Prepare for unexpected vet bills
The West of Argyll Terrier is a sassy, independent and fun-loving dog that will slot into your home life beautifully. They have a long lifespan, meaning you have more time to provide them with fun activities, and they have an independent streak that will see them get into all sorts of mischief. The West of Argyll Terrier is a mixture of the West Highland White Terrier and Beagle, meaning they are a small dog with a lot of energy and a keen nose. If you are struggling to come up with ways to keep them happy and stimulated, these activities below could help.
Given how small the West of Argyll Terrier is, they don’t look like your average guard dog. However, their senses and ability to tell you when someone is near your property will surprise you. The West of Argyll Terrier can bark a lot, which may not be that much of a big deal if you don’t have neighbors, but could be if you do. Instead of letting their barking become a cause for concern, you can get on top of it with bark training. Bark training is a hard activity but is one that can have a lot of benefits. What’s more, it doesn’t cost a dime, you can do it in any weather, and you only need a treat, toy, tin can, and some coins.
Both the Terrier and Beagle parents have a keen nose, so you can bet that your West of Argyll Terrier will too! Appeal to this trait with a treasure hunt in your home when it’s too wet to go outside. All you need is a few toys and treats, 30 minutes to spare, and a bored, eager pooch! A treasure hunt can also be a way in which to spend more time with your dog, practice recall and help them learn new skills. You can also play it outside if the weather is a bit nicer, but the rooms in your house are the perfect areas for hiding items!
On a hot summer’s day, trying to stimulate your dog is quite tricky. You don’t want them to overheat by getting them to do a lot of physical activity, but you also want them to have something fun to do without it being expensive. That’s why a paddling pool can be an excellent summer’s day activity. Gather toys, treats, a towel, and set your pool up somewhere outside in the shade. You can then spend at least an hour playing in the water with them, enabling them to stay cool but have fun too. There are many games you can play in a paddling pool as well!
Unfortunately, many West of Argyll Terriers will prefer their own company to that of other dogs. However, if you adopt one as a puppy and begin socialization with other dogs right away, you may find they enjoy playing and spending time with other pooches. To get those crucial social skills, schedule in trips to the dog park. They will love the opportunity to run around and burn off energy.
West of Argyll Terriers tend to have a lot of energy, and they also like things that move! Combine the two and get the bubble mixture out. Once you blow large bubbles that flow through the air, your dog is bound to jump around and try and get them. Within 10 minutes, they will be tuckered out and ready for a long nap.
A West of Argyll Terrier makes an excellent companion pet – even if they prefer the company of you instead of other pets. They are high-energy, make good guard dogs, and keep you on your toes when it comes fun activities. If you take the time to come up with some fun activities to keep their body and mind active, they will furever be grateful.