I think this would be a good way to introduce a pet class into the game. This would be a two handed only able to dodge weapon (like musket).
Whip would have a different mechanic for use as a whip would be a Short- medium range weapon. The whip would have a charge up mechanic for range, but spammable like a rapier for short range encounters.
This weapon could introduce fear (think city of heroes when they stand still) and damage over time bleeds!
Whip talent trees: Animal Taming and “Generic crowd control?”