Westie Puppy – Tips for Success in Housetraining

Jeff Cuckson

Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not to relieve themselves in your house is to never let the behavior start in the first place.

Learning to anticipate your westie puppies need to ‘go’ takes time, and extra attention to your pups when they are small, but it should make the learning process less stressful for everyone.

First you need to accept the fact that accidents will happen. Westie puppies under three or four months of age have very little bladder control, and do not realize they have to urinate until they are doing it.

There are times of the day, though, when you can predict that they will relieve themselves. By taking them outside in advance of these times, keeping them there until they are done, and then praising them soundly afterward, you are setting up situations in which your westie pups will succeed.

Your westie puppy will need to urinate immediately after waking up in the morning, or after a nap. If your westie pups start to go before you can get them outside, make a startling, but not frightening noise to try to stop them. Then take your westie pups to their potty place, and if they finish there, give them praise.

It is much easier to predict when your westie pups are about to go to sleep. This is another time when they need to relieve themselves. Also, pups have an automatic reflex to relieve themselves within one-half to one hour after eating. Establish a routine for your westie pups of regular eating, play, and potty times throughout the day. There are other signs of when they need to be taken to their potty place – the pups will become restless, sniffing and circling around as they instinctually try to find a place that has been used before.

If it seems like you need to be constantly watching them to ensure quick and easy housetraining, this is probably true. Some trainers recommend keeping your pups at the end of a six-foot leash, so they cannot wander too far. Or use baby gates to confine them to a single room. Others recommend crating your westie pups for much of the day, letting them out at intervals to relieve themselves, eat, relieve themselves, play, and then back into the crate for a nap.

Crating your west highland terrier puppies, or confining them to a very small area with baby gates or barriers, is recommended if you cannot watch the puppy for several hours at a time. This takes advantage of your westie’s natural desire to keep themselves and their bedding clean. Take them to their potty place immediately upon letting them out of confinement.

To encourage it to chew on acceptable items, have a selection of sturdy chew toys on hand. These should be made of Cressite, or English rubber, although tennis balls and nylabones are also acceptable.

You will want to get your puppy used to a collar and leash as quickly as possible. Buy a light collar and leash, suitable for puppies, and get an ID tag to go with them. The grooming routine is also something that it needs to experience as early as possible. Have a brush or comb ready at hand.

Some owners recommend a bed of old towels, while others suggest faux lambskin. Like everything else you buy for your pet, whatever you choose for a bed should be both washable and durable, as well as comfortable for your dog.

Last, but not least, find a veterinarian. A reputable west highland white terrier breeder will even let you bring the dog to a vet before purchase, in order to ensure that the dog you bring home is healthy.

(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.)



The Perfect Dog For You

What should I have ready for my puggle puppy when it comes home for the first time?

Justpeachy243 asked:


I am getting a puggle puppy and I have a list of things i need like the obvious food leash food/water bowls..etc but i was wondering if there was anything I’m missing. So if you got a puppy and realized you needed something what would it be?
So i think this is a lesson we all learned in kindergarten….If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all!

Road Trip With Your Dog?

The Dachshund Dog Breed Essential Facts And Info

John Williams

Dachshund (pronounced DAK sund) originated in Germany, during the 18th and 19th centuries, to hunt badgers. In fact, Dachshund means, ‘badger dog’ in German. Their unique size and shape made them the perfect hunting dog. Their small legs allowed them to burrow into the ground and their narrow bodies made it easy for them to capture prey.

There are three varieties of Dachshund, Standard, which reaches an average height of 14-18 inches and average weight of 20 pounds; Dwarf, with an average height up to 14 inches and weight of 9 pounds; and rabbit, reaching an average height of only 12 inches and weight up to 8 pounds. Dachshund coats also come in three varieties, shorthaired, wire-haired and longhaired.

The shorthaired and wire-haired Dachshunds require little care while the longhaired Dachshund does require more brushing. The coats come in a wide variety of colors as well. Bred for their fearlessness and boldness during the hunt, many Dachshunds display these characteristics.

Described as curious and mischievous, they are not always easy to train and can sometimes be stubborn. Due to this personality trait, they are not always the best family pet, and should be watched carefully when around young children. Dachshunds are better with older children who can understand how to approach dogs carefully.

