Hi everyone Just after some opinions I have a westie and the last few days his behaviour has got very strange he keeps whining atthe front door as though he wants to go out but when I take him he doesnt do anything he just goes to this one spot of grass and burys his nose in it and stands there like it for ages also whilst out walking etc he doesnt seem to listen to my commands any more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Is there a bitch in season living nearby perhaps?

There are no bitches as far as i am aware. There are other male dogs nearby though. Also further to my first post he also sits in a chair and jus whines almost as if he is crying for no reason that I can see I thought about taking him to my vet to get checked out.

> I thought about taking him to my vet to get checked out

Might be a good idea, he could have pain somewhere.

Or just a thought, how old is he? Sometimes an old dog can seem a bit disorientated for no apparent reason. If so, there are treatments to try but he would need checking out first.

Hope he goes on OK.

As a terrier he'll have a nose for creatures and a very long memory.  My terrier type will return to the same spot walk after walk, for months, if he once found a mouse there!

He also gets rather obsessive about hedgehogs although you shouldn't really be seeing those around at this time of year unless they're ill.

With regard to not listening on walks - how old is he?  Could he be a bit 'teenage' and pushing the boundaries, or elderly and a bit deaf?  Alternatively if it's been frosty and or foggy then scents will remain on the ground for longer and he may simply be distracted

Just a quick update to my original post I hae just found out that there is a bitch living near to me that is in fact on heat. Chalky my dog is constantly whining all day long scratching at doors to get out and barking lots. This is not like him at all so how can I take his mind off the lady dog that has obviously taking his fancy? Too the above post he is in his teens in his years he is three in ours.

I was pretty convinced that was the problem based on the behaviour. ;)

He will be OK after the season has ended.

I use vanilla extract to mask the smell of the girls in season, I dab some their nose and chest, I tried all sorts before picking up this tip on a forum, only down side is I am sick of the smell by the time the seasons are over.