Since this is Dog Lover Kopitiam, I assume if I have anything to say, rant or whatever thats worrying me about my dog, I can post here?

Anyway, I just got myself a dog this morning, it's a West Highland White Terrier aka Westie. I have been looking very long for one and I was previously quoted RM2,300 being the cheapest to RM5,000 being the most expensive. At a point of time, I even went to the extend of asking my cousin bring one back for me from Gold Coast Australia.

My Westie is born on 16/10/2006. Today, he is 2 and 1/2 months old. His name is Casper.

My gf saw a newspaper article on The Star yesterday and so we called up the breeder who happens to live about 2 minutes walk away from my gf's house. Darn small world!! Because its rare and quite hard to find, Westies are priced very expensive. However, because this Westie was born during the flight (import of the Dam), the breeder has some complications with immigrations and etc, thus Casper and his two sisters in this liter was not registered with MKA. Thus, no cert so cheaper at RM1,600. Hell, screw the cert and the money because I want it regardless.

View the dog 11pm last night, bought the dog 11am this morning. Our paths are destined to cross.

So, I picked up Casper after breakfast at 11am. I brought it to the vet for check up and that took us like 1 hour+ because of the jam and queue at the clinic. After Casper was dewormed, we took him to the pet store to get his selection of food, toys and treats. On the way there, he vomitted on me. My gf is a dog-lover for few years, much more experience than I have - told me it's normal due to car ride and also the de-worming medication.

So, after buying the pet store, we went home to my gf's place and then sent the car to wash. Casper played around at the compound happily for about 1 hour and I decided to pick up the car and bring him home to my own place.

Brought him home, my sister was happy! My mom wasnt too happy bout it, worrying I dont have the responsibility to take care of the dog, blah. I'll show her!!

I let Casper run around the house and also the compound. He poo-ed outside and we had to clean it. Then he pee-d like five times in the house but we are fine with that. We learn to accept it as our responsibility since we wanted the dog so badly.

I fed it another time at 6pm at the evening. Blackwood, given to us by the breeder. Casper finished it within minutes and drank plenty of water. So, we put Casper in his cage, went out for dinner and came back. He didnt poo or pee. I was told that pups usually do their business within 1 hour after meal?

Anyway, it was until 11pm that Casper was still awake. I carried the whole cage up to my room with aircond. I put more cloths inside his cage as blankets and etc but he bite it and drag it all over. So, I guess he will never learn to appreciate blanket so I put the cage and Casper in it back downstairs with ceiling fan turned on and also the ridsect mosquitoe repellent plugged into the socket of the wall - odorless.

I hope I dont wake up to a pile of dog shit and pee tomorrow morning. If my mom throw a fit at 7am, I will know what went wrong.... It's tiring, its peeing everywhere, it puked on me even, but its really wonderful.

Just sharing my experience, thanks for reading.

Sorry if anyone find it annoying that I keep posting this. This is day-2 at home and I woke up at 7am just to check on Casper. He has poo-ed in the cage, also pee-d.

Dogs usually dont poo and pee at where they sleep but then this is my first time, inexperience. Fed him too much and drank too much before sleep. Starting tonight, every night, I will take him out for a walk, pee first before sleeping.

Wake up at 7am, wash his cage, fed him but he didnt finish. Give him water to drink from the bowl. He played outside with me all morning till 10am, come in the house... Terus pee on the floor, ALAMAK!! Now, 11am and he FINALLY got tired and goes to sleep. Cage door is open but he sleep outside the cage with the floor mat. Poor thing got separated from his family - I feel so bad.

This post has been edited by Pennywise: Jan 3 2007, 10:53 AM

Now I brought Casper out for another car ride to the pet store to buy a leash, a collar, a comb and a small packet of treats. Everything went wrong.

On our way back, he puke again on my gf's jeans, the chair and floor mat in the car. I had to wash the floor mat, my gf wasnt too happy but she understands, I have to febreze my leather seat... Man, that was insane.

