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My westie is nuts......

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  • 27-11-2009 3:02pm
    #1
    gorfield
    Closed Accounts Posts: 592 ✭✭✭


    just looking for some advice. We got our westie at 8wks old 2yrs ago. Hes incredibly placid and friendly, its impossible to even get him to growl!! Ive even pulled his whiskers when he eats and nothing!! Just looks at me, licks my hand and continues eating!! Hes a house dog, but is outside during the day and comes and goes as he wants if were there. However we have no comfort when walking him, he goes nuts when he sees other dogs, never growling just mad barking and straining the leash. We also cant let him off the leash in the park as he will not come to me when called, runs away if anything! Hes generally very obedient at home, just once out and about he changes! Any advice wud be great......


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    #2
    Paul91
    Closed Accounts Posts: 782 ✭✭✭Paul91


    try a halti for the pulling, is he on a long or short lead (i.e. extendable) may be best to have on a short lead while you ge thim to settle down - if you have time/money try obedience class otherwise consistant and patient training to ignore other dogs


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    #3
    rhonin
    Registered Users Posts: 1,248 ✭✭✭rhonin


    What we found was best with our Bichon was to give treats when she walked beside us and when she wasn't pulling. If she pulled we'd stop and only continued when she stopped pulling. It takes a while and you will need patience. Also its important you stay calm when meeting other dogs. Calmly walk past them and then treat your dog when he comes with you.


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    #4
    hunterwelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20 ✭hunterwelly


    he goes nuts when he sees other dogs, never growling just mad barking and straining the leash.

    At first glance, this looks like a socialisation issue. This is pretty common in dogs who haven't been properly socialised with other dogs as pups. It's pretty late for socialisation now, but if there's any remedial classes near you, it might be worth checking them out. If you have any friends with friendly dogs, maybe they could meet and get used to each other? Your westie might just need to learn to relax around other dogs.

    When you're out walking, make sure to demand that your dog pays attention to you when another dog passes. Don't let him strain on the leash. A quick little pop on the lead when he starts straining and you just keep walking. Your dog will have no choice but to follow you past the other dog. He'll soon learn that you're controlling the walk, not him.

    Edit - I just want to stress here, a quick little pop and walk on. Don't start putting more tension on the lead yourself. That'll send the wrong message to your dog.
    We also cant let him off the leash in the park as he will not come to me when called, runs away if anything! Hes generally very obedient at home, just once out and about he changes!

    This is normal. Obedience at home is one thing. Obedience outside amid distractions is a whole different thing. This is where most obedience training falls down. Takes a lot of work. See if you can find a good trainer near who who can help you.


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    #5
    cosnochta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭cosnochta


    gorfield wrote: »
    Ive even pulled his whiskers when he eats and nothing!!

    Why on earth would you pull his whiskers?!? :confused:
    Poor dog


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    #6
    gorfield
    Closed Accounts Posts: 592 ✭✭✭gorfield


    cosnochta wrote: »
    Why on earth would you pull his whiskers?!? :confused:
    Poor dog

    do you honestly think i wud do it to hurt him?? Ive gotten him used to being disturbed while eating in case a child did same and he snapped....hes so used to it now i trust him 100%. Why the trolling??? people like you turn me off this forum.


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    #7
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,476 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    As usual the anti cruelity lobby go mad with the reported posts. Leave the OP alone.


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    #8
    cosnochta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭cosnochta


    gorfield wrote: »
    do you honestly think i wud do it to hurt him??

    Well...your post certainly reads that way. You said yourself that you were pulling the whiskers to try and get him to growl.:
    gorfield wrote: »
    Hes incredibly placid and friendly, its impossible to even get him to growl!! Ive even pulled his whiskers when he eats and nothing!!


    Pulling a dog's whiskers while he is eating is cruel. You can easily teach a dog not to be food aggressive without hurting them.
    I'm entitled to my opinion, and that does not make me a troll.


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    #9
    hunterwelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20 ✭hunterwelly


    I'm entitled to my opinion, and that does not make me a troll

    No, it's your trolling that makes you a troll.

    Do you have any suggestions which might help OP with his reported problems? Or are you just going to lurk around and call him "cruel"?


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    #10
    toadfly
    Registered Users Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭toadfly


    When I read this I assumed the OP was just giving an example of how placid her Westie is, she isnt being cruel.


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    #11
    star-pants
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,429 ✭✭✭✭star-pants


    IF people have issues - report the post, don't backseat mod or argue on thread
    Personally, when I read it I thought 'why on earth would you pull your dogs whiskers', if it was a figure of speech I'd understand. I personally, would never pull my dogs whiskers just to see if I could get a response from them.

    Eitherway that's obviously not the main point of the post, OP I assume you wish to have more control over your dog outside the house? As others have suggested obedience training is probably a good start, even just to get you in to a routine and learn some good tips. You need to exert control over your dog also, they'll feed off whatever energy you have, and if you stress when you come near other dogs (fearing that yours will go nuts) they'll react to that. You need to get into routine training with your dog (with or without a trainer, but one would be helpful).
    I find a harness lead gives you more control over the dog, and as said don't keep pulling because that doesn't work.


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