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Why does my dog keep barking2007-11-25 2:56:08

my dog is a west highland terrier, i know terriers bark alot, but i dont get why she likes to stare out my window and growel. sometimes she sits there for hours groweling at nothing costently. she is 5 years old. does anyone kno why she does that?

Answers:

Hey there -

Don't forget where your little dog comes from! It's ancestors were working dogs bred to chase squirrels and rabbits and other misc rodents. Westies have lots of spirit and are tenacious hunters. This is probably why she can go for hours just staring at the window! She probably sees (or think she sees) a small woodland creature that would be great to chase!

I would make sure she gets outside and gets plenty of exercise each day, in a dog park/closed yard/safe place if possible so she can run around freely and get some of that energy out. Playing fetch with appropriate toys or just following her nose is a great way for her to follow her instincts in a non-destructive way. If you give her some time during the day to do her 'hunting/chasing', she will hopefully be more quiet at home.

To keep her occupied while she is in the house, I would recommend a variety of toys. Don't give them all to her at once. Let her have three or so at a time and rotate them weekly so she always has something new to play with.

If her barking is excessive to the point of bothering you or the neighbors, there are some great dog-training books out there that can give you detailed tips on how to handle a talkative pooch!