I am researching whippets....one of the books I have bought states that they can only be let off lead in a securely fenced area. Sadly these days such places are few and far between for most people. So how do whippet owners manage to enable their dogs to exercise their sprinting abilities?

Your book is wrong.

As with any dog, a Whippet has to be obedient. They are natural chasers but can be trained.

I don't know anything about how to get recall - but my ex-neighbours were always roping me in to round up their whippet when it decided to go for a meander .............. :) :) :) It would usually come to me for a biscuit, but not to them :) :) :) It worried me sick as it would just run straight onto the roads. My neighbour would take it away from roads before letting it off, but often it would just run off or, sometimes, it slipped out of an open door :(

What a rubbish book, my whippets recall is very good, most of the time! They love treats & are extremely trainable, mine also loves bringing his ball back. Just start calling him/her in the house & treat everytime they come back. I even went through a stage of shouting 'cheese' instead of individual names. All my 3 are back by my side in no time!....they aren't all whippets, GSD, terrier & whippet!

I had a whippet, she was so lovely. Her recall was great.
We used to stand at opposite ends of a football field, one would let her off and the other would call her to see how fast she could clear it...and she was FAST!!! LOL
She never chased, and I could even let all 4 of my rabbits roam around the garden with her :-)
She died 3 years ago, aged 12, I still really miss her :-(
Paula xxx

Remote collar to enforce it and use a dragged toy on a rope as a reward. Or even (if your really lazy) get a remote controlled car to drag the toy round, they love it!

Adam

You don't need a remote collar.

Adam isn't that training the dog to chase and increase its prey drive ?????????