Everyone loves baby animals and Westie pups are adorable, but new dog clients often don’t realize the commitment they’re making when they bring home a puppy. For those who want the company of Westies dogs, but do not have the knowledge or patience to endure the training process, rescuing an older Westie dog may be the right alternative.
When considering a senior West Highland Terrier, the first thing many people think is that they would have a dog with problems, either genetic problems common to Westies or behavioral problems due to improper training. The truth is, many Westie dogs go to shelters for reasons that have nothing to do with the dogs’ inherent qualities. Every year dog owners die, move into retirement homes, change jobs, get divorced, have new babies, or unfortunately just get tired of the responsibility of caring for a dog.
The advantages of senior dogs are many. They are now done teething and no longer feel the need to chew holes in their shoes, rugs and furniture. Westie dogs that are older have gotten used to sleeping through the night while their people sleep, unlike Westie puppies, who wake up and whimper. Older pets will already have been house-trained and should also know the meaning of the word “no” which makes their ongoing housetraining much easier.
When you come across a Westie puppy, you only have the breed standards to give you an idea of what kind of dog he will become. Although West Highland dogs have a typical personality type, there are variations from dog to dog. The adult Westie is a known quantity. The Westie dog you meet is what you’ll get, and you can quickly determine if he’ll fit into your home.
It may seem like rescuing an older Westie provides you with an “instant dog,” but that’s not the case. At first they may be confused upon arrival in a new home and need to be reminded of their basic training. However, even allowing him a few weeks of extra special care is easier and less stressful than the rigors of training a puppy.
(Disclaimer: Any information on 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 intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should Please do not use the information contained herein to diagnose the health of any animal.You should always consult and verify with your own veterinarian or veterinarian.)
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good health and happiness