FluffyWA

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.

Record patterns, not impressions

Training records & scorecards

Use these nine sheets in the browser or print blank copies for handwriting. They are working records, not a test of whether you are a “good” owner.

Open training journal with a puppy sketch and coloured paw-print records beside a sleeping puppy, pencil, tea, lead and toys
A short daily record makes patterns in training, toileting, sleep and recovery visible.

Browser entries are temporary and are not saved after a refresh; printed copies always show blank writing lines and empty boxes.

Sheet 01 · Training log

Fourteen sessions: record what happened and make the next step smaller and clearer
DateSkillLocationDurationSuccess rateNext step

Sheet 02 · One-week toilet record

Two starter lines per day; print another copy when you need more events
DayDateTimeOutdoor successIndoor accidentLast meal
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Sheet 03 · Socialisation summary

Use Chapter 16 for the full 60-item checklist; this sheet records weekly progress and the experiences that need a gentler repeat.

Checklist rows are records, not owner-run live tests. If the breed profile requires professional assessment before exposure to cats or small animals, leave those rows untested and unscored, keep secure separation and record the management plan until the professional directs the next step.

Weekly totals and lower-intensity repeats
Week or datesItems completedItems to repeatLower-intensity plan

Sheet 04 · Sleep and arousal observation

One week: compare estimated sleep with over-arousal events
DateEstimated total sleepOver-arousal eventsTrigger and recovery

Sheet 05 · Eight core cues in three locations

Tick only after one cue succeeds without visible food in that location
CueLiving roomBackyardNew location
Sit
Down
Come
Wait
Leave it
Drop
Go to mat
Settle

Sheet 06 · Sixteen-week review

This review follows puppy development. For an adult rehome whose breed introduction restarts the clock after arrival, review behaviour records against the current after-arrival stage; leave puppy-only biological items blank and record them as not applicable alongside the review rather than forcing them onto the adult dog.

“Not yet” is a planning answer: return to the linked skill and lower the difficulty
Review itemYesNot yet
Predictable toilet rhythm with accidents becoming uncommon
Can rest calmly in the crate or pen for a protected nap
Can be alone for 30 minutes on video without sustained distress
Responds to the name once in moderate indoor distraction
Recall succeeds on an attached long line in a securely fenced backyard at least nine times out of ten
All eight core cues have a documented starting level
Can walk for two minutes on a loose lead near home
Socialisation checklist has been reviewed for gaps and difficult items
Daily routine includes independent enrichment and deliberate recovery
A plan exists for teething, adolescence, the second fear period and exercise limits

Sheet 07 · Weight & growth record

Twelve check-ins; for an adult rehome, write N/A under age and keep using date, weight and body-condition observation
DateAge (weeks)WeightBody-condition observation

Sheet 08 · Vaccination & deworming record card

Vaccination record

Copy completed care and the next due date from the veterinary record
Vaccination / course entryDateVeterinarian / clinicNext due

Deworming record

Record the product exactly as labelled; follow veterinary directions
Product as labelledDateRecorded weight

Sheet 09 · Weekly training log

One row per day; progress is a 1–5 planning score, not a judgement of the dog
Day / dateSkill this weekPractice minutesProgress 1–5Next-week focus

Training with FluffyWA

Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.