Nicky

 

[bardmand]

First of all: Congratulations with your new boy. I'm sure he will settle in eventually, but as you say, it is quite some transition for him to be an only dog.

I think you are onto the solution yourself: Do not give him any kind of attention when he is whining - it will only confirm his suspicion that there really is something to worry about. Second: Would it be possible to move his crate into your bedroom for a while? Then you can gradually move it away as he starts settling in if you do not want him to stay there permanently.

Obviously, you need to keep a very close eye on him for a while. Getting lost from your garden was probably as frightening an experience for him as it was for you.

Try giving him toys and stuff to chew on - that relieves stress in many dogs.

Don't know if any of these pieces of advice are of any use to you - good luck, and keep us posted on his progress!

 

[Cerito]

Have you ever tried Rescue Remedy? Your local chemists may have it and I have even seen it in Sainsburys.

It might reduce the dog's anxiety and make you feel better too!

Cerito

 

[Rae]

Hi,

Sorry to hear the Flynn is distressed at the minute.

It must be a shock to loose the whole family like that, and then be an only dog, but I'm sure he'll realise that you will provide him with lots of great walks, games and nice food and settle eventually.

Can you do something to take his mind off things? Give hima kong toy to chew on in the house/garden etc.

I'm sure you are doing all the right things, but just need a bit of reassurance :luck:

I'd agree that it might help him to settle / bond with you if you moved his crate to your room at night.

Any pictures of him?

 

[Nicola]

I'd say give him time and be consistent and start a routine. I agree..something to occupy him...and some longish walks to tire him out maybe?

Sounds like a second whippet maybe needed...we're running out of single dog owners to campaign for :lol:

Yes...we must have pictures.

Seriously..try not to worry...time is the great healer and all that...

 

[Janimal]

Hi and Welcome to K9,

Congratulations on getting Flynn, Im sure he will settle in soon.

It is very early days and Im sure he will be missing the rest of his last household too. He is bound to look for them and wonder where they are.

Praise him and give him lots of love - show him you care lots and lots. Treats of course and lots of special walks and maybe introduce him to some other doggys on your walks.

Good Luck :luck: :luck:

 

[JAX]

Poor you and poor Flyn , he must be really stressed , How awful that he got out , for the both of you that is

Good long walks to tire him out sound a good idea , plus the rescue remedy . Ive no advice to give Im afraid , but Im sure he will soon settle down

Welcome to K9

Jackie and the MULCAIR whippets :huggles: s

 

[Riley]

Good luck with Flyn. Yes, try all those things the other K9ers suggested, plus leave the radio on at night (if he's not already under the duvet in your bed!). The very best solution is to get him a companion!!! It will take time, but take his mind of his anxiety with loads of games and cuddles etc. and he'll soon be fine.

Riley

 

[janfiers]

All good sound advice has been given, particularly about a second Whippet then he will have someone to play with, when you're not around and will feel less like escaping to find his original family. Must have been a terrible ordeal for all of you and oh, the relief when you found him.

 

[whippetmad]

hi and welcome to k9 :thumbsup:

we got Peter at the age of nine months,when we got him home he could not settle either which is natural,he still only a baby and misses his family. he would not eat

for days,kept wondering around and crying,we were keeping in touch with his previous owners advising what to do and all the support we could wish for.

all its down to is perseverance,patients,a lot of love :wub: :huggles: and time, so within a few weeks he was settled and the most lovable boy.he stilll see his previous owner and step brother(CH.ELVENCHARM ZOLA AT TURNSTONE) and goes mad when he see them.

 

[Deb]

Hi

How distressing for you all, especially when you lost him.

I haven't really got any advice but feel for you. We too had Digger at 13 months old. coming from a multi dog home, but he seemed to relish being the only dog with all the attention. Although we do have a cat for company.

I am sure he will settle, it has been an upheaval for him, its early days. Some take longer than others to adjust. You seem to be doing all the right things and have good advice on here.

Good luck :luck:

 

[Mark Roberts]

Give him a week to settle in and you'll think he's always been there. it's just strange for him at the moment.

 

[sparky]

hi, think of him as a pup and treat him well to get a good bond between him and you. keep him indoors and lead walk him for a while and he will soon get to know you are his new life. dont give him any chance to run away until he is totaly bonded with you and your oh. time will be the key to this new relaitionship. regards.

 

[jade]

i rehome a dog at 13 months years ago he was the same and got out and his new owners where so upset he was than found i kept in contact with them and after aweek he was a different dog he"s now 7 and they had no problem after that week he has a wonderful life they can ever walk him without a lead hang on in there lots of love he will come round goodluck

 

[Cerito]

Hi

One more idea. Does he have a big cuddly toy? He might like something to cuddle up to

Cerito

 

[Joanna]

Aahhhhh,

Is he used to being crated? It might be worth just putting an open crate in the bedroom with you until he is settled. My Archie hated being crated as a pup, and couldn't bear to be separated from us. I am sure it is just a period of adjustment and he will soon learn his new routine and settle. I would treat him like a new puppy as some-one else said, keep very close, give instruction and praise when he achieves a desired goal, this will help to build Flynn's confidence. Good luck :luck:

 

[alfyn]

Hi & welcome to K9 :thumbsup:

Poor little Flyn,he must be so upset at losing his pals

As commented,get some rescue remedy,this should help to calm him.I would give him nice long walks & spend lots of time playing with him.

I definitely wouldn't shut him in a cage for now & i would take him to bed with you so he feels more secure.I'm sure he'll settle down soon.

The best thing of course,is to get him a whippet playmate ASAP! :thumbsup:

 

[tinabow]

hi

just wondering how you and flyn

aregetting on hope you are both ok

 

[sweal]

Hi

you must all be distressed at seeing Flynn unsettled. As well as doing all the things the other k9 ers have suggested, have you considered DAP. this is "dog appeasing Pheromone" which works most effectively to relieve anxiety in dogs. it can help with settling in for new situations. There is a plug in electric diffuser ( like the air freshener type) and lasts for a month, also a little pump spray bottle for smaller areas ( but you have to keep reapplying this). It is available from vets but not sure if it is available in UK in pet shops as well. It is best to use it with behavioural modification as well eg

Also just praising him when he is displaying quiet, relaxed behaviour rather than whining ( as suggested already). the praise reinforces the positve behaviour. I know we often tend to talk soothingly as we feel this would be reassuring but for an anxious dog it reinforces the anxious behaviour.

If everyone is consistent he will gradually come around.

Good Luck

 

[Janimal]

Any updates of Flynn please.