How to Train a Whippet or Italian Greyhound

Whippets and Italian Greyhounds are sighthounds, and that single fact shapes almost everything about how you train them. These are not dogs that live to please. They are independent thinkers bred over centuries to hunt by sight, make split-second decisions at full speed, and then spend the rest of the day draped across the nearest soft surface.

If you’ve previously owned a Border Collie or a Labrador and you’re expecting the same training experience, recalibrate now. Sighthounds learn differently. They bore easily, they shut down under pressure, and they will genuinely walk away from a training session that doesn’t interest them. But when the approach is right, both Whippets and Italian Greyhounds (Iggies) are capable, willing learners who form deep bonds with their people.

This guide covers how to train both breeds using methods built for the sighthound temperament, with practical tips for Australian conditions.

Whippets and Italian Greyhounds are sensitive sighthounds that need short, positive, reward-based training sessions. Recall is the highest-priority cue because of the breed group’s intense prey drive. Socialisation before 16 weeks is essential, particularly for Italian Greyhounds who can become timid without it. Toilet training is notoriously tricky for Iggies. Both breeds need secure fenced areas for off-lead running. Keep sessions to 3–5 minutes, use high-value treats, and never use harsh corrections. These breeds shut down fast under pressure.

Understanding the Sighthound Mindset

Both Whippets and Italian Greyhounds belong to the sighthound group. Whippets were developed in England for rabbit coursing and racing. Italian Greyhounds are an ancient breed, kept as companions for centuries but still carrying the same prey-driven instincts. The ANKC (now Dogs Australia) registers Whippets in Group 4 (Hounds) and Italian Greyhounds in Group 1 (Toys), but the training principles overlap significantly.

Sighthounds were bred to work independently. A Whippet chasing a rabbit at 55 kilometres per hour is not waiting for instructions. That independent streak is hardwired, and it’s the reason these breeds approach training differently from working or herding dogs.

The upside? Sighthounds are rarely destructive out of spite, they don’t tend to bark excessively, and they’re generally calm indoors. The challenge is that they can be selective about when they choose to engage. A Whippet that knows “come” perfectly in the kitchen may completely ignore the cue when a bird moves in the park. That’s not stubbornness. That’s prey drive overriding learned behaviour, and the training approach needs to account for it.

Key Differences Between the Two Breeds

While both breeds share the sighthound temperament, there are differences worth noting for training purposes.

Whippets are medium-sized (around 10–15 kg), robust for a sighthound, and generally more confident than Italian Greyhounds. They tend to tolerate new environments and handling reasonably well, and their recall, while challenging, is achievable with consistent work. Whippets are sprinters: a couple of good off-lead runs in a secure area and a daily walk typically meet their exercise needs.

Italian Greyhounds are smaller (around 3–6 kg), more fragile, and significantly more sensitive. They can be timid in unfamiliar situations, and toilet training is notoriously difficult. Their fine-boned legs are prone to fractures, particularly in puppyhood, so exercise needs careful management. Iggies also hate cold and wet weather, which in Australian winters (particularly in Melbourne, Hobart, and the highlands) can complicate outdoor toilet routines.

Both breeds bond intensely with their people and are prone to separation anxiety. Both have strong prey drive. And both require gentle, reward-based training with no room for harsh corrections.

When Should You Start Training?

Training starts the day the puppy arrives, usually around 8 weeks. The critical socialisation window closes between 12 and 16 weeks, and for sighthounds, particularly Italian Greyhounds who can tend toward timidity, early positive exposure to the world is essential.

Good breeders will have already started: handling the puppies, exposing them to household sounds, and introducing gentle visitor interactions. For rescue sighthounds, training still works at any age. Both breeds remain willing learners, though older dogs may carry habits or anxieties from previous homes.

What Training Approach Works?

Positive reinforcement only. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recommends reward-based training for all dogs, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) supports this position. For sighthounds, this isn’t just best practice. It’s the only approach that works reliably.

Whippets and Italian Greyhounds are emotionally sensitive breeds. A raised voice, a leash correction, or a stern physical handling session can cause the dog to shut down completely. A Whippet that shuts down will lie flat and refuse to engage. An Italian Greyhound may tremble, freeze, or become fearful of the training context altogether. Once that association forms, rebuilding trust takes far longer than getting it right the first time.

