Hedge

My whippet Avril was a nightmare at around 6 months of age for pulling off clothes from the line and running around the yard with them. I was amazed at how high she was able to jump with those long muscular legs....to grab socks and undies that were so high off the ground!!! I read one of Dr Harry's tips about soaking some rags in vinegar and then coating them in cayeene pepper, and then hanging the rags on the clothes line. I was like...NO WAY...until the day she chewed up some rather expensive items one morning. Mind you....I hung them on the line, went back into the kitchen and it was only a matter of seconds before I heard a yelp and she came running around from the clothes line licking her nose. I then felt sick with guilt and washed her nose with water and then played ball with her for ages out the back... Mind you....she wasn't as keen to pull things off the line after that. It was also a struggle getting the clothes on the line with her standing over the basket, shoving her nose into everyting, just waiting for the opportunity to grab and run. No matter how much I tried to push her away...she was back with avengence. So what I did whenever I was about to come out with clothes to the line, I would thow her an empty bottle of coke with the lid removed. Whenever she tried to bite it or jump on it, it would shoot out away from her..and this would keep her amused for a while so I could hang things out in peace. I have to admit though...I had a good laugh at your pup sitting next to the whole orange thing you constructed...looking very pleased with himself with clothes scattered around the floor. And then to read later that he destroyed that too... Don't you just love that puppy stage???!!!

My 7 year old daughter (who has her two front teeth missing at the moment) was really upset that Avrils tooth was lost some where in the backyard, because now the toothfairy won't be making a visit. Between her and Avril, the toothfairy is keeping me broke these days!! So it looks like our pups are going through the same things at the same time, so they are probably right on track....phew!

What a coincidence!!! I just came in here to check when pups start losing their teeth, as I have just experienced the exact same thing with Avril who is now 5 months old. I just bought her a new ball that has a strap around it with ropes on either end, and was playing with her and she brought it back and it had blood all over it. I almost freaked thinking she was hurt, until I checked her mouth and realised one of those really large teeth on the bottom right hand side had fallen out. I was suprised at the amount of blood there was, but then she was running around like her typical loony self with her new ball toy, so perhaps that didnt help! How old is your pup?

She sounds just like her sister. Avril is forever sniffing around, snaffling everything in her mouth and trying to eat it too!!! I havent actually taken her out on a walk as yet, as she just got her 16 week old vaccinations last weekend, and we were told to wait a week....but I can just imagine it when we do!!! argghh...lol.

Hello Pencilnibbler, I presume that you are the owner of Jelly? We met the day we picked the pups up. My baby is Avril, the crazy hyper whippet pup...lol. Glad to see you have found the DOL forums. Hope you post some pics of your baby soon. How is she going with the rest of your animal menagerie??? Avril has also just completed puppy school. She did not win any awards for most obedient, or best trick....she was more there for the social aspect... :D She just loved having free play with the other pups. Have added photos in the photo section of the forums of her at preschool. We have another dog, Banjo the 5 year old Pomeranian X, who she completely terrorises. He is getting used to her now, but for the first few weeks absolutely hated her. She couldn't even go near him, without him barking and carrying on. Mind you, she runs at him like a bull out of a gate, barrels him over, and then pins him to the floor while pulling his ears, paws and tail. We are hoping that as she matures she will settle down (a lot!!!) as their breed temperament clearly states that they are gentle, sweet, blah..blah...blah....lol. Then things will be a lot more peaceful around here. I think two dogs are good company for each other, but its up to you. Did you see Jacqu has two males still looking for homes??? Very tempting hey? But then not sure if I would want two hyper pups running amok, my pom would never forgive me!!! Leanne

Thanks for all the info Roo!! Last night we did not let her sleep for a few hours before we wanted her to go to bed. We had her chasing after toys and racing about. At about 9pm she was all foofed out so I put her in her room covered her with blankets with her heated toy, put the radio on and she was out like a light. I went to bed not long after that, figuring it would only last half an hour or so, and I would be awake for most of the night again....and she did not make one noise the whole night!!!!! She woke up at 7am not howling and screaming, but scratching on the door. I took her out and she went she went to the toilet. Mind you, she has been racing around like a lunatic since.....she races at you full pelt and then leaps on you last minute....if you're sitting on the floor you end up with a whippet on your head!!! She was such a good girl last night....fingers crossed she will be the same tonight (tomorrow night..etc..etc ) But if not, will follow your advice and not give her any attention through the night accept for toileting. Oh....and I also want to add....she is already starting to get the idea of where she needs to go to the toilet. She went outside every time to go to the toilet yesterday except once....to big improvements there! You think she would have climbed Mt Everest they way we congratulate her when she does... :D She is such a smart dog.....a complete ratbag....but very smart... :D :D Leanne

