Whippet Training: How to Train Your Pet to Walk Properly

Though they are generally quiet and gentle dogs, Whippets are known competitors in lure coursing, straight racing and oval tracking - abilities that made them gain the monicker the "poor man's racehorse". But despite those remarkable skills, a lot of Whippets can be hard to control when on the street thus necessitates the need for Whippet training.

Proper way to walk on leash therefore is one of the most important lessons you will need to tackle with your pet. But before you start your lesson on those, it helps if your dog is already trained with other basic commands such as sit, come, down and stay. These commands will not only make the training goal less challenging to achieve but can also keep you and your pet safe during training. Additionally, it is also important to get your pet used to collar and leash before you start training it the proper way to walk.

To get started, position your Whippet at your side and use a word or phrase to let it know that it's time to go - "Let's go!" or "time to walk!" are perfect examples. After the command is given, begin walking towards the direction you wanted to take. If your dog starts to pull at the end of the leash, stop walking immediately and do not budge no matter how hard it tries to pull. Once it has settled and positioned right beside you, give the command and start walking again.

Repeat the process if your pet starts to pull again however if the pulling becomes worse than it previously was and you cannot get its attention to focus on you, stopping may not be enough. The best way to approach this scenario is to stop, wait until you have attracted its attention and walk towards the opposite direction. This will make your pet realize that walking will not get anywhere if it pulls and that you are the one who decides where and when to go thus must focus to you alone.

Just like with other Whippet training lessons and activities, every good behavior when training how to walk properly must be rewarded too. Rewards could be anything your pet find truly rewarding - it could be delectable food treats, toys, praise, time to play and other affection rewards. The reward method aims to motivate your pet to repeat the behavior it is being rewarded for.

Achieving successful Whippet training is not impossible. You just have to be confident, firm and consistent and surely, you will have that well-trained four-legged companion you have been dreaming of.

Whippets make perfect family pets as long as they are provided with proper Whippet training. Anna Walker shares these vital facts to help owners achieve successful Whippet training.