UK Westie ReHoming Charity

Westie ReHoming is a charity dedicated to the welfare and rehoming of the West Highland White Terrier. We take in westies needing a new start in life for whatever reason and place them into a suitable home where they will be loved and have their needs met. We have a holistic approach to rehoming, encompassing many perspectives, although the westies’ needs always come first.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To ensure that all Westies in need (whatever their pedigree/disability) receive the care most appropriate to their circumstances and to raise awareness of West Highland White Terrier welfare.

A REHOMING UPDATE

As the Covid restrictions are being eased we have had an incredibly busy couple of weeks. Some of the dogs that have needed to be worked with before being rehabilitated have been eased into a new home with people already known to us, that we were confident would carry on taking them forward to their maximum potential. This naturally eliminated the need for a home check too which was a bonus. There are still some dogs that are a work in progress.

Many miles have been travelled and our lovely volunteers have pulled out all the stops to get things moving. A very special mention must surely be given here to:

Robyn & Andy, Trish & Donna, Peter, Sandra & Alan, Martin & Rosie, and Jayne. Thanks guys, what would we have done without you? We’ve also had several new volunteer applications which is very heartening, and for which we’re very grateful. As things pick up we’ll certainly be very glad of your help.

We are beginning to see the impact of the effects of the last year on the lockdown puppies that we have taken in. These dogs really do need to go to people with experience and a great deal of understanding as they have very significant problems. Some involve biting and we just can’t rehome them without considerable rehabilitation first. It isn’t just a matter of giving them lots of love, they have usually had that, but love alone doesn’t prepare them for living in the outside world or teach them some social graces. We are totally committed to doing the very best for all of the dogs we take in, and ensuring that their next home has the same level of commitment.

We have spoken to some really, really lovely people over the past few weeks and sincerely look forward to finding the right dog for them, but most of the dogs are more challenging than they have probably been used to and so they are still waiting.

It is now possible to do outdoor home-checks, and the easing of travel restrictions is obviously a huge help, particularly those in Scotland. People are planning holidays, and holiday times are historically when many people relinquish their dog. There are reasons to be more optimistic about rehoming at the moment, but having said that, there may be a higher percentage of dogs given up for behavioural reasons, and so they won’t meet your expectations. As always, we can say that the right dog is always worth waiting for.

To all those people asking for a puppy or a dog ‘as young as possible’, we can only say “Be careful what you wish for”!

Timmy, a Westie ReHoming westie

In rescue shelters there is a trend for the older dogs to often be passed by in favour of a younger dog. There is a common misconception that the older the dog, the less you can teach it but the reality is that any dog can learn at any age. In fact older dogs are often easier to train than young ones as they have a longer attention span and more self-control. Westies, being a highly intelligent breed are very quick to learn but can learn bad habits just as quickly as good ones and so it is up to you to decide what you want to train them to do.

The level of success you achieve depends of course on the methods you choose to train them. Reward based training means that they will be far more likely to repeat the good behaviour again. The key to training is the relationship you have with your dog. If there is a mutual respect your Westie will be more inclined to want to work with you but remember that you can’t force your dog to respect you, you must earn his respect and then there is no limit to what he will do for you.

Timmy, an eleven year old westie rehomed by Westie ReHoming is a typical example of what can be achieved with an older dog using patience, understanding, mutual respect and a liberal sprinkling of love. Timmy took to his training like a duck to water, just loving to please and enjoying every moment. He soon worked his way through the Kennel Club Good Citizen Award Scheme and they planned to ‘go for Gold’ until Covid-19 brought the competitions to a halt.

Just before lockdown Timmy’s proud ‘mum’ booked a photographic session for her boy with award winning Craig Cantwell who was voted ‘Scotland’s Best Pet Photographer’ no less, and here he is seen posing proudly by Broughty Ferry Castle.

This remarkable lad is just an example of what can be achieved with an older dog and should be an inspiration to anyone considering adopting a westie. What a wonderful partnership he and his owner have, which is surely what rehoming is all about.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To ensure that all Westies in need (whatever their pedigree/disability) receive the care most appropriate to their circumstances and to raise awareness of West Highland White Terrier welfare.

A REHOMING UPDATE

Timmy, a Westie ReHoming westie

Facebook: @craigcantwellphotography

Photo Credit: craigcantwellphotography.co.uk.