I tied the collar to Casper and the bell tingles, so Casper will pause and jump backwards to see who is behind him. Another thing is that he hates the leash because block him from freedom. Tell him come, he wont come. Tie him leash, he dont like. How you guys train your puppy to come? Should I still put him on leash?

Bought him a pack of Oiishi treats from BARK brand and he dont even like it one bit. Maybe cause he just puke, will try again later.

No cert la, can go meh? Sorry I dont know much about dogs. Where is the event held? If there's some obedience training class, I would like to attend because Casper does not understand what "COME" means even. I have to add he has only been home for two days now. I doubt if he knows Casper is his name.

How do you guys decide in between doing dog biz indoor or outdoor? I live in a double storey terrace. I have a newspaper set up indoor at my living room, next to a unused piano. Everytime he does his biz elsewhere indoor, I will scold him, point to the poo, scold the poo even and then bring him to the newspaper and tell him to poo there, pat his head and tell him good dog. So far it have NOT work.

At the same time, whenever we let him out after he wakes up, we have to go out with him. In the house compound, he will do his biz anywhere outdoor. When I say outdoor here, it means my house compound. Not too big for a double storey.

So, I'm kinda worried here if he will get confused, to poo outdoor or poo on the newspaper. At the same time, should I just keep him indoors, so all his biz is done to the newspaper?

Also, at the piano, he sees his own reflection. Will it affect doing his biz at all? Like somebody watching him. At first, he was so afraid he walked backwards, now its better, he dare to walk there now.

Two things I have to ask... dog odor, how to get rid? Also, his hind legs are always use to scratch somewhere near his testicles or inner thigh, when I look at it, nothing seems wrong - no rashes even though thats what I thought first... I am sending him to his check up and another jab on Saturday. Hope he doesnt puke again.

Because I have been with my puppy, Casper for 12 hours straight today, I feel rather tired to keep up with him. It's 8.30pm and he crawled back into his cage and went to sleep. I feel bad for caging him but I cant afford him to poo and pee all over the house in the night.

What time does a 2 - 3 months old puppy usually sleep? Is 8.30pm a little too early? I feel so much guilt and hope that the whole house-breaking process will speed up so he can come sleep with me in the night.

I'm typing it out here to ask for advise / help ler.. First time jaga dog, really dunno how to handle.

What time does your dog goes to sleep?

Yea, since its not fully vaccinated, I dont think I will be able to bring him. Somemore, he's not ready for car rides. Two rides, two pukes. Poor thing.

Yea, house breaking is my major problem. As long as it can pass through this, I will let it roam free in the house, rather than keep it caged all the time. I have already decided to let him do his biz indoor, at the living room because I worry going to the kitchen may be a trip too far for little Casper. So I put the newspapers at the end of the living room, near the dining hall and next to a piano. Between the living room and dining hall is a wooden door, we usually keep it closed so he dont go to the back of the house (dining hall and kitchen) without us noticing.

I am still wondering if his reflection on the piano will have any affect on the housebreaking training effectiveness. Will he see his reflection, get too scared and run away, will never pee on the newspaper placed there?

Also, I noticed, he dont quite like the smell of newspaper, I THINK! I hold him there and usher him to the newspaper, he smell and he will back off and go away. Is this normal? Anyone else's dog is like this?

Ok, I wont scold it anymore from today onwards, positive training. This whole GRAB CHANCES thing you mentioned is kinda difficult because he's a speedy!! He dont pee like other dogs I've seen, not one-legged up but rather kangkang his leg to pee and poo, the same.

Like this morning, put him out of the cage, 20 minutes he dont poo / pee but when I was on the phone, he poo and I had to throw my phone onto the sofa to quickly catch him and bring him to the newspaper. Only a drop of poo landed on the newspaper, the rest was on the floor but luckily its hard poo, not watery, else sure die when mom see. When one poo dropped on the newspaper, I pushed his head down, tap him and praise him.

