Whippets - harnesses and teeth

[davidardill]

Is there any special harness you can get for walking a whippet that is better suited to the deep chest? i dont like using a collar when walking him as he is only 24 weeks and still strains every now and again...we bought a harness but he backed out of it first time we tried and im not too confident about taking him out in it again due to this.

also, is it ok for my little pup to swallow the teeth that drop out as he grows older? he has most of his adult teeth through now, though i have only found about 2 of his baby ones on the floor - even when i know he has just had one drop out, eg blood on a chew toy etc. presumably he must swallow them?

[Eels]

Best way to get a good harness is to go to a bigger petshop and try some on, but at 24 weeks he will have some growing to do yet. Have you thought about a Halti or Canny Collar to give you more control if he pulls? These are very gentle.

Don't worry about his teeth - you have done well to find 2 of his baby ones! They will fall out when eating or chewing, so they're probably getting munched along with his dinner.

Good luck - whippets are gorgeous!

[lankeela]

I would not put a harness on any dog, unless I wanted it to pull a sled! A properly fitted 'fish' shaped whippet collar should help you to stop him pulling, they are wider in the middle where they go round the throat. Use the lead to bring him back to your side and give him a command such as 'heel'. Alternatively get a 'half check' or combi collar which gives you a little bit of leverage and yet cannot tighten too much like a full check chain.

Take him to classes to get him used to walking properly and socialise with other dogs.

Dont worry about the teeth he will probably lose them without you knowing apart from the odd one. If he is still teething make sure he has got lots of things to chew on and give him these to distract him if he is wanting to chew on you. Also give him somewhere to call his own, either a bed or a crate where he can go and lie in peace and chew his chewy things or play with his toys.