Is it true that Westies are not born aggressive?

Contrary to what people perceive, dogs are not born aggressive. Many experts, including veterinarians, dog breeders and owners agree that one of the main reasons why Westies resort to biting is to exert their dominance. Westies are proud and smart, and they make no apologies about these traits.

What to do if your Westie is aggressive?

When a typically calm and friendly Westie suddenly shows aggressive traits, it is important to consider its health conditions. In Westies, problems in the bowels, thyroid problems and tumors can trigger aggression. In such cases, an immediate medical examination is the best solution.

Why does my Westie throw up in the morning?

This usually occurs in the early morning. It normally occurs simply because the tummy emptied over night and the normal bile which is created in the dog’s system to digest food has nothing to work on. It upsets the tummy and is thrown up. Most “cure” this problem by giving puppy something to eat just before bed that has a lot of fiber in it.

What’s the best way to pick up a Westie?

A lot of people pick up a dog from the front, grasping them under the front legs. This is okay if your Westie is used to it but many Westies don’t care for that method. Until you know your new dog, or if your dog is sensitive about being picked up, it is best to pick them up from the side.

What causes a Westie’s hair to come out?

STAPH Many Westies are prone to a staph infection in the hot months. The dog will be very itchy. This usually looks like scabby gray “things” that, if located in the hair, will cause the hair to come out. Often they are on the face around the mouth and nose. This requires an antibiotic so visit your vet. KNEE INJURIES ACL

Why does my Westie bite all the time?

Many experts, including veterinarians, dog breeders and owners agree that one of the main reasons why Westies resort to biting is to exert their dominance. Westies are proud and smart, and they make no apologies about these traits. Biting is a way to challenge the leadership of the owners.

What kind of skin disease does a Westie have?

Other skin diseases in Westies include seborrhea, and a very serious disease: epidermal dysplasia. Let’s talk about epidermal dysplasia in West Highland White Terriers. Epidermal dysplasia is also called Westie armadillo syndrome – for good reason, as you’ll see. This inherited skin disease is quite dreadful.

Is it easy to train a West Highland Terrier?

Overall, with good socialization and training, Westies are well behaved. However, with any dog behavior issues can develop. In theory, a West Highland White Terrier should be easy to train. They are certainly intelligent and learn quickly.

How old do you have to be to have a Westie Terrier?

Refrain from excessive petting and cuddling. It is a terrier after all, so it can bite and injure you if it gets too excited. Do not allow a Westie to play with children younger than seven years old. If you must do so, it must be done under vigilant supervision.

How to train a West Highland white terrier ( Westie )?

Between potty breaks, either crate the dog or keep your Westie on a leash to prevent accidents in the house. West Highland White Terriers are small enough that they can also be paper trained or trained to use a litter box.

What kind of dog is aggressive around Crate?

I also have a bit more information from the rest of Crate Aggression’s intake form: the dog is a five year old terrier mix who’s been aggressive around his crate and when cornered for five years. The dog is mostly aggressive towards the husband and visiting nieces, not the wife of the family.