Regarding the whole sleeping issue, I just feel bad for caging him but I cant afford him to poo / pee the whole house, else mom would slaughter him and eat him up. Anyway, thanks for all your advise.

Oh yea, anything I can do bout dog odor?


Errr... ya, I never had a dog. I wanted something small, so its handled easily and white, so it looks clean. I dont like Maltese or Shih tzu or Chi-wa-wa. I wanted to get a Spitz but my gf already has one. THen I saw Caesars dog food icon, Westie and decided to go for it. Yes, its giving me a hard time especially when I have to work. I hope my sister trains him consistently else, it might be too late to housebreak even. <--- thats what I worry most.

Thank you... I will post up some picts soon. Yes, Casper is very cute and naughty too.

Wow, that sounds like a really good vet. Where do you live and where is the vet's clinic? I hope its somewhere near me!

My gf went to my place after class today and she told me that Casper is very stubborn. Maybe like all other terriers, it wanna show who is in charge. Told him not to bite, he stop. Then she put her hands down, Casper pound onto the hand wanting to bite. Is there a way to solve this biting issue?

My friend's mom recommend me slapping with a slipper... But that's a bit too harsh, is it not?

No la, I am not gonna start a blog. I know my post are long. I am sorry if you have to read it or just skip it. I wanna put in all the characteristics and what he does the day and see if it affects anything. Inexperience la, so hope you understand.

Yea, my friend's mom has a poodle and a pink slipper she purposely bought just to slap the dog. Any time she pick up the slipper, her dog become obedient, else its like mad, simply roll, sit, down, even when not asked to.

Ok, I already given him a chewing stick in a bone shape to bite but most morning I wake up, he pushes it out of his cage. Then come out, wanna simply bite somemore. Yesterday a string was hooked onto his teeth from my socks, so tarik lor him... I have to pull out and now my socks bit rosak liao - new Christmas gift somemore.

I will try your methods. Yes, I read Terriers are dominant and if they start to think they are boss, then susah. So I have to train it, harsh but sometimes ppl say positive training more effective. At the same time, positive training may lead Casper to think he is boss over me.

I can scold them but not like he would understand, would he? I dont want to cage him cause I dont want him to fear the cage. Leash? I will maybe try that starting this weekend, almost 5 days at new home liao by Sat (brought him in on Tues), so should be less stress out liao.

As for the vet, I think I will have to pass... Aman Suria is where? KLCC? I live in Klang, bro. Thanks for the offer. Off to work now!!

Wow nice trick u got there. If I put the food slightly above his head, he will try his best to jump and reach out for it. Anyway, I will give it a try but whats on my mind is he may not like his food. Also, the breeder called yesterday and say 2 and 1/2 months is too young to train, have to wait at least 4 months. What age did you train your puppy?

Nice advise... I will give it a try but is there a age limit to train a dog? Do you think it'll comprehend when its only 2 and 1/2 months old? My breeder say 4 months wor.

I will start with housebreak, sit and come... these 3 first, for a while. Yes, I will try to leash him if he's naughty. Thanks again!

That's a short cut way to do his business? Ok, I will give it a try. By the way, how old was Collie when you trained her like that?

Sleeping with me is just a thought but minimum is I wont keep it caged for life. No way in hell I would do that. I already feel max-bad liao.

I know its doesnt smell the best when he does his biz indoor but I want him to get used to it because my house door doesnt open all the time. Most of the time is sis in school, I'm at work and my granny keep the doors locked cause she's home with the maid. So, doing his biz indoor is my only choice.

Is there any recommended shampoo for dog odor? Yea, I got the cologne for Casper but not the powder. Now when I come home, I can smell the bau from the outside air is different. Die larrr...

Ok, it's Fri so I was out the whole night. I got back at 3.00am and Casper was awake. My sister has forgotten to cover the cage with a cloth. Casper was locked inside so I let him out.

