Earlier this year, we mentioned that we wanted to use our social media platform to help educate Whippet owners and those considering welcoming a Whippet into their home.
2026 has already been busier than ever for us, and it is no secret that severe reactivity and separation anxiety are two of the most common challenges we see in rescue.
If you are considering a Whippet puppy, we cannot stress enough how important it is to socialise them carefully and positively, and to begin separation training from the very start. These early foundations can help reduce the risk of serious behavioural difficulties developing later.
Reactivity and separation anxiety can sometimes begin later in life following a traumatic experience, such as being attacked by another dog, or after a significant disruption to a dog’s normal routine. However, many of the dogs coming into our care have sadly missed out on appropriate socialisation, gradual separation training or exposure to everyday life during crucial stages of puppyhood.
There are some excellent articles on The UK Whippet Breed Council website, and we have linked several of them below for you to read.
As always, we have a high number of Whippets in our care who need patient and understanding homes that can support them through reactivity and/or separation anxiety training.
With the support of the qualified behaviourists we work alongside, we are more than happy to help adopters with the training process. However, we desperately need adopters who are willing and able to put that guidance into practice, commit the necessary time and effort, and understand that a rescue dog may not arrive as the perfect pet. It will take time, love and patience.
We receive thousands of adoption applications each year, but sadly, very few applicants are able or willing to manage the challenges that can come with adopting a rescue dog.
This can be incredibly disheartening for our team because we know that every Whippet in our care has the potential to become an amazing pet and lifelong companion. They just simply need a bit of understanding and the right environment.
Whether you already own a Whippet or are considering welcoming one into your life, please take some time to read through the articles below.
If you are considering a puppy, please ensure that you choose a responsible breeder who carries out the appropriate health testing and home checks, offers lifelong support and will always take responsibility for the dogs they breed.
Finding the right breeder: https://whippetbreedcouncil.com/the-breed/finding-the-right-breeder/
If you feel able to offer a loving, committed and supportive home to a rescue Whippet, please complete our adoption application below and a member of our team will be in touch:
JR Whippet Rescue adoption application: https://whippetrescue.org.uk/adoption-application/
JR Whippet Rescue FAQs: https://whippetrescue.org.uk/faqs/
Useful reading from The UK Whippet Breed Council:
Socialising Your Whippet Puppy
A Simple Guide to Separation Training in Whippet Puppies
Getting Your Whippet Puppy Used to the Car
Coping with the Whippet Puppy Biting Phase
Feeding Guidelines – How to Keep Your Whippet at the Correct Weight