Dachshunds are temperamental and can be easily irritable. They do fairly well with other pets, but have been known to be jealous. Dachshunds are very active dogs that have a lot of stamina and will chase prey for a surprisingly long period of time.

They can be rash when chasing prey and therefore caution should be exercised if the Dachshund is allowed to run off leash. In spite of their high energy levels, Dachshunds do well in all living situations, as long as they are exercised at least once a day. Dachshunds are prone to health problems, due largely to their unique shape.

In spite of their high energy levels, they can easily become overweight, so it is important not to overfeed them. Dachshunds usually have the most trouble with their spinal column because of the length of the spinal column and the shortness of the rib cage.

Obesity will worsen the problem, as it will create more strain on the back. Most Dachshunds should be discouraged from jumping and climbing stairs in order to lessen the risk of injury. Dachshunds are also prone to heart troubles, diabetes, and urinary tract diseases.



Say NO To Dog Bones!

Train Your Puggle To Be Obedient

Christy Taylor

When you get a puggle at home, you would want to start training it immediately. Training your puggle would not only help building a great relation between you and your puggle but it is also good fro puggle’s emotional health. Training your puggle is very much necessary. Training is not a difficult task. All you would require is a little patience and learning some techniques on how to go about it. Training should start at the moment you arrive with your puggle.

Kick start: You need to set up a routine for your puggle. Dogs, mainly the puppies require regular schedules for various things like going to the bathroom, sleeping, and eating. It is necessary that the bathroom trips should be based somewhere around the dog’s needs. A fixed routine would keep your puggle happy.

For most of the puggle puppies, the training would begin right on the ride home. Before bringing a puggle home, you would have selected a crate. This crate would play an important role for the next few weeks in the training.

Training: You need to consider your puggle’s age as his age would help determining the potty timing. The duration between the puppy’s potty break needs to be equal to the age in months plus an hour. Your puppy needs to urinate when he starts sniffing. You should pay close attention in order to understand his behavior. When you are all set to leash train your puppy, start it with training him to putting on a soft body harness.

Initially, it might seem a little strange. However, gradually your puggle would feel comfortable in harness. If in case your puggle shows that he does not like much on walking on leash then be patient and simply show that you want him doing it. Some pups would simply lie down and want their owners pulling them. So, make sure to teach your pup to stand up and walk on leash.

One important thing that you should beware of while training is that the dogs learn doing things that would get them great results. If you would respond to your puggle’s whining by picking him whenever he does it, he would learn to get picked. Your dog requires whining.

The key to the behavior you would want is rewarding good behavior and ignoring the bad behavior. It could be tempting punishing your dog. However, most of the times punishment does not work as your puggle don’t know what wrong he did.

Treating with love: While training your puggle, spend some time on socialization. Allow your dog getting used to some other dogs and people too. This would allow a calm demeanor in him when faces some other dogs or people other than you.

The most important thing that you should remember while training your puggle is treating him with utmost gentleness and love. This would definitely make him a well adjusted and a well trained dog. Proper training would definitely make your puggle obedient to you.



Innovative Dog Care Software

Dachshund – the Facts Every Owner of This Dog Breed Should Know

Robert W. Benjamin

Dachshund (pronounced DAK sund) originated in Germany, during the 18th and 19th centuries, to hunt badgers. In fact, Dachshund means, ‘badger dog’ in German. Their unique size and shape made them the perfect hunting dog. Their small legs allowed them to burrow into the ground and their narrow bodies made it easy for them to capture prey. There are three varieties of Dachshund, Standard, which reaches an average height of 14-18 inches and average weight of 20 pounds; Dwarf, with an average height up to 14 inches and weight of 9 pounds; and rabbit, reaching an average height of only 12 inches and weight up to 8 pounds. Dachshund coats also come in three varieties, shorthaired, wire-haired and longhaired.

The shorthaired and wire-haired Dachshunds require little care while the longhaired Dachshund does require more brushing. The coats come in a wide variety of colors as well. Bred for their fearlessness and boldness during the hunt, many Dachshunds display these characteristics. Described as curious and mischievous, they are not always easy to train and can sometimes be stubborn. Due to this personality trait, they are not always the best family pet, and should be watched carefully when around young children. Dachshunds are better with older children who can understand how to approach dogs carefully.