He pee, first time on the newspaper, second time on the floor. Then poo on the floor, I quickly GRAB CHANCE and carry him to the paper in which he twist his body and fell off my hands landed on the floor... Not too high, knee length and banged the wall. Damn it! Then I had to do all the cleaning and tahan until 4.20am, put him back into the cage.

My breeder told me that Casper was kept caged all day before I bought him. He's only allowed out to exercise 1 hr in the morning and 1 hr in the evening because breeder got too many dogs to take care of. That's like keeping it locked for 22 hrs a day... Arent we advised not to cage puppies for more than 6 hours a day?

I wake up at 7, I release him - OUT
I go work at 8 - CAGED
At 10am, maid release him - OUT
At 11am - CAGED
At 2pm, sister release him after coming back from school - OUT
At 5pm - CAGED
At 6pm - OUT
At 8pm - CAGED
At 3am - OUT
At 4.20pm - CAGED

Is this too harsh? Please comment... cause i need to learn. Thanks.

My house isnt big enough for a play pen. Even the newspaper, I was having a hard time to think where to put them and decided to put them by the main door because my house barely got visitors but then CNY coming soon also, that's another problem. My breeder is only selling each border at RM11 but I got a cage instead. Besides, if I setup a play pen, I think Casper will knock it down.

Anyway, he loves his cage, his safe haven. Whenever I bring the cage out to wash, he will bark at me, possibly for taking his 'room' away. So, that's not a problem. Just feel bad for caging him. Like tomorrow, grandma's not home. All going to work / school. Sister only back at 1.30pm, means thats the only time Casper will be set out of the cage. I feel horrible when we come to days like these. 8.00am we all leave for work, cage till 1.30pm, sister come back only let it out. 5 and 1/2 hours man!!

Yes, I notice dogs will not pee or poo on their sleep place unless really cannot tahan. Even pee also didnt wet the cloth they sleep on, which is a very good thing. So far, one week, Casper still poo and pee around the house but occassionally, he will go to the newspaper. I think he's starting to get it but still confused. Need more consistent training. In just one week, I finished a bottle of Febreze cleaning up after him.

Anyway, I want to write a big thank you for all those who have helped me. If I got anything else, I will post up. That's all for now. Thanks again!

I will get a play pen after I move house next year. I have saved your play pen and will follow its 'design' then.

Brilliant idea!! This way, he can have a place to sleep and potty!! Brilliant!! I will give it a try! I need to see if my cage side ways can be opened.

Casper totally hates the leash. I woke up at 6am to go for my morning walks, I let him out and he pee-d on the floor. Then I leash him near to the newspaper and went out. 1 hour later, I come back, he was on the ground. Hates the leash, try so hard to pull away from it but failed. The moment I let him go (out of sympathy), he shit on the floor. DAMN IT!! It was getting to me so I put him back in the cage and clean after him and shower. Losing patience in just one week...

I think I will apply your method. Caged unless I am around. But where did you find the patience to clean up after him? Especially if you carry him to the newspaper, his pee still splurting out. Then when you wipe, he comes to kaypoh and step all over. Before you can catch him to wash his paws, he ran all over the house, then you have to mop the entire place. It's giving me a heart-attack.

I dont show my dog soft spots. I shout at him, very loudly till my neighbours can hear me when he potty on the floor. When you say trust you, our dogs know how we feel. You start to make me think he doesnt give a shit about me... HAIH!!! WHERE CAN LIKE THIS?

Yes, I hit the floor with my palm whenever he pee or shit there. Sometimes my palm also pain. The dog on the other hand is scared to death, trying to break away from my grasp but I hold him down and hit the floor somemore, telling him NO! Before I know it, my palm was all in pain. Next time, need to find a kayu liao to hit the floor, else I sendiri sakit before he learn.

No plants for him cause he's kept indoors 99% of the time.

