| West Highland White Terriers, like many breeds, need | | | | have plenty of soft padding. When used properly, the |
| more sleep than humans in order to stay healthy. Over | | | | crate will provide your Westie with a place he'll go |
| a period of twenty-four hours, these energetic little | | | | willingly to sleep, and it will also provide a way to |
| dogs require a minimum of thirteen hours of sleep in | | | | transport him from one place to another safely and |
| order to get sufficient rest. They will easily conform to | | | | securely. |
| the sleeping habits of their family, however, often | | | | Some Westie owners prefer to have their West |
| getting most of their sleep at night when their humans | | | | Highland White Terrier sleep with them in the bedroom. |
| are sleeping. In addition to this sleep, the West Highland | | | | Although there is nothing wrong with this choice, it may |
| White Terrier will take several naps during the day. | | | | be a good idea to give your pet his own bed on the |
| New Westie owners can train their dogs to learn good | | | | floor near yours. This principle is the same as crating - |
| sleeping habits, and armed with the proper information, | | | | giving your dog a safe place to go when he needs to |
| can determine when your Westie is sleeping too much. | | | | take a nap or be alone for a while. Closing the |
| Where your Westie will sleep is an important part of | | | | bedroom door at night will keep your Westie from |
| training and housebreaking him. The place you choose | | | | roaming throughout the house at night, and will teach |
| for your Westie to sleep should be a safe haven for | | | | him to sleep at night, rather than wander. |
| your pet, where he can retire after an energetic | | | | It is not unusual for West Highland White Terriers to |
| playing session or for the night. Crate training, highly | | | | tire easily after a vigorous round of play, so your pet |
| recommended by fanciers of the Westie, will appeal to | | | | will surely want to take a nap. Sleeping too much, |
| the dog's natural den instinct. Some owners prefer to | | | | however, can be a signal that something is wrong. |
| place the crate inside a pen, so that the Westie will | | | | Continuous sleeping, combined with general weakness |
| have a place to play safely as well as an area to | | | | or lack of appetite, can be symptoms of medical |
| sleep peacefully. Others simply use the crate as a | | | | issues, such as autoimmune disorders or cancer. |
| safe place for the dog to stay while he is alone or | | | | Reputable breeders do everything in their power to |
| taking a nap. | | | | weed out those Westies that may pass on dangerous |
| It is very important not to use the crate as a form of | | | | illnesses, so not every Westie will develop medical |
| punishment, since no pet will consider it a safe haven if | | | | issues. However, if you suspect that your Westie is |
| he associates it with the place he has to go when he | | | | sleeping too much, and may have a medical problem, a |
| has done wrong. The crate itself should be large | | | | visit to the veterinarian for a full check up should be in |
| enough to be comfortable, but not stifling, and should | | | | the near future. |