The reason we first got a westie, is because we saw one outside a shop and it was so freindly. My friend used to have one which was really nice.

We went to 1 puppy class which was very badly run. There were 12 pups to one trainer, which is bad in my opinion. The new class is going to be 6 pups and 2 trainers.

We explained his snapping to the behaviourist, who said it is bad for a pup at 18 weeks. She said that we aren't going to want to end up with a 2 year old which is snappy.

I know he is very young, but you have got to train when they are this age. It is their formative age.

If we don't get the snapping sorted now, then it will be very much harder to stop an adult dog behaving this way.

I am not going to accept the snapping any longer. It is totally unacceptable behaviour. It's got to be black and white. eg, licking my hand is ok, but biting is not.

No grey areas.

I wish you guys could truly see what ollie is like. He can be a dream sometimes. He is not a mad terrier. He is not jumping up all the time and ripping the house to shreds. He is a great little boy full of cheekiness. I wouldn't be without him now.

I'm sorry I don't agree, my DDB puppy was extremely snappy as a puppy right up until she was almost 6 months old I wouldn't have dreamt about getting a behaviourist in at such a young age (normal puppy behaviour in my opinion) I would say she was still very much finding her feet at that age as to regards still getting to know us as her family & having to adjust to getting used to living in a multi dog household.

It IS behaviour she HAS NOT continued to express into her adult life, I would tend to lean towards thinking you don't seem to have an awful lot of patience with him whatsoever - probably WHY he's doing it in the first place.

And by lord if that isn't a behaviourist after your money, I don't know what is

First mistake you made was buying because you saw a friendly one outside a shop.Alot depends on how they are bred to,i.e from parents with rock solid temperaments.
Second mistake and by the sounds of it you did not research the breed properly,speaking to Breeders with a wealth of experience and years in the breed,who would only be happy to offer lots of support, and advice.

It's never black and white with dogs ever.

Just out of curosity is your puppy registered with the KC or have a pedigree?

there is some useful advice in here but i think some of the posts a a little harsh.
I know its only opinions but they can upset people.
and this person is asking for help and people are being rude.

I've always spoke as I find which okay doesn't give me an awful lot of brownie points - this is pretty much the same post as the other telling me & possibly any others that won't say it that the OP is asking for an overnight miracle - afraid things don't work like that.

At last!

Thankyou Fade to grey.

Most of the people in the old forum i was joined to were very much like some of the posts I have recieved. Sort of harsh in their wording. Not very diplomatic.

We spent a month talking about what breed we should get every single day! We were very undecided at which breed we should get. When we went to view our westie, we saw the mother and she was very nice. Very calm. There was no reason whatsever to not buy our little boy. We actually have a westie book telling us all about the breed and the temperament etc.


If I had more anymore patience with him, I would be more than a saint by now!


Oh yes it can be. In regards with rules of the house. The dog needs to know where it stands in the hierarchy of the pack. NO GREY AREAS.

I would love to know what you guys honestly think my puppy is like. Tell me what you think he gets up to in a day. See if you really know my pup at all. From all the replies I have had - including a very harsh "you should rehome him" - it sounds to me like you guys have no idea at all.

Not looking for an overnight solution. Think I'm after more tailored advice. Which I am not going to get here.

We can only go on what YOU say your puppy is like - I have no opinion on what I THINK he is like, I don't have to live with him.

Edited to say - How can we as posters repair what possible damage you have done to your own puppy admitting that you have scruffed him round the neck - I wouldn't say rehoming him was harsh - Just the right thing for your puppy (yes, a puppy) that you cannot seem to cope with. I stand by my views. But, whatever you decide to do - good luck with him.

I have never ever shaken him. But thanks nicci for wishing me good luck.

I realised that - which I have now edited my fingers work faster than my brain

I have no advice as such just give him some time & lots of patience and reward based treat training - like I said in a previous post I think he's just being pretty normal, although I have no experience myself of owning Westies I have known folk that have owned them, or do own them I grew up with one called Hetty she belonged to my uncle Cecil, used to love walking her she was lovely!