Whippet
Miniature greyhound — silent, gentle apartment dog that briefly turns into a rocket outdoors.
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Training tips for a Whippet
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a Whippet's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Consistency
Whippets are clean by nature and house-train easily with a strict schedule. Take them out immediately after sleep and meals, and use a firm verbal marker the moment they eliminate in the wrong spot, then redirect outside without drama.
Early Socialisation Focus
Expose your Whippet to children, other dogs, and urban noise early, as their sensitive nature can turn into shyness if under-socialised. Keep sessions calm and don't coddle nervous behaviour—move through new experiences matter-of-factly to build confidence.
Exercise and Chase Outlets
Provide short daily sprints in a safely fenced area and supplement with lure coursing or flirt pole work to satisfy their hardwired chase instinct. Mental enrichment through scent games prevents boredom without over-exercising this moderate-energy breed.
Managing Prey Drive
Whippets have explosive prey drive and will bolt after small animals, so never trust off-leash recall in open areas. Train a solid emergency stop with immediate, non-negotiable consequences for ignoring the cue during controlled setups before the instinct fully kicks in.
Gentle but Clear Leadership
This soft-natured breed responds best to calm, consistent guidance with clear boundaries rather than harsh methods. Use well-timed verbal corrections for unwanted behaviour and promptly guide them to what you want instead—they're eager to please once they understand the rules.
Training guides for a Whippet
Expert-written guides picked for a Whippet's temperament and needs.
Health & nutrition for a Whippet
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a Whippet in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •Whippets are prone to heart conditions including mitral valve disease, so watch for coughing, lethargy, or exercise intolerance and arrange regular cardiac screenings.
- •This breed has sensitive skin and can develop allergies or dermatitis, often triggered by poor-quality commercial diets, so monitor for itching, hot spots, or hair loss.
- •Whippets have minimal body fat and are susceptible to anaesthesia complications and temperature extremes, requiring careful monitoring during any surgical procedures and protection from cold weather.
- •Eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy can occur in the breed, so watch for night blindness, dilated pupils, or reluctance to navigate in dim light.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a biologically-appropriate raw diet of 2-3% of body weight daily (approximately 225-340g for a 25-40 lb Whippet), consisting of 70-80% raw muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones like chicken necks or wings, and 5-10% organ meat including liver and kidney to support their lean athletic build.
- •Raw feeding is ideal for Whippets' sensitive digestion and helps maintain their naturally lean physique while providing the quality protein needed for their powerful sprint muscles without the fillers and allergens found in kibble.
- •Include omega-3 rich raw oily fish weekly and raw green tripe to support skin health and reduce the allergic reactions commonly triggered by processed grain-based commercial foods.
- •If raw feeding isn't immediately feasible, select a high-protein, grain-free kibble as a temporary measure, feeding roughly 1-1.5 cups daily split into two meals, but transition to raw as soon as possible for optimal health.
Exercise & weight
- •Provide at least one 30-45 minute walk daily plus safe off-lead sprinting opportunities in securely fenced areas several times weekly, as Whippets need brief high-intensity bursts to satisfy their sighthound instincts.
- •Avoid repetitive high-impact exercise on hard surfaces to protect their fine-boned joints, but allow short explosive runs on grass or soft terrain where they can reach top speeds safely.
- •Mental stimulation through lure coursing, fetch games, or puzzle toys is essential alongside physical exercise, as a bored Whippet may become anxious despite their generally calm indoor demeanour.
- •Always use a secure harness and lead in unfenced areas, as their prey drive can trigger sudden chasing of small animals regardless of training, and supplement vigorous activity with plenty of couch time for recovery.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a Whippet?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.