Dachshunds are temperamental and can be easily irritable. They do fairly well with other pets, but have been known to be jealous. Dachshunds are very active dogs that have a lot of stamina and will chase prey for a surprisingly long period of time. They can be rash when chasing prey and therefore caution should be exercised if the Dachshund is allowed to run off leash. In spite of their high energy levels, Dachshunds do well in all living situations, as long as they are exercised at least once a day. Dachshunds are prone to health problems, due largely to their unique shape.

In spite of their high energy levels, they can easily become overweight, so it is important not to overfeed them. Dachshunds usually have the most trouble with their spinal column because of the length of the spinal column and the shortness of the rib cage. Obesity will worsen the problem, as it will create more strain on the back. Most Dachshunds should be discouraged from jumping and climbing stairs in order to lessen the risk of injury. Dachshunds are also prone to heart troubles, diabetes, and urinary tract diseases.

There is a website that has great information on Dachshunds and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.



Road Trip With Your Dog?

West Highland Terrier Grooming

Jeff Cuckson

West Highland Terrier Grooming – When your westie becomes part of your family, it deserves the care love and support that is given to all members of your family.

As part of the package, this would include the grooming of your Westie. I am not talking as a show dog. Westhighland terriers are an elegant looking and smart dog . It has such beautiful eyes, which is my favorite feature.

Its class is terrier and origin, as the name suggests, Scottish. The color is white. Did I say white? No definitely not today. However, when he or she has dug up part of your newly planted scrubs, you would like to strangle it.

Here are some success tips on how to groom your westie. I am not talking about turning out a show dog. If this is what you want, then go to a groomer. They can be found in every town and city from London to New York to Atlanta.

1. Most Westies enjoy being groomed. Begin brushing and examining your Westie when it is very young. Be positive, patient and gentle.

2. Grooming is a part of your Westie’s general health care and hygiene routine. It includes brushing, combing, nail-clipping, ear and dental care, bathing and scissoring, stripping or clipping of hair coats. Regular grooming stimulates circulation, improves appearance and reduces shedding.

3. It also enables you to discover lumps, lesions, cuts, scratches or external parasites. Frequent haircuts are even more important for Westies than for humans. Long hair breeds dirt, bacteria and is more prone to matting.

4. Use the proper grooming tools for the job. Consult your breeder, veterinarian or other Westie professional for guidance.

5. A full grooming may include a bath. Water for a Westie’s bath should be tepid. Be sure to use a non-skid mat in the tub.

(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.)



Coping With The Loss Of Your Dog

The Yorkshire Terrier – The Big Dog in a Tiny Body

Charles Kassotis

It seems likely that selective breeding resulted in the small size of the Yorkshire Terrier, but someone apparently forgot to tell this little guy that he’s a scaled down version of a terrier. Indeed, the Yorkshire Terrier is a brave soul, tending toward fierceness if he feels he or his territory is being threatened.

The Yorkshire Terrier – or Yorkie, as he’s commonly called – developed in England only a little more than a century ago. With roots that new, it should be easy to trace the lineage but this is one dog that has defied efforts to pin down the origins. As it happens, it was miners who developed the Yorkshire Terrier in an effort to find a tenacious dog that could kill the rats in the mines. The miners required that the dog be able to fit into small places in order to catch the rats, but be tenacious enough to not fear the rats. Though the Yorkshire Terriers the miners came up with typically weighed only a few pounds more than the rats they chased, they were game little dogs who went after their prey with a vengeance.

It was only over the past few decades that the Yorkshire Terrier became a companion dog treated with all the elegant favor of the rich and famous. Today, many Yorkshire Terriers are pampered pets, though not only for the rich. The behavior of these dogs can become a problem if they are pampered too much. The natural tendency for some people to “baby” an animal of this size should be curbed to some degree. These are active little dogs that need to romp, play and show off their tenacity.

As a general rule, a grown Yorkshire Terrier will weigh six to eight pounds, though seven seems to be a very common average. “Teacup” or miniature versions of the Yorkshire Terrier occur fairly often, usually weighing five pounds or less. These smaller Yorkies sometimes have increased health risks and many seem to be snappish, shy or exhibit other undesirable traits that are not overly evident in their normal sized counterparts.

