Question About My West Highland White Terrier?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I have a westie, and his name is Kota. He is three years old, and 25 pounds. I was wondering if this weight was normal? There is also another problem with him. He pees around the house. He is perfectly potty-trained, and we always let him out before we leave for long periods of time, like when my mom goes to work and my sister and I go to school. Lastly, if he drinks too much water too fast, he’ll cough and almost sound like he’s choking. Is he just getting too excited and swallowing it down the wrong pipe?
Other than these issues, Kota is a very good dog. He loves his family, especially me, and is extremely playful He loves to play in the snow in the winter and the fresh cut grass in the summer, and has no allergies. I’m just a bit worried about him, is all. If you could answer my three questions, I would feel MUCH better.
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Around 25 lb, if he stays at that weight probably should not be a problem, without seeing him, a bit difficulty to tell.
Coughing after drinking is probably OK, in my opinion, I have seen a few dogs did that. Depends on how fierce the coughing is and how long he stays coughing though.
As for pe’ing in the house, that is a bit naughty! It could be a sexual thing or it could a protest if he is left alone, and he doesn’t like that. I have heard one cure is what I don’t want to mention!
If he is peeing in the house, he is definitely not “perfectly” potty-trained. Westies sometimes are very hard to housebreak, especially if they aren’t neutered. We waited until 3 years old to neuter our Westie and he never did stop peeing in the house. I finally put doggie diapers on him.
Having owned many dogs, and trained most to the obedience ring, He was the first dog I never could housebreak completely
1. The average weight for a full grown Westie is 25 pounds.
2. It’s the hormones that cause that. You might want to neuter him if it bothers you… which I’m sure it does…
3. My Westie, Alex, also does that. I’m pretty sure it is normal; it’s just becuase he gets to thirsty and then drinks to fast.
Alex is also loves his family (me the most), and is very playful. He is going to be a year old on the 15th.
I hope this helped!!!
i also have a westie.
he is an ideal weight for a westie.
if he isnt neutered, neutering him may stop him peeing around the house, as it is sometimes a territory thing.
iv not heard or seen my westie do the water thing. maybe he does not have a constant supply of water? and hes drinking so fast cos hes so thirsty?
make sure his water bowl is always fullwith fresh water x
The male West Highland West Terrier should weigh somewhere between 15 – 20lbs. He is a bit overweight. As for the peeing around the house – housebreak him, he couldn’t possibly be potty-trained if that is happening.
The epiglottis, a piece of connective tissue, covers the trachea in order to let food and water safely travel down the esophagus. If water or food manages to get passed the epiglottis and into the trachea (windpipe), a cough comences. This is to ensure that no water and food can travel into the bronchi or the lungs. So, he’s just getting a bit excited.
If Kota ever starts to choke, initiate the Heimlich Manuever:
Place your arm around the dog’s chest letting the head and shoulders hang over it. Close your hand to form a fist and bring your other hand around and cover your fist with it. Your two handed fist should be placed between the dog’s lower tummy and its rib cage.
Then quickly and firmly thrust your two handed fist inwards and upwards.
Repeat as often as is necessary to dislodge whatever is blocking your dog’s airways.
Hope I helped!