Yea, I know its part and parcel. You know, its like a feeling of never having a puppy before and then sekaligus, they keep on pottying all over. Kind of frustrated but its good, trains on my patience.

How is it different if I were to send him to a professional dog trainer? Enlighten me please.

You are awesome. My HERO~!!!~!! I am so going to get the play pen tomorrow and make an extension, turning his cage into bungalow! Based on your drawing, I will leave the doors open. Rest or sleep time, in cage but when he comes out of cage to the play pen half, I just scared he run out and step over all his shit. .

What brand does your Westie take? My breeder gave me Blackwood, then when I bought Pro Plan from a pet store, the store gave me two small packs of Nutri Sauce to try it out. So far, Blackwood finish , Nutri Sauce also second pack liao. Next is Pro Plan.

This post has been edited by Pennywise: Jan 8 2007, 10:14 PM

I was told the opposite that Blackwood packs a punch and it may be too heaty for puppy or adult dogs even often causing rashes and skin problems unless fed on cold places like Camerons, etc.

Yes, I well understand what you mean thats why I am trying, harder to learn to have more patience. I am sure patience will benefit me more than just one way.

I can see that your cage door is open so the dog can go in and out. I know, I get your concept but I am still wondering if the dog will step all over the shit / pee.

Thank you for your advise. No, I do not take my dog out to eliminate because I live in a regular double storey terrace. Half cement porch for the cars to park and half more is a little garden where my mom plant her herbs, etc. I cant afford to have Casper go all over, step and pee and shit on it and then my mom bring it in and boil it for me to drink...

Yes, I am learning to be patient but my puppy is VERY naughty and stubborn. Brought him to the vet and vet gave it vitamins in liquid form, he spit it back out!! Even the vet complains about how naughty he is. Not to mention, spiteful too! Casper try to bite my gf's toes and then she taught him NO!, loudly and sternly and then he went to a corner, later on, he came back and pounced on the door again and run away.

I know the breed, pretty much. I read a lot about them and it took me 6 months or more to look for a suitable one. Others I've seen from other breeders were dirty or sickly. I just love how Westies would look like when they are older, especially the one you see on the Caser dog-food.

I know terriers are kinda hard to control, very naughty also. I am willing to take that as a challenge. I know I speak of it as though I am already defeated but I am not, will never be and will try again and again till he is house-broken!

Royal Canin? Isnt that like the best of the best dog food available in the market? How long did it took you to house break your Westie and what is his / her name?

MOUSEY,

Whats the height and width of each border of your play pen? RM15 is a bit more expensive than what my breeder has to offer at RM11, I just wanna know the difference because in your pict, it appear to be quite a large space.

Does your dog step all over his poo / pee on the newspaper? I am afraid mine might... Any advise?

Hey there, thanks a lot, your post have been helpful. The scenario of someone speaking a foreign language with me then beats me up when I dont understand really help applies more patience in me. I will keep in mind that I will not understand better even if with aggression.


My goodness, you are really lucky. My dog is so bad ass and possibly spoilt. Keep telling him to potty at the newspaper, he either shoot near it, far from it but hardly ever on it. Drives me up the wall. Unfortunately, I dont have time to train him to use our toilet so the newspaper will have to do.

I have given it a thought about a thousand times. I wanted a dog when I was much younger but my mom disapproved saying its fur may cause asthma. Then I waited for many years, even though I never brought it up again, the desire of having a pet was there.

When I was in college, I told my mom again and yet she turned me down again becuase of my baby-sister then. My sister and I are 11 years different, so I was turned down again.

Finally when I started work, with all the house commitment and bills to pay, my mom told me to get my own dog with my own money. So I had to save but it took me a long time to collect the money and to find the right dog because Westies are quite difficult to find in Malaysia and quite COSTLY!

That's how I ended up with Casper, for RM1,600 - he's price tag is considered cheap.

