The Whippet breed of dogs is known for its incredible speed and agility as well as its loving nature. Due to their friendly and unique personalities, they also make great family companions and are also used as therapy dogs. They get extremely fond of their humans and can get very clingy by nature.
Due to this, a lot of pet whippets have separation anxiety and have developed a reputation for being a whiny breed. Your whippet may very well be whining because of being separated from you, even if just a bed away. This article shall help you figure out everything about this behavior and how to help cease or lessen it.
Whippet Behavior Problems
Whippets are a breed of dogs that need plenty of exercises and mental stimulation. Most of their behavior problems arise when these needs are not met and can cause them to bark, whine or become moody. Since they are emotional dogs that get very attached to their owners, most problems arise from this fact.
Some of the behavioral problems that can arise in Whippets are as follows:
- Biting or nipping
- Sex insatiability
- Defecating the home
- Incessant whining and barking
- Social anxiety
- Dustbin toppling
- Jumping on things and people
All of these behaviors can be treated with proper training and care of your Whippet. They are a breed that is highly intelligent and also loves human attention, making them very easy to train.
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However, most of these problems can be stopped easily the moment they start showing in your Whippet if you give them the mental stimulation and physical activity they require.
Are Whippets Vocal?
Whippets are not necessarily vocal. Their breed generally is a very quiet one, and some whippets hardly bark at all – except some do it a lot when they are playing. If your whippet is a vocal one and makes a lot of noises, it is likely due to some behavioral problem.
It could have attachment issues and could be barking because they miss you or do not have your attention. Other times, Whippets could be unnecessarily barking if they have learned to get what they want through being vocal. Both behaviors can be fixed with proper training.
How Do I Stop My Whippet From Whining?
Now that you have understood the reasons behind Whippet’s whining, all you need to do is figure out which reason could be the one for your pet’s whining and tackle the problem accordingly.
If your Whippet is a baby who is extremely attached to you and cannot seem to leave you alone even for a second, the following can be done to deal with its separation anxiety.
1. Make A Comfortable Bed
The bed should be a place of comfort for your pet animal. It is important to make it as safe and guarded as possible. When you are away, make sure to leave something with your scent in your Whippet’s bed, like old clothes, pillows, or a toy to help them calm down when you are not around. This will also help them see their bed as a sanctuary.
2. Change The Environment
You cannot always be present around your Whippet, but you can surely change your house’s environment to make it look occupied when you are away. This can be done by letting some music or TV on as background noise, leaving plenty of toys around to keep them busy, and leaving its crate open for it to retire to.
3. Pheromone Collar
These devices are collars specially made to soothe animals who get stressed easily. They will help calm down your Whippet in your absence as it directly tackles their sense of smell. The collars are also helpful in cases of change in environment and a lot of noise in the surroundings that can trigger a dog.
If your Whippet is making noise plainly out of boredom, the following can help reduce unnecessary barking.
1. Give Plenty Of Exercise Time
Make a proper schedule for your Whippet’s playtime and give it plenty of exercise and physical activity during that period. Tiring your Whippet out with play and fun will be healthy for your pet as well as keep the barking at bay – ensuring a good night’s rest.
2. Call Out To Him
A certain type of training can help control the barking. Pick a word for a command like ‘quiet’ or ‘stop’ when your Whippet starts barking. The moment it stops, reward him immediately with a treat. Continue this training until he finally learns the message.
This can also help establish the fact that your dog is barking only for things it really needs.
3. Dog Toys Or Puzzles
Keep your Whippet occupied with lots of dog toys and puzzles so that it does not feel bored and has lots of things to do until playtime. Since you cannot give him your attention at all times, let him occupy his time with things to do.
If your Whippet starts barking at strangers or at other dogs, the following are a few methods to help him deal with his social anxiety.
1. Crate Him
Crating does not mean locking up your dog in a cage. It simply means creating a sanctuary for your dog to retire to when it feels anxious or scared. Keep the crate in your room as it is full of your scent. When it barks, simply tap on top of the crate to help distract it.
Crating also limits the territory it needs to protect and helps reassure your Whippet.
2. Socialize With Other Dogs
Your Whippet can develop social anxiety if it does not interact enough with other dogs or people, which can cause it to bark. Taking your Whippet to a dog park shall help it become more comfortable with interacting with other pets and humans.
3. Consider Getting Another Pet
Some Whippets whine a lot due to their owners leaving for long periods of time. Veterinary experts advise that no dog should be left alone for more than 8 hours. If you are a busy person, it is advisable to get another pet dog or Whippet to give your first one company. Animals always do well with companions.
Sure, there will be more to take care of, but there will not be many behavioral problems with just two pet dogs.
Are Whippets Good For First Time Owners?
Due to their playful and affectionate personality, whippets make great pets for first-time dog owners. They are playful, physically active, and not aggressive in general to both humans and other animals. Despite their size and love for exercise, they can be content in a small space as long as they are with you.
Whippets, however, need a lot of exercises – some time outside to run at least once daily. Hence, they may not be suitable for people who do not match the energy of this breed. Since dogs require walks daily, you can compensate for the lack of space with a visit to the local park or playground.
Conclusion
Vocal pets can be very difficult to deal with. After all, no one wants to hear neighbors complain about a member of the family. We hope that this article has helped you figure out that your Whippet means no harm from its whining and that with a little bit of patience and training, this behavior can be overcome.