JudyG

I am in Brisbane - western suburbs. I have been recommended to try Jane Harper

Thanks for help and advice to date - I just want to make sure I do the right thing here to ensure we end up with a happy family pet! I haven't discussed as yet with the breeder - she wasn't keen on me doing puppy school until after next vaccinations. As far as I am aware, the dogs lived outside but were coming into the house in the last couple of weeks before going to their new homes. From what I could see she was affectionate with the dogs - not sure how many other people would have been with them other than breeder and her husband. I know westies can be feisty - My 11 yr old has always been independent but don't remember her growling much at us. Anyway I think I will give Jane Harper a call - she was recommended in my other thread.

I had a bit of an incident with my 10 wk old westie at puppy school this week (detailed on Training forum) with a bit of growling. Since then she has growled at us a few times, for example when trying to attack my daughters shoe laces I lifted her away and she turned round and growled at me. Also sometimes when she is picked up and obviously dowsn't want to be she will growl a wee bit. Is this just her testing what she can get away with or is it a sign of true agression - what would be the definition of an 'aggressive dog'? I am obviously keen to nip any agressive behaviour in the bud. My trainer has said to get her to lie on her back on our laps (stroking and praising her) as this is a sign of submission. She will let me do this sometimes for a very short time but generally squirms like mad to get away - does anyone agree if this is something she should submit to?

I am in Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane (western suburbs)

Not sure if this should be in Puppy Problems - might post in both I took my almost 10 week old westie, Meg to her first pre-school class last night. She started out really well, ineracted well with other dogs etc then during grooming topic we were wiping their ears and she growled and turned to nip me. The trained was quite concerned by her reaction and got the school owner to chat with me afterwards. When she picked her up ( can't remember whether she tried to touch her ears or anything) Meg went nuts, tried ti turn on her and peed on her too. She held her until she calmed down ( she growled and tried to snap for quite a while) then eventually quietened down so she let her down. She told me I need to correct her firmly, with a gruff 'uh' and a tug on her collar, staring her in the eye calmly and not let her go until she is quiet So I was quite concerned by Meg's behaviour as she has been a happy outgoing puppy so far, only issues are she has complained a but sometimes when picked up and wants down and has been mouthing and yapping a bit both of which I assume are fairly common until they are trained not to. We went home, she went to sleep in her pen only to wake up yelping fearfully, I let her out and she just stood with her head down and tail between her legs. i tried to crate her for bed as normal ( she has been crated successfully since we brought her home) and she carried on like that for hours, either yelping or just standing looking out dolefully and panting. She would drift off to sleep only to wake up yelping again.Eventuallly slept around 4am for a couple if hours. She was obviously seriously spooked by something. She seems ok today - a bit quieter than normal but she will be tired and it is very hot here today. I can't help but think the two events must be connected - I rang the trainer who thinks not as she says puppies put things behind them very quickly but was concerned about the agression and suggested we take her twice weekly instead of weekly to the classes (at no extra charge) I don't know what to think - I am keen to nip any problem in the bud but am confused as before we took her to preschool she had been fine Any ideas/ advice much appreciated

Hi I read this post a while ago but now it is u days since we brought our puppy home and rereading it is making me laigh. How true it all is - I am knackered!! It is so like having a baby - constant attention. Actually I have just caught her peeing as I typed this - after just taking her out about 10 mins ago - how many times in a day can a puppy pee. I have been home watching her, taking her out every hour etc and she is going outside then pees again inside not long after. Honestly it is exhausting and I have been watching her as much as possible! Thankfully she is not like that at night! Just one during the night but up at 5,30 every morning! Of course we love her to bits already but I think I might love her more when she is toilet trained!

Hi Just wanted to share a couple of photos of Meg our westie pup, who came home on Wednesday. Also one of her with Rosie, who is 11 and is trying her best to avoid Meg at all times!!

Thanks for the reply MzBex - I am only using the pen with the grass for times when I can't be watching her and also have been taking her out every hour. It is all going well now - I think I have had new mum nerves but getting in a routine now. Only one accident so far because I wasn't sure if she was sniffing for a pee or just sniffing! Sometimes it is hard to tell!! She slept well last night - just up once so I feel good after a better nights sleep! Here is a picture - she is a wee cutie

Hi We brought home our 8 wk old westie pup, Meg, yesterday and going quite well - she has only toileted either outside or in her confinement area. I have set it up as per Ian Dunbar (Dogstar Daily) with her food, crate and some grass. A few silly questions - should I praise her when she goes on the grass in her pen, or only when outside? Also I find it easy to get her to wee as it follows a pattern but what about poos - I am hesitant to bring her inside when she has weed in case she poos straight away. She has been sleeping on the grass in her area - do you think I should discourage that as it is her toilet area too? maybe the bit of grass is too big. Last night she was pretty good - slept in her crate beside me - woke for a wee at midnight then again at 4.30. Couldn't get her back down after that - any suggestions? After all it was daylight when I took her out - hard to blame her for wanting to play!! Judy

Hi We get our westie pup in 2 weeks and want to go to puppy preschool - has anyone had any experience with Centenary Dog Obedience in Jindalee or Crazy K9's in Indooroopilly? Of course the local vets run them but from reading some other posts it is maybe better to go elsewhere?

Hi - I am relatively new to these forums and after reading them felt guilty about feeding my Westie Supercoat & My dog. She has had some skin issues on & off so after reading through I decided to switch to Eagle Pack Holistic. I got the Duck flavour. I have introduced it gradually but now that it is not mixed in with her previous food she is not eating it! Do you think it may be just the transition to all dry when she previously had dry & canned mixed or maybe she just doesn't like it! Everyone on here seemed to say their dogs loved it. Any alternative suggestions that your dogs have loved?

Why not just get a roll of real grass and put it down on paper or in a litter tray- I think Bunnings sell them - cheaper than fake grass esp if it is a temporary measure.

Hi I am new to these forums and have already got some fantastic advice.We are hoping to get a new westie puppy in a couple of weeks. We already have an 11 yr old westie, Rosie. I would be grateful for any advice on how to introduce them to each other and also re ongoing puppy training with another dog around. I was planning to crate train and use a pen for times when I may have to go out but unsure how Rosie will react to the puppy in the crate/pen. Grateful for any tips/advice. Thanks

Deleted because I reread question and it didn't make sense!