How to Train a Whippet to Not Chase
Jump to section
Introduction
Your dog Fizzy has lived up to the Whippet name. She's affectionate, lively, intelligent, and gentle. However, one thing she definitely isn't is slow. In fact, as soon as you let your Whippet off the leash, she's off like a rocket. Now, this probably stems from their Greyhound ancestry but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with problems. For example, if they see a smaller dog on the horizon, they bolt towards them and chase them. Now it may all be fun and games for Fizzy, but the other dog usually looks terrified.
So training your Whippet to not chase is becoming increasingly important. Perhaps the biggest worry is that if you don’t pursue this training they may end up charging across a road and being involved in a traffic collision. There is also the danger a dog they chase turns around and bites them, causing serious injury and expensive vet bills.
Top
Defining Tasks
The good news is, training your Whippet to not chase is actually fairly straightforward. The trick is strict recall training. This will mean you can instruct Fizzy to stop before she starts chasing. But to do that you will need to use obedience commands and have a decent stockpile of tasty treats at the ready. There are also practical measures you can take to prevent chasing.
If your Whippet is just a puppy they should be a quick learner. This means you could see results in just a couple of weeks. But if your Whippet is stubborn and older, then you may need a couple of months before the chasing habit ceases. If you persevere with training you’ll no longer need to panic as soon as you see another pet in the distance. You’ll also have a more receptive dog, making it easier to break other bad habits.
Top
Getting Started
Before you get to work, you need to check you have a few things. A long training leash will be needed. You may also want to invest in a body harness. This will reduce strain on the dog's neck while affording you greater control. A tennis ball will also be needed.
One of the most important components, however, will be a generous supply of mouth-watering treats. Alternatively, you can break their favorite food into small pieces. You can train when you’re out on daily walks and in your yard.
Once you have all that, just bring patience and a can-do attitude, then work can begin!
Top
The Prevention Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Long leash
Always keep your Whippet on a long leash. If they can’t chase anything, they will soon give up. This is particularly important when you’re out in public.
Doors shut
If they are running out of back doors or windows and chasing down the street, make an effort to keep doors and windows closed. Get into the habit of keeping them in a more isolated space and they won’t be able to chase.
Time out
When you do catch them after they have been chasing, calmly take them by the collar and lead them into a quiet room for a few minutes. Ensure there are no toys to play with. This will get them associating chasing with negative consequences.
Day one
From as early age as possible, encourage your dog to always walk by your side. That means keeping them on a short leash and using toys and treats to keep them interested. If they get into a habit of staying close by you from a young age, they won’t think about chasing.
Avoid punishment
Do not punish your Whippet when they chase. If you shout angrily or scare them, then they will be even less eager to stay close to your side. Instead remain calm when you do catch up with them.
The Recall Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Head out
Head out for a walk with your dog as you normally would. However, keep your Whippet on a long leash. Each day you’re going to drill in recall training until they’re no longer in the habit of chasing at all.
Recall
Call your Whippet over regularly in a high-pitched voice. You can use their name or you can use a simple phrase, such as ‘come’. Just make sure you give it regularly and always in a playful tone.
Reward
As soon as your dog does return to you, hand over a tasty reward or play with a toy for a minute. They will soon start associating you with positive consequences and will get into a habit of staying close by.
Lose the leash
After a while of practicing recall training with a leash, start taking the dog out without a leash. Continue to call them over regularly and reward them. This will be a good test to see if they can resist the urge to chase.
Phase out the treats
Once they have got the hang of it and don’t chase even with other distractions around, you can slowly cut out the treats. By this point they will want to stay close to you anyway, even without the promise of food.
The ‘Off’ Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Setting up
Secure your dog to a leash inside your house or in your yard. Make sure the leash has enough flex that they can run a bit but not too far. Then roll a tennis ball in front of them to the other side of the room or yard.
‘Off’
They will then naturally start running after it. As soon as they do, issue an ‘off’ command in a firm voice. Note you can use any word or phrase you like for this instruction, just make sure to only give it once. As you give the instruction, also give the leash a quick tug to make sure they don’t catch the ball.
Practice
Now practice this for a few minutes each day. However, use different distractions, such as sticks and other toys. Continue to keep them on a leash until they stop chasing.
Reward
Once they look like they’re getting the hang of it, you can start introducing positive reinforcements. So whenever you give the command and they don’t chase, give them a treat and some verbal praise.
Application
Now that they’re into the swing of it and don’t automatically chase everything, you can let them off the leash. Simply give the instruction as soon as they start to chase or look like they may be about to. Soon this command will completely break their chasing habit altogether.
Written by James Barra
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 04/25/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Billious
Whippet
Eighteen Years
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
He constantly whines and begs for food and attacks my cat. My neighbour passed away and Billious was left to me in the will. Ever since Ive had him its been carnage, for a dog of his age I thought he'd be calm but he's horrendously vicious. He even bits my ankles when I'm trying to eat dinner sometimes. Im not sure what to do.
Nov. 4, 2022
Billious's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, First, I recommend hiring a professional trainer to work with you in person to oversee the training since here is aggression present. Second, I would desensitize him to wearing a basket muzzle with your trainer's help so you can work on training safely around the cat and yourself without anyone being bitten when he is free. Third, I would crate train or use a chew proof tether and tether him to a baseboard anchor (drilled into a stud in the wall not drywall), and have him stay on a place bed, tethered with the leash so the leash is loose enough to be comfortable but prevents him from leaving that area. I would have him stay there during meals, as well as feed him his own meals in the crate if he tends to guard his own food. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Additionally, I would work on Leave It to help address the biting, and teach Place to work up to him being able to stay on that bed when told. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Finally, with the basket muzzle on when he isn't crated, check out this article on teaching obedience and building trust and respect. Be sure to use the muzzle at first though until the aggression improves, since he is likely to bite you without, especially if you require him to do something he prefers not to do. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you As far as the cats, check out the videos I have linked below. How you train this will depend a lot on pup's level of aggression or curiosity toward the cats. If pup is just curious and overly playful, the mild cat issue video instructions might be all you need to set some boundaries between the animals and establish expectations. I would also crate or confine pup in a room away from the cats when you are away, at least for the first few months until you are confident how they are together at all times. If pup's interest is more intense or there is prey drive, there are additional resources I have linked below for training video examples as well. I would consider hiring a trainer experienced in this area to help you train for anything severe though. Mild cat issue - teaching impulse control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWF2Ohik8iM Moderate cat issue - teaching impulse control using corrections and rewards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dPIC3Jtn0E Severe cat issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MLJV5PBh7Y More e-collar work with cats with the same dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8lkbX0dhT0 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Nov. 4, 2022