Westies Dogs and Your Children
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier, westies dogs, are good with children. However, terrier enthusiasts, and westie rescue organizations, tell a different story. Before you bring your terrier into a home with small children, be sure you understand the westie personality, and how they might react to your children's behavior. Like any terrier, a westie can have what is called a high 'prey drive.' Any breed of terrier, westhighland terriers included, was originally bred to hunt down small prey, chase into its den, and then aggressively, or even viscously fight the prey until it was caught in the dog's jaws. Because small children's high, squealing voices sound like the squeals of fleeing prey , a westies' prey drive may be triggered by these sounds. To compound the confusion the dog will see children running from them in the same way the see prey running to escape. It will give chase. Among the breeds of terrier, a westie is one that will not tolerate manhandling. Trainers advise that unlike some dogs, which can be desensitized to the ear-pulling, and poking and prodding that small children are likely to inflict, westies will react adversely to this treatment. The more you or your child annoys your little terrier, the more likely it is to become aggressive or nip. From the point of view of a terrier, it will see small children as an inferior member of the 'pack.' This is true of many dogs. Being strong-willed west highland white terriers have an inclination to be bossy in the first place. Small children are incapable of countering this behavior. If you have your heart set on a terrier, westies can still be your dog of choice if you have children. First train your children, then train your terrier. Teach your children how to properly approach, handle, and play with your westie. This is wise for any child, even if you do not have dogs, because at some time in their lives they will encounter a stray, or a dog tethered in its yard, and will need to know what to do to avoid aggravating the animal. Obedience training is highly recommended for any westie that will be around small children. Also, give your westie an escape hole, a place that only it can reach, where it can feel safe if the children do manage to annoy it. Even if you have had obedience training for your terrier, they should never be left alone with babies or toddlers. This is true of any dog. Playful, friendly, and loyal, westhighland terriers are good pets. If both are properly supervised and prepared, can truly be good dogs for children. (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.) I do hope that you have found the article of use to you. Good health and happiness Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com 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
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Is There Taurine In Your Dogs Food?
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic of conversation when referring to the nutritional composition that makes up the human and animal physical structure. Once thought of as an unimportant A.A. recent studies prove that this amino acid has metabolic properties that are very beneficial to various components of the mammal skeletal system. (heart, kidneys, blood)
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus, is a viral disease that attacks dogs and if left untreated, it kills them within day's, usually due to dehydration and it's side effects.
Problem Barking-What to Do When Your Dogs Barking is The Neighborhood Nuisance
Puppies and dogs, as mentioned, are social creatures. When
they don't get the attention they need, then a bark is their
method of telling you something. It's your job to figure out
the reasons behind the barking and then ease the tension of
whatever is causing your puppy or dog to do so. At the
same time, you are also teaching him that barking (in certain
situations) isn't acceptable behavior. If you do not take such
training seriously, you may not get thrown out of the
neighborhood, but you may receive a visit from the police
regarding animal ordinances!
Beds for Smaller Dogs
All puppies are small dogs ? some, however, won't be small for very long. You have to know how big your dog is going to be when it is fully grown before you can buy it a bed of its own, unless, that is, you don't mind buying your beloved canine friend a new bed every six months or so for several years.
Lemon Tetras
Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to be just a sunbeam flashing through your community tank if not for background elements like plants and driftwood. Another member of the large characin clan, the lemon tetra has a fairly elongated body like its smaller relative the neon tetra and like neons and other characins, the lemon tetra does best if kept in small schools of six to eight fish.
Are You Listening To Your Cat Talking?
Is your cat talking to you?
Ensure a Good Relationship Between Your Cat and Your Kids
Many parents know that the best way for children to learn compassion and the importance of keeping commitments is by helping to care for a pet. Children learn from watching the adults in their lives. If a child can learn to treat an animal with respect they can take that lesson into later life. A cat can be a marvellous, loving companion for a child, but it is up to the adults in the family to ensure the cat and the kids live together happily ever after.
Introducing a New Puppy into a Home with an Existing Pet
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching for just the right puppy. Finally we had found what we considered to be the perfect one. Luckily she was already 7 weeks old so she could already be separated from her mother. I was so excited when we brought her home, our new addition to the family. I made sure I had all the required supplies; food and water dishes, food, a bed and a crate. We were ready. The fact that we already had a cat never really caused me much concern. I figured they would give each other a good sniff and surely it would not take long for them to become the best of friends and live happily ever after. I had visions of our little puppy all curled up with our cat in front of the fireplace.
Probiotics - The Good Bacteria
PROBIOTICS - The Good Bacteria - Does your pet have digestion problems, diarrhea, skin problems, food intolerances, or other chronic health problems? Supplement with a high quality pet probiotic to restore your pet's healthy gut, and chances are you'll improve your pet's health.
Characteristics Of The Boxer
Is A Boxer Right For You?
Lower Your Veterinarian Costs And Increase the Longevity of Your Pets Lives
What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating, prevention medicines, and premium kibble was natural preventative care. Hardly.
Puppy Care 101
Puppy Care
How to Deal With a Noisy Dog - Curing Uwanted and Excessive Barking
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the Centre for Neurobiology and Behaviour, Psychiatry Department, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Picking Up A Horses Hoof
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate some owners since a well-placed horse kick would really hurt! Such caution is good, but in reality if you pick up a horse's hoof properly you provide him with no leverage or ability to kick you. This is a situation where a person's worst fears can cause him to imagine an incident that is highly unlikely to occur with careful handling.
The 7 Stages of Puppy Development
Let's take a look at the different stages, but before we do, keep in mind that these stages are generalizations ? each dog will progress at its own pace.
Dogs and Old Age, How To Care For Your Aging Canine
Now that you're dog has shown you so much love and
brought you so much joy throughout your many years
together, it's time that you return the favor when the dog
reaches his elder years. Caring for an older dog is much like
caring for an elderly person. Knowing how to do that will
help comfort your dog immensely.
Aquarium Supplies Part 2 -- My First Experience With Goldfish
If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or are just starting out, I would like to stress again the importance of having some basic knowledge about aquariums and fish keeping in order to enjoy the hobby for a significant length of time and to avoid frustrations and disappointments.
How To Know What Your Cat Wants When It Talks To You - Cat Communication Explained
Many people think cats are asocial, but in fact they are very social animals. They bond with other cats in their house or neighborhood, their owners, even other pets like dogs and birds. They communicate to each other and us a variety of ways.
The Fun of Do It Yourself Snake and other Reptile Cages
Are you nuts? You think banging your finger with a hammer is fun? No, I don't. But building your own snake and other reptile cages can be a fun and rewarding experience.
The Case AGAINST Raw Frozen Pet Foods
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to the dangers of exclusively feeding heat processed foods. Companion animal feeding has progressed ? actually digressed ? from table scraps and real foods the family could spare to today's "100 % complete" processed foods in primarily kibble form, with some canned and semi-moist also available. The foods appear to be scientific and improved, but they're far worse for the animals. Not only is nutrient value diminished by heat, but a spectrum of toxins is created. Additionally, the singular feeding of processed food has led to the spurious "100% complete and balanced" claim that is both logically and scientifically flawed.
|