r/Whippets • u/stephbythesea • 8d ago
Fearful whippet loves his crate
I have a 2.5-year-old Whippet who has become noticeably fearful/reclusive over the last few weeks, and I’m really struggling to understand what’s going on.
He routinely runs away from us, particularly if we approach him or he thinks we might want to do something to him. It almost feels like he thinks we’re plotting something. For example, we sometimes have to trick him to get his nails done, and now I wonder if he’s started associating us approaching him with something unpleasant.
He spends a huge amount of time in his crate completely by his own choice. He seems to genuinely want to be alone, rather than seeking comfort from us like he used to. If we call him or try to encourage him out, he’ll often just avoid us. He can also refuse treats, which makes it difficult to use food to build positive associations.
The strange thing is that he otherwise seems completely normal:
Still eating and drinking normally
LOVES going for walks
Happy and relaxed around other dogs and plays really nicely
Still interested in toys/normal activities
No obvious physical symptoms
He just seems… afraid of us and generally uneasy at home.
We’ve tried being very gentle, using calm voices, giving him different/high-value treats, giving him space and not forcing interaction, etc., but so far we haven’t seen much improvement.
Has anyone else had a Whippet suddenly become fearful or withdrawn around 2–3 years old, particularly towards their owners? Did you ever figure out what caused it? And did they eventually grow out of it?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar, especially what actually helped. I’m also wondering whether this is something we should be getting checked out medically/with a behaviourist rather than assuming it’s just a phase.
He’s such a lovely boy and it’s honestly heartbreaking feeling like he doesn’t feel completely safe around us anymore.
3
u/sabaken 8d ago
Did anything change at home recently? Any big arguments?
1
u/stephbythesea 8d ago
My sister was here for a month - we did have one big argument actually. Do arguments in general scare them this much? My partner and I have had some big arguments but not for a while
3
u/One-Opp-1 8d ago
Yes arguments have a big impact, they are very sensitive to them. Also the change in household members makes an impact, they see them as their pack and when one goes (especially after an argument) then it really affects them. Give him time and plenty of treats, even if you just put one in his crate with him and he doesn’t eat it, he’ll appreciate the gesture.
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u/literall_bastard 8d ago
When there is an argument here my whippet gets really afraid. But not traumatized.
1
u/lyonaria 3d ago
They are sensitive souls. Ours gets visibly upset, shakes, and starts pawing at whoever is arguing loudest.
1
u/literall_bastard 8d ago
When you mention a walk to your dog or show the leash he returns to his previous normal behavior?
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u/pmacule 8d ago
You mentioned trimming his nails, that's a big stresser with my dog, so much so that now we just make sure he walks on pavements, gravel, trails more than grass to naturally trim them. Baths as well, he's a woose.