9 Normal Changes Observed In Maturing Whippets

[@cazf.117]

My boys are 18mths and 14mths and are generally very well mannered. Although I'm hoping the digging stops in the next 6 months! Only the youngest has stolen and destroyed things and it's relatively rare now (although we do try to keep things out of reach). He likes to lull you into a false sense of security by ignoring things for weeks or months and then destroying them 😆. To date, neither let rain or the cold stop them playing but the older in particular will wake me up to make sure I wrap him in a blanket during the night. Both have started to bark at dogs (but only some) walking past the house or walking in the street. Not sure what makes them decide this is one of the dogs to be barked at - and I'd love advice on techniques people use to stop that.

[@savannahm.5301]

These have all been true for my whippet!

[@brettstadelmann2589]

Hey Addie, I have a question / suggestion for a future video: Skin Tears. I know whippets are susceptible to injury due to their thin skin and incredible speed. Most whippets I meet or see have some scars. As I'm soon to be owned by a whippet myself, I'm wondering how best to prepare for this eventuality. Do you do anything special to avoid these injuries, or are they inevitable? Do you take any emergency supplies, like bandages, with you when you go to the park, in case of emergencies? Do you go straight to the vet when someone suffers a skin tear, or do they heal fairly easily with bed rest? Love your vids :)

[@ShowPaws]

Great idea! Added to the list 😊 Skin tears are inevitable in my experience. All of my whippets have some sort of relatively small scars, especially on their legs, but none have required a vet visit. Although I know of whippets with large tears that needed stitching, so it depends on the injury. We clean them up at home and leave them alone, or for bigger wounds I use manuka honey and a bandage. It's really not as scary as it sounds most of the time.

[@pinkGwiZz]

Hi, thank you for all your videos, in your experience, what would your advice be on neutering (castrating) a male whippet?

[@ShowPaws]

I'm pro spay/neuter. In my opinion, boys should be neutered once they've fully matured, at 1.5-2 years of age.

[@LioraBCT]

I have a 10-month-old whippet mix and she is SUPER social, so I've been thinking of getting a second dog. My friends and family are 50/50 on whether this is a great or terrible idea. Any suggestions or thoughts about the benefits and challenges of dog #2??

[@ShowPaws]

I have a video that might help. 😊It's titled Thinking About A Second Whippet? Watch This First

[@LioraBCT]

@@ShowPaws I love your videos!! And this was very helpful--thank you! I decided to wait.

[@matthewreynolds4382]

My whippet girl is 5 months and we struggle to keep her from eating anything on the floor whilst we're out for walks. Will this improve with age?

[@brunswicklord6365]

I was out yesterday morning throwing Frisbees for Heidi and Willow and in the distance, two football fields away I caught sight of this charging blur coming our way. It was a Whippet pup coming to introduce herself!

[@ShowPaws]

Typical whippet 🙈🙈🙈

[@arielmeng1100]

Thank you for honoring my request and making this video! Very informative :). I can def see the chase instinct getting stronger. My dog who’s a little over 1 year old just caught a rat in my back yard 😅. Looking forward to more of your content!

[@ShowPaws]

Erys would be proud! So far she's brought me 3 birds, a rat and a shrew and who knows how many she's "hidden" in the garden to "play with" later 🙈

[@personguy726]

Hey ShowPaws, thank you for your videos. I am about to become a new whippet owner, and your videos have done a lot to build my confidence in preparation for the new family member. That being said, would it be worth your time to do a video on Whippet body language? I understand, for example, that they have a more gentle disposition. It would be cool to see video examples of their corresponding posture/ear position/ tail activity/ etc. The reason I ask is because I met the litter last week, and several of the puppies were approaching me with curiosity. However a few of them had their ears pulled back against their head. Everything I can find suggests this is a fear display. But all other signs seemed to indicate their happiness and curiosity as they approached. Again thank you so much!

[@ShowPaws]

It makes me happy to hear the videos are helping your journey with whippets ❤️ I added this video to my list! The whippet body language can be confusing for sure. After all, sighthounds are the aliens of the dog world. Ears back and even tail under belly are not a sign of fear in sighthounds. Some whippets don't bother to have their ears up, unless they see or hear something unusual/exciting/extraordinary which requires alert ears 😊 So throughout the majority of their days, their ears are pulled back.

[@daughterofthemosthigh5738]

Hi Addy, I have definitely noticed my granddog is maturing. She will be 3 years old next month. She finally stopped eating fabric. I have many clothing losses! She can now have her blankets in the pen when we leave for a couple hours. (I was beginning to think she had pica😂) Still trying to figure out why she doesn't whine when we're not at home but if one of us leaves her alone to go just upstairs, she acts like she is dying!😅 Baby steps I guess. Keep these great videos coming!

[@ShowPaws]

I call this "selective drama" 🤣 They often easily accept the things we believe will be difficult for them and dramatize about small inconveniences.

[@ascendingreality]

Agree on all. Do they get more picky with food? Maja ate anything including vegetables. Now it’s only meat and some brands of kibble. Right now she’s scared of everything. Do Whippets have a late spook age? How long does it last? Maybe a video on that?

[@ShowPaws]

I have added it to the list! I haven't observed them becoming pickier as they grow, unless they become seniors, as some older dogs can be less interested in food. Fear periods in young dogs are usually between 2-3 months of age and then between 6-14, but it's not unusual for some to go through it a little later. Don't change your routine and don't encourage her fears with cuddles and pets. Adjust to her pace, accept "new" fears as tiny obstacles and reward every time she overcomes them.

[@elisabethnymann6306]

Aww thank you Addie! I sooo miss the pickiness what the weather is concerned! Ever heard about a doodle with a concept of "bad weather"? 😂

[@ShowPaws]

🤣🤣🤣 Not many other dogs are as picky as the skinny sassy primadonas. It's a blessing and a curse 🙈

[@karenmartley797]

Very informative as always with a few LOL 😂 moments ❤ thank you 😊 xxxxxxx

[@ShowPaws]

💞💞💞

[@izmeberlin]

well described

[@emsi0emsi]

As always amazing video 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you!

[@ShowPaws]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Wuermchen]

I would be interested in how you teach your dogs to stay alone? Especially if they dont have the pack 🤔

[@Oakleaf700]

Not easy! Whippets really don't do well alone- in fact, my friend who has nine Whippets {From 15 yrs to a few months old} still has one {Aged 3} who still gets ''Separation Anxiety'' when she leaves the house- even when her {lovely} husband is there.

[@Wuermchen]

And also, how do you work with a more timid puppy to help them get a bit more confident.

[@Oakleaf700]

How old is your Puppy? If he or she is under 12 weeks old, you still have a chance to take them out and about to get used to things like traffic {on a leash} horses, bikes, water, {Crossing streams} &c and meeting nice, calm gentle dogs. If your Whippet is older than this, his or her character may be ''Set'' - but don't ''Baby'' them.. If there is a thunderstorm, or fireworks, just remain calm yourself...they definitely look to their Human for guidance.