Appropriate doggy games with toddlers

[UnseenAcademicalMum]

We adopted a year old whippet from the RSPCA about a week and a half ago.

In general, he is settling in fine - he appears to be house-trained, he walks well on the lead and has had basic obedience training. We take him for a minimum of 3 decent length walks per day, usually 4. However, due to him being new in the household, we do not let him off the lead whilst walking.

However, being a whippet, he still likes to have a good run. I don't mind him doing this in the garden when the dc's aren't there, but we have two dc's aged 6 and 2.10 (but v. small for age). This is where I have a question - whilst in the garden earlier today, Whippetty Boy decided that he wanted to play - hence lots of bouncing around, barking and a bit of snapping all the time whilst ds2 was in the garden. Whippetty Boy also wanted to run with him, but as I say was very boisterous, over-excited and rather snappy. Obviously I don't want to encourage boisterous play with the ds's in the garden, but I also realise it is unrealistic to expect the dog not to play in the garden. Does anyone have any tips?

i am not familiar with whippets but things i have done with my jrts and collie are
-get kids to show dog favourite toy, someone hold onto dog, let dog watch kids going to hide it and send dog to fetch it
-make a home made jump (broom handle on two plant pots, leaving handle unsecured so will just roll off if dog clips it) get dog to sit down with one child, other child goes other side of jump and calls dog. dog gets a treat as soon as reaches other child. can build up to child who is holding dog prior to jumping can give a command, eg 'over' when releasing dog. kids can then swap roles
-if kids are able to understand giving commands and you are there to supervise and treat dog then teach dog to sit, down, twirl, crawl etc. kids can be involved in giving command and treat if appropriate
-when dog is feeling secure with you play hide and seek. one person holds dog, kids hide and send dog to find kids. my dogs love this. as yours is new rescue make sure this is not done till dog is secure
-keep a bone to give specifically to dog when in garden with kids. if dog tired from walk may lie down and chew on bone
all fun training to only happen when adult there to ensure consistency and make sure treats are given at the exact right time so dog doesnt get confused

not sure how old your dog is so adjust above accordingly. i am thinking mental stimulation and controlled physical activity might be the way to go?

Thanks for the ideas.

I think what he's after is a really good run, but he doesn't want to run alone. If I leave him to just run in the garden, he comes back inside and demands someone comes out to play.

However, I don't want to encourage too much boistorous play with ds2, who is only little yet (and the dog is a bit snappy).

when you say snappy do you mean mouthing? how are you dealing with this?
my dogs wont play outside on their own either, its not fun for them. they will however lie in the sun chewing on a bone but then they are past puppy stage now

Hello,
The advice above is excellent. In addition, until you are confident in your dog's recall, you might consider hydrotherapy once a week to ensure that your dog is getting enough physical exercise. Your vet should be able to refer you to a local practitioner. Also you may be able to find some secure dog walking areas where you can let your dog off the lead secure in the knowledge that he can't run away. A length of washing line on the collar can also help you retrieve him until you are confident that he will return. Of course if you do this you must be very careful of hazards that might cause the line to get tangled. Open grass is advisable.

It is very important that you don't allow your dog and children to play boistrously together, which is why the ideas for play above are so good. My dog also enjoys a "find it" game where you hide small pieces of food and encourage them to find it. Scenting things takes a great deal of concentration and dogs love it. It tires them out quickly too. 10 minutes of scentwork and your dog will probably want a nap.

"Snappy" behaviour needs to be dealt with. You could try "off" or "leave it" training (there are some very good demonstrations on YouTube) to help. Its a good thing for all dogs to know anyway.

I would also encourage you to look into classes to go to with your dog. I go to Talking Dogs Rally, which is a relaxed and fun sport for your dog which combines elements of obediance and other dog sports. We have a 12 year old handler in our class and she is brilliant. They are currently holding an event for young handlers over the age of 7 so it really is an excessible thing to dog. Do a search for Talking Dogs Rally on Facebook and ask the very friendly people if there are any trainers in your area.

I hope you have lots of fun with the newest member of your family.

