I have 2 westie girls, aged 8 and 5, the younger has been with our family since a pup, the elder was adopted at about 4 yrs old.  The younger (Flossie) is the bossiest and the older (Doodles) is definately quieter and more subservient.  Both girls get on well, but as any of us have their grouchier times.  When one is in season, the other tends to growl more, but this only lasts a short time and again, there are odd moments of this, but lately, no one in season, Floss is grouchier than normal and this has lasted over a week.  If she comes into a room, she growls, even if doods is the opposite end, or vice versa. Doods sometimes retaliates by growling back.  Last night I even had to separate them.   A bit difficult when no interior doors downstairs at the min....d'oh! (Apart from the one to utility , which is where they sleep.  Great fun making a barricade for the kitchen.  Last night was a peaceful night.

There is no dispruption to the household, admittedly have had a little work done to the house, but nothing major or upsetting and theres always been someone around.  If anything our household is calmer and more settled than it has been for ages.  I would understand it if Floss was like this when we got Archie and Daisy kittens (last July) or when ex left (2 yr ago) or when I had probs with eldest (lots of shouting).  And the rabbits live in the shed (with net curtains I hasten to add!!!) 

Im hoping just a longer bout of grouchiness, but any ideas?
Thanks
Fi xxx

Hi Fi

When did she last have her season?  It may be that she is having a phantom pregnancy.  Does she have any other symptoms?

Regarding your renovation work.  Even the smallest change can upset a dog.  Have you tried using a dap diffuser?  One of my friends has had great effects with one with her cat who became nervous after renovation work to their house and the arrival of new neighbours with new cats.

Hope this helps.
Kind regards
Annie

Thought I recognised the dogs names, HI Fi, hope you are well, I get this sometimes with Midget and Pearl they grumble at each other especially if they are up on the sofa beside me,  and as the other poster said if they are going through a phantom, as for Cookie he can grumble a lot but I just ignore him now.  I just usually say to mine Quiet. sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt.  thats westies for you eh!!!!

Is grouchiness a particularly "Westie" thing? Or is it just tolerated by their owners? I ask this because I must have met at least 10 Westies out on walks whose owners have cheerfully said "ignore him, he's always a grumpy chap". Something I wonder whether they would be so sanguine about if they had a much larger breed!

That sort of chuntering and swearing under their breath is often a sign that they feel insecure/worried, which seeing as they are much smaller than a lot of dogs they meet means that the other dog is likely to leave them alone, which is what they would like to happen.

They also get picked up a lot which they probably don't liek as they mature, as it is an invasion of their space, not the same as choosing to sit on yoru lap.

So all in all they probably feel quite put upon at times, enough to turn them int victor Meldres :D

Hi Annie, thenks, last season was about 2 months ago, but no other symptoms...a dap diffuser sounds a good idea, but today they seem better with each other. 

Hi Marguerite, trying to put owners to dogs, are you Irene?  We're fine thanks.  Usually telling them to stop it or be quiet works.  :rolleyes:

Well then that would mean she coudl wel be late in a phantome thinking she is about to or has jsut given birth, definately a likely time to be grouchy.

HI Fi, yes its Irene here.