Whippet puppies begin to calm down around 6 to 12 months of age. However, this can vary from dog to dog, as every dog has its personality and temperament. Some Whippets may calm down earlier, while others may take longer to mature and settle down. To help your Whippet puppy calm down, it’s essential to provide plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to help them burn off their excess energy.
Training Whippets to Calm Down Soon
Regular Exercise
Calming down a whippet puppy can be achieved by regularly exercising them. Regular exercise, at least one hour a day, according to PDSA Vet Charity, helps whippets mature faster and become calmer. When regularly exercised, whippet puppies can calm down faster and learn to settle down. It is also beneficial for puppies to learn a “settle” command that allows them to calm down when they are tired or excited.
Dispose of Exterior Simulations
First and foremost, gradually introducing your whippet puppy to the exterior simulations is vital in a safe and positive environment. Start by exposing your puppy to a few items, such as balloons, bags, or coats hanging outside. Then, increase the number of items your whippet puppy is exposed to over time.
It can be helpful to keep other pets or animals calm while you are introducing the exterior simulation. For example, distinguishing your whippet puppy with treats or toys can help keep them calm and avoid destructive behavior.
Be consistent and patient when training your whippet puppy. It can take time for them to reach mental maturity and process emotions better. Finally, immediately dispose of any hazardous or toxic exterior simulation items and replace them with safe options that will not harm your puppy.
Others
- Provide plenty of exercises: Make sure your Whippet gets plenty of exercises daily, such as walks, runs, and playtime. Exercise helps burn off excess energy and can relax your Whippet.
- Create a calming environment: Provide a calm and quiet environment for your Whippet to rest and relax. This could include a cozy bed or crate, calming music, and dim lighting.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Teach your Whippet relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and stretching. You can also try massage and acupuncture to help them relax.
- Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to reward your Whippet for calm behavior. Treats, praise, and petting can all be used as rewards.
- Consistency: Be consistent in your training and routines. Set a regular schedule for exercise, training, and relaxation time.
- Use a calming aid: If your Whippet is still struggling to calm down, use calming aids such as pheromone diffusers, supplements, or calming collars. Consult with your veterinarian to find the best option for your dog.
Tips If Your Whippets Do Not Calm Down at Maturity
Meet a Vet Immediately
If your Whippet is not calm and does not stop barking, it’s essential to meet a vet immediately. Generally, whippets tend to calm down between 18 months and two years of age. However, if your Whippet is not physically and mentally mature within this time, it is recommended to meet a vet.
Responsible breeders will only use dogs at least two years old and have health clearances to ensure the Whippet is healthy. Before meeting the vet, note down what is causing the Whippet to bark and not calm down.
Spend More Time
Spending more time with your Whippet is essential to help it overcome behavioral issues and reach mental maturity. However, only some whippets will take 18 months to mature fully. However, if your Whippet is still exhibiting behavioral issues, spending more time with them is recommended to help them reach maturity.
Food Foraging Activities
Whippet puppies should have their food intake monitored and divided into two feedings per day. An adult Whippet should have 1-1.5 cups of high-quality dry food daily. Feeding your Whippet puppy high-quality food can help them stay healthy. Providing free playtime for puppies to help with socialization and training is also essential.
Whippets are naturally prone to chasing prey, so allowing them off the leash in a secure area is essential. This can help prevent aggression and overexcitation in your Whippet puppies. Instead, be patient and consistent when training them and exercise discretion when letting them off the leash. A safe and stimulating environment can help puppies learn socialization skills and become happy and healthy dogs.
Establish a Routine
It is essential to establish a routine for your whippet puppy. This can help them settle into family life and prevent nervousness in the dog. To help them adjust to their new surroundings, providing a calm and comfortable environment for the dog to ease into its new lifestyle is essential. For example, provide access to plenty of toys, food, water, and a comfy bed.
Natural Causes for Puppies’ Calmness
Mentally Maturity
Whippets reach mental maturity at around one year old. This means their personality changes, and they become more independent and self-assured. During this time, puppies who don’t reach mental maturity may start being destructive or aggressive.
Whippets physically mature at around two years of age, and their energy levels drop. As puppies grow up, they become more focused and trainable. This is why it’s essential to begin training puppies from as young as six months old.
When puppies are young, correcting their behavior is more accessible, making them less likely to bark in the future. However, puppies will eventually physically mature and become more adult-like in temperament. This means that it’s essential for owners to maintain a consistent, positive training regimen throughout their dogs’ lives to ensure that they learn good behavior and stay focused and calm throughout the day.
Physical Maturity
Puppies reach physical maturity at around two years of age, which can sometimes cause them to become less active and their energy levels to drop. Owners should be careful not to over-exhaust puppies or leave them alone for too long to help them reach physical maturity. Toys, playtime, and time alone are all great ways to help puppies reach physical maturity and become calmer.
However, bred puppies may not always reach calm due to a lack of personality development. In addition, owners need to develop their puppies’ personalities through praise, gentle training, and regular vet visits. All of these steps will help puppies become calmer and ready for adulthood.
Temperament
Adult Whippets tend to have a more laid-back and affectionate temperament as they age. Additionally, proper socialization and training as a puppy can help puppies learn good behavior and develop into healthy, sociable companions as they grow up.
Adult Whippets have a calm and affectionate temperament and make great family pets. However, they require regular exercise, training, and socialization to stay happy and healthy. In addition to providing them with appropriate toys and opportunities for exercise, it is also vital to ensure that they are socialized early to learn acceptable behavior from their owners and other loved ones.
Environment Exposure
A critical factor in puppies’ gradual calmness is their exposure to different stimuli and people. It has been shown that puppies will begin to show signs of calming down around the 18-month mark. Thus, whippet owners must ensure their puppies are exposed to new experiences and people as they grow up.
Properly managing a whippet’s environment can help new owners achieve their expectations of a calm dog. By providing a stable and consistent home environment, new owners can help their Whippet develop its personality and show timely responses.
