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Whippet Puppy Question

by Chris
(California)

I recently adopted a 5 month old male whippet puppy. He's a great dog, very docile, great with the kids. My plan was to leave him in a dog run with access to the garage through a doggy door when I'm not home. However, he scaled a 5 ft. fence and tried to escape from my yard on his first time in dog run. I'm wondering if it would be better to crate him when I leave. Or should I try to make the dog run escape proof?

ANSWER

Congrats for your new puppy!
Well, you can leave your dog in a crate only for few hours.

An escape proof dog run will give you and your whippet more freedom and comfort.
It could also help leaving your puppy alone for increasing period of time so he can get used to the new situation without anxiety.
Exercising your dog before leaving and providing toys it's also a good idea.

Whippets are not known to be escape artists or keen climbers and a higher fence should be enough to curb your dog's extracurricular activities.

Doggie door

by Elissa
(Melbourne Australia)

We have a new 10 week old whippet puppy.

Looking to get a doggie door installed but only have a small spot that one will fit.

What is the ideal size for the flap for a whippet to fit through?

I have been told that they can put one in that in 24 cm length by 20 cm width, will this be enough once he has grown?

ANSWER:

For a whippet door, 20 cm wide seems OK but a 24 cm length seems a little too short.

Here is an easy way to find the right size for your doggy door.
Open a door just as wide as your dog needs to get through comfortably and measure the width of the open door.

Your door needs to be at least that wide. My whippets, that are medium sized, need a door about 20 cm wide and 40 cm tall.

The top of the flap should be mounted at least 5 cm. over the top of your dog’s withers.
A medium sized whippet will need the top of the flap mounted at about 55 cm.

The lower the bottom of the flap, the better.

I hope this measures will be of help, click on the link for more info about dog doors.

All the best for your little black beauty!

9-5'ers

by Kelly
(Chicago)

Are Whippets good for DINK homes if given an hour of daily exercise plus indoor play? (DINK = Dual Income No Kids). Both gone "9-5" (with a little flexibility).

ANSWER:

To stay home alone from 9 to 5 is a long time for any dog especially for a puppy.

You can think about hiring a dog sitter or consider a home arrangement that allows access to a garden and a restricted area of the home.

Read this page for more info about a dog door.

Fence Height For Whippet

by David
(Brisbane, Australia)

What would be the minimum recommended height for a fence to stop a whippet jumping over it?

My new home will have three fences of six feet height and one well over 10 feet.

ANSWER:

A six feet fence should be more than enough to keep your whippet safe. Just make sure he cannot dig his way out under the fence, an easy escape for any dog.

Escaping Whippet

by Adele

A few weeks ago we inherited a 2 year old whippet. She is beautiful and her name is Christie.

The challenge we have at present is she keeps running out through our gate when we open it. Her previous owners allowed her to this, but she always came back. This is not happening most times with us. It is really becoming a pain now. Help!!!!!!

ANSWER

Teaching your whippet to sit-stay will be a great help but the only way to be really safe is to keep your whippet securely enclosed when you open that door.

Dog Yard Cover for Whippets

by Theresa
(PA)

whippet door

What is the best ground cover for a fenced in dog yard for a whippet?

ANSWER:

The outside area for my whippets is a small backyard with grass and a covered area (that can be heated in winter) with a cement floor covered with outdoor/indoor carpet.

Another living arrangement that works very nicely is a dog door between an enclosed yard and a designated area inside.

Dog doors offer a comfortable living arrangement for whippets and their owners. To read more about dog doors click on the link.

Outdoors During the Day?

by Orlamaria
(Ireland)

I am wondering how whippets cope being on their own during the day?

I would be more than happy to have a dog live inside and sleep inside when were home but I work 7-8 hours during the week.

We have a medium sized garden and the dog would have access in and out of a shed. Would really appreciate your thoughts!

ANSWER:

It seems like a good living arrangement to me as long as the garden is securely enclosed and the shed is not too cold in winter.

Maybe you can think of a way of heating your shed in winter or make your whippet wear a coat if you live in a cold climate.

For more ideas about living your whippet home alone and dog doors, have a look at this page.

Do Whippets Do Well Alone?

by Ryan
(Johannedbug,Gauteng , South Africa)

How does the whippet handle being left alone for 8 to 10 hours a day during the week?

ANSWER:

Being alone regularly for such a long time is difficult for any dog and especially for a whippet.

Whippets are very social and appreciate the company of their humans or at least of other dogs.

If you have a job that requires your absence for long hours hours daily, I suggest you employ the help of a dog sitter to walk the dog at least once while you are away.

Maybe you can find a neighbor that would like a dog but only part-time and can help you take care of your whippet.

Whippets are so beautiful and good natured that finding a help should not be too difficult!

Jumping Gates

Can whippets jump gates while trying to escape?

ANSWER

Yes! They can and they will.

Especially if left alone, a whippet might decide to join you wherever you are and jump a garden fence.

A fence of at least 2 meters should solve the problem. ;-)

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