New pup inbound
Discussion
We have put our name down for a westie pup, Its due early June so looking at collecting around August and we cant wait 
We have been researching for a while now as it will be our first dog, My parents had dogs all through my life at home with them, so have experience of living with them, but was only young when they where pups. We have bought a few books recommended by our breeder, also decided on crate training (breeder crates her dogs). We are trying to decide on a few things before the pup arrives and are looking for a input from other dog owners on things such as setting ground rules and where he will be allowed in the house.
So far we are thinking we don't want him in our bedroom, so should we make upstairs off limits or just that room? also not sure about letting him on furniture but if we stop this we wont get to spend as much time together unless we sit on the floor?
We have loads of things whizzing through our heads so will probably have more questions, but we are both very excited
We have been researching for a while now as it will be our first dog, My parents had dogs all through my life at home with them, so have experience of living with them, but was only young when they where pups. We have bought a few books recommended by our breeder, also decided on crate training (breeder crates her dogs). We are trying to decide on a few things before the pup arrives and are looking for a input from other dog owners on things such as setting ground rules and where he will be allowed in the house.
So far we are thinking we don't want him in our bedroom, so should we make upstairs off limits or just that room? also not sure about letting him on furniture but if we stop this we wont get to spend as much time together unless we sit on the floor?
We have loads of things whizzing through our heads so will probably have more questions, but we are both very excited
Our Jimmy the whippet sleeps in our room in his own room and occ under the duvet with us if it is really cold!, some will be absolutely against this which is their choice, me I have no issue as long as dog doesn't become territorial (with a westie need to be a bit cautious of this) (Jimbo doesn't know what this means 
) and doesn't get separation anxiety.
And please get him insured!
Looking forward to the pics
) and doesn't get separation anxiety. And please get him insured!
Looking forward to the pics
Our dogs sleep in the room with us - we picked up a pup last week (
) and her crate is in our bedroom. She's not allowed on the bed yet......
They have the run of the house, but know that they're only allowed on sofas/beds if invited (obviously, this doesn't stop them chancing their luck every evening!), but a firm "off" should suffice if their presence on the sofa is undesired. If he/she doesn't respond readily to this when grown enough to follow commands, reconsider allowing him/her on at all. IMO, obviously.
Our 10 week old pup has got the hang of "off" already, so she'll be fine!
) and her crate is in our bedroom. She's not allowed on the bed yet...... They have the run of the house, but know that they're only allowed on sofas/beds if invited (obviously, this doesn't stop them chancing their luck every evening!), but a firm "off" should suffice if their presence on the sofa is undesired. If he/she doesn't respond readily to this when grown enough to follow commands, reconsider allowing him/her on at all. IMO, obviously.
Our 10 week old pup has got the hang of "off" already, so she'll be fine!
Karyn said:
They have the run of the house, but know that they're only allowed on sofas/beds if invited (obviously, this doesn't stop them chancing their luck every evening!), but a firm "off" should suffice if their presence on the sofa is undesired. If he/she doesn't respond readily to this when grown enough to follow commands, reconsider allowing him/her on at all. IMO, obviously.
Our 10 week old pup has got the hang of "off" already, so she'll be fine!
This sounds like a good idea, When you train this do you just use the command or the command and physically removing them till they understand? (Non aggresivly obviously)Our 10 week old pup has got the hang of "off" already, so she'll be fine!
Chris77 said:
Karyn said:
They have the run of the house, but know that they're only allowed on sofas/beds if invited (obviously, this doesn't stop them chancing their luck every evening!), but a firm "off" should suffice if their presence on the sofa is undesired. If he/she doesn't respond readily to this when grown enough to follow commands, reconsider allowing him/her on at all. IMO, obviously.
Our 10 week old pup has got the hang of "off" already, so she'll be fine!
This sounds like a good idea, When you train this do you just use the command or the command and physically removing them till they understand? (Non aggresivly obviously)Our 10 week old pup has got the hang of "off" already, so she'll be fine!
