Having a few issues with our 4 year old Westie, Spike.

One the whole, he's a good little dog.
He was the biggest of the litter, and is very stubbon and strong willed.
We have good control over him.
He's very nervous, and not really very good with other dogs, which we have to accept.

The problem is, he try's to get in our bedroom upstairs, and in the process has damaged the carpet and the door.
He is left during the day, and is only allowed up stairs when we are in, but when we are not in, he does the damage.
This has NOT happened since day one, only recently.

He has the run of the down stairs when we are not in, and i fear that shutting doors and dog gates, will just lead to more damage, with scratching at carpets and doors.

We tell him off when we get home, but I know he has'nt got a clue what for.

The damage is repairable, but don't want to repair if, for him to ruin it again.

Help

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Have you thought of crate trainng him if your not out for to long a period. It may reduce the damage he is causing.

Had not considered crate training him, to be honest, never heard of it.

One the whole, he's not cause much damage in the 4 years we have had him, just the last month or so, so its never been a problem

He is left for sometimes 6 to 7 hours a day. Can you leave a dog in a crate for that much time?

Also, knowing him, he'd cry and scratch the whole day, and get himself all worked up

He will need a long walk before putting him in as they need to burn some energy first. Might be worth using a pet diffuser also as they are meant to help calm them down. Try shorter sessions when your in so he gets use to it. Maybe use it at night first they then accept it more as there sleep area. So hes more accepting of going in there.

He has a walk in the morning, and one at night.
Alos a run around in the garden when we can
We have a pet deffuser that we plug in, and i'm not convinced it makes any difference.

May give the crate a try, although at night he will just cry all night.
Do we give in, or just suffer it?

No pain no gain im afraid. D o it in steps have him near you in the crate and gradually move it to where you want it to go . Or you can go cold turkey and see how hes goes. May have a bit of crying to start with but they do get use to the crate and see it as there bed. Its worse if you fuss him as hell cry for your attention all the more as there so crafty

Thank you for the advise.
I'm fully aware about the no pain no gain part, already been there for most of the pain.

If I was not to go with the crate, any other ideas?

Also, recommend a good crate, or are they much of a muchness?

Pretty much a much ness id say the only difference sometimes is if the base is removeable and what the cage latches are like. Could you organise a friend or some one to walk him when your gone to break up the day a little. Its a hard one as like you say they dont like being left.

so why do you do it? He will just learn to stress about your return.

Crate training might be difficult at his age after having the run of the house, it works best from puppy-hood.

7 hours is a long time on his own, does he have toys that he likes ?
Perhaps a kong with food inside it.

What happens if you leave your bedroom door open?

I've been told some dogs like a radio left on when their alone for a long time, you could try that.

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