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Here are some helpful housebreaking tips for your new puppy.
Puppy's First Night Home
- Your new family member may cry its first night away from her littermates. Some things you might want to try would be a ticking clock by its kennel or a radio on softly. This way the pup will not feel alone.
- Whatever you do, (as long as she went potty before bed) don't get up with her in the middle of the night! She will take this to her full advantage and think its playtime. She is capable of making it through the night without going outside.
Potty Training and Mealtime
- If you follow this "typical" day your new puppy's housebreaking should go smoothly. The main thing to remember is to be consistent whatever schedule you follow.
- First person up in the morning take puppy outside to go potty, then come in to have breakfast. Leave her food and water down for about 10 to 15 min.; (I start with about 1/2 cup of Puppy Chow. Puppies don't eat a whole lot unless they're having growth spurts. As she grows, follow the guidelines on the bag of food or the follow the enclosed insert) then take her food away until dinnertime. (You are NOT being mean, this will teach her to eat when it's time)
- Take her outside. Usually within about 30 minutes of eating puppy will do her "job".
After she has "done her job" bring her in for playtime, and then if everyone is leaving for the day, she goes in her kennel. If you are not leaving for the day you choose how long playtime should be. If you are home, but very busy and can't keep a very watchful eye on her, put her in her kennel to prevent accidents.
- Everytime you take her out of her kennel put her out to go potty then play with her. If you put her down first, she may "piddle".
- If you are gone all day, the first person home should let the puppy out. After she is done, she can come in and play.
- Feed her again around suppertime (according to your schedule). Again only leave her food and water down for about 10 to 15 min., then take it away and put her outside until she's finished. Then have playtime, go for a walk, and enjoy her! Then just make sure she goes out to go potty before bed, or she may have an accident in her kennel.
- And again, it's worth repeating; don't get up with her in the middle of the night! It will save you weeks of training! If she gets fussy in the middle of the night, rap on her kennel, and in a firm voice tell her "No!" She will get the idea.
Bathing
- Some other information about your Westie is to not bathe her often. Their skin can become sensitive, because it is dry. Over bathing can cause skin problems. So brush her often with a "Slicker" brush and that will keep her coat nice.
Obedience
- Obedience class is definitely a benefit to both you and your puppy. A Terrier is one of the best dogs you can own especially when it's trained properly. It will make having a dog a more pleasurable experience for the whole family.
Best of luck to you with your new member of your family. And, please, feel free to call anytime with questions you may have concerning your Westie, Cairn or Avon Terrier. It's always a pleasure to hear from our families.
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