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Positive training · From eight weeks

West Highland White Terrier Puppy Training Manual

From 8 Weeks

A carried plush rabbit provides the West Highland White Terrier with a quiet, legal alternative outlet.

29 chapters · English / 中文

Watercolour illustration of a West Highland White Terrier puppy carrying a plush rabbit toy along a garden path
A carried plush rabbit provides the West Highland White Terrier with a quiet, legal alternative outlet.

Breed profile

Training group
Terriers
Origin
The West Highland White Terrier originated in Scotland as a terrier that worked independently above and below ground in pursuit of small animals.
Shoulder height
Approximately 28 cm
Weight
Approximately 6–10 kg
Coat
White harsh outer coat with a soft undercoat
Coat care
Plan several short cooperative brushing sessions each week and set the professional grooming interval around the individual coat and a qualified groomer's advice. Some individuals may have skin sensitivity; do not imply that a white coat causes it. Do not force grooming through persistent discomfort, redness or a sudden behaviour change; consult a veterinarian rather than diagnosing the cause at home.
Drive keywords
Small-animal pursuit · Digging · Persistence · Alert vocalising
Handling practice
Schedule several short cooperative brushing sessions each week, introducing the brush, comb, coat separation and grooming surface one easy step at a time. Set professional grooming frequency from the individual coat and a qualified groomer's advice. · Check paws, toe spaces, coat and skin comfort after digging or outdoor work. Persistent discomfort, redness or sudden handling avoidance should be assessed by a veterinarian; do not diagnose or force the grooming task at home.

General reference range only; individual dogs vary considerably.

Attention is the first cue

Name response & focus

Your puppy’s name has one meaning: “Look at me.” It does not mean “come,” it does not mean “stop,” and it must never become a reprimand.

The name game

  1. Say the name once Choose a random calm moment when the puppy is near you but looking elsewhere.
  2. Mark the turn The instant the puppy turns towards you, mark. Do not wait for a sit or a full approach.
  3. Reward and move on Deliver the reward, then return to normal life. Complete 20 repetitions each day, spread across the whole day.
Watercolour three-step eye-contact exercise using a food lure, marker word and reward
TREAT TO EYES = bring the reward beside your eyes; YES = mark the instant the dog looks; REWARD = deliver the food promptly.

Build voluntary attention

Engage–Disengage

Reward the look you did not ask for

Voluntary attention is more valuable than attention that appears only after a cue. Mark whenever the puppy chooses to glance at you, then gradually practise around a view through the window, another dog or children.

Look at that

Looking is allowed; returning attention pays

Let the puppy look at the trigger. When it finishes looking and turns back, mark and reward. This foundation later helps the puppy disengage from movement, unfamiliar people and social excitement.

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