I may be working but I spend time with him, everyday. Even when I got home at 11.00pm, dead tired, I still spend an hour with him before going to sleep. Clean up after him, run around with him, etc. I consider myself to be doing pretty well as a pet owner.

I hope you get your doggy soon! Good luck!
Yea, that's what I heard because Blackwood packs a punch. Not only 1 pet store tell me this but my breeder and another guy name Abias (he studied Animal Science in Canada but from Klang, like me) in Tmn Megah pet store said the same thing. Blackwood is very compact, a lot of nutrition compressed into each bite - content may be too high some times, thus very heaty.

If you're happy with it, then its good for you but right now, I am going with Pro Plan Chicken. Kibbles are like dentabone is it?

Yes, I agree, thats why I spend my last bit of energy with Casper everyday when I get home from work, etc. I hope I manage to house break him asap.

What's 'the super premium'? I will try your way, with salmon flavor Pro Plan after I finish off this pack. I hope my Casper likes fish.

In most cases, even those whose heart has turned to stone can find their heart beating and melting again by dogs. I am sure most will agree with me. Dogs just have a thing to reach out to others, especially when they are clean puppies.

My mom hates dog. My grandma was against it afraid we dont have time to take care of it. End up, now they let the dog out to play more than me. While I am working, my grandma is playing with Casper, letting it run around her tongkat. Watch TV also let him out to sayang him. Mom also, hang clothes to dry time, let Casper out to run around her feet and the puddle of water. Same case happens with my gf's dog and her parents!

I woke up this morning and decided to try the technique, to keep him leashed near the newspaper until he poos / pees.

So, I was preparing to go work, he was making those sympathetic noise. Then, I open his cage and touched him, all is good. I put on my socks and he ran around me with his tail up, so I assume he is happy. Then I took the leash and try to put on him, he jumped back and resisted.

Later, he come again and let me put but once I put on the leash, tail dropped down (I assume he's scared?), he refuses to walk. He just fall flat on the ground, so stubborn. I ask him to come, he wont. I ask him to move, he wont. I give him some doggy biscuit, ALSO wont move AT ALL. So, I drag him... He resist and reluctant but I pull him forward to the newspaper. I tied him by the door there and go behind to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast.

Then, I come back out, he didnt potty at all. So, I untie the leash from the door, holding onto it. I put the bowl down about 1 feet away from him and he wont even come forward. I sit one fit and open my arms, ask him come, he wont move. So I had to bring his bowl to his face, only he start eating.

Then, I unleashed him and he eat a bit more, I took his bowl to the cage and he went in. I locked him up and went to work. THe whole process took about 1 hour and he didnt even poo / pee...

How do I make him like the leash? How do I make him at least COME to me because even with food, it didnt work.

Omg! I didnt give Casper the 'leash training' and leashed him straight away... This is no good, am I too late to introduce the leash again?

You are right, I dont really want the dog to do his biz in the living room but I got no choice because my kitchen no space and often no one is there, so I dont want him to go there and then step all over.

Secondly, I am moving house next year, so I THINK i might have to retrain him if he cant be best friends with newspaper for these few months. I hope he becomes best friends with the newspaper then it would be easier.

Lastly, Casper will constantly be undersupervised whenever he's out of the cage. Besides, my house dont have much visitors anyway. Of those who visits 99% are close friends who wouldnt even mind if there's such a thing on the ground.

Will dogs be able to comprehend, when I move the newspaper about? Like every 3 months, I move the newspaper 5 footsteps apart from its old place? Now I live in double storey, next year, move to a new bungalow - will I have to RETRAIN him?

Clothes hanger? Good idea, I will look into that. How does a tug of war toy look like? Do you have any URL that you can drop in the next time you post here? Thanks for your advise / suggestions.

I wont! I wont! Dont worry!!

I wish I can house break my dog fairly fast too. Now entering the second week already. I hope its done soon!

When you guys reward your dog with treats when they are obedient or potty at the right places, what kind of treats do u feed him? Please share with me...