Well we lost our dog of 17 years in March this year but 7 months on the bugs bitten again!

This is 'Billy" born 30th August 13. We've never had a puppy before, (the last one, a Border Collie was 1 year old from a local rescue centre) so any new owner tips will be greatly received

 

How cute is this

 

Hope you enjoy many happy years together.
Forgive my ignorance, a "Westie" ?
Biggest new owner tip, start off as you mean to continue. What is a bit of fun with a pup can be a nuisance when they are grown up and of course they don't see any difference.

 

Hi Alpha, yes he's a Westie. We've spend the last couple of months waiting for him so we've taken the opportunity to read quite a few books. But it's quite a responsibility to get things right especially as what we do in the next few weeks will go a long way to shaping his character. He seems very chilled at present which is a positive start.

 

He is simply adorable Matt. I hope you have a great time together.

IMO Westies have the happiest faces of any animal - they always look like they're smiling.

 

Number one tip is not to take him to parks or places other dogs are for the first 6 months and don't let him sniff every pole when you walk him before this time.
Research Parvovirus

Then what Alpha said above

Everyone loves a puppy

 

He's a cutie!

My best advice is not to use treats too much during training. You'll turn him into an addict. My sister used treats as positive reinforcement with her lab/shepherd mix and he's like a crack addict for them 11 years later.

 

What a cute little face ...how will you ever say no to that! A tip, watch out for those sharp little teeth! But you probably are aware of that by now.

 

Adorable!

 

Thanks for all the positive replies everyone. Now we've just got to get him toilet trained before my wood floor 'soaks up' the consequences! Quite right about the teeth Hijak!

I think it could be time to refit the bracelet to my SMP in place of the isofrane, it looks a little more chew proof!

 

Lucas says hello and welcome to Billy

 

Congratulations on Billy,
I would suggest the opposite of Standy, get him fully vaccinated and then try to socialise him, he needs to get used to other dogs, and people and learn they are cool and friendly.
Also suggest you train him out of jumping up, he only gets treats and attention when his front feet are on the floor. It is usually long body short leg dogs (think corgies, bassets) that can end up with back and spinal problems but a lifetime of jumping up can be tough on the backs of small dogs.
Oh and desex at 6 months or a little later!
Enjoy

 

+1 on that Shaun!