Brindle Whippet Offlead in grass

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.

Offlead Fawn Whippet Running
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Whippet in green martigngale looking to left

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!

Brindle Whippet with White chest looking Right with bandana on
5 stars

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

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"I really feel well supported"

"Zara was really helpful, actively listening and giving clear and useful advice." Isabel R

Whippet offlead with ball in mouth

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

Whippet Puppy 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

Whippet School Puppy
  • 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

Whippet ears
  • 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.

Jo Michie
Rapid Recall - Online self paced course

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.

Tildi FERLET-HORTON
Rapid Recall Zoom Workshop

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

Steve Banting
Rapid Recall - Online self paced course
Whippet Reactive

Will A Harness Increase Reactivity?

September 27, 20252 min read

When training dogs, we can get a bit fixated on what will create problems. There is a huge MYTH that harnesses cause pulling and so you should not use one with a reactive dog. This myth seems to come from the idea that some dogs use harnesses for pulling activities. However if harnesses caused such issues, those with guide dogs or assistance dogs would be in big trouble!

Whippet harness

Reactive dogs are reactive out of a place of emotions vs “misbehaviour” or dominance in any way. They are not thinking through the reaction they are having. The harness does not create more anxiety or over excitement so it cannot actually increase reactivity.

When Marley was younger, we were advised to use a slip lead right under his jawline to stop him reacting to dogs. Using it to correct him when he barked. To teach him his behaviour was “BAD”.

Reactive dogs

Marley certainly reacted less, initially. As he was fearing a reaction and didn't want to have pain caused to him, which is the only way these pieces of equipment work. The dog fears the correction so suppresses their anxiety.

Not only did this make his behaviour much worse in the long run, increasing his reactivity to aggression, but he lives with spinal issues as a result. Marley has IVDD in the cervical spine that the neurologist said yes, using a slip lead for corrections would have contributed to the issue.

Whippet Reactive harness

I put a harness on Marley instead to train him during his reactivity. It did not stop his reactivity. It did not increase his reactivity. A lead does NOT train a reactive dog. Equipment does NOT train a reactive dog. Although the slip lead worked initially, in time the fear of triggers intensified as he associated the pain and pressure in the lead with other dogs and people.

Meaning he associated them with pain; INCREASING his reactivity. Using a harness just meant when he reacted, he did not feel pain for his reaction. While working to change his emotions using counter conditioning and training.

Space, training and behaviour modification help to reduce reactivity.
For tailored support on reactivity to get the facts and create calmer walk check out REACTIVITY

whippetdog reactivereactive dogdog training
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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.

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