As a rule, the Yorkshire Terrier is Remember that his ancestors were selected for their ability to run into the dangerous mines in search of vermin. The Yorkies of today need that same sense of duty and challenge. Today, it typically comes in the form of play, but the Yorkshire Terrier’s need for challenge shouldn’t be ignored. New tricks and commands are a good way to occupy some of this dog’s time, but he also needs some plain old playtime where he’s encouraged to run and romp. If presented in a way that doesn’t attract the Yorkie, new things may seem like orders and this dog may not take orders well. That includes – but isn’t limited to – housetraining.

Remember that for all the terrier tenacity, these are small dogs. They have little bones and won’t generally survive kicking or excessive roughness. Discipline and play has to be done with the size of this little guy in mind. After all, the Yorkshire Terrier may have forgotten that he’s living in a little body, but the people who care for him can’t.



Got An Ill Puppy?

For The Love Of Westies: West Highland Terrier Or Westie Rescue

Jeff Cuckson

Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters, and volunteers can be found in every state to seek them out. West Highland White Terriers, and even breeds considered rare, all pass through shelters every year. Those who perform Westie Terrier rescue are committed to matching homeless terriers with loving new owners.

Dog owners give up their pets for a variety of reasons, and many of them have nothing to do with the animal’s temperament or behavior. Perfectly loving, well-behaved Westie Terriers are rescued every year because their owners have died, moved into retirement homes, or are suffering from ill health. Other dogs find their way into shelters because of allergies, divorce, or new babies.

Westie Terrier rescue organizations do find strays, dogs with behavioral problems, and dogs who have not been housebroken. A dog that has lost its owner, for whatever reason, will probably grieve, so it is crucial that adopted terriers be matched with the very best new owner. Rescuers will want to determine that the home the terrier is destined for is loving, secure, and committed to keeping the dog permanently.

If you wish to perform your own Westie Terrier rescue, a good place to start is the breed’s national and local clubs. The Westie Terrier Club of America has its own National Rescue Coordinators, and keeps lists of participating organizations, state by state. There are also general purebred dog rescue organizations that handle all breeds, but have representatives that specialize in individual ones, like Westie Terriers or Westies. These are usually found in major metropolitan areas around the country. Your local Humane Society can often refer you to purebred dog rescue groups, as can their national organization, The Humane Society of the United States. Try looking in your local paper for dog rescue groups, or on the internet.

When you find your Westie rescue organization, expect to go through an application process before you can get a dog. There may be adoption fees for your terrier, and most organizations will expect you to immediately spay or neuter the dog if it has not already been. Some breed representatives have waiting lists, but if you are patient, there should be a Westie or West highland Terrier for you to rescue.



How To Groom Your Dog

Taking Your Puggle To The Veterinarian

Christy Taylor

It is important to get your puggle checked by the vet regularly. It is advised that you continue with the same vet as long as possible. The reason being, he knows your pet history better than anyone else. The care and attention your puggle will receive from a vet can add more years of life.

Nowadays pets live longer; therefore there are chances of more illness and health risks occurring to your pet. It is necessary to get your puggle checked by a vet regularly. This will benefit and help in discovering any sickness your puggle may be suffering.

Veterinary clinics and hospitals: There are number of vet clinics and hospitals that have come up. Many of them have care programs for older dogs. These programs include special tests that help to search for any organ problems in them. This helps in diagnosing the problem at the earliest and can help in increasing your dog’s life.

Start from the beginning: You have to start caring for your puggle from the beginning. Make sure it gets the first shots. In order to have a healthier older puggle ensure that the puggle is healthy at an younger age. It will increase its life span and have less health issues.

Weight: It is essential to know how much your dog weighs. Weight can determine the health of a dog. If you notice that your puggle is gaining or loosing weight within a very short span of time then consult a vet or keep a check on its diet. It is best to consult a vet and have your puggle treated. The puggle should have a healthy diet that is fulfilling. There are a lot of dog food products available in the market.

