Our westie puppy has never enjoyed bathtime, but screams louder and louder each week. Today, we have had to resort to sponging him down whilst physically restraining him. The poor little chap seems terrified. We have tried various temperatures of water, from warm to cold. We have tried treats. He still struggles and, if he gets away, he hides under the sideboard. We love him dearly and mean him absolutely no harm - but after he's been out and perhaps rolled in something nasty, he needs a bath He doesn't mind rain. We bath him in an old baby bath on the kitchen floor no more than once a week. Any ideas on how we can make bathtime less stressful for him?

Ian and Julie

Westies aren't my breed but once a week seems too often, try a wet cloth and a natural bristle brush for two or three weeks. Then try turning bath time into a game, use the bath empty, may be upside down, and play hide & seek with a toy, carry on until you can pour a small amount of water in without him hiding. Or play bath without water and reward good behaviour. Sure a Westie owner will let you know how often to bath. Jackie H

Hi Ian & Julie. I hope that your breeder told you that your Westie needs to be trimmed every 8 weeks. Ask other Westie owners in your area (who's dogs look like Westies not shaved to look like a sausage with 4 matchsticks for legs!) where they take theirs. A good groomer will kindly and patiently train you baby to accept regular grooming just as soon as he is protected by his vaccination. If he has been bred with a correct course coat, then he will be chalked and hand stripped. If his coat is soft, then he will be clipped and bathed, or maybe a combination of the two if there is any course coat at all, although I don't put clippers on any Westie baby before it has grow it's adult coat. Inbetween visits to the groomer then a good groom should remove any debris he has collected in the garden or on his walks, a bath is rarely necessary.
Enjoy the little fella!