i'm getting a puppy ( westie ) and dont know alot about them have they got a good behaviour?
etc

do i need to take him puppy training?

pls need lots of info pls
:D

Hi there,

Have you booked a puppy or are still looking for one?

I am sure you have mailed me before that is why I ask.

Anyway there is no simple way to put this but I suggest you get some books from the library or if possible buy or borrow a couple about the westie.

I may be misinterpreting this and hope I am but nobody should have bought a puppy or have even reserved one until they have done some basic reading and research on the breed they are interested in. At least to establish if the breed is suitable for their lifestyle.

I would suggest some moderate puppy classes after about 4 months of age if you can, not because westies need it anymore that any other breed but because it is fun for both puppy and owner.

I have 2 westies and love them to death but they do like a bit of fun and like to get out for a walk everyday.

They are not lap dogs at all.

One of my neighbours had one for about a year and I had not seen it around very much over the last few weeks so I when I saw them next I enquired how the puppy was. They said they got rid of it becasue it kept running away . What could I say.

They like out , so your garden must be 100% secure, they like to run around and dig. That is a terrier and their nature.

Hope this is some help.

Pam

I have an 8 mth old Westie called Buddy. I'd been wanting a Westie for years and bought a couple of books from Focus and local Garden centre. I must have read the pages blank.
As Pam says they like to be out. Mine would walk all day long if i could keep up. I don't have a secure garden yet but am working on it. I've had a few teething problems with training(mainly coming back when he's around other dogs). I never realised how hard training a pup could be. It's the consistency on our part that's the problem. Everything i read about Westies being indepentent souls is so true but boy are they worth it.
I can't tell you how much i love my little Buddy. Another thing i've been told from talking to other Westie owners when we're out and about is that the 'First 2 yrs' are the worst for training etc, don't know how true this is. I'll let you know in another 14 months.
Good luck with your puppy and be prepared for some sleepless nights.

Budmag

Hi Linda,
I posted this link on another query concerning Westie Behavior.. Taking the 'quiz' might help to answer some of your concerns.
West Highland Terrier Club USA has an online "Profiler questionaire"

"The West Highland White Terrier Profiler will attempt to analyze you and your environment and provide recommendations about how compatible a West Highland White Terrier might be for your household"

A friend of my mother-in-law had a Westie that had completely dominated her household. The dog passed obedience trainining, but the owner failed it. She was a sweet dog, but very much out of control. When we visited, the very nice owner showed us all of the areas she had chewed, ripped up, destroyed in a year's time period. It was pretty sad to see how this was not a personality match made in heaven. I felt awkward when the dog latched on to me and did what I asked her to do, yet completely ignored her owner. I don't know if they're still together or the owner surrendered the war.

Westies are very independent spirits and obviously not for everyone (is there such a dog breed? ). I have a westie mix (with dachshund) and she's been a real character in the 8 1/2 years we've had her. But we've learned to anticipate a lot of trouble that she could do :)

Make sure that at the very least, you have a secure yard and somewhere safe you plan to leave your dog during your absences. Mine was crated for her first two years with us (whenever we left the house). I knew she was safely confined and my home would be intact when we returned.
She was a rescue that suffered from terrible anxiety separation...plus a bit of creative explorication (explore/extricate). We allowed her to earn her freedom through the years...but we still close the doors to the kitchen with its bins and the bathrooms with their tissue when we leave the house :)
good luck with your puppy
toodles