Welcome to The Blog
Here you will find tips for training your Whippet as well as musings from my work as a trainer & behaviourist.
This includes training tips, multi dog household insights, reactivity, recall and focus!
I will also update this blog with updates on Arkle with his behaviour and health for those who have followed his journey!
Teenage Dogs - 3 Mistakes Your Making!
Teenage dogs are tricky business! Just when you think that they have mastered everything, they suddenly forget everything they've ever learned!
They're pulling , running off and suddenly don't know the meaning of sit!
How we handle this delicate time can effect their adulthood, so what mistakes might you be making.
Using exercise to exhaust them
Teenage dogs can be full of energy and the most logical solution can feel that you need to burn that energy. Adding more exercise, more ball throwing, more zoomies, more everything! The first few times you try this, you might find it succeeds!
Unfortunately the more you do, the more stamina your teenage dog develops. Meaning that they need MORE to exhaust them! Not only this, but we can create a wired dog who is fuelled by that adrenaline and struggles to switch off.
The best solution is nuanced. Yes they need more adrenaline outlets at this age, but don't overdo it. Balance a bit of excitement with calm brain games. Maybe fling the ball once, next time hide it for them to search for. Get them using that brain! Using their brain will mentally tire them out and help them rest more.
Ask too much of them!
Teenage dogs are full of big feelings and hormones. Although they can look like grown ups, and may actually like it in some ways, they often need to go back to those foundations. At this age some people expect their dogs to be working without food or rewards. Sometimes their dog has been behaving so well, their dog hasn't needed as many. However as those brains start to seek freedom, they need to go back to basics and that means revisiting and repaying good choices.
It might be time to go back to the long line and have those tasty pieces of cheese back at the ready! Or go back to those fun games you played with them as a small puppy, touch, middle and rewarding engagement and calm when out. Although it can feel frustrating, going back a step to perfect skills is a natural part of learning and it will pay off hugely.
Not giving them enough rest
Teen dogs are busy busy busy. Very often the over the top behaviours we can see are from our attempts to busy their brains and bodies, when actually they need more rest and sleep! If your dog is struggling you may have to go back to encouraging calm and creating opportunities to nap. Can you crate or gate them in a quiet area if they're really struggling? If they're barking at your window, can you put up some frosted glass effect vinyl to block out the view so they can rest easy?
Calming activities can help transition to that nap and rest too. Hiding treats to find, snuffle boxes and chews can be a great way to reduce that over stimulation. A frozem hoof stuffed with wet food can be a great chew to keep a dog busy but without too much zooming!
Adolescence is a really rough time, it's the most common time that dogs are surrendered to a rescue sadly because of their more exuberant behaviours.
Whippets can be slow to mature , making them difficult at this age. Normally the majority of “problems” tend to resolve, with training and support, by around 18 months. With Whippets tending to fully mentally mature by 3 years old.
Be kind to yourself during this time, it can be really hard on you as an owner too. It will pass and soon you will be enjoying your relaxed whippet through adulthood.
If you need support with your teenage whippet, get in touch [email protected].
