Learning to anticipate your westie puppies need to 'go' takes time, and extra attention to your pups when they are small, but it should make the learning process less stressful for everyone.

First you need to accept the fact that accidents will happen. Westie puppies under three or four months of age have very little bladder control, and do not realize they have to urinate until they are doing it.

There are times of the day, though, when you can predict that they will relieve themselves. By taking them outside in advance of these times, keeping them there until they are done, and then praising them soundly afterward, you are setting up situations in which your westie pups will succeed.

Your westie puppy will need to urinate immediately after waking up in the morning, or after a nap. If your westie pups start to go before you can get them outside, make a startling, but not frightening noise to try to stop them. Then take your westie pups to their potty place, and if they finish there, give them praise.

It is much easier to predict when your westie pups are about to go to sleep. This is another time when they need to relieve themselves. Also, pups have an automatic reflex to relieve themselves within one-half to one hour after eating. Establish a routine for your westie pups of regular eating, play, and potty times throughout the day. There are other signs of when they need to be taken to their potty place - the pups will become restless, sniffing and circling around as they instinctually try to find a place that has been used before.

If it seems like you need to be constantly watching them to ensure quick and easy housetraining, this is probably true. Some trainers recommend keeping your pups at the end of a six-foot leash, so they cannot wander too far. Or use baby gates to confine them to a single room. Others recommend crating your westie pups for much of the day, letting them out at intervals to relieve themselves, eat, relieve themselves, play, and then back into the crate for a nap.

Crating your west highland terrier puppies, or confining them to a very small area with baby gates or barriers, is recommended if you cannot watch the puppy for several hours at a time. This takes advantage of your westie's natural desire to keep themselves and their bedding clean. Take them to their potty place immediately upon letting them out of confinement.

To encourage it to chew on acceptable items, have a selection of sturdy chew toys on hand. These should be made of Cressite, or English rubber, although tennis balls and nylabones are also acceptable.

You will want to get your puppy used to a collar and leash as quickly as possible. Buy a light collar and leash, suitable for puppies, and get an ID tag to go with them. The grooming routine is also something that it needs to experience as early as possible. Have a brush or comb ready at hand.

Some owners recommend a bed of old towels, while others suggest faux lambskin. Like everything else you buy for your pet, whatever you choose for a bed should be both washable and durable, as well as comfortable for your dog.

Last, but not least, find a veterinarian. A reputable west highland white terrier breeder will even let you bring the dog to a vet before purchase, in order to ensure that the dog you bring home is healthy.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this article relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)