Whippets are very good scavengers! You don’t need me to tell you that!

They are so swift and can pick up on the wrong behaviours very quickly. And as much as we may try to be calm, it is very often our natural instinct to react by grabbing, chasing or having a big reaction!

This guide is for dogs who already have a pre established history of scavenging.

If your dog is putting themselves at risk with eating unsafe items, using a muzzle is heavily advised to prevent your dog from getting sick.

You can find a muzzle training video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4zkqX2L74Q

And i recommend the following company for muzzles in the uk:

https://www.themuzzleshop.com/muzzles

Using the magic word game to create new associations and prevent conflict

The power of the magic word game is creating a HUGE positive conditioned response with a HIGH VALUE reward for your dog. And conditioning it away from the items they are wanting to scavenge. You must follow all the steps in this guide and not try and fast forward it. It is about creating a reflex to your magic word so they will respond whatever else might be going on.

Step 1 - Find a high value reward

Find a high value reward for your dog. Something portable but SUPER high value. For the magic word game I recommend something big and super tasty. A whole slice of ham, a chicken foot, a cocktail sausage, half a cheesestring. You need experiment to find out what your whippet loves!

NOTE for muzzled dogs it might be worth finding something you can easily slot through the muzzle. Squeezy cheese, liver paste or longer treats you can thread through can work. For dogs on a specific diet, you could try having their dry food moistened into a baby food pouch or a wet food alternative with the option of adding something tasty such as yogurt or coconut oil; be awaree of your dogs own diet.

Step 2 - Pick a magic word 🪄

Pick a cue word. Avoid using something you use for anything else. You want to start from scratch with this. Ideas could be “Magic” “cheese” “sausage” “Surprise”.

Step 3 - Practice and Start easy

Pair your cue word with your high value reward at home. Start by having your dog nearby and then saying your word “Cheese” then giving them the high value reward immediately.

Repeat 1-2 a day, for at least 7 days. Indoors.

Step 4 - Add in difficulty

Start to say the magic word when your dog is a bit more busy or in the garden and reward with that high value reward. Practice for 7 days.

Step 5 - Adding in real life walks

Now begin to take this onto walks where your dog can pay attention initially WITHOUT their trigger for stealing around ( food, poop etc). Practice 1-2 times a walk for 7 days. If they are struggling, you may need to make it easier initially when they are already attentive. Try and put them onlead every 1 in 3 times to practice for real life situations.

Step 6 - Do it when the scavenging trigger is around

As soon as you or your dog clocks the trigger. Say the word! They should come running and you can give them their reward and pop them onlead calmly. Then try walking by their trigger at a distance rewarding them for NOT lunging towards the item and practise. Walk away and let them off the lead again.

Step 7 - Keep practising

DON’T just do it when the trigger is around! Or they will know it is a trap!

Practice it often and be prepared to reward highly for a while.

Q&A

▪️This won’t work- my dog isn’t interested in food around distractions

The key is the build up and practice of this. Very often dogs know that when we try and get their attention its because we WANT what they want. The key is all those conditioned positive responses that will create a reflex to that word in real life. You are creating a bank of “listening” paying off with the magic word.

▪️The magic word doesn’t work in real life

You may need to try and practice in different ways and with distractions at home potentially if they are struggling with that bridge to real life. If your dog has a history of scavenging and your reacting very ott, it will take time and practice!

Try experimenting with the rewards that you use if your not seeing the results your looking for. It needs to be matching to the thrill of stealing something yuck!

Any questions, let me know