What is in it for me?
When training dogs people often think of dogs happy to please and work for their human families. An eager companion who will love training for the sake of it. Having grown up with a collie and GSD mix I always assumed the same. Bonnie & Monty were happy to be involved in anything and picked up training with ease.
Getting Whippets it soon became apparent they would need a bit more help to be motivated, Ollie’s life motto was “ok..but what is in it for me?” Trying to convince Ollie to do anything meant learning to be alot more engaging, making food fun and keeping sessions very short.
Whippets DO love to train, and they ARE trainable…but..they need to know the game is worth their while. If it is not, they may just opt out and maybe go back to their rest!
Top Do’s and Don’ts for training your Whippet.
DO use rewards
Do make sure your paying your Whippet for their hard work. Their preferred reward may vary. For some it may be tasty treats, while others may prefer a good game of tug of war witha fluffy tuggy toy.
DO keep sessions SHORT
Short sessions help them to keep engaged and enjoying the training. You always want to leave them wanting more! Quit your session before they opt out or get frustrated. The time will vary dog to dog, but 3-5 mins is all your dog needs to stay motivated.
DO set them up for success
Your dog is not a mind reader, make sure you are thoroughly clear in what you are asking and how they earn that reward. Don’t ask for more than they can handle.
DON’T use physical punishment
Whippets are sensitive dogs and do not respond well to old fashioned training techniques. Don’t use harsh techniques with them.
DON’T have unsuitable expectations
You can train your Whippets, but dont expect them to have the same drive potentially as other breeds. You will need to put more time into training with certain skills with your whippet.
Make sure that training with your whippet is fun and engaging. My Whippets love games that involve movement , chase and food play.
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