Their barking is characterized chiefly as being soft and husky.
Additionally, whippets only bark when they need to warn their guardians about something important.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the whippet breed, including their barking habits.
By the end, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether or not a whippet is the right dog for you.
Why Do Whippets Bark?
While Whippets aren’t known to be yappy dogs, they bark as a means to warn.
Dogs communicate with fellow canines and their humans through barking.
It’s their way of expressing excitement, fear, discomfort, or pain.
Below are detailed reasons why your whippet might bark:
Playtime
Whippets might let out a few barks when they get overly excited during playtime.
The same goes when they want to initiate playtime with their fellow canine friends or you.
For instance, it might bark on seeing their favorite toy or Frisbee.
It may also bark on seeing prepare for an outdoor activity that they know involves them, such as hiking or going for a run.
Intruder
Whippets bark to warn their guardians about an intruder because they are naturally alert and will quickly notice when someone strange enters their territory.
Once they realize that the person poses a threat, they’ll start barking to get your attention so you can take action.
However, don’t over-rely on your whippet to guard your home as they’re not the most reliable watchdogs.
This is because they’re typically friendly to strangers and bark only when they sense danger.
Moreover, when you return home after days or weeks of being away, your whippet will likely bark and wag its tail in excitement instead of sounding the alarm.
Competition
Like any other dog breed, whippets bark when they feel competitive or threatened by another animal.
If another dog in the neighborhood tries invading their territory, your whippet will bark to show dominance.
Whippets also bark when they see smaller animals like squirrels and birds.
This is their way of telling the animal to stay away from their territory.
Separation Anxiety
Whippets get bored easily, especially if left alone for long periods.
When this happens, they may start barking out of boredom or frustration.
Additionally, whippets may bark when separated from their guardians because they experience separation anxiety.
If you plan to leave your whippet home alone, provide them with plenty of toys and bones to chew.
This keeps their minds occupied, preventing them from feeling anxious.
Now that you know why your whippet might bark let’s move on to how you can stop them from barking excessively.
How To Minimize Whippet Barking Tendency
It’s possible to own a Whippet that barks excessively, but it’s not the norm.
However, you need to determine whether the barking is acceptable or annoying.
If it’s the latter, find ways to minimize their barking tendency, such as:
Whippets with excess energy build-up are more likely to bark excessively.
To prevent this, provide your whippet plenty of opportunities to run and play.
This can be through walks, runs, or trips to the dog park.
A tired whippet is a quiet dog.
You should also give them mentally stimulating toys such as Kongs stuffed with treats.
This keeps their minds occupied, preventing boredom which is often the root cause of excessive barking.
Training
Start training your whippet when they’re still puppies.
Dogs bark for various reasons, and it’s hard to know why they’re doing it if you haven’t trained them.
However, with proper training, you can effectively communicate with your dog and let them know when it’s okay to bark or not.
There are different ways to train your whippet, but the most effective method is positive reinforcement.
This involves rewarding them with treats or praises whenever they bark on cue.
For instance, if you’re training them to be quiet when someone rings the doorbell, treat your pet whenever they stop barking when you say the cue word.
Crate Training
Like humans, dogs enjoy having serene and quiet places to relax and unwind.
For your whippet, this place is their crate.
Crate training effectively minimizes barking as it gives them a safe space to retreat when they feel overwhelmed or stressed.
However, never create an impression to your Whippet that the crate is for punishment, as it will only worsen the problem.
Instead, make it a comfortable and cozy place for them by adding their favorite toys and blankets.
What are the Different Kinds of Whippets’ Barks?
Knowing the different types of whippet barks help you determine the root cause of the problem and find an effective solution. They are: Pleasure Barking, Alarm Barking, Single Bark, Howl.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
