Westie Pups - Tips for Success in Housetraining

     Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not to relieve themselves in your house is to never let the behavior start in the first place.

Learning to anticipate your westie puppies need to 'go' takes time, and extra attention to your puppies when they are small, but it should make the learning process less stressful for everyone.

First you need to accept the fact that accidents will happen. Westie puppies under three or four months of age have very little bladder control, and do not realize they have to urinate until they are doing it.

There are times of the day, though, when you can predict that your pups will relieve themselves. By taking them outside in advance of these times, keeping them there until they are done, and then praising them soundly afterward, you are setting up situations in which your training will succeed.

Your west highland terrier puppies will need to urinate immediately after waking up in the morning, or after a nap. If your westie pups start to go before you can get them outside, make a startling, but not frightening noise to try to stop them. Then take them to their potty place, and if they finish there, give them praise.

It is much easier to predict when your westie pups are about to go to sleep. This is another time when they need to relieve themselves. Also, pups have an automatic reflex to relieve themselves within one-half to one hour after eating.

Establish a routine for your westie pups of regular eating, play, and potty times throughout the day. There are other signs of when they need to be taken to their potty place - the pups will become restless, sniffing and circling around as they instinctually try to find a place that has been used before.

West highland terrier puppies learn through play. Playing games with your pups creates an opportunity to train them to obey your commands, gives them valuable exercise, and helps to build their strength, coordination, and agility. It is also fun for everyone.

Before you start playing games, there are some rules you should know, and safety precautions you should take. Your pups need to really run, not just walk on a leash, but be sure any area you play in has a fence.

Remember to groom their white coats two to three times a week by brushing them. It keeps the coat shiny and clean. If you do intend to enter them for competition, make sure your pet is regularly trimmed, plucked and stripped of his or her coat.

If it seems like you need to be constantly watching them to ensure quick and easy housetraining, this is probably true. Some trainers recommend keeping your pups at the end of a six-foot leash, so they cannot wander too far. Or use baby gates to confine them to a single room. Others recommend crating your westie pups for much of the day, letting them out at intervals to relieve themselves, eat, relieve themselves, play, and then back into the crate for a nap.

Crating your westie pups, or confining them to a very small area with baby gates or barriers, is recommended if you cannot watch the puppy for several hours at a time. This takes advantage of your westie dogs natural desire to keep themselves and their bedding clean. Take them to their potty place immediately upon letting them out of confinement.

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)