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Westie
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Monday, 10 March 2008 04:01 |
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you will need to prepare before you bring home your westie puppy. The needs of westies puppies are not tremendous, but there are a few things that you must have in place to give your westie a safe, happy transition into your life.
It is much easier and safer to prevent your west highland terrier pup from getting into and destroying things than it is to watch him every second. Remember that any item they chew on is also an item that is potentially swallowed: bits of cloth, tassels, string, and of course, shoes.
Secure everything that can be picked up or moved. Electrical cords are a particular danger. A solution called "bitter apple" can be sprayed on cords, and anything else that cannot be relocated, to discourage chewing.
Dog trainers recommend that you never give your new puppy the freedom to roam the house while you are gone. A crate will keep the dog secure, and can also be used for safe travel. Pick one that is big enough for the dog to stand up and turn around in. Baby gates, or pet gates, will keep it confined to a room of the house that has a durable floor.
Since your westie will not be old enough for reliable housetraining until about four months of ages, this may be essential to keeping your carpets stain-free.
Your westie dog will need to eat, and it is wisest to ask the breeder what he has been eating, and buy that brand. You may change the food later, but in the beginning he will have enough adjustments to make without a change in diet. Food and water bowls should be of stainless steel, since most plastics will become victims of teething.
To encourage it to chew on acceptable items, have a selection of sturdy chew toys on hand. These should be made of Cressite, or English rubber, although tennis balls and nylabones are also acceptable.
You will want to get your westhighland terrier puppy used to a collar and leash as quickly as possible. Buy a light collar and leash, suitable for puppies, and get an ID tag to go with them. The grooming routine is also something that it needs to experience as early as possible. Have a brush or comb ready at hand.
Some owners recommend a bed of old towels, while others suggest faux lambskin. Like everything else you buy for your westie puppy, whatever you choose for a bed should be both washable and durable, as well as comfortable for your dog.
Last, but not least, find a veterinarian. A reputable west highland white terrier breeder will even let you bring the dog to a vet before purchase, in order to ensure that the dog you bring home is healthy.
(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.)
I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.
Good health and happiness
Jeff Cuckson
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW! http://www.madaboutwesties.com
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About the Author
Jeff Cuckson
Author of....
”Mad About Westies!” .. How You Can Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of!
"101 Kind and Positive Thoughts For Westie Owners On Rough Days!” - How to put a ray of sunshine into a Westie Owner’s dull grey day
”100 Top Westie Sites!”
”115 Travel Tips For Having a Successful Trip With Your Westie!”
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Saturday, 08 March 2008 06:01 |
In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are few rules or laws governing who may breed dogs, and then advertise Westies for sale. Both ancestry and the breeding environment will affect the quality of the Westies offered for sale, and some breeders are a lot less careful about these details than others.
Never buy the first Westie you find, from the first breeder you come across advertising Westies for sale. Take the time to learn about both the breed and the breeder to avoid an expensive mistake, and the heart-breaking loss of a dog due to health problems.
Because of the inbreeding required to produce specific size, shape, talents, and coats, all pure breeds are prone to genetic defects. Westies offered for sale in the purebred market are no different.
First educate yourself about the health problems that often occur in Westies, and then be prepared to question the sellers about the steps they have taken to avoid them. Westies for sale from a conscientious breeder will come with clear records of their ancestry up to three to four generations, and will often have undergone genetic testing to find possible defects.
"Backyard Breeders" are individuals who purchase Westies with the plan to breed them at home, and then offer Westie puppies for sale to offset their expenses. "Puppy Mills" breed their dogs with the goal of having each bitch produce as many Westies for sale in the least possible amount of time.
Neither type of breeder is likely to know or care about the eventual health of the dogs they offer for sale. The Westies for sale at pet stores, or other retail establishments, usually come from one of these sources. All three should be avoided. There are home breeders who are avid hobbyists, and are conscientious about the dogs they breed. There are also respectable kennels that ensure that the Westies they offer are well cared-for. Westies for sale from these sources are what you are looking for.
Westie puppies for sale from a reliable breeder will not be timid or shy, small or sickly, or under eight weeks old. They will have their papers, shots, worming, and be well-socialized. The Westie breeder should provide references, a warranty contract against defects, and even advice about care.
West Highland Terrier Breeders who have been conscientious about the breeding and care of the Westies they offer for sale will not hesitate to let you take the puppy to a veterinarian for a preliminary checkup. They have done their jobs well, and have nothing to hide.
There are many reputable kennels, and knowledgeable hobbyist breeders who love their Westies, and will want the puppies and dogs they offer for sale to go to a good home. Good breeders will ask you as many questions as you ask them.
If they want to know if you have a fence, if the Westie will be left alone during the day, or if you have raised other dogs, don"t be offended. These are the breeders who care enough to give your Westie puppy a good start in life.
(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.)
I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.
Good health and happiness
Jeff Cuckson
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
**************************************
Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
http://www.madaboutwesties.com
**************************************
About the Author
Jeff Cuckson
Author of....
”Mad About Westies!” .. How You Can Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of!
"101 Kind and Positive Thoughts For Westie Owners On Rough Days!” - How to put a ray of sunshine into a Westie Owner’s dull grey day
”100 Top Westie Sites!”
”115 Travel Tips For Having a Successful Trip With Your Westie!”
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Saturday, 08 March 2008 05:00 |
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable, but new dog purchasers often do not realize the commitment they are making when they bring a puppy home.
For those want the companionship of Westies dogs, but do not have the knowledge or patience to endure the training process, rescuing an older Westie dog may be the right alternative.
When considering an older West highland terrier dog, the first thing that many people think is that they would be getting a dog with problems, either genetic problems common to Westies, or behavioral problems from improper training.
The truth is, many Westie dogs go to shelters for reasons that have nothing to do with the dogs" inherent qualities. Every year, dog owners die, move to retirement homes, change jobs, get divorced, have new babies, or, unfortunately, simply tire of the responsibility of caring for a dog.
The advantages of older dogs are many. They have already finished teething, and no longer feel the urge to chew holes in your shoes, rugs, and furniture. Westie dogs that are older have grown used to sleeping through the night while their people sleep, as opposed to westie puppies, who wake up and whine.
Older pets will have already been housetrained and also should know the meaning of the word "no," making their continued training that much easier.
When you encounter a Westie puppy, you only have the breed standards to give you an idea of what kind of dog it will grow into. Although Westhighland dogs have a typical personality type, there are variations from dog to dog. The full-grown Westie is a know quantity. The Westie dog you meet is what you will get, and you can quickly determine if it will fit into your home.
It may seem like rescuing an older Westie provides you with an "instant dog," but that is not the case. At first they might become confused, upon arriving at a new home, and need to be reminded of their basic training. However, even allowing a few weeks of extra special care is easier and less stressful than the rigors of training a puppy.
(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.)
I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.
Good health and happiness
Jeff Cuckson
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
************************************
Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW! http://www.madaboutwesties.com
************************************
About the Author
Jeff Cuckson
Author of....
”Mad About Westies!” .. How You Can Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of!
"101 Kind and Positive Thoughts For Westie Owners On Rough Days!” - How to put a ray of sunshine into a Westie Owner’s dull grey day
”100 Top Westie Sites!”
”115 Travel Tips For Having a Successful Trip With Your Westie!”
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