Comments on: Is My Dog Hopeless? Why Is He So Bad Off?

By: Ashleigh C

Ashleigh C — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:20:56 +0000

Um.. why does he sleep in a cage?

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:15:40 +0000

take your dog outside on the grass three times a day in the morning, afternoon, and night. make sure your dogs poops and peas. feed your dog hard food from petsmart like Eukaneauba.
p.s dont buy chicken flavor or diet

By: Sadie

Sadie — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:42:12 +0000

You need to find a really good trainer to work with you and your dog and they are out there yes hard to find but there. They will teach you techniques to be able to work with your dog and teach you the best way; to potty train and how you should be exercising him. You really need to invest in a trainer, that will help you more than any thing good luck!!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:40:29 +0000

I don’t believe it’s always the person’s fault when u have a dog with special needs? I don’t have experience with Wesie’s but their are some dogs that just require more work. Sounds like you are doing a great job, cept for the 3am poo, sucks for u both but maybe put some newspaper by the door when ur sleeping ~ dogs usually figure it out and it’s easier clean up. Otherwise I seriously would consider investing in more training. Best of luck!

By: Corn is not dog food! No wheat!

Corn is not dog food! No wheat! — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:54:24 +0000

What do you expect him to do? If you refuse to let him out when he needs to go…
WHAT ELSE IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO?
You can only control yourself for so long, then Mother Nature takes over and you mess yourself. Same with dogs!
Westies are high energy dogs.
They’re smart and stubborn.
He needs at least 2 hours of hard exercise. Not walking. Walking isn’t good enough. He needs to run. He needs a “job” – something to do with his mind.
Flyball, agility, or something to get his energy out.
You need to learn to deal with him on his terms or deal with the consequences.

By: Maria L

Maria L — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:31:23 +0000

hey when you get the runs at 3 am would you be locked in your room?
make sure he potty’s before you go to bed,he is not hopeless,you just have to retrain
the smell is in the crate,disinfect,if the crate is too big he will potty in it,he only needs enough room to stand and turn around
or you can keep him in a laundry room but have his crate in there for him to go in and out of,leave papper or pee pads if you don’t wan to get up early
feed him at 5 pm last meal,and stop water at 9pm,take him outside after meal and 3 or 4 times till 10 pm from 5 pm,

By: Green Genius

Green Genius — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:35:33 +0000

I suggest you talk to a local member of the Westie club for tips and to see if he is a typical specimen. Ok so he has to go pee or pooh at 3am. You must get up and let him out or he will never be a clean doggy. It won’t be forever. He will get it eventually if he doesn’t have to be in a dirty crate all night. Also don’t give him too big a crate as then he will be able to poop away from himself. When you are getting up to let him out just think of yourself as a mom doing it for her baby. I think everyone should give any new dog 2 years before giving up on them and re-homing.

By: IceBreak

IceBreak — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:18:17 +0000

First, be sure that (1) puppy is not deaf, (2) there is no problem with his bladder and bowels, and (3) his thyroid is normal.
For the bathroom issues, try changing his feeding times. Note how long after a meal he needs to poop. If you’re feeding him at the wrong time, yes, he will have to poop at 3am. Also, are you feeding him a high-quality meal? Is he allergic to his food?
For everything else, try a better trainer. It’s worth it!
If, AFTER training he still barks, try a bark collar. Don’t use a shock collar. Use one that gives a beep when the dog barks.
Good luck

By: Anya D

Anya D — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:36:02 +0000

there’s got to be a way to train him. go to your community center and find out what types of dog training classes they have. they normally are affordable and have good trainers.
somehow he didnt learn to NOT poop or pee in his cage. are you letting him out enough?? maybe he needs to go out at 3am for that?maybe you are going to HAVE to take him out. it sucks, but maybe he needs that to learn that it is NOT acceptable to poo/pee in his crate. you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the point across to him. he’s probably NOT dumb, just doesn’t “get it” based on the training he’s gotten so far. try other methods and see what speaks to him.

By: Bonzie12

Bonzie12 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:07:25 +0000

It’s not medical it’s you. If you are unwilling to take him outside to go to the bathroom when he needs to go, even at 3 am, then you will be stuck with cleaning up after him. As far as the barking, that is your fault also. Barking dogs are usually bored dogs, who need to have more mental and physical activities. Whtever you are doing for him for exercise, you need to either double or triple the time you are currently exercising him. He needs more. he won’t listen because you are not training him correctly. you need to go to a professional trainer and get some help on what you are doing wrong and how to correct it.