West Highland White Terriers, affectionately called Westies, are a lively, friendly, and energetic breed. When choosing a Westie puppy, look for one from a reputable breeder that has been well-socialized and handled frequently as a young pup. Avoid puppy mill puppies or those from pet stores. A responsible breeder will have screened the puppies for health and temperament issues. At around 8 weeks old, Westie puppies are ready to go to their new homes.
When you visit a litter of Westie puppies, look for ones that seem curious, active, and eager to interact with people. Avoid shy, withdrawn puppies as they may have a fearful personality that could be challenging to train. An outgoing and confident puppy will be easier to socialize and train. Check that the puppy's eyes, ears, skin, and rear end are clean and free of discharge or odor. Their coat should be bright white, thick, and soft.
Make sure to meet the puppy's parents too, if possible. This will give you an idea of the puppy's expected full-grown size and temperament. Ask the breeder about the parent's personalities and any health issues.
Puppy-Proofing Your Home
Before bringing home your Westie puppy, you'll need to puppy-proof your house. Westies are extremely active and curious, which can lead them to get into all sorts of trouble!
Block off any small spaces where your puppy could get stuck or lost, like underneath or behind furniture. Keep trash cans out of reach or securely closed. Remove any house plants or other items your puppy could knock over or chew on. Electric cords should be tied up or hidden.
You'll also need to designate a safe space for your Westie to eat, sleep, and play when you're not home. This could be a spare bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen sectioned off with a gate. Place potty training pads, food and water bowls, toys, and a crate lined with blankets in this safe zone.
Make sure any backyard areas are fully fenced in and secure. Walk the perimeter and look for any spaces or loose boards where a puppy could squeeze under or through. Block access to any balconies or stairs. Remove any toxic plants, fertilizers, or chemicals from the yard.
Having a Westie-proof home will allow your puppy to explore safely while preventing destructive chewing issues or accidents.
Bringing Your Westie Puppy Home
The day you bring home your Westie puppy is very exciting, but it’s important not to overwhelm them at first. Allow your new puppy to adjust to their new home gradually.
When you first arrive, take them to their designated safe space and give them time to explore on their own. Introduce them to their crate, potty pads, food and water dishes, and toys. Let them sniff around and get acclimated.
Give your puppy lots of praise and affection when they start to settle in. If they seem anxious whining or pacing, speak soothingly and pet them gently to provide reassurance. Avoid overly excited voices or behaviors, as this may stress out the puppy.
Gradually introduce your puppy to the rest of the house room-by-room over their first few days. Supervise them closely and correct any attempts to chew furniture or have indoor accidents. Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys to divert any puppy nipping or biting.
Introduce your Westie puppy to any resident pets slowly and calmly, keeping them separated if there are any signs of tension. Feed them in separate rooms at first.
Starting a routine right away will help your puppy feel secure. Take them outside frequently for potty breaks to start reinforcing good habits. Keep introductions to new people, environments, and noises controlled during these first few weeks.
With patience and proper introductions, your Westie will settle happily into their new forever home!
House Training Your Westie
House training a Westie puppy takes time, consistency and positive reinforcement. The goal is to teach your puppy to eliminate only in designated outdoor or indoor potty spots through routine, praise, and consequences.
Establish a regular daily schedule for eating, playing, training and going outside. Puppies need to go out frequently, especially first thing in the morning, after meals, naps, and playtime.
When you take your puppy out, use a command like “Go potty” and wait patiently until they go. Give excited praise and treats as soon as they finish to reinforce the behavior.
For an indoor potty spot, choose one area and cover it with potty pads or artificial grass. Use the “go potty” command when taking them to this spot as well. If you see them sniffing and circling, prompty carry them to the potty spot to prevent accidents.
Confine your puppy or watch them closely inside. If you catch them in the act of an indoor accident, interrupt with a firm “No” and immediately take them outside. Avoid yelling or punishing after the fact.
Clean all accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors. Feed your Westie on a consistent schedule rather than free-feeding, and remove water a few hours before bedtime.
With constant supervision, prevention and positive reinforcement, your Westie will quickly learn where they should and should not go potty!
Crate Training Your Westie Puppy
Crate training is hugely beneficial for housebreaking Westie puppies and giving them a secure place to relax. Used correctly, a crate prevents potty accidents and destructive behaviors when you can’t supervise your pup.
Choosing the right sized crate is key – it should allow enough room for your Westie to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Any larger and they may have accidents. Place soft blankets and a favorite toy inside for comfort.
Introduce the crate slowly and make it a positive place. Feed your puppy their meals inside with the door open at first. Encourage them to nap or hang out inside by placing treats and toys in the crate. Praise and reward them calmly for time spent inside.
Use commands like “kennel up” or “crate” when it's time for your Westie to go inside. Provide something appealing like a Kong stuffed with food to help them adjust. Close the door for very short intervals, then let them out and reward.
Gradually increase the time periods as your puppy learns to accept their crate as their personal den. Avoid using the crate for punishment or forcing them inside if fearful. Stick to a schedule of crating during meals, bedtime and when you leave.
A properly crate trained Westie will see their crate as a bedroom – a safe space to unwind when they want rest and privacy.
Socializing Your Westie Puppy
Extensive socialization is essential for Westies from an early age to prevent skittishness or aggression later on. Properly socialized Westies are outgoing, friendly dogs.
Safely expose your Westie puppy to a wide variety of people – children, seniors, men and women of all ages and appearances. Have newcomers offer treats to teach your puppy positive associations. Discourage petting over your puppy's head at first.
Let your puppy meet and play with vaccinated, tolerant dogs to learn good manners and bite inhibition. Puppy kindergarten classes provide ideal off-leash socialization. Avoid dog parks until fully vaccinated.
Westies should also meet cats, small pets or livestock they’ll be co-habitating with. Always supervise interactions initially and step in if chasing starts.
Take your puppy on car rides, outings, and errands to meet the world. Introduce them to city sounds, venues with stairs or escalators, and walking on various surfaces.
Reward and praise calm, polite behavior and curiosity. Prevent fearful reactions by going slowly and making encounters upbeat. Consistent socialization prevents a neurotic or reactive Westie.
Training Your Westie Puppy
Westies are extremely intelligent dogs who excel at canine sports and training activities. Use only positive reinforcement methods to bring out their best qualities.
Start with basic obedience like sit, stay, come, down, heel and leave it. Keep training sessions very short and upbeat for puppies. End on successes and reward with treats, praise and play.
Housetraining, crate training and socialization form the other critical pillars of Westie puppy training. Be patient and consistent – Westies can be stubborn!
Once vaccinated, sign your puppy up for puppy kindergarten for early socialization. Learn how to curb typical puppy behaviors like nipping, jumping and barking politely.
Westies thrive when trained using reward-based methods and clicker training. Seek a positive reinforcement trainer for advanced skills like agility, rally, or therapy work.
Maintain training throughout your Westie’s life. Training strengthens the bond between dog and owner and keeps your Westie engaged and active. A well-trained Westie is a wonderful family companion!
Grooming Your Westie Puppy
Westies have a soft, dense double coat that requires regular brushing and grooming to stay healthy and look their best. Start grooming habits early with your puppy to make it easier over their lifetime.
Invest in a quality slicker brush and comb to brush your puppy at least every other day. Always brush in the direction of hair growth and finish with combing to remove loose hair. Bathing once monthly is sufficient.
Trim toenails weekly using proper nail clippers for dogs. Cut just the clear portion to avoid hitting the quick, which will bleed and hurt. Give your puppy treats while handling paws to association nail trims positively.
Brush your Westie puppy’s teeth ideally once per day. Use a soft toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Checking ears weekly and wiping away any buildup with a cotton ball soaked in cleaner. Never insert anything into the ear canal.
For that signature Westie appearance, most pet owners choose to trim the hair on the face, ears and tail short. The body is left longer but neatly trimmed. Professionally show Westies require full coat stripping.
Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks is recommended to trim and neaten up your pet Westie’s coat. Always use positive handling and lots of rewards!
Feeding Your Westie Puppy
Proper nutrition is key for raising a healthy, happy Westie puppy. It’s important to feed them an age-appropriate diet in the correct quantities.
Most Westie puppies do best on a high-quality dry puppy kibble formulated specifically for small or medium breeds. Feed according to package guidelines based on your puppy’s weight and activity level.
Divide this total daily amount into 3-4 scheduled, portion-controlled meals rather than free-feeding. This makes potty training easier and prevents obesity. Choose a food with at least 25% protein and meat as the first ingredient.
Provide fresh water at all times in a spill-proof bowl. Change water frequently. Avoid milk products, raw meat, and any unauthorized scraps or people food which can harm your puppy’s digestion or health.
At around 12 months old, you can gradually transition your Westie over to adult dog food. Stick to a schedule and proper portions to prevent over-eating. Consult your vet if you have any diet concerns. An appropriate diet sets up your Westie puppy for a lifetime of good health!
Exercising Your Westie Puppy
Westies are energetic, athletic little dogs who require regular daily exercise paired with mental stimulation. Exercising a Westie properly prevents problem behaviors from boredom.
Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of activity per day, ideally involving walks, play time, and training. Multiple short walks are best for puppies until fully vaccinated and matured. Bring tasty treats to reward and reinforce training.
Westies love having a job to do! Teach them fun tricks, take them on treasure hunts sniffing out treats, practice obedience skills, or sign up for dog sports. This engages their minds and burns energy.
Provide plenty of safe chew toys and interactive puzzle toys to challenge your puppy when indoors. Rotate toys to keep their interest. Avoid any aggressive roughhousing or chase games.
Westie puppies should never be exercised to the point of exhaustion. Monitor for signs like lagging behind or panting heavily. Provide access to shade and water. Skip exercise in extreme heat.
With the ideal balance of exercise and mental enrichment, your Westie puppy will stay fit, content and out of mischief!
Health and Veterinary Care
Westies are generally robust little dogs, but responsible pet owners need to provide proper preventative health and veterinary care.
Make sure your Westie puppy receives their complete round of “puppy shots” against contagious diseases like parvo, rabies, distemper and adenovirus. Follow your vet’s advice for scheduling boosters.
Spaying or neutering your Westie by around 6 months old is highly recommended unless you plan on responsible breeding. This prevents many health complications later on.
Keep up with monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventative medication year round. Have your vet do an annual wellness exam, heartworm test, and recommended baseline bloodwork.
Brush your Westie puppy's teeth daily and provide chew toys and treats to maintain dental health. Trim nails regularly. Check their eyes, ears and skin weekly for any abnormalities.
Monitor your Westie puppy’s weight, energy levels and food/water intake for signs of illness. Know the symptoms of common Westie conditions like allergies.
With good preventative care, nutritious food, exercise and lots of love, your Westie puppy will lead a very long, happy, healthy life!
Common Westie Puppy Behaviors and Solutions
Westie puppies are a delight, but it’s important to curb negative behaviors before they become ingrained habits. Here are effective solutions for some common Westie puppy antics:
Barking/Whining: Ignore attention-seeking noises, reward silence. Avoid responding to demand behaviors. Provide exercise, toys when left alone.
Chewing: Provide dozens of safe, appealing chew toys. Use bitter deterrent spray on off-limit items. Praise appropriate chewing.
Jumping Up: Stand still and fold your arms, turning away. Reward four-paw downs. Never reinforce jumping by petting or touching the pup.
Nipping/Biting: Say "ouch!" then give a brief timeout. Redirect bites to chew toys and praise gentle mouthing. Target train.
Submissive Urination: Greet puppy calmly outside. Clean all accidents with an enzyme cleaner. Build their confidence with rewards for good behaviors.
Digging/Escaping: Provide a designated digging box. Use secure fencing, supervise outside time. Give adequate exercise and chew toys.
With patience, consistency and praise for polite manners, you can help your Westie puppy grow into a delightful adult dog!
Fun Activities for Westie Puppies
West Highland White Terriers are a lively, social breed who excel at many canine activities. Engage your Westie puppy's body and mind with these fun ideas:
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Obedience or rally training classes for mental stimulation. Practice short sessions at home.
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Scentwork and nosework games – hide treats and encourage them to search. Channels natural sniffing ability.
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Tricks like spin, twirl, Army crawl. Build communication and bond.
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Fetch toys, play tug. Burn energy and strengthen your relationship.
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Agility equipment like tunnels, weave poles, ramps at home. Develop confidence and coordination.
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Flirt pole chasing games for exercise. Ensure safe setup to prevent bites on pole end.
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Food puzzle toys like Kongs, snuffle mats, treat balls. Provides mental enrichment.
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Socialization outings to pet stores, outdoor malls. Introduce new things positively.
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Cuddle time, brushing and handling exercises. Prepares for grooming. Rewards calm behavior.
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Road trips in secured crate or harness. Explore new environments together.
Always use positive reinforcement and make every activity with your Westie puppy enjoyable! This forms a lifetime of learning skills, trust and companionship.