I HAVE A 6 MONTH OLD WESTIE, THE VET TOLD ME SHE WAS BAD TEMPERED WHEN I BOUGHT HER, BUT I THOUGHT IF I GAVE HER A LOT OF LOVE SHE WOULD IMPROVE, BUT ALTHOUGH SHE HAS GOT BETTER SHE HAS BITTEN ME AND MY CHILDREN, SHE DOESNT SEEM TO BE NASTY BUT ITS WHEN THER IS A LOT OF TENSION AND SHOUTING IN MY HOME, THE FIRST TIME SHE BIT MY 17 YEAR OLD DUAGHTER WHO WAS HAVING A LAUGH WITH MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHRT, ALL SHE DID WAS SHOUT BOO, AND THE DOG RAN AT HER AND BIT THE BACK OF HER LEG, LUCKILY SHE ONLY JUST NIPPED HER SKIN, THE SECOND TIME MY DOG WAS CHOCKING ON A LAMB BONE, MY DAUGHTER WENT TO HELP HER WITH THIS THE DOG BIT MY DAUGHTERS LIP, AGAINE NOT BAD BUT MY DAUGHTER WAS SHOCKED AND UPSET, ON ANOTHER OCCATOIN MY SON WAS PUTTING UP SELVES IN THIS ROOM SO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BANGING WAS GOING ON THE DOG GOT QUITE UPSET AND RAN ABOUT THE HOUSE BARKING, A LITTLE LATER ON MY SON AND DAUGHRT WERE ARGUING THE DOG HAD HAD ENOUGH AND BIT THE BACK OF MY SONS LEG, NOT BADLY, BUT SLIGHTLY WORSE THAN MY DAUGHTERS BITE, AND FINALLY LAST WEEK WE ALL HAS A BARBAQUE IN THE GARDEN, WE ALL GOT A LIT LOUD, I HAD TO TELL MY SON OFF, HE RAN SO I CHASED AFTER HIMM TO TELL HIM OFF, THE DOG BIT THE BACK OF MY TOP LEG, I DONT KNOW IF SHE MEANT TO BIT ME OR MY SON, BUT MY BITE IS QUITE BAD IT WASNT JUST THE USUAL LITTLE NIP, THE MOUTH MARK WAS CLEARLY THERE, THE BUISINC CAME OUT INSTANTLY, AND I HAD SOME PUNCTURE MARKS, DO YOU THINK MY DOG WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME, ITS ONLY NOW AND AGAIN THAT SHE NIPS US AND ITS ONLY WHEN SHE GETS TOO EXITED, MIND YOU WHEN SHE IS ON MY BED ON A NIGHT AND ANYONE SITS ON THE BED SHE REALLY WARNS THEM BY GROWLING BUT SHE DOESNT SHOW HER TEETH, DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE BEST TO HAVE MY WESTIE PUT TO SLEEP, IT BREAKES MY HEART TO THINK ABOUT THIS, DO YOU THINK MAYBE I COULD SELL HER ON TO A ONE PERSON FAMILY WITH NO TENTION OR CHILDREN IN THE HOME, MY THREE OR GROWN UP BUT THEY ARGUE AND FIGHT SO MUCH,.CAN ANYONE PLEASE GIVE ME ANY ADVICE APART FROM PUTTING HER TO SLEEP, SHE LOVES ME SO MUCH AS I SO HER, WORRIED WESTIE OWNER

I'm not experienced enough really to help- sorry:( But I certainly wouldn't think of having her PTS at only 6 months old- I would have thought at this age there's still room for change?- firstly if she growls when she's on your bed- I would have thought not letting on the bed in the first place ought to correct this as then the situation can't really arise? Arrange seperate sleeping quarters for her? Secondly what do you do when she does bite or nip?

Someone more experienced will probably come across this thread in a short while- they'll be able to give more info;) Like I say in the meantime have a think about what sort of punishment method you use when she does bite? as they too will probably need a bit more info:)

Stacey x x x

Hello Guest,

Your young dog needs some sensible training generally and in 'dog good manners' too! No one by the sounds of things has made it clear to the dog what it can and cannot do. Just "loving her" as you suggest is sadly not sufficient. She needs confident, firm handling. You sound as though you have your hands full with your teenagers! However, if you want to eventually have a happy, well behaved dog, you need to start making an effort to train her now.