Jimmy is allowed on the settee on our invite, he's old enough now (7yrs) that if he does jump on the sofa without our command we'll decide if we will let him stay but if not a get down or get off and he does. If he became difficult (though he wouldn't) he'd have a total ban on being allowed on the beds/ sofas etc (as mentioned by Karyn already)
Chris77 said:
This sounds like a good idea, When you train this do you just use the command or the command and physically removing them till they understand? (Non aggresivly obviously)
Well, considering her age, we started with gently pushing her off backwards (it's a low sofa - you might want to lift pup off onto the floor) whilst saying "off" firmly. She'd immediately come back toward the sofa and try to get back up, so... rinse and repeat. Endlessly.After a few
It's up to you how you want to go about it - what you want the end result to be, and how you want to achieve it!
("Off" is amazingly useful, though - it can be used for anytime they've only got two paws on the ground!)
Chris77 said:
Well Pups were born monday 6th june, 3 boys and 3 girls.
we go to see them again at 4 weeks old, Cant wait!!!!
Jeepers, they're small!we go to see them again at 4 weeks old, Cant wait!!!!
For some reason, I thought you were just waiting to pick pup up, not waiting for it to be born, too!
These will be the longest weeks of your life.......
Excited for you!!
Hi, good choice, we have had three Westies, sadly only one remains, she is eleven. They normally enjoy good health, but can suffer from skin problems,this can sometimes be diet related, two of ours have had ear problems, which may mean vetinary treatment. We do not allow our dogs in the bedroom at night, they WILL disturb your sleep. we have usually had two dogs together, they seem to enjoy each others company, if there is say a two year gap between their ages the younger one will learn from the older. We also now have two Norwich Terriers aged one and two. Most terriers need firm training but will make loyal companions and have a wonderful independant temperament. Good luck and enjoy her/him. Remember their coats will need grooming, preferably hand stripping, or clipping as they get older, this will cost about £25 a time about 4/5 times a year.
Mrs Grumpy said:
I would recommend 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey. As to where you allow the pup to go - entirely up to you Makes no odds, you just have to ensure everyone is consistent so as not to confuse the pup.
That has been recommended to us before, don't have it yet. We have bought quite a few books though. The best in breed - West highland white book is very good, Makes no odds, you just have to ensure everyone is consistent so as not to confuse the pup.Anglia said:
Hi, good choice, we have had three Westies, sadly only one remains, she is eleven. They normally enjoy good health, but can suffer from skin problems,this can sometimes be diet related, two of ours have had ear problems, which may mean vetinary treatment. We do not allow our dogs in the bedroom at night, they WILL disturb your sleep. we have usually had two dogs together, they seem to enjoy each others company, if there is say a two year gap between their ages the younger one will learn from the older. We also now have two Norwich Terriers aged one and two. Most terriers need firm training but will make loyal companions and have a wonderful independant temperament. Good luck and enjoy her/him. Remember their coats will need grooming, preferably hand stripping, or clipping as they get older, this will cost about £25 a time about 4/5 times a year.
We have decided he wont be sleeping in our room and have a baby gate so he cant go upstairs until he is older. We have a big enough ground floor and back garden so he has no need to have full run of the house.The skin problems we were aware of before we started looking. The breeder has stated that her dogs are from a line with no history of these problems so hopeful on that front.
We are trying to find out as much as we can re hand stripping and think we would prefer this. Would like to do it ourselves if we can, we have found a groomer who will hand strip but not given us a price yet, just for normal grooming.
Mubby said:
awwwwwwwww cuteeeeeeeeeee I personally never let our dogs upstairs but its personal choice! when I moved in with partner he had a rhodesian ridgeback that took up 3/4 of his bed! I soon kicked him off I love animals and especially dogs but I also love a hair free bed!! 
This is our thinking now I personally never let our dogs upstairs but its personal choice! when I moved in with partner he had a rhodesian ridgeback that took up 3/4 of his bed! I soon kicked him off I love animals and especially dogs but I also love a hair free bed!! Thanks for the replies
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