Unearth the Secrets of Westie Digging with These Tips

Manage Your Westie's Natural Instincts Safely and Effectively

Westies are charming and energetic companions known for their boundless curiosity and penchant for digging! With a spirit as lively as their reputation, these pint-sized terriers are natural-born diggers, always eager to explore and uncover new adventures in the backyard. But while their digging antics may be endearing, Westie owners must take proactive measures to safeguard their furry friends and surroundings. Below are a few tips that we found helpful over the years.

• Designate Digging Zones: Create designated digging areas in your yard where your Westie can indulge in their digging instincts without causing damage to flower beds or landscaping. Use sandboxes or specially designated patches of soil to redirect their digging behavior.

• Provide Mental Stimulation: Keep your Westie mentally stimulated and engaged with interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training exercises. A mentally stimulated Westie is less likely to resort to digging out of boredom or frustration. Along with chasing squrriels, Pippin enjoys chasing the basketball in the backyard.

• Supervise Outdoor Time: Whenever your Westie is outside, supervise their activities to prevent excessive digging or potential escape attempts. Install secure fencing around your yard to contain your Westie and deter them from wandering off. We installed a Dig Defence system.

• Channel Energy through Exercise:  Ensure your Westie gets plenty of physical exercise to help curb their digging instincts. Regular walks, playtime, and interactive games can help burn off excess energy and keep your Westie happy and content.

• Training and Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques to train your Westie not to dig in inappropriate areas. Reward good behavior with treats, praise, and affection, and redirect any digging behavior to designated digging zones. Consistent training and patience are key to modifying your Westie's digging habits.

To safeguard our Dynamic Duo, we invested in a dig defence system placed next to the fence to deter any escapes.

Reference

Dig Defence. (2024, April 9). Select your “Stop the Dig” need. https://digdefence.com/pages/shop-now