You could start your puggle on some but only after you have consulted with the vet. When you change your puggle’s diet make sure that you do it gradually. It is important to ensure that your puggle intakes a healthy diet with the right amount of vitamins and nutrients. A balanced diet will keep your puggle healthy and happy.

Recorded medical history: If you have been taking your puggle regularly to the vet then they are bound to have its medical history. It helps to have a medical history because it helps in better understanding of your puggle’s health. It becomes easier to administer a treatment when you encounter an illness in your dog.

Physical examination: If you own an older puggle then make sure that he undergoes a physical examination regularly. It is recommended that the check should be done at least once a year. The number can extend to two times a year depending on your puggle’s health.

Oral and dental examination: It is important to get a dental and oral checkup done. Usually it is a difficult task to achieve because dogs are not patient when you force their mouth open. Therefore it is advised that you teach your puppy to open its mouth during training its training.



Canine Health Care

Getting To Know Your Westie

Dan Stevens

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed, and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance, personality, and health requirements. Here’s what you need to know about the West Highland White Terrier:

Commonly referred to as a “Westie,” this breed has an excellent personality, being extremely friendly and great with both children and other animals. The breed is small with a white coat that is hard to miss. Keep in mind that because the Westie is a “terrier,” you can expect a little bit of independence and attitude. However, proper socialization and training will help.

This breed of dog is actually a descent of the Cairn Terrier, which is also white, and the Scottish Terrier, also known for producing white puppies. Although no longer done, original breeds of the West Highland White Terrier also incorporated bloodlines from the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Bedilngton Terrier.

The exact origin of the West Highland White Terrier is a bit confusing. Some believe the breed originated during the 19th century, first being developed in Scotland by Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm while others insist the breed was developed by the 8th Duke of Argyll. Regardless of the actual person responsible for the Westie, we do know that special breeding was required to end up with this beautiful and distinguished dog.

Physical Appearance

The West Highland White Terrier has a strong, sturdy body, bright eyes that are typically dark and deep set, and small, pointed ears. The average height for this breed is 11 inches with weight anywhere from 15 to 22 pounds. Unlike other breeds, the Westie has a tail with a carrot shape, averaging five to six inches in length. The the tail is a distinguishing character. It should never be docked. You would also notice the build including a deep chest, short fitted jaw with a scissor bite, muscular legs, and a slight convex head.

The coat of the West Highland White Terrier is a double coat. This means the undercoat is soft and thick while the outside or top coat is rough. To keep the Westie looking good, it does require regularly scheduled grooming. Depending on personal taste, some people will keep the Westie clipped short while other people will go for the lion clip in which fur around the face is left to resemble the mane of a lion. The Westie has feet with a slight web, similar to that of the Labrador Retriever.

Temperament and Personality

Keep in mind that while the West Highland White Terrier makes an exceptional companion or family pet, it is also among the working class dog, which means it has a medium to high level of energy. When taking your dog outside, you may notice it trying to chase down birds, squirrels, and other “prey.” It is important to note that most terriers have a built-in desire to chase prey. The Westie is exceptionally driven. Because of this, if you were out walking the dog, even one that had been trained, you risk it taking off at the first sight of a rabbit or other creature.

Although this breed would make a great pet for the elderly or apartment-dwellers, due to the energy level, the Westie also needs adequate playtime and exercise. You will also find that the West Highland White Terrier is protective of its family, making both great watchdog and guard dog. While the Westie does exceptionally well with children and other animals in the home, it is still important the dog be socialized and introduced preferably from a young age.

Health

Probably the most common complaint seen with the West Highland White Terrier has to do with skin. This breed is prone to dry skin so rather than bathing weekly, as you might do with another dog, it is recommended not more than once a month. To help keep the coat healthy and shiny, daily brushing will help. When you do give this breed a bath, you want to use gentle dog shampoo, one without fragrance or detergent.

In addition, you will find that the Westie often has allergies. For instance, while one breed of dog might only itch slightly when bitten by a mosquito, the West Highland White Terrier could actually experience a nasty infection. Other less common health problems include Westie Lung Disease, White Shakers, liver, kidney, eye, and heart problems, along with diabetes, Addison’s Disease, Legg-Calve Perthes, and Hip Dysplasia.



Got An Ill Puppy?

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