|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just like children, westie puppies learn through play. Playing games with your west highland white terrier 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. If they are city dogs, try finding a fenced-in tennis court for play. As a last resort, keep the puppy on an extra-long line. You do not want them to wander free until you are certain they will return on your command.
Never encourage your west highland pups to jump. The young bones are fragile, and not able to bear the stress of jumping until the growth plates are fused. Games like Frisbee, or serious agility training, are for older dogs, although there is still much you can do with your westie puppies by having them working at ground level. If you are eager to start these kinds of games, at about one year of age you can take your westies to their veterinarian for an x-ray, to see if the growth plates are completely fused.
Westie pups first learn to play in the litter by roughhousing with their littermates, but at six to eight weeks, the mother westie begins to discourage this behavior. You should discourage it as well, by never roughhousing in ways that allow them to bite, nip, or claw at your hands. A nip from a puppy may seem harmless, but if a full-grown westie nips, you have a behavior problem. It also teaches them that they can dominate you through aggression. If they do manage to get a nip in during play, discourage it in the same way dogs do, by imitating a 'yelp' sound.
Always remain in control with your pets. You want to teach them you are the 'alpha-dog.' Towards this end, never reward them by chasing after them when they run away from you. Instead, 'hide' from your pups, making them come after you. Tug of War games are good, but never allow the dogs to take the tug toy from you. You should be in control of it at all times, deciding when to end the game by taking it from the dog with a 'give' command. Never allow your west highland terrier puppies to grab a ball or other toy from your hands.
(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
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
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
Wind Chimes and more... Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More You Must Be The Alpha DogFirst, let's take a look... Read More Fleas are wingless, blood-sucking insects that feed on dog, cats,... Read More IntroductionA long time ago, before evolution turned the primate into... Read More Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More Your dog's dental health is so important for his total... Read More West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable... Read More Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More What you feed your dog is really SO important for... Read More Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More Breed specific legislation otherwise known as "BSL" has started to... Read More A dog crate is a necessity for your dog, through... Read More What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More A Healthy Skin and Coat for Your Dog ...Does your... Read More Dog House Training can be simpleTo start your dog house... Read More Parachromis managuense has a bad reputation, just like many of... Read More Their scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and their nickname in... Read More As a business, I've not been in the holistic pet... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
Here?s How To Find The Right Pet Meds For Your Favorite Pet
Treating Dog Arthritis With Natural Supplements
5 Surefire Ways to Show Your Dog You?re The Boss
How To Protect Your Pets From Fleas And Ticks
Animal Ethics
How to Choose a Dog for Children
Dog Aggressive Training: Understand & Eliminate Your Dogs Aggressive Behavior
Doggy Dental Care: Teeth Cleaning 101
West Highland White Terriers- Fascinating Facts
Why Should We Get Kittens as Pets?
Westies Dogs and Your Children
Too Many Cats?
What are Pug Puppies?
Training Your Dog To Jump The Rope Trick: Simple and Fun Dog Trick
Biting & Nipping Behavior Can Kill Your Dog!
Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?
Why Should I Adopt A Pet
Breed Specific Legislation: Is Your Pit Bull Next?
Here?s a Way To Make Your Dog Love Its Dog Crate!
Are You Feeding Your Cat The Right Food?
Natural Dog Shampoos are Good for Your Dogs Skin and Coat
Dog House Training
Parachromis Managuense
Guinea Pig History
Holistic Pet Care?From a Distinctly Christian Perspective
I would like to address some of the statements I... Read More
Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet.... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!There is evidence to... Read More
HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More
"Dogs have owners; cats have staff," and I have worked... Read More
Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More
Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
Occasionally watching Animal Planet does have its advantage. You can... Read More
Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More
Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More
Dogs and kids, it's a combination that at it's best... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
Just like children, westie puppies learn through play. Playing games... Read More
She is the protector of cats, women and children. The... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
Parachromis managuense has a bad reputation, just like many of... Read More
Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More
Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More
Every month I am approached by dog owners of my... Read More
Pet |