Got a 6 month old westie, is it possible to train the little blighters?!!

It should be a straight forward question, but when we mentioned to another westie owner in our local park, the owner dismissed the idea

Any dog has the ability to learn and is therfore trainable. However some breeds tend to be a little harder than others. A westie being a terrier will probably have a independent spirit and possibly a stubborn streak (but don't all dogs!) but there is no reason why it cannot be trained. Obviously it depends on what training you were thinking of. Ordinary everyday training should be no problem at all, we have had westies at training club who were extremely clever and well behaved. (We also have had dachsies, english bull terriers, boxers, labs, retrievers, springers amongst many others, and they have all learnt just the same way.) I think as with many things a dogs trainability depends on the handler/owners ability and persistence.
Have you tried a training class?

I was told my breed could not be trained or let off the lead and is in-fact...Thick - Utter Rubbish!!  With time and patience you can train your westie!  I agree with Lucy that some breeds are harder than others but it can be done.  My mothers BC x is very intelligent and quick to learn, she literally throws herself into a down and really enjoys it.  My afghan is a little more laid back and i have to do short sessions with her every night at home and outside (because she is easily distracted :rolleyes:) - But she will do it, persistence is the key (oh and a big piece of liver cake :D)
Sarah

I too have an Afghan who has been easier to train than some of my Collies.  When I told people I was getting her I lost count of the number of people who told me I wouldn't be able to train her.  I also know lots of Westies that are very well trained.  I'm sure your Westie must have learnt lots of things already even if you didn't intentionally teach them to him ;)
Sally

thanks for reply, we are now tyring to find a training class local to us to teach him the basic comands! :-)

eg....."come back here ya little rat" and "please stop destroying all our shoes"

I wouldn't come back to you if you spoke to me like that    ;)  and there is no magic answer to the shoe destroying - you just have to put them away I'm afraid. 

Most definatly - most Westies are strong willed, so you've got to find the 'angle of attack' that gets the results - but so often they win and their owners are convinced they have a 'stupid' dog when infact they've got the opposite ;)

It is possible to train most dogs to do most things.................eventually :D

There are several westies who compete in obedience and lots of all sorts of terriers in obedience, agility and working trials.  Owners who dismiss the idea that their dogs are not "trainable" very rarely do any training!  You only get out what you put in!

We have had several westie's at our classes and they have all successfully trained their owners. :) No, I jest, they have actually all done very well. All dogs can be trained but it is down to the owner. :)

Of course you can train a Westie!  They are clever little dogs.   You cannot expect them to act like border collies, or GSDs or Labs .. or what have you.  Meaning you need to respect the fact that Westies were bred to have a strong hunting instinct and to work without direction from humans.  So you can teach them a recall, for example, but don't expect them to be completely trustworthy in an open field full of rabbits.    

Any dog, any age, any breed can be trained in basic obedience.  

Stacey

Hi, I grew up with a westie and she was really well trained - she came when you called or whistled, sat when you told her too and walked along without a lead occasionally (although I must admit that she did only do this with my dad!)

Hope it helps.  Persistance is the key to training, perhaps get a favourite biscuit or toy involved.

Good Luck,
Michelle.