Puppