We are about to get a rescue west highland terrier and she is 2 years old unfotunatley she has been left outside all her short life and she is not house trained i would appreciate any info on how to begin to train her as i am sure she will turn out to be a great dog for our family

Hi Guest - basically treat her as if she was a puppy. Take her out into your garden as soon as you get her home. If she does a wee or anything else;-) then give her lots of praise. During the day take her out, and stay with her so you can praise her, after every meal, drink, play, sleep, if she sniffs the ground or turns in circles etc etc. If you find her going in the house take her straight outside telling her "no" while still int the house - and then praise her outside if she finishes off.

Don't chastise her in the house if you find an accident after the event, she won't know what she's done, just clean the area well with a non ammonia cleaner.

Don't just let her out though, stay with her so that you can see what she's doing and praise her at the time she is going. If you also say things like, "go wee's" "go toilet" while she's going, then she will also leanr to go on command which can be very useful when out and about:)

hth - good luck with your girl

Pam n the boys