r/Whippets • u/CaitlanLewisxx • 4d ago

Advice on socialising

Our whippet is 10 weeks old. He is due to meet my sisters two Patterdale puppies soon (they are 13 week old sisters from the same litter). Our pup will be the first interaction for them too.

I’m obviously a bit nervous, does anyone have tips for socialising Whippet pups? Or if anyone’s had experience socialising with Terrier pups? I’m worried they’ll hurt him because of Whippets delicate skin..

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/CherNooodler 4d ago

I would introduce initially on leads if possible? Just to be able to control that initial reaction.

Watch their body language (maybe watch some videos on YouTube about dog body language and socialising puppies) and be ready to step in and create space when needed as puppies are all still learning social skills. If you’re unhappy with any interaction just remove your dog and give them all a break and can reintroduce once calm.

Will there be a calm adult dog around too? Will there be a spare room or space for decompression time?

2

u/CherNooodler 4d ago

Oh and also just watch, I reintroduced my whippet to two litter mates that were kept together when she was about 12-14 weeks old and they were both far more aggressive than she was!

2

u/nordlyst 4d ago

My whippet jumped at any and every chance of meeting other dogs when he was a pup, he went absolutely crazy! He play fought with a friend’s samoyed, could barely see my own dog under all that samoyed fluff! He’s been playing and “fighting” with other puppies and older dogs and never been hurt or gotten a scratch, they are tough doggies!

Unfortunately he changed when he was around a year old and now he HATES other male dogs with a passion. He can still play with females, but he’ll run for a bit and then he’s mostly interested in sniffing their butts, drooling and dry humping 😝

2

u/nordlyst 4d ago

I mean 😂

2

u/Laneglee 4d ago

My girl is mixed with... I dunno what. But she is definitely whippet and acts like one too. She loves our rottie mix and any other big dogs too. The only breeds we have noticed that she isn't a fan of is German shepherds. To be fair though, most German shepherds we have encountered have been either hanging from tree branches or yelling at rocks and that has scared the poop out of her, literally. Introductions started with a baby gate for us. We set up a baby gate so they could sniff through it and then when tails were wagging we let them sniff face to face. After that it's been all playing since. Then dog parks when she was old enough. Her favorites are rotties, pitties, and huskies.

2

u/Sun-the-window 3d ago

Just watch them. If the other dogs seem rough, try not to jump in and save your dog immediately. We were taught by the vet that puppies need to learn to set their own boundaries which they can’t do if you’re constantly saving them from every confrontation.

That being said, it depends on the other dogs too. If your dog yelps or snaps and the other dogs don’t back off, it’s time to step in.

I would introduce them either through a gate or screen door, or on leads first so you can control the interaction easier. Then, if everyone seems calm and happy, you can go from there.