Petmanacs.com
Pets Articles Complete List of Pet Articles @ PetManiacs.com | Home

SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Birds Cats Dogs
Fish & Aquatic Pets Reptiles & Amphibians Small Animals

West Highland White Terrier - Westies - Training Success Tips


The West Highland Terrier is a friendly dog, and is considered easier to handle and train than other terriers, such as the Scottish Terrier. Still, it possesses the bold, dynamic terrier temperament, and has to be trained in a manner appropriate for the breed.

Your West Highland Terrier training begins from the moment you bring your terrier home. Westies are stubborn and clever, and considered a bit naughty. They will become demanding and ill tempered if they do not get their way, so you must teach them from the start that you are in charge. From the beginning, treat your terrier in a firm, consistent way.

Terrier puppies, like all very young dogs, should be trained in short sessions of five minutes or less. Make the training session play for both you and your terrier. Generously reward your dog with praise. They are also known to react well to food training.

Your Westie will become confused if you lash out at its misbehavior, particularly if you continue to be angry after the behavior has stopped. Your little terrier wants to please you, and by consistently rewarding the behavior you wish to promote, you will encourage it to become part of the dog's personality.

Like the Scottish Terrier, and other terrier breeds, Westies are barkers. Barking is a dog's natural way to communicate a variety of feelings from happiness, to anxiety, to boredom. The terrier breeds, though, are quicker to bark than other dogs.

The most natural reaction by dog owners is to yell at your terrier to stop barking. This is exactly the WRONG thing to do. Your dog hears the loud voice as a sort of human bark, and it only reinforces the behavior. The key is to remain calm, verbally and physically, and diffuse the terrier's excited emotional state. Say 'no bark' in a calm but firm tone. Never forget to reward the dog when the barking stops.

West Highland Terriers are clever, active dogs, and they will sometimes bark out of boredom. Be sure to provide your dog with walks and appropriate play to stimulate their minds and bodies. You can divert their attention with a chew toy that can be stuffed with a food treat.

Other concerns common to West Highland Terrier training, as well as Scotties and other terrier breeds, are digging, chasing, and aggressive behavior. These little dogs were never bred to be pets, but rather to hunt down and kill vermin.

Never encourage your terrier's natural behavior by engaging in aggressive play. It is difficult for your Westie to distinguish that gnawing and nipping are all right during play, but not at other times.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest,
Happiest and Most WellBehaved Westie You
Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
http://www.madaboutwesties.com


MORE RESOURCES:
familypets - Google News
Firefighters Rescue Family's Pets - WXII The Triad

Firefighters Rescue Family's Pets
WXII The Triad
WINSTON-SALEM -- Four pets that were inside a burning house last Friday on Brierwood Street were rescued by firefighters who had responded to the call. ...

and more »
Two pit bulls euthanized after attack on family pets - Lompoc Record

Two pit bulls euthanized after attack on family pets
Lompoc Record
Dennis Kozlowski, middle, and his wife, Marian, right, pose for a picture with their daughter-in-law, Marlo, left, and several of their miniature pinschers ...

and more »
Schwarzenegger proclaims September 2010 as Disaster Preparedness Month - Lake County News

Schwarzenegger proclaims September 2010 as Disaster Preparedness Month
Lake County News
... who you've identified as an out-of-state family contact; how to get emergency information in your community; and how to take care of your family pets. ...

and more »
Police warn residents: Roaming pit bulls are attacking family pets - Ct Post

Police warn residents: Roaming pit bulls are attacking family pets
Ct Post
ANSONIA -- The Police Department has set up traps to capture three roaming pit bulls believed to be involved in attacks on domestic animals, according to ...

and more »
Group helps to heal shelter animals - Ultimate Woodlands (blog)

Ultimate Woodlands (blog)

Group helps to heal shelter animals
Ultimate Woodlands (blog)
"He was obviously someone's family pet, because he will sit and shake his paw," Ostlund said. "He knows how to use the doggy door. ...

and more »
House fire claims family's cat - Daily Mail - Charleston

House fire claims family's cat
Daily Mail - Charleston
A fire at a South Charleston home has left a family pet dead. Capt. William Tillis of the South Charleston Fire Department said they found the Sutherland ...

and more »
Family pets perish in morning fire - WISH

Fox 59

Family pets perish in morning fire
WISH
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A family of three escaped their burning home on Indianapolis' east side Friday morning. Firefighters are crediting an Indianapolis ...
13 WTHRFamily loses several pets in house fireWTHR

all 6 news articles »
OTC meds pose great danger to family pets - Jackson Clarion Ledger

OTC meds pose great danger to family pets
Jackson Clarion Ledger
Having a pet sure can change a person's life. Let me rephrase that. Having an energetic, frisky puppy is a test of wills, commitment and finances. ...

and more »
A Dog's Life? - Petaluma Argus Courier (blog)

Petaluma Argus Courier (blog)

A Dog's Life?
Petaluma Argus Courier (blog)
Spectator Family pets, be they dogs or cats, by definition, are part of the family. When they die, the loss can be keenly felt. Much has been written about ...

Family pets perish in Heidelberg unit fire - Heildelberg Leader

Family pets perish in Heidelberg unit fire
Heildelberg Leader
Two people escaped the fire in the Hodgson St unit, but the family pets remained inside while emergency services fought the fire, which started about 10pm. ...

and more »
RSS integration by RSSinclude


PetManiacs.com's Free! Pet Classified Ads
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject


Pet Website Owners Wanted



SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Birds Cats Dogs
Fish & Aquatic Pets Reptiles & Amphibians Small Animals


Pet Maniacs home | site map | Pet Article List
© 2006