Are there any Dog Clubs in your area? Do try and visit a couple, in order to choose one that makes most sense to you. (Training varies so much). Perhaps you could look in the library and find out more about the Breed, which would be helpful too.

Have you ever told her "NO" (and mean it very firmly). There is no need to shout and holler at a dog, if you do, you have simply lost control, and your dog will know it!

At six months, the dog is acting this way through lack of discipline and guidance. You need to decide what your dog can and cannot do. Be consistent, persistent, firm but fair, and praise her well when she does well. Do not correct a dog for something, and next time not bother. The dog will not learn that way, or rather it will sadly learn that sometimes you mean what you say and sometimes you don't! - No good to either of you.

If all this seems too much for you to be able to do, then contact either the Breeder (if a good and caring Breeder), or your local branch of West Highland Rescue. They will at least have experiened people wanting to give a home to an older dog. At this stage the dog is still very young and easier to train, if nothing is done, the dog will become more difficult to manage.

Preferably do not rehome yourself. She could end up going from home to home. Westie Rescue are experienced folk, who will check out new owners and their home and match them up.

If you love your dog as you say you do, then you must either work hard at training her, (and learn how), or let the right people find her a more suitable home for her needs.

Let us know what you decide, and how you both get on.

Regards,
Denise.

Hi Guest I think it is for the best if you rehome the westie .
I do not think the family scene suits this little dog I do not have any sympathy for a dog that bites but terriers do nip
it is in their nature .They quickly tune into situations, they are smart they have to be thought from day one that it is not allowed. Seems to me this little dog is just getting too excited and cant contain itself , getting off with the biting is also letting her think it is ok.
I do not think in your family things will quieten down for a few years siblings :( it happens.:)
does the dog have its own space at all or does she live in the middle of all the goings on ?
before you do anything try anything . see how she goes being in a place away from the line of fire and also do not let her around when there is barbecues and other family gatherings that will involve fun and games .
I do not think it will change her only keep her away from the frontline.
I always say terriers are not suitable for certain homes [no offence ]but as they are excitable little dogs and all around them is high activity behaviour then they will be the same .
It is best if they have a quieter home or at least be in their own space .
best wishes Mari

I agree, this little dog should be re homed and in an experienced and quiet home will probably flourish. Why not give Mags Evans of Westie Rescue a ring and I am sure she will help you:
0161 7948521, she has co-ordinators all over the UK.

DEAR GUEST, IM SORRY BUT I AGREE WITH THE OTHERS, I THINK YOU SHOULD RING THE LADY TWESTIE LOVER SUGGESTED, NO OFFENCE BUT THE WESTIE DOESNT SOUND SUITABLE FOR YOU. THE WESTIE IS A DOG THAT LOVES HIS FAMILY, THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS AN EASY DOG AND CAN BE VERY SELF WILLED, THE WESTIE IS AN EXELLANT PET AND USUALLY FITS INTO ANY HOUSE HOLD, THEY ARE STURDY AND HARDY LITTLE DOGS, THEY UNDERSTAND CHILDREN THEY USUALLY LOVE TEENAGERS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT RECOMENDED FOR FAMILYS WITH CHILDREN UNDER FIVE. WHEN THE WESTIE GETS TO ABOUT ONE YEAR OLD, THEY WILL MOST CERTAINLY CHALLENGE FOR THE POTOTION OF TOP DOG UNLESS TRAINED CORRECTLY FROM AN EARLY AGE WITH FIRMESS AND KINDNESS, BY NATURE THE WESTIE IS A HAPPY DOG, FULL OF MISCHIEF AND ENERGY, ALWAYS AMUSING AND WILLING TO PLEASE, RELATIVELY EASY TO TRAIN, THEY ARE USUALLY A BIG SOFTY WITH HUMANS, PROBLEM DOGS ARE THE FAULT OF THIER OWNERS. PUPPYS LIKE CHILDREN HAVE TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO BEHAVE, NO OFFENCE BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR LITTLE DOG, SHE IS ONLY A BABY, SHE HAS FAR TOO MUCH EXITMENT AND TENTION GOING ON AROUND HER, TAKE OUR ADVICE AND REHOME HER WITH SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING, ITS ONLY FARE ON YOUR LITTLE DOG. SHERYL WESTIEWAYS