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          "  Westie News! - No: 5"

"Thoughts from a Westie household. For West Highland White Terrier lovers everywhere! "

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IN THIS ISSUE:


1) Editor's Thoughts

2) Reader's kind thought for a Rough Day

3) Readers Question:


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1) EDITOR'S THOUGHTS!- I was bitten by my own Westie


Hi. I do hope this issue of the newsletter finds you all well. Our household is all well now, only for me to be bitten by my own westie.

He had chewed through his lead out the back and had got it stuck in his paw. This was causing him severe pain. I tried to get it out for him and must have hurt him in the process, that it made him bite me.

So it was comedy of errors in our house this week. The Westie went to the vet to have the lead removed and I went to the hospital to have a tetanus injection and a course of antibioditics


Also I hope you all received the new update regarding the new photo gallery and forum at:

http://www.crazyaboutwesties.com

Please remember to send in your photos, stories and quotes.



Jeff
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2) KIND THOUGHT FOR A ROUGH DAY FROM THE EDITOR


"Every one of us gets through the tough times 
because somebody is there, standing in the gap
to close it for us" 

.......................Oprah Winfrey,


Please remember to send in your quotes and stories
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3) READERS QUESTION!

In answer to a question by one of our readers on the forum about whether they should have a Westie because they are at work full time.

1) Question Posted On the Forum:

Would just like an opinion about whether I should have a westie. I know some people feel very strongly that you should not have a dog if you work and are out during the day. 

But I have met 2 owners recently who do work during the week and say that their westies are perfectly happy on their own at home provided you give them a lot of attention when you are at home. 

I work full time but could pop home at lunch time, am free in the evenings and weekends and have a husband and two teens who are home school holidays. I would like to hear from westie owners who work if this has worked our successfully for them.

How much time did you take off work when first getting your puppy and how do you cope with toilet training? 

Please don't reply if you disapprove I already have heard this side of the story. I am not going to rush into buying a westie but am taking my time researching and thinking.

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Great Answer By Karen - One Of Our Forum Members.

Hi there 

My parents have two westies and they've always been left during the day, apart from an hour lunchtime when my mum goes home to them - so 4 hours in the morning and 2.5 in the afternoon. 

As they've been brought up this way, it's a way of life for them. They got them in the early '90s so maybe now breeders ask if you work full time? It's a question we were asked when we got our labrador pup recently, but I work from home. 

I think if it was 7/8 hours solid with no chance to go out, then that's a no no in my opinion. 


The westies just go into their beds and sleep, and I'm sure they did this when they were puppies as well. Although thinking about it, they weren't left for long in the afternoon when they were puppies as me and my sister were usually home from school/college mid-afternoon anyway.

The westies are now 13 and 14, and it hasn't done them any harm and they're gorgeous little boys! The first one was on his own for a year before they got their second. 


With toilet training, its a case of letting them out often (after meals, sleeping, playing.. approx. every hour) and lots of praise and/or treat when they go outdoors, but don't scold if they have accidents in the house just say 'oh dear', and they will soon realize that they get praise and/or a treat if they perform outside. They're usually quick to get to know that poops belong outside but there may be a few little puddles
indoors for a few weeks 

We crate trained our labrador pup who was 7 weeks old when we got him and he was toilet trained within a couple of weeks (with the exception of the odd puddle!) and dry at night within a month. 

It can take up to a year for a dog to stop completely doing any little accidents indoors. Just need to keep persevering, and have patience and you'll be surprised at how quick these little bundles of white fun learn 

Hope that's of some help

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MY ANSWER ALSO:

Hi 

Thank you for your valued post and also the great reply by Karen. 

First of all may I compliment you on taking your time on researching and thinking and researching about getting a Westie. People forget that Westies (dogs) are for life. 


I quote an excerpt from my book Mad About Westies!" for an owner that works. Hope this helps. 


Westie Schedule For the Owner Who Works 


1. When you wake up, take your Westie from his crate or safe area and immediately go with him outside to let him/her eliminate. Remember to say the stimulus command words for urination and defecation. When he 
finishes, immediately reward him with praise, a treat and a short walk.


2. Give your Westie food and water for 15 minutes only. Do not leave food and water out all day. At the end of this time, take the food and water dishes away, whether he is finished eating or not. 


3. Lead your Westie into his crate or safe area using the "Kennel" command. Leave him there for around 15 to 20 minutes. At the end of the crating period, take your Westie outside again to eliminate and follow the routine once again. 


4. When your Westie urinates and defecates, bring him inside. Lead him to his crate using the "Kennel" command. Give him his bone, close the crate and 
leave immediately. 


5. Upon returning home, immediately walk your Westie using the routine. 


6. After urinating and defecating, take him inside and allow him to play while supervised. 


You can help prevent or minimize separation anxiety by not making a big deal when you leave or return to your Westie. Don't tell them that Mum/Dad will be right back or to be good. Just don’t tell anything at all. 

Leaving a TV or Radio on will help keep them company and not feel so alone. 

Giving them the cube toys to work to get their treats out of, or a bone stuffed with peanut butter will provide hours of entertainment. This will occupy them and will be self-rewarding. 

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Take care of yourselves and above good health.


Jeff Cuckson
Editor
Westie News

webmaster@madaboutwesties.com



Copyright 2005 © Jeff Cuckson. 
All rights reserved. 



Jeff Cuckson

A Fellow Westie Lover

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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 *****************************************

(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.)