I recently started listening to your podcasts, and I have to say that I am learning a lot, so please keep them coming!

My fiancee and I are getting married in May, and we are planning to get a West Highland White Terrier after we get married. We'd like to have an idea how to train our dog and be ready for it before we get it. I'm happy that I came across your podcasts because they really help! I like the format with the steps and caveats; I like how each podcast is focused on a specific topic; and I like how the podcasts are to the point and short (about 15 minutes).

We certainly appreciate the pat on the back!
Margaret works hard getting the scripts to the point. She LOVES to explore every point of a dog training subject, so its hard sometimes, but we have been very pleased with the support from everyone.
Thanks for taking the time to let us know!! And you can certainly look forward to many more casts for a long time. (Like I said, Margaret loves to talk about dog training!)
Conor

Congratulations! You have chosen a great breed. I think that West Highland White Terriers are the most ‘trainable’ of all of the terriers. I recommend that you visit www.akc.org in your search for your new puppy. Follow the trail to the Westie breed clubs. Contact breeders in your area who list on this site.

Remember that good breeders typically have more questions for you then you have for them! You will feel more as if you are adopting a child then buying a dog. Good breeders care more about where the puppy will end up, then just ‘selling’ a puppy. Listen to our free podcast about choosing the right puppy. Housetraining begins at the breeder! Choosing a good breeder who thinks about giving the puppy the best start in life is half of the game.

Listen to our free podcast on housetraining. Make sure that you have a kennel crate in your living area and one by your bed. Avoid bringing your puppy home before he (or she) is 7 weeks old. Remember that every interaction that you have with your puppy is ‘dog training’. Make sure that your training is effective from the beginning! Remember that while you are bigger, stronger, and smarter your puppy is FASTER! Do your best to make sure that your puppy does not discover this.

Follow the 3 rules of raising a good puppy: outside with your dragging a long leash, inside in the room where you are in your line of visual sight dragging a short leash or in confinement. You will quickly learn that these 3 rules teach your puppy what you expect and eliminate many common puppy ‘issues’. Consider taking our online Basic Obedience 101 course. There is no better way to build love, trust, and respect.

Please let us know if we can answer any further questions. Again, thank you for thinking ahead – you are already a great human!

Thanks for the detailed reply Margaret!

What are some of the questions we should anticipate the breeder asking us? We have done quite a bit of homework, and we've thought a lot about our situation in raising the dog, but it would be helpful to know what kinds of things the breeder will ask us. We've actually found a reputable breeder, and we'd like to contact her soon, so any insight you can give us before we make that call would be great! Thanks!

Brian

Hi Brian,
You can anticipate questions on what your home is like. What kind of hours you work. Who is going to be primarily caring for the dog. Do plan on training the dog. Do you plan on spaying/neutering the dog (or something about a limited registration so that it mandates the dog being fixed). Are there any children in the house.
Really its not going to be anything thats too hard. Just answer honestly. A good breeder cares deeply for their puppies, they are not just things to them. They want to be sure that you feel the same way.
If there are any other questions, just let us know!
Conor