This last week ive been taking care of my gf's dog *boarder collie* for the last week almost now and its making me seriously want a dog now. Me and the gf have been talking about it since b4 we moved into our place back in may. We are considering buyin a west highland terrior, or Westie. If you donno what a westie is,




any ways, im just curious if any one has ever had to train a small dog b4..meaning house training, obdiance, etc. I have never had a dog b4, just a few cats. I know how to interact with dogs, and i love playing with them, but i have no idea of how to raise or take care of a puppie. Sarah has done it b4, but im just trying to get an idea of what im in for.

Also, any one have a westie??? they good dogs???

puppies can be a handful... ive been around quite a few, but not too much since my allergies are horrible... i like cats much better btw that puppy is pretty cute, def a chick magnet

I dont own a westie, but they do come into my work all the time. I work in a vet and have had to watch a couple for a few days. Theyre very sweet dogs. They have a great personality and they have a very good temper as well. But thats just from what Ive seen at my work lol

I think the smaller the dog the easier it to take care.

some tips for house training:
*Have a crate for the pup to sleep in at night or if youre just not around (that way you wont wake up or find any surprises around the house, and also teaches the pup to hold it cuz usually they wont wanna go pee where they sleep)
*take it outside first thing in the morning or any time you take it out of its crate after its been in there for awhile.
*at least every two hours take it outside... (2 month puppy = basically two hours) every month it ages up equals an hour that it can hold.
*after a meal or big drink take pup outside
*if you catch the pup going, scold (I usually do the forceful NO!) (that teaches the dog that its bad to go in the house), and take it outside.
*And dont forget to give the pup lots of praise when it goes outside

But thats what I've always done with my dogs, and it worked out fine for me. But there's lots of resources out there that'll help ya out.

hope this helps

This post has been edited by CelicaBuddy: Jun 23, 2007 - 12:30 AM

i vote you get one! i have 2 wire fox terriers and they keep a smile on my face 24/7

just dont let your dog become lazy or out or control, keep em happy & peppy while still listening to you

ADOPT

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+1. me and my gf went to the humane society once and there are some very good dogs that need a home, not to mention its a lot cheaper.

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+2 I adopted my dog....I <3 my Puppy

PATIENCE is important. treat when dog's obedient, and tells him NO when the dog's naughty.

Im planning on adpoting if i can find one, if we cant we r gonna get one off a breader. all the pet stores around here are all puppy mill stores. As for patience, im a pretty good temperted guy and im patien too. I deal really well with my gf's dog and even though she craped on my carpet here last week, i told her she was a bad dog, told her its wrong, and cleaned it up. I was a bit pissed, but i didnt hold it againt her.

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well other than crapping, you'll have to bring it out for walks twice a day, clean up the spot the dog eats cause it'll be messy, scrub sofas and stuff to remove the fur, play and shower once a week, trim nails etc... it's tiring but when ya finally get it to be all obedient it'll be satisfyin and rewarding. i know cause i used to own a pomeranian and a domestic short hair kitty, and i actually manage to get them to play with each other.

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shower once a week?...you sayin i smell Vin?

Nah its cool, ive been taking care of my gf's dog for a week and a half now, i take her out for walks 3 times a day, play with her, been cleanin up all her hair every day. I used to have short haired domestics when i was living at home. I dont think this is gonna b 2 hard.