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
3 Reasons Your Dog Is Pulling Onlead
3 Reasons your dog is pulling onlead!
Dogs who pull can feel very frustrating, after all, many of us got dog to go on long walks with. However a dog who pulls may be very tricky to enjoy on walks and we may find it very frustrating to train as they pull our arms out or our Whippets kangaroo up at everyone in sight!
You have Accidentally Made “walkies” into Disneyland!
This is something I have seen so often when working with clients. They have called me in because their dog is pulling onlead. I often ask owners to explain their dogs reaction to walks or observe it in person…And more often than not the picture set is a dog who gets SO excited to go on walks. As soon as that lead comes out, its chaos! Excitement, jumping, squeaking and pulling the second equipment goes on!
Their dog sees that transition as one of excitement, making the outside world THE reward, and the human hanging off the end of them, just something they need to drag around! As soon as that equipment is on they’re charging outside the front door ready for action, no focus, nothing. Setting the tone for the rest of that walk!
If this sounds familiar try:
-A new spot for your walking equipment, it is easier to create calm from a neutral location.
- Reward moments of calm as you put their walking equipment on
- As soon as the lead is on, you are training! Don’t let them drag you out the door
-Train indoors with their lead on so they learn it is part of a training picture
-Wait for offered attention before you leave the house, wait for them to look at you and mark and reward
You haven’t actually taught your dog to walk nicely!
So often the problem is very much simply a case of many owners starting to train lead walking out on walks. It sounds like the most logical step after all, grab some tasty treats and take your pup out! However the world is FULL of distractions. And if you have not already taught your dog lead walking patterns and skills, they certainly can’t learn to do that out on a walk around distractions. That is skipping the foundations and asking them to work around a high distraction level, when they don’t even understand the game.
Try:
-Teaching your dog to walk nicely in your house
-Teach your dog to walk nicely in your garden
- Practice going in and out of the garden onlead
Reward your dog for:
-Being on a slack, loose smiley lead
-Use high value rewards if around big distractions
-Keep training sessions short and sweet
-Be consistent
You have accidentally taught Yo-Yo Pulling!
Ever had that feeling? Where you are walking your dog , they pull forward. You either stop, turn or get their attention, they come back, walk nicely for that treat, grab it and go back to pulling. As they yo yo back and forth and you get dizzy and ultimately frustrated…as usually they are too!
We have often accidentally reinforced this as they have learned it pays off more to walk off, get called back and walk nicely for a stride or two to get that treat and then pull away again.
How can we fix this?
-When your dog is walking nicely, reward them for that consistently, reward for each step or two initially. You are not wanting the reward to end the behaviour of walking nicely.
-Reward on the ground behind you instead, then as they are eating step ahead, they can only then catch up to you to give you the opportunity to mark and reward nice walking again.
-Change directions frequently on your walks while they are walking nicely to keep them engaged with checking in with you as you may change your mind regularly!
Lead walking can be challenging for many dogs, be sure to try and ensure their needs are being met when they are not doing lead training. Offlead, a long line or trips to a paddock can ensure they have opportunities to be free which lowers stress and increases attention.
This also helps your dog to have connection with you when outdoors.
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.