Well....I did speak too soon last night. She began howling again not long after I posted last night. I figured it was going to be a long night, so I went to bed early with my earplugs in. My hubby didnt have a set of earplugs (I scored the last set in the house ) so he searched through the bathroom cupboards for some cotton balls so shove in his ears....he had no luck, and could only find these square cotton pads I use for removing my eye makeup. So he rolled them up into cylinder shapes and shoved them in his ears. When he walked into the bedroom, I couldn't stop laughing.....he looked like Shrek!!!! When she was still howling at midnight, hubby figures she probably needs a little running about to help make her sleepy....so there he is in his boxers and a tshirt, running around the back yard dragging her dog toy sausage string. I joined in.....throwing the dog toy to and fro with her running like a lunatic all over the yard. (I can now see why people say whippets are fast dogs!!) It was a good thing our neighbrours couldn't see us!! Then we put her back in to the laundry, went to bed, and she started up again She went through until about 1:30am. That crate is looking good at this stage!!!

LOL Freckles!! I can only imagine what it would have been like with all those whippet puppies. Oh and your comment on taking in Mick and Paddy.....I dont think my pom would cope!!! He is taking a little time to adapt to the whole new puppy thing...she is terrorising him, and he is growling and letting her know whose boss. I have NEVER heard this dog growl until this week. Mind you...he had a chicken wing outside, and she managed to slip through the door before I could grab her and run to it. I thought he would have stood his ground for sure and thought he would have gone her...but the big woozy boy did the bolt... My Banjo is not known for his fearless streak Here we go for night number 3....as well as the heated toy, the radio on talk back, she is now sporting a nice little red and white jumper (Go the Swannies!!), so fingers crossed we will have a peaceful night. She is whimpering a little, but not howling and throwing herself against the door. Just hope I am not speaking too soon!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who responded. She howled a little now and then through the night last night, however it was not as constant as the night before. I put the radio in there for her, and she listened to talk back all night... If that was me, I think I would be howling!! The earplugs came in very handy, and my daughter could sleep through a bomb..she she wasn't kept awake. Will see how she goes the next few nights, and if no improvement...may have to get a crate for next to the bed. And I think she might be a bit of a howler too. She tilts her head right back and almost yodels!! She is extremely head strong....she doesn't take no for an answer...hanging out washing this morning was a real adventure!!! I spent more time pulling her out of the basket and running after her waving around undies and socks!!!

Silly me thought our new pup would snuggle up with our existing dog last night and we would all sleep soundly..... WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Put our new whippet pup in bed with Banjo our pom at around 10pm. She began howling, heard him growl and bark at her. Thought...not a good idea. Grabbed him out, left her alone with heated snuggle toy, ticking clock. Laid in bed until midnight....she howled, cried and scatched on the door the whole time. Got up, took her out to the toilet, put her back in with limited fuss. She howed till about 1am, then went to sleep. At 4:30am she started again. My hubby was wanting to get up to watch to soccer, so he grabbed her, took her out and then she stayed with him in the loungeroom. I managed to finally get a few hours sleep then.....my head now feels like it is about to explode!!! :p We are all walking zombies, and our new baby is lying contentedly wrapped in fleecy blankets sound asleep!!! Have got earplugs on the ready for tonight....its been so long since we had a new puppy, and the first one we got 9 years ago slept in bed with us as we hated hearing her crying. So....how long does it usually take for a puppy to settle and happily go off to sleep alone?? Hopefully when the dogs bond, then will be able to sleep together but until then, will just have to persevere. Am I doing the right thing by leaving her to howl?? Poor little thing is probably so scared and feeling alone...your first instinct is to go and get her and snuggle her up. But I've read that will only make things worse. See how tonight goes....my husband is thankful he is on night shift!!!

This is such a beautiful tribute to a woman certainly taken way too soon. My thoughts go out to all her family and friends, especially to her 4 children. Hugs for you too Leanne