Over excitable whippet walks

[Lau123lau]

My lovely whippet is now 7 months old and practically perfect in every way! My only issue is his over bearing need when out walking to run up to every single dog/person he sees and jump all over them. His recall goes out the window and he won’t even recall for his favourite treats when there’s something or someone more exciting to play with. I love walking him but feel I’m stuck to either isolated places or keeping him on lead which isn’t much fun for a young whippet who just wants to run and explore. I’ve tried distracting when on lead with a treat but he isn’t interested and has to be lifted in the air by his harness to get him past the dog/person he wants to greet. Any whippet owners will know they have their own unique way of greeting (think on back legs, front legs placed to give a huge hug to unsuspecting fellow dog) which I don’t think other dog owners always get which makes me feel worried he will be seen as threatening or agressive when he is the most loving thing ever.
There are no private fields nearby which can be rented, I’ve already looked into this and his recall when no distractions is great.
He also likes to chase joggers and cyclists which is another issue .....
Anyway, I’m just after any tips on how to curb his excitement around other dogs as I see so many when out who just ran past other dogs and just wish we could get to this point where I’m not on edge all the time or stuck to the same off beat walks.

[Wolfiefan]

Could you use a longline on a harness?
Shame you’re not near us. Wolfie girl loves a chase!

[Aprilshowerswontbelong]

Ah a new ddoggy owner.
No pics no responses.
Thems the rules.
Especially where scratty ddogs are concerned imo!

[cowfacemonkey]

I have a lurcher who is just them same. All he wants is a good chase but his over exhuberance doesn't always translate well with other dogs!

[Lau123lau]

I do have a long line but I haven’t tried using it. My only concern is that he likes to run (usually round in circles not in a straight line) but I worry he outrun the line or et tangled in it? Maybe I need to give it a go.
Photo of the little scamp attached

[billybagpuss]

I think Billypup has had everyone of those issues, she is a border/retriever. We do do a lot of on lead walking, especially locally as it is not the best place to let her off. With joggers/cyclists I've been getting her to sit while they pass and trying not to react. I am fortunate in that she is treat motivated.

Will he play with a ball. We've spent a while playing with one recently and she's now less interested in other dogs. Its always a good way to get her to recall too. Playing games rather than walking.

Keep looking for local dog fields, I know of two near me but neither advertise for security reasons.

With the treats, have you changed them recently? Billypup is fickle and her favourite treat one week is 'meh' the next. I now keep the best treat, just for recall and nothing else.

[billybagpuss]

I think theres a knack to a long line, I thought about getting one, but I think we may have managed without.

He's beautiful

[Lau123lau]

I do change his treats regularly but maybe taking some chunks of cheese would be a good idea, he loves cheese.
He does play with a ball but if a pile of fox poo or a mole hill comes into view that’s much more exciting! Worth a try though definitely.
I’m hoping he gets better as he matures but I’m also aware it’s quite common in sight hounds.
We do have some fields nearby which are often quiet which he loves to run around in and his recall is great, as long as were alone. We have been fortunate to come accoss the odd owner who is happy for their dog to have a good chase around with whippet pup (his last opponent being a lovely staffy who had no chance of keeping up much to whippet pups disappointment).
The long line perplexed me a little, I’m not quite sure how I would use it safely without either tripping him or it cutting my hand in two.

[CMOTDibbler]

This listing of enclosed fields is very good.

Have you tried the 'sit and look at me' when on the lead? It is tedious, but equipped with a tube of liver paste it is effective in teaching a quiet meeting

[Lau123lau]

Ooo liver paste, not tried that one. He did learn his basic commands quickly but we do need to work on then when there’s distractions. His favourite food ever is tripe but i can’t carry anything tripe related around. On the plus side, it may ensure other walkers stay well away with the horrific smell...

[Lau123lau]

Can I find liver paste in pets at home?

[CMOTDibbler]

You can get it from Amazon

[billybagpuss]

Thats a good site for the fields thank you @CMOT both of the ones I knew are listed plus a couple of others.

Yes Billypup learned everything very quickly, its then been a case of whether she can be bothered.

[Wolfiefan]

The very best idea is to use a longline in open fields. With a small dog you let it trail and stand on it if they start to bugger off. Trust me I’ve tried holding on to the end. With a wolfhound pup. Bloody stupid idea.
Primula cheese is a good treat too!!

[Aprilshowerswontbelong]

Wow he's handsome!

[BiteyShark]

With cyclists and runners I found the sit and wait till they passed the most effective way when my dog was young and wanted to chase. He now just ignores them.

I haven't used a long lead but have seen others with them and there does appear to be a knack of letting more out and winding it back as well.

[Wolfiefan]

We use “stand and wait”. I hold the most exciting treat ever and she looks at me until they pass then gets it.

[cowfacemonkey]

Yeah don't hold onto a long line that way broken pinky finger lies