Liz xx

The snappy behaviour tends to be a definate snap just in front of your hand. So far I've dealt with this with a firm "no" and refused to give him any more attention until he stops.

I think it will be much easier when we can take him off the lead when out, as we can encourage more energetic games away from home then, until then I'd rather keep to more sedate games within the garden and I'm trying to actively discourage running with the ds's or chasing their football.

My previous dog, a collie cross, used to spend hours just running and running around the garden at puppy/young dog age and then, when he'd had a good run, he'd still want to play, but play more quietly iyswim. I was kind of hoping it would work that way with this one too.

I do wonder why he is snapping, it's so hard when you can't actually see it. Does it look playful? Or fearful? What is his tail doing when he does it?

I would have to advise you against some of the things suggested by ewille most whippys hate the water and hydrotherapy with one that isn't used to you yet would probably scare him witless, also to suggest letting a sighthound with uncertain recall off on a long line is crazy.

Like I suggested on the other thread, I would post the same question on the whippet forum, for some extra advice.

My whippy is 10 months old and my children are of a very similar age to yours, he has been very jumpy uppy with then but is calming down now, there has been an awful lot of knocking over though.

I think it is snapping being playful rather than aggressive, he does it when over-excited. However, with young children he needs to learn that snapping for any reason is not ok. He could easily hurt one of the ds's in what he thinks is play. Will go look at the whippet forum now. Thanks.

Unseen, I wouldn't expect a whippy to be anything like a collie x, particularly in terms of length of play or even what sort of play they'll enjoy. Collies are very bright and energetic and have lots herding instincts. Whippies and pointies in general often don't really do toys, or fetching - often just enjoy doing zoomies in circles and occasionally chasing/eviscerating a squeaky toy.

The snapping sounds more like what our greys do - a kind of "air snap" often when excited and playing - I've never found it remotely threatening or worrying.

You'll probably find that your whippy will have the occasional mad five minutes and will then go and collapse on the sofa - I would keep children and dogs seperated while he's playing at least until your DC are a bit older.

The other thing to think about is a sighthound playdate. Many sighthound/greyhound groups organise these and often have sessions for whippies/smaller lurchers - you can play off lead in a secure area, often an indoor riding school. Whippet forum sounds like a great idea.

I wouldn't have expexcted it to be aggressive as such, but some whippies will snap when frightened, though as you think it is playful I am sure that it what it is. Lots of sighthounds do this when excited, I don't think you will be able to stop it tbh, just closely supervise as your children are young. Eventually as you come to know him well you will realize he is unliikely to ever catch them 'accidently'.

Lots of whippets love to fetch and can be taught an excellent recall, but it will take lots of patience. Mine is ball obsessed now, it is a brilliant way to channel the chasing instinct and will help to give you some control. It is also the game my children most often play with him, arm a child with two large dog teddies, to keep small fingers away from big teeth, child throws one teddy, dog brings back, child throws other teddy, picks up first teddy, repeat until bedtime.

My children also play piggy in the middle with him, chucking a dog toy between each other, while he tries to get it, but they have been raised around dogs and are very philosophical about being splatted by a flying whippy.

I am also happy for my 6yo to play tug with him, but not my 3yo (purely because he would just keep pulling her over).

Most play with young children and young dogs is quite boisterious, I think the key is supervision and maybe prevention if you/your children don't feel comfortable with it.

By the age of somewhere between 18mo and 2 and 1/2, he will turn into a totally different dog, calm, chilled, mostly sleeping, super easy going.

Puppy and adult whippets are so incredibly different temperament wise, it is easy to wonder if they are different breeds altogether.

His tail is waggy when he does it, and he starts barking and bouncing (not jumping up, but bouncing on all 4 legs at the same time, if that makes sense).

Thanks for the ideas too. Is all very helpful. I certainly think he would enjoy a doggy "playdate", we were walking in the park earlier and he saw a greyhound off the lead take off and his ears pricked up ready to go. It's just a shame its too early to let him off the lead yet in open spaces. I am looking forward to holidays though and seeing him running down the beach at a gazzilion miles per hour .