Rescue Whippet

[Redouble]

I have the chance to adopt a rescue whippet, he hasn't been socialised whatsoever, some food guarding, but gentle and affectionate.

I'm not an experienced dog owner, but I understand the importance of patience and positive reinforcement. But I really don't want to take on a project dog and be out of my depth, so scared of failing him and having to return him.

With the zero socialisation, what issues are likely to present, apart from a probably more-nervous-than-usual whippet?

Appreciate the benefit of any advice!

I'm no expert, but I think there could be both dog and people aggression if a dog is not properly socialised. How old is the dog? Have you met him?

To be fair, sometimes the rescue centres can exaggerate an issue a bit. My neighbours adopted a dog recently and were told it's not been trained at all (not toilet trained etc). But they have had her for a year and she's a pleasure. She walks off lead to heal and has never had an accident in the house.

Thank you for your reply!

Will be meeting him next week, he's two years old, have been told he's wary of strangers but very affectionate with his handler, and nervous of other dogs, doesn't know how to play, basically under-socialised totally and has been learning to walk on a lead etc.

I think I'm nervous of any severe behavioural issues!

Unfortunately on paper this does sound like a "project" dog who will require a lot of training and maybe professional help. But meet him and see how it goes. Good luck!

I walk a dog who had no socialisation for the first six months of his life. After two years of hard work, he still has the following issues:

• severe dog reactivity
• reactivity to random animals (mainly cats, cows, sheep and horses)
• reactivity towards loud noises, gates, cattle grids.
• pulls badly on the lead
• won't focus on anyone in public once he's spotted anything he's reactive to. He won't listen to commands, take treats or even look at you.
• he has absolutely ZERO recall.

On the plus side, he's great with people and children and is fine being left alone. I've managed to introduce him to my own dog but otherwise his reactivity is still pretty severe.

The reactivity possibility is my main worry, I fostered a dog once for a month who was very similar to what you describe - I found it beyond my stress limits. And this foster would ONLY be interested in whatever she reacted to - no amount of hot chicken would distract and there was no build up from which you could work from - she went from 0 to 100.

I've been totally honest with the rescue, but I'm concerned they are just seeing that we're a good match on paper (we have no other pets, no kids, quiet home) and downplaying behavioural issues.

I want him to have the right home, and not be bounced around!

If you're concerned, I honestly wouldn't even meet him (as if you're anything like me you'll be tempted to take him once you've had a cuddle!).

Reactivity is really hard work and it's even harder when it's a dog you've not had since puppyhood as you don't have that bond or relationship.

I would also have a think about what you'd do if you went away and couldn't take the dog. Most kennels and boarding facilities won't take reactive dogs so you'd need to pay for a sitter in your home.

Lots of options for doggy care, with friends and family, as well as fab neighbours, luckily.

I don't know if I'm just overthinking it. They say he's either rather indifferent to other dogs/apprehensive as he's not met many. But from experience I know issues can take time to arise.

Mine is a whippet/saluki cross - so from a breed perspective, she's both a neurotic wanker AND a drama queen

We don't know her background, but she's always been very poor at reading dog body language cues. She is 5 now but a lot of people mistake her for a puppy because that's how she plays - she just goes barreling in, completely full on and ignoring any 'feedback' the other dog tries to give her. So she can only play with dogs who can tolerate her and not get scared or overwhelmed.

She also had separation anxiety and was,not house trained, and both took just under a year to fix.

She is reactive when on the lead, but it's mostly manageable. The main problem is when people let their dogs approach despite warnings. Unfortunately there's a lot more of that since everyone bought a lockdown puppy.

I would say that if you're having doubts, it's probably something you should listen to. Mine is an absolute delight and the best dog we've ever had, but the first year was hard and we did talk about returning her a couple of times. Do you have a specific breed/age/temperament in mind?

But would those people want to care for a dog that's terrified and/or hugely reactive?

Walking a dog that's nice, calm, chilled and well-behaved on the lead is very different to one walking one that's reactive and pulls/lunges all over the spot.

Every dog is different, and some will come out of poor socialisation capable of adapting and adjusting, and some won't.

I'd do the meet and greet, and see.

I've got a nervous sighthound and am a new dog owner . I've had him 10 months and just paid out for a vet behaviourists. I asked for a dog suitable for a first time owner and was told he was bullet proof. In reality he freezes al the time on walks, I terrified of other dogs, and has separation anxiety. He's now on medication. It's been stressful expensive and heart breaking . I think we will get there to some extent but it's not at all what I imagined (and I'm now about to start on anxiety meds as well!).

I think a nervous sighthound is hard personally, it may do better being homed with another dog ,or at least a confident owner. I have spent £100s trying to help mine. He is lovely , but I've definitely thought about rehoming at points, unfortunately I love him now!!

We have two rescue whippets (sisters) who we got when they were about three years old. They'd had very little socalisation. We had no previous experience of dog ownership and it was a very steep learning curve. However, we've got to know them very well and understand how to manage them. We keep a close eye on them and time off the lead is carefully managed as their recall is terrible. They're nervous of particular dog breeds which we either avoid if possible or we pick up our most nervous dog up. When she's picked up she feels safer and clams down.

No regrets. They bring us a huge amount of joy and are incredibly affectionate.

Thanks very much for your replies.

I was able to meet the whippet yesterday and asked a lot of questions, and asked to see him with another dog.

His reaction was extreme - high pitched scream, yelps, trying to slip the harness, and this was from a distance.

Sadly I decided I'm no where near experienced enough to handle the training to help him, it was a tough decision with a heavy heart, though.

You sound a great potential owner/fosterer.
Is the Whippet a 100% Whippet?

If they are a small lurcher, they can have traits of whatever they are crossed with.

So say, the hardest dog is one who has had zero socialisation {EG puppy farmed puppy} who has had no handling, and has not been exposed to plenty of novel things early on in a controlled manner.

Separation Anxiety would be my biggest 'Fear' with a sensitive Whippet.

If the rescue is a ''Good'' one, surely they will be honest with you?
The trickiest Whippet I ever heard of was a male in Australia, he had been in a hellish puppy farm all his life.
He was fearful of everything and everyone,
Did not bond with his new owner.

However.......... He found what they are sure is his Mother.
He now lives with her.
She came from same puppy farm.

Give it a go..??

Just be prepared to share your -bed- sofa if it works out for you both.

@Redouble
Just seen your update...
Very sad he must have been so poorly socialised.

At least you were honest as to your capabilities.
People ruin animals by lack of early socialisation, and it is very hard to build on it once those early crucial weeks have zipped by.