Sighthound-specific training rules

1. Keep sessions absurdly short. Three to five minutes for Iggies, five to ten for Whippets. These breeds are sprinters, not marathon workers. They give you a burst of brilliant focus, then they’re done. End every session before the dog opts out. Leaving them wanting more is the goal.
2. Use high-value treats. Sighthounds can be picky. Standard dry biscuits often won’t cut it. Diced chicken, small cheese cubes, venison sausage, or Zeal freeze-dried liver treats tend to get the best response. Experiment to find what your dog considers worth working for.
3. Train when the dog is alert. Sighthounds spend large portions of the day sleeping. Don’t wake a napping Whippet for a training session. Wait for a moment when the dog is awake, alert, and showing interest. Right before mealtime is often ideal.
4. Make it a game. Sighthounds respond well when training feels like play rather than work. A chase game where the dog runs to you for a reward, a short tug session between repetitions, or a treat scatter on the grass can keep engagement high.

Recall: The Highest-Priority Cue

If you teach your sighthound only one thing, make it recall. A Whippet in full flight can hit 55 km/h. An Italian Greyhound, while smaller, can reach around 40 km/h. Neither breed can be caught once it locks onto a target. A reliable recall is the only tool that keeps a sighthound safe off lead.

But here’s the honest truth: sighthound recall is hard. Prey drive can override even well-practised cues. Many experienced sighthound owners never achieve 100% reliability, and some choose to only allow off-lead running in fully fenced, secure areas. That’s a reasonable and responsible decision.

Building recall step by step

1. Start indoors. Say the dog’s name, then “come,” in a bright, excited tone. Reward lavishly when the dog arrives. Use the best treats available. Practise multiple times a day in short bursts.
2. Move to the backyard. Increase distance gradually. If the dog ignores the cue, do not repeat it. Go and calmly collect the dog, then try again at a shorter distance.
3. Use a long line outdoors. A 10-metre training lead gives the dog freedom to move while keeping you in control. Practise recall in quiet, low-distraction environments first. Never let the dog off lead in an unfenced area until recall is solid on the long line.
4. Proof against distractions. Gradually introduce more distracting environments: a quiet park, then a busier park, then near (but not at) an off-leash dog area. Each new level of distraction requires going back to basics with generous rewards.
5. Never punish the dog for coming. If the dog takes 10 minutes to respond, reward the dog when it finally arrives. Scolding a dog for coming, even if it took forever, teaches the dog that coming to you has negative consequences.

A Whippet owner in Canberra spent three months building recall using a long line and a squeaky ball as a reward instead of treats. The dog’s prey drive was channelled: the ball became the thing worth running back for. By month four, the dog had reliable recall in most park settings, though the owner still avoided areas with rabbits. That’s realistic sighthound training.

Socialisation for Sighthounds

Both breeds benefit from thorough socialisation, but the approach differs slightly.

Whippets are generally sociable and curious. They tend to be confident meeting new people and other dogs, though some individuals can be reserved. Expose Whippet puppies to a wide range of people, environments, sounds, and surfaces during the socialisation window. Puppy preschool classes are a good option, though choose a class that respects the breed’s sensitivity and uses reward-based methods.

Italian Greyhounds can be naturally timid, particularly around loud noises, unfamiliar people, and boisterous dogs. Socialisation for an Iggy needs to be gentler and more gradual. Let the puppy approach new experiences at their own pace. Never force an Italian Greyhound into a situation that scares them. Pair every new experience with calm praise and high-value treats. An Iggy that has a frightening encounter during the socialisation window can carry that fear for years.

An Italian Greyhound named Milo in Melbourne was enrolled in a puppy class with large, bouncy Labrador puppies at 10 weeks. The experience was overwhelming, and Milo became fearful of other dogs for months afterward. The owners restarted socialisation with one-on-one introductions to calm, smaller dogs, and Milo gradually rebuilt confidence. The lesson: match the socialisation to the dog’s temperament, not the calendar.

Essential Cues

Sit

Hold a treat at the dog’s nose and move your hand slowly up and back. The head tilts up, the rear drops. Mark and treat. Both breeds pick this up quickly. For Italian Greyhounds, use a soft surface; their bony frames can find hard floors uncomfortable.

Drop (Down)

From a sit, lure the treat to the floor and slightly forward. Some sighthounds resist the down position because it feels vulnerable. Be patient. Use a mat or blanket. Never push the dog into position.

Stay

Build duration very slowly. Sighthounds are wired to react to movement. A stay that holds for three seconds in the loungeroom is genuine progress. Build to ten seconds, then thirty, then a minute. Add distance and distractions separately, never all at once.

Leave it

Critical for sighthounds with strong prey drive. Hold a treat in a closed fist. Wait for the dog to back off. Mark and reward from the other hand. In Australia, this cue protects against 1080 baits, snake encounters, and cane toads in northern regions. For sighthounds, it can also prevent the dog from bolting after a lizard or bird.

Toilet Training: Especially for Italian Greyhounds

Whippets are generally straightforward to toilet train using standard methods: frequent outdoor trips, rewarding outdoor toileting, and crate management between trips.

Italian Greyhounds are a different story. Toilet training is the number one reason Iggies are surrendered to rescue organisations. The breed has small bladders, dislikes cold and wet surfaces, and gives very subtle signals before needing to go. Many Iggy owners never achieve fully outdoor-only toileting, and that’s completely normal.

Practical tips for Iggy toilet training

• Take the dog outside immediately after waking, eating, playing, and every 30–60 minutes during the day. Reward outdoor toileting with high-value treats and genuine enthusiasm.
• Use pee pads or a dedicated indoor toilet area as a backup, particularly during cold or wet weather. Many experienced Iggy owners maintain both indoor and outdoor options permanently.
• Crate train properly. A correctly sized crate, big enough to stand and turn but not so large the dog can toilet in one corner and sleep in another, helps manage toileting between outdoor trips.
• Use enzymatic cleaners (like Nature’s Miracle or a similar product available in Australian pet stores) on any indoor accidents. Standard household cleaners don’t eliminate the scent markers that encourage repeat offences.
• Never punish toilet accidents. Sighthounds are sensitive and will associate the punishment with your presence, not with the act of toileting inside. This makes the problem worse, not better.
• In Melbourne, Hobart, or highland areas, consider a sheltered outdoor toilet area or a covered porch. An Iggy that has to walk across cold, wet grass in a Victorian winter will often refuse to go outside at all.

Lead Manners

Neither breed is typically a heavy puller, but both need lead training for safety. Use a harness rather than a collar for walks. Sighthounds have long, slender necks, and collar pressure can cause tracheal damage. For Whippets, a well-fitted fleece-lined or padded sighthound harness is ideal. For Italian Greyhounds, choose a lightweight harness designed for small, delicate frames.

Reward the dog for walking beside you. Both breeds tend to walk well once they understand the expectation, though Whippets may occasionally bolt toward a moving target if a squirrel or bird catches their eye. A front-clip harness helps manage sudden lunges.

In Australian conditions, avoid hot pavement during summer. Both breeds have thin skin and minimal body fat, making them more vulnerable to heat. Test the ground with the back of your hand: five seconds is the threshold.

Common Behaviour Challenges

Prey drive chasing

This is not a behaviour to “fix.” It’s hardwired. The management strategy is environmental: use a long line or only allow off-lead running in fully fenced, secure spaces. A reliable “leave it” and recall help, but never rely on them when the target is a fast-moving animal. Many Australian sighthound owners use dedicated fenced dog parks, lure coursing clubs, or enclosed sports fields for safe off-lead exercise.

Separation anxiety

Both breeds bond deeply and can struggle when left alone. Build alone-time tolerance gradually: step out for 30 seconds, return calmly, extend the duration over weeks. Crate training gives the dog a secure den. Leave a stuffed Kong or a long-lasting chew. For Italian Greyhounds, a second Iggy is sometimes the most effective solution, as the breed does well in pairs.

Timidity and noise sensitivity

Italian Greyhounds in particular can be fearful of loud noises, unfamiliar environments, and sudden changes. Counter-condition by pairing scary stimuli with treats at a very low intensity. Play thunderstorm recordings quietly while the dog eats dinner. Gradually increase the volume over weeks. Never force exposure.

Refusing to go outside in bad weather

A classic sighthound problem. Both breeds dislike rain and cold. For walks, a waterproof dog coat makes a significant difference. For toilet trips, a covered outdoor area helps. Many Iggy owners keep indoor pee pads as a permanent option and consider it a feature, not a failure.

Exercise and Enrichment

Whippets need around 60 minutes of exercise daily, including at least one opportunity to sprint in a secure area. Despite their speed, Whippets are sprinters, not endurance athletes. Two short walks and a five-minute full-speed run in a fenced park will satisfy most Whippets. The rest of the day, expect a couch potato.

Italian Greyhounds need less: around 30–45 minutes of exercise daily. Short walks, gentle indoor play, and brief bursts of running in a secure yard are usually enough. Avoid repetitive high-impact exercise during the growth phase. Iggy legs are fragile, and fractures from jumping off furniture or rough play are a genuine risk.

Mental enrichment for both breeds:

• Snuffle mats and scatter feeding on grass (taps into natural scenting behaviour).
• Food puzzles: a Kong Wobbler, Lickimat, or small treat-dispensing ball.
• Trick training: sighthounds enjoy learning new skills in short, playful sessions. Teach a spin, a paw shake, or a nose target.
• Lure coursing: many Australian sighthound clubs run lure coursing events. Whippets, in particular, find this incredibly satisfying. Check with your local club affiliated with Dogs Australia.

During Australian summers, exercise early morning or after sunset. Both breeds have thin coats and minimal body fat, which means they overheat quickly. In winter, particularly in southern states, a dog coat is essential for outdoor exercise. Both breeds feel the cold acutely.

Training Through the Life Stages

8 to 16 weeks

Socialisation is the top priority. Toilet training, crate training, name recognition, and the very beginnings of recall fill out the daily routine. Sessions should be 2–3 minutes for Iggies, 3–5 minutes for Whippets.

4 to 6 months

Build foundation cues. Start lead training. Introduce new environments gently. Adult teeth come through, so expect chewing. For Italian Greyhounds, manage jumping on and off furniture to protect developing bones.

6 to 12 months

The adolescent phase. Recall may seem to evaporate overnight. Whippets may become more independent; Iggies may become more anxious. Stay consistent, keep sessions positive, and don’t panic. This phase passes.

Adult and senior years

Refresh cues regularly. Maintain enrichment routines. As sighthounds age, adjust exercise for joint comfort. Both breeds can be prone to dental issues, so ongoing handling of the mouth remains valuable. Swimming or gentle walks on soft surfaces are good low-impact options for seniors.

Australian-Specific Tips

• Use fully fenced, secure areas for off-lead exercise. Many Australian councils maintain designated off-leash dog parks, though not all are securely fenced. Scout locations before letting a sighthound off lead.
• Check local council rules on lead requirements. In most Australian states, dogs must be leashed in public areas unless in a designated off-leash zone.
• Be aware of seasonal hazards: snake season (September to April), paralysis ticks in coastal NSW and Queensland, 1080 baits in rural areas, and cane toads in northern regions. A strong “leave it” cue is essential for sighthounds with high chase drive.
• For Italian Greyhounds in colder climates (Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, highlands), invest in warm clothing for outdoor exercise and consider indoor toilet options during winter.
• Lure coursing events are run by sighthound clubs across Australia. These are excellent outlets for the breed group’s natural prey drive in a safe, controlled setting.
• Register and microchip the dog as required by state law. Both breeds are fully legal across Australia with no breed-specific restrictions.

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When to Get Professional Help

If your sighthound shows severe separation anxiety, extreme timidity, prey-driven aggression toward cats or small animals in the home, or any behaviour that creates safety concerns, seek professional help. Look for trainers accredited through the Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA) or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia (APDT) with experience in sighthound breeds. Avoid any trainer who uses corrections, choke chains, or dominance-based methods. For complex cases, a veterinary behaviourist can assess whether medication alongside training is appropriate.

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Frequently Asked Questions