New Whippet X

[diago_montana 3]

Picked myself up a 5mnth old whippet x greyhound collie, now she's not really had any training at all still didn't know a sit or down command so I know I've got some work to put in to pick things up but I'm wondering is it too late to try breaking her to ferrets? This is my first sight hound so completely new to this and any advise would be appreciated

[lifelong cumbrian 1,829]

Should be easy enough to break to ferrets.

[leethedog 3,071]

No mate not to late best to start after a good long walk once the pup has had some steam blown off it use your steadiest ferret put a little watered down milk or goats milk in a dish.and let em drink together if the pup shows to much interest in the ferret a good stern no should do the trick it also helps if the pup can see your ferrets in cage or mews all the time atb

Edited February 13, 2015 by leethedog

[OneManAndHisDog 513]

No she'll be fine, I crept mine on the lead wile introducing them, do one ferret two might be to much and when she got to giddy or growled at it pulled her back taped her on the nose and said NO! Know she doesn't even both with them.

[diago_montana 3]

Thanks guys glad to hear that, she seems settled in today, still trying to figure her out myself sometimes seems very puppyish still then other times more matured, also seems a bit stubborn or deaf as reacting ot even taking any notice of her name seems to be conditional as to whether she thinks your going to have something for her, any advice on teaching her name? Got two terriers from 7-8 weeks old and they picked names up fine but storm didn't even react to the name her previous owner gave her after 6 weeks with them, have tried re-enforcing the name with rewards which works but as soon as there's no reward she seems deaf to the name again

Edited February 13, 2015 by diago_montana

[LIGHT ON LIGHTS OUT 71]

Thanks guys glad to hear that, she seems settled in today, still trying to figure her out myself sometimes seems very puppyish still then other times more matured, also seems a bit stubborn or deaf as reacting ot even taking any notice of her name seems to be conditional as to whether she thinks your going to have something for her, any advice on teaching her name? Got two terriers from 7-8 weeks old and they picked names up fine but storm didn't even react to the name her previous owner gave her after 6 weeks with them, have tried re-enforcing the name with rewards which works but as soon as there's no reward she seems deaf to the name again

Skycat put some good info up regarding tug training you could look at. By sounds of it she had at least 3 homes already. Just give her time and build on bond between you, good luck, atb

Edited February 13, 2015 by LIGHT ON LIGHTS OUT

[diago_montana 3]

Thanks I'll have a look for that and yeah I'm her third owner that I know of since leaving her litter

[skycat 6,174]

Getting the pup to see you as someone important in her life, rather than just another person who happens to feed her until she gets passed on yet again, will take some time, especially as the formative months of her life have been spent learning (apparently) nothing at all. Hand feed the pup everything at present. Don't try and do any tug play until you have a bond of some sort. Teaching her to respond to her name will be much easier if she learns to associate you with food. The poor pup probably doesn't even understand praise, so you you can't expect her to respond to you in any way. She is neither stubborn nor deaf: just bewildered, shut off from people and probably feeling very alone in her world.

 

Some dogs take months to learn to respond if the initial nurturing and affection has been withheld during the puppy months. Just be VERY patient, kind, calm and yet even more patient. If you truly want to do right by the pup and keep her, be prepared for the long haul. A pup of 8 weeks old is a clean slate, a sponge ready to absorb all you can teach it. A pup of 5 months that hasn't had the bonding and early teaching process will be harder to train and harder to reach. But it can be done: slowly and carefully.

 

Spend as much time as possible with the pup. Each time you are with her say her name, and give her a treat. That will do for a start. Once she associates you with good things she will learn much faster, and food is probably the only way to reach her right now as it is the most important thing in a pup's life if it hasn't had the chance to learn to be playful, happy and trusting with people. Even if she hasn't been ill treated, she will take time to see you as the main thing in her life: she's been let down so many times so far: give her a chance to come out of her shell and treat each step forward as a major achievement.

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Good, heartfelt advice from Skycat...

 

I would only add,...become a friend to this young lurcher...

Don't worry about any training issues,....just be good mates,....the rest will follow...

Edited February 14, 2015 by Phil Lloyd

[iworkwhippets 12,867]

good advice is that from our penny ive missed my way in life i have, what a team we would have made i ask myself, wakening up of a morning with a lady of such knowledge at my side, eh, waahheyyyyyyyy

[skycat 6,174]

Aw, bless you iworkwhippets ... we'll never know will we!

But think about it ... knowing your age, I doubt anything would have changed, as we'd have both been in the same state of ignorance at the same time!