West Highland White Terrier: Temperament and Training Guide
Updated: 3 days ago
West Highland White Terriers are small, bright and full of opinions. Bred in Scotland to hunt foxes and vermin, Westies are confident, busy little dogs with a big personality. They look like a cuddly toy, but there's a proper terrier underneath, and training goes much better when you work with that.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Westies are lively, clever and independent terriers who learn well with short, fun, reward-based sessions. Their instinct to chase, dig and bark is strong, so give them safe outlets and teach a solid recall on a long line. Calm introductions to other dogs and gentle handling for grooming matter from puppyhood. They need daily walks, play and brain games. Their white coat needs regular brushing, and their skin needs watching.
IN THIS POST
ā Are Westies easy to train?
ā How much exercise does a Westie need?
ā Is a Westie right for you?
ā FAQs
What is a Westie like?
Westies are small, sturdy terriers with a white double coat and bright eyes. Most are cheerful, curious and affectionate with their family, but happy to do their own thing too. They notice everything, and they're not shy about telling you, whether it's the postman, the wind or a wheelie bin that was fine yesterday and is suddenly the scariest monster ever.
Westie temperament
Confident and bold
Lively and playful
Clever and independent
Strong instinct to chase and dig
Can be vocal
Are Westies easy to train?
They're bright and learn quickly, but they like to know what's in it for them. If something more interesting turns up, they'll often choose that. Short, varied sessions with food and play work much better than repetition or harsh handling.
How to train a Westie
1. Make recall a game
Use great rewards and a long line, and practise in the garden first. Read why dogs forget come.
2. Reward quiet
Westies can bark at noises and passers-by. Reward calm moments, and use a "thank you" cue then a treat when they stop.
3. Teach "leave it" and "drop"
Useful for a dog who loves to chase and grab.
4. Give the terrier a job
A digging box, scent games and flirt pole play give their instincts a safe outlet. Read scent games to play at home.
5. Calm social skills
Let them watch other dogs from a distance and reward calm. Choose calm, friendly dogs for meetings.
How much exercise does a Westie need?
Around an hour a day for most adults, mixing walks, sniffing and play. They're small but energetic, and they love exploring. A secure garden matters, as they'll follow a scent under or through a fence.
Grooming and skin
Brush a few times a week and plan for hand-stripping or clipping every couple of months. Westies can be prone to itchy skin, so check with your vet if you notice scratching, redness or licking. Start gentle handling early. Read handling games for grooming and vet visits.
Is a Westie right for you?
A Westie suits a home that enjoys a dog with character, has time for daily walks and games, and doesn't mind a bit of terrier attitude.
RENEE'S TIP
Scatter a few treats in the grass and let your Westie sniff them out before a walk or when visitors arrive. Sniffing takes the edge off their energy and gives that busy terrier brain a job.
QUICK CHECK
ā Bright, bold and independent
ā Short, fun, varied sessions
ā Recall on a long line
ā Safe outlets for digging and chasing
ā Brush often and watch their skin
FROM RENEE'S BOOKSHELF
The Modern West Highland White Terrier Handbook
Everything in this post and a lot more: puppy to senior, barking, digging, skin and coat care, and the quirks that make Westies Westies.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with your Westie
If barking, recall or other dogs are a problem, I can help you build a plan that suits your dog, in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
Are Westies easy to train?
They're clever and learn quickly with short, fun sessions, but can be independent.
Do Westies bark a lot?
They can be vocal. Rewarding quiet and giving them enough to do helps.
How much exercise does a Westie need?
Around an hour a day, plus play and brain games.
Are Westies good with children?
Usually, with calm handling and supervision, especially with young children.
Do Westies have skin problems?
Some are prone to itchy skin. Talk to your vet if you notice scratching or redness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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