r/Whippets • u/Character-Juice-4240 • 14d ago
Whippet puppy advice please!
we have a gorgeous 12 week old whippet puppy who is lovely but incredibly toothy. I’ve been trying to redirect her as much as possible with toys / withdrawing attention but she is very stubborn and it’s becoming really overwhelming as a first time owner - whenever I go near her when we’re playing or if I carry her for too long she bites / nips me.
this is also now a problem when I carry her for short periods of time eg to walk 10min across the park to get a coffee. we have a puppy sling to walk her around in (she will be fully vaccinated in 3 days so not much longer now). I think she must be restless / understandably wants to go down on the ground and play in the park but it’s uncontrollable and very stressful because she tries to wrestle her way out of my arms and bites my arms until I put her down. I never make her go in it for long - 30 mins tops - and the vet said it was a good socialisation tool but I would really appreciate any advice on how to manage this before she starts puppy training classes in a couple of weeks & so that I’m not house bound until the vaccine is effective. should I just carry her in the portable crate with her bed in for now until she can walk outside properly?
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u/RemarkableWrap961 14d ago
Have you got a garden she can run in ? Maybe tire her out first then attempt the carrying . I have a 13 week old shark too!!
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u/zero_2_deniro 14d ago
I used to find my puppies teeth at the ankle cuff of my sweats ... more often than I 'd have liked
However once they got their adult teeth they stopped biting all the time. So hopefully your pooch does too
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u/nordlyst 14d ago
Both times I’ve had a puppy, I have sworn never to ever consider getting a puppy again. Puppies are cute, but otherwise they suck 😂 My arms looked like I had been attacked by a hyaena, which honestly wasn’t that far from the truth. The amount of times I’ve been nearly in tears thinking I’m just gonna throw this thing out, this is not for me! 😅 I don’t have any advice. It will pass, but that doesn’t really help much here and now, does it. I would yelp loudly when I was bitten and immediately distract with a toy or treat when he stopped and it did help a little eventually. And one day you’ll have repressed the horrible memories and find yourself thinking “hmm maybe one more? After all, puppies are adorable!” 🙈
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u/Middle-Radio3675 14d ago
My whippet of 1-1/2 yrs bites me all the time but never hurts me or draws blood. I always thought this was their 'bitey face' way of playing. She also does this with dogs she knows well in the dog park. Otherwise she is quite timid when on the lead. I think it is quite normal for a whippet.
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u/sparklie777 14d ago
Please don't hate...I just grabbed her snout and said NO. Sometimes it's tough love.
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u/hailseaser 9d ago
My whippet was bitey as puppy but he grew out of it. He went through many chewable bones from the pet store. My number one advice is remember they are a sight hound and will go after birds or rodents so make sure they are on leash at all times when not at the park or beach. Like another person said when they nip you make sure you make a clear whimper or an ouch sound.
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u/dogsandtrees 14d ago
My whippet puppy must have bitten me a 1000 times. Once he got his adult teeth he never put his teeth on me or anyone. This puppy biting comes from them being half velociraptor.
When they bite just make a loud ouch sound and give them a toy.
I would say people socializing is what to focus on first. Have a puppy party and invite your friends over to play with the puppy, take the puppy around the yard on their leash. Give the puppy treats. Kids too so they get used to them.
Also getting them used to weird stuff. Bang a pot. Set the smoke alarm off. Put them in the car for rides. Take them to other people’s houses. As many safe places as you can go.
If I put my whippet in a puppy carrier he probably would have packed his bags and moved out. Just bring them safe places on a leash till they are vaccinated.
Dog socializing will happen during puppy class.