Whippets are typically a calm and quiet breed, but there are occasions when one may start barking. This can leave the dog owner wondering how to stop Whippets from barking.
In order to stop a Whippet from barking it needs to be socialized, which should be started at an early age. Whippets also need plenty of physical and mental activity so they don’t become prone to barking. When a Whippet is a well-taken care of, barking usually isn’t an issue.
While most Whippets rarely bark, every dog is an individual. A barking Whippet can usually be trained out of this habit, which makes things easier for the owner. On this page, we’re going to discuss why a Whippet may start barking and how to stop Whippets from barking. Keep reading to learn more.
Why is My Whippet Barking?
Before we discuss how to stop Whippets from barking, we should cover why the dog is barking in the first place. Most Whippets are very quiet animals. This is the type of dog you can own while living in an apartment building and not have to worry about disrupting your neighbors. Many Whippet owners have even mentioned that people can walk into their homes without their dog making a peep.
It’s normal for a dog to bark, but Whippets usually don’t bark often. So, if your Whippet begins barking more than usual, there is usually a reason for it. Once you know why your Whippet howl or barking, it will be easier for you to determine the best solution. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons your Whippet may be barking.
Barking is Communication
If your child needs something, such as a snack or help using the potty, they can tell you with words. By communicating their needs with you, they are letting you know what they need help with. If your Whippet needs something, it can’t call your name and address the issue, so it needs to bark.
Barking is the Whippet’s form of communication with you, so if you find the barking only happens when you or some dogs are around it can likely point back to this. If you notice that all of a sudden your dog is barking excessively even though it’s normally quiet and peaceful, it’s time to pay attention.
The dog could be trying to communicate something that it believes is important to you. This could be that the dog has injured itself or there’s something you need to be aware of outside. Whippets are smart, so once the dog has your attention, it should do its best to signal you to what it’s trying to communicate.
Separation Anxiety
Whippets love spending time with their owners and your dog will always be happiest when you are around. Since Whippets are anxious dogs, they typically don’t like to spend a lot of time alone. When these dogs are alone for too long, they can get separation anxiety, which leads to barking.
While you should ideally not leave your Whippet alone for too long, working dog parents often don’t have a choice. If you are going to be away for a long period throughout the day, you will need to ensure the dog has a comfortable area to relax in and toys to provide mental stimulation. It’s also a good idea to leave behind a shirt or blanket that smells like you.
Someone’s Here
If your Whippet is letting out more growls with their bark, it may sound threatening but this is a bark you should appreciate. Your dog is letting you know that someone (or something) is on your property. Typically, Whippets won’t do this with friends and relatives that visit often because the dog is familiar with them and knows they are trusted.
However, when it’s a stranger that the Whippet isn’t familiar with it may do the growling bark to warn you. This is the type of bark you may hear when the pizza delivery driver arrives or someone is handing out flyers.
Whippets aren’t aggressive, so you won’t have to worry about them acting out when you approach the person. Once they see everything is okay, they may even approach the person trying to make a new friend.
Your Whippet is Excited
A happy Whippet may also let out a few barks to let you know how excited you are. If you have just arrived home from work, your Whippet may let out a bark or two as a friendly greeting. This is its way of letting you know it’s happy you’re home.
You may also notice your Whippet do this bark when they have a fun new toy to play with or made friends with a new canine companion. While this bark is typically a good sign, some dogs can get excessive with it if they aren’t trained from an early age.
How to Stop Whippets From Barking
Know that you know of some of the reasons your Whippet may be barking, you can train them to stop. There are a few things that dog owners need to consider to keep their Whippets on the quiet side. A rule of thumb is that a well-trained Whippet who has its needs met doesn’t bark a lot.
Socialize the Whippet
Whippets love being around people. These dogs are known for forming close bonds with the people in their households and easily making friends with nearly anyone they meet. If a Whippet had things its way, the dog would be the center of humans’ attention 24 hours a day.
That being said, a Whippet does need to be socialized from an early age. If the dog isn’t socialized, it will be nervous when other people come around. It may also be nervous around other dogs at the park. This can cause them to bark more often when they see people who they are unfamiliar with.
While a few barks to warn you a person is on your property is appreciated, excessive barking is not. To prevent excessive barking in its adult years, it’s important to socialize a Whippet puppy so it becomes familiar with seeing new faces.
Encourage Mental and Physical Activity
Whippets love to romp around and play. If the dog isn’t getting enough physical activity in its day, then it will have a lot of pent-up energy. When this happens, the dog is more likely to bark to let off some steam. These dogs need to exercise and play outdoors every day so they can remain calm and relaxed.
One of the easiest solutions to get a Whippet to stop barking is to make sure it has had enough exercise. If the Whippet has had time to run around and play, it will be too tired to bark.
Another thing to know about Whippets is that they are highly intelligent. These dogs need mental stimulation to be happy. If the dog is bored, it’s more likely to bark frequently. To prevent this, provide toys that present challenges and work the dog’s mind. You can also set up obstacle games yourself to keep the dog active. As long as your dog isn’t bored, it shouldn’t bark a lot.
Create a Safe Space
If you have to work during the day and are worried that your Whippet’s barking may disturb your neighbors, you should create a safe space for the Whippet. Many people choose crate training because they can set up a small and comfortable spot for their dog to feel safe in. When doing this, it’s important to never use a crate as punishment, or else the Whippet won’t feel comfortable.
Additionally, you can also set up a safe spot in a bedroom. If the dog has a comfortable area to lay down with blankets and toys, it will likely nap the majority of the time that you are away.
Use Commands
If your dog is barking at an unfamiliar person, you can train the Whippet to stop barking excessively by using commands in a strict voice. Many dog owners have had luck by calling the dog by name and telling it to sit by their side. The Whippet gets a sense that everything is okay and feels safe by its owner’s side.
When you have success with this trick, always reward your Whippet so it knows you are pleased that it stopped barking. This can be with their favorite treat or a loving pat on the head.
Final Thoughts
We have given you some great tips on how to stop Whippets from barking. If your Whippet is barking more than usual, it’s important to ensure it has enough activity in its daily routine. A Whippet with pent-up energy is more likely to bark frequently.
One thing to keep in mind when training a Whippet not to bark is to never shout at them. Your Whippet will see shouting as a challenge and try to one-up your level of loudness. This can backfire on you and make you go backward in training. When your Whippet has all its needs met, it’s not likely to bark a lot.