Naughty Westie Moments

On the whole Mitzi is quite a well behaved Westie. However, she does have certain moments when she likes to misbehave.

When we are out in the local park having a run round Mitzi is well behaved. When other dogs come onto the park she will go and check them out and have a run with them too. If I shout “Mitzi come” she will be at my side within seconds. However if she see the postwoman walking past that’s it – Mitzi will then go into her own little world!

No matter how many times I shout “Mitzi come” she will pretend not to hear me. First she will look at me slowly, then the postwoman, then head straight to the fence at break neck speed so she can bark like crazy. The thing is Mitzi doesn’t want to bite the postie, she just wants to get her paws on those letters in her bag and shred them to fine pieces! When Mitzi has these moments on her it can be extremely frustrating when she just ignores you.

Mitzi has always been one for attention. If you settle down to read a book in the lounge and she’s feeling a little restless she will start to cry at the lounge door. Thinking she may need to relieve herself we get up and head towards the back door to let her out, however she doesn’t want to go anywhere. Mitzi goes straight into the kitchen and sits down at the cupboard where her chew sticks are kept and will keep crying and crying. If you ignore her and return to the living room she doesn’t like it one bit. Mitzi will then return to the same room and try to get behind the TV or maybe pull a cushion off the sofa, just so that you are giving her the attention. The best thing when she is acting like this is to either ignore her completely or put her in the back yard, she will soon stop!

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Training Your Westie

If you have just brought a Westie into your home you must make a plan on how you are going to go about training your dog.

Westies like to be clean so it is important that you toilet train your little dog once old enough. We were advised to toilet train Mitzi at around 4 months old. To be honest she was a quick learner and not long after we started to train her she was crying at the back door if she needed to go out.

When training your Westie to walk I would advise getting a small body harness for your dog. This harness will avoid hurting your dogs neck if it pulls, and you will have more control over him/her when out walking. It is a personal choice so make sure you do your homework on leads / harnesses etc before you buy one.

Mitzi is great when out walking, she will either walk at your side or just a few paces in front. If we let her off the lead within a safe area she will have a good run round but she will still keep an eye on you to make sure you are still there – bless her cotton socks!

Westies loves to play with toys, so the more they have the better, it will keep them active and healthy. Mitzi loves nothing better than having a good play with her toys in the house or garden. You will be amazed at how strong these West Highland Terriers are especially when playing tug of war with a toy!

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