Recall For Your Whippet
Are You Struggling with Recall?
Do you feel jealous watching other owners walking their dogs offlead. Wishing you could have that with your Whippet?
Maybe you have been told its just a breed thing. Whippets can't be trusted to go off the lead, so stop wasting your time.
But you'd much prefer to be enjoying calm walks without the risk of your Whippet disappearing or someone shouting at you after they have run over to them?
Independent Thinkers
Whippets, Lurchers and Sighthounds are bred to be impulsive and react fast to changes in their environment.
This can make recall a big challenge when they can move at speed, running from you when distracted. They may chase other dogs, people, prey or be distracted in general.
Making all that dancing and cheerleading you were taught at puppy classes pointless! They can't even see you as they career off into the distance.
It doesn't need to be this way though; you can train your Whippet recall, and enjoy freedom with your sighthound.
Get Expert Help now
Can you Teach a Whippet Recall?
One of the biggest frustrations that Whippet owners have is they can be fine with that recall as a pup, but once they hit adolesence, that recall can start to fail.
As their Whippet starts to develop a stronger prey drive, or becomes more sociable with other people and dogs they may range further or run to distractions.
Many people may say you can never teach a whippet recall, however that is because traditional approaches rely on lots of dancing, and making yourself the "most exciting thing ever", which sighthounds tend to find very unappealing! And it is often ineffective!
By training with Whippet Wonders options you will learn the keys to:
-Engagement
-A Reflexive Recall (no more dancing!)
-An Emergency Recall
-Teamwork for prey drive
Whippet Expert with over 14 Years Experience
5 Star rated with clients Worldwide
Experienced and Qualified in Dog Training and Behaviour
Rapid Recall Package
Enjoy Your Walks Again
Get your recall back on track or create strong foundations!
Here's what you get:
1 x Hour consult via zoom
1x 45 Min follow Up Session
Online Recall Course (Value £42)
Notes, sheets & videos
Ongoing support between sessions
All Tailored to you and your dog
Zoom sessions to be used within 3 months of booking. Course access for life.
Only £100 One Off Payment
-Intro offer
"I really feel well supported"
"Zara was really helpful, actively listening and giving clear and useful advice." Isabel R
Review - Kerstin
"Very good whippet trainer. I am attending an self paced online course which really works amazing.
I am really surprised how fast we are seeing results in recalling our whippet.
On top the course is really affordable and there is the option of private consulting for special problems/topics.
I was sceptic with the online course at first but I am really glad that I gave it a try. I can highly recommend Zara as Whippet trainer."
Why Whippet Wonders ?
Having lived with Whippets for 14 years all 4 of my Whippets have been offlead enjoying freedom and the world around them!
I realised quickly that dancing and cheerleading wasn't going to succeed in the face of distractions, instead I taught my Whippets I am a valuable team mate.
Working with Whippet Wonders you get breed experience, knowledge and you can get that anywhere in the world, ideal if you are in a location where the breed is less popular currently.
Whippets won't do because you tell them, they want to understand "What is in it for me?"
Arkle The Whippet working on choosing to watch and turn away from prey
This has taken practice and consistency!
Recall Training Options
Recall Package
1 x 60 Min Live Zoom Session
1 x 45 Min Follow up Session
Rapid Recall Online Course
Support between sessions
£100 - Intro Offer
Live Zoom Class
Saturday feb 21st 11am-12.30pm
Live Training with your whippet
Includes follow Up Videos
Learn foundations and how to handle distractions!
£35 One off Payment
Online Course
40+ Video Based Lessons.
Login & learn anytime to suit you
Foundations up to distractions
Includes Emergency Whistle recall and more.
£42 -One Off Payment
Me and my whippet x are taking part in an on line rapid recall course. The info has helped so much as well as the engagement games. We are now starting to get a solid recall. The course was reasonably priced and you can move at your own pace and go back to it at any point. Zara is also on hand for any additional tips you may need help with. Would recommend.
My dog Betty and I attended a Whippet Wonders workshop on Zoom to work on recall. As I live in France and haven’t managed to find an educator for Whippets, this was just what we were looking for! We learnt a multitude of games, in only an hour and a half, it was super well organised and animated by Zara. We received documentation by email shortly after the session explaining everything we’d learnt as well as a cute certificate. I really do feel that this session has had positive effects on Betty and myself and I can already see a massive improvement in her recall and her behaviour in general. Thank you Zara, we’ll be back for more! Highly recommended.
Zara's self paced courses are an invaluable resource for training and for understanding the needs of whippets. Concise and informative content presented in accessible video and ebook format
Channeling Prey Drive WIth Toys
Prey Drive is something that people can struggle with with our Whippets and lurchers. They were bred to hunt small game such as rabbits and to have keen senses and intense speed to catch them. As dogs bred to hunt independently, they will pursue prey with passion and tune out the shouts of anyone who may be calling. After all, you'd not want that prey to get away! For Whippets here in the uk they are often triggered by prey such as rabbits, deer, squirrels and similar.
One of the best things we can do for our whippets ( and similar relatives in lurchers, greyhounds or other sighthounds) Is to give them appropriate outlets for that prey drive.
What Is An Appropriate Outlet?
An appropriate outlet means safe ways to give your whippet the ability to replicate hunting behaviour. Mainly chase, there are other games and parts of the predatory sequence they may enjoy related to prey drive. But we will focus on chase in this blog.
One option is that is accessible to most people, is to use toys for chasing and training.
When using toys for chase or training, there are lots of options, but I recommend toys that are Sheepskin or Rabbit Skin.
People often worry when I say this, but this won't increase their chances of hunting when out. Your dog likely has a high prey drive anyway; but your dog does know the difference between a toy and the actual visual of a sheep or rabbit.
Rabbit Skin or sheepskin based toys often catch a dogs attention more than others. The ones I use most in classes tend to have clear bite areas, with a long handle to pull them along with. These can really catch a dogs eye and get them whizzing after the toy!
Why do chasing toys help them?
Well it taps in to that natural prey drive. This fulfils your dogs natural instincts, depriving them of outlets they're bred for can lead to behaviour problems as they can be frustrated. By tapping into that natural instinct, and playing with the toys with your dog, you create more value in you.
Your dog will learn that they can run, chase, bite and enjoy that Tuggy toy, with you! This helps them handle distractions when out, as they can get that chase with you, meaning they're less likely to go self employed with that behaviour.
Try asking your whippet to stay, then telling them they can go and run away with the toy to chase!
You could play Tuggy regularly at home, or take them out on a walk to use as reward for recall!
These toys can also really help you to train your dogs even when excited, try getting a toy , letting them play a bit, then see if they can do some basics like sit, touch or similar. This helps them learn to listen even when emotional.
There are plenty of options available, long chase toys, faux fur toys, toys with balls on too! Toys with balls on the end are ideal for throwing further for dogs with an interest in balls while the chaser toys can really grab the attention of dogs with their movement and can be perfect for pups who may try and grab hands otherwise! While some can be attached to a flirt pole for training to get them onto something appropriate.
Arthurs favourite was the sheepskin chaser toy!
While Arkles preference is the rabbit skin squeaky chaser toy!
We love the Tugenuff toys which are durable and high value! https://tug-e-nuff.com/WAGGINGWONDERS
You can join hundreds of happy Whippet owners boosting their recall training with our online courses! https://whippetwonders.co.uk/recall
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
I live in another country, can you work with me?
Whippet Wonders has worked with clients around the world. Everywhere from USA, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France and more! Zooms can take place from anywhere in the world and you can buy courses from anywhere too.
Don't you need to see my dogs "bad behaviour" In person?
During a zoom I don't need to see your dog doing the wrong behaviour, our goal is to set your dog up for success. This would be the same as if I were in person. If you have any relevant video clips, that is handy, but our focus is on solutions and moving forward!
Do you work with other Breeds?
I work with Whippets, Whippet mixes, Italian Greyhounds, Lurchers, Bedlington Whippets - anything that is a bit "sighthound-y". I can be persuaded to work with other breeds in some circumstances.
Do you charge extra for multi dog households?
There is NO extra charge for households with multiple dogs. We can cover the most pressing issues for your multidog household in each session.
What if my dog is not food motivated?
If your dog is not a super foodie, don't worry! Motivation is a tricky topic, but very often it is about how we use food and we will cover strategies during your 121 zoom session.
Would a course or 121 suit me best?
Self paced courses or the School For Whippets are ideal if you are motivated and able to work on your own. Perfect if you are pressed for time. While 121's can be ideal if you need a plan, structure or help with a specific problem. Get in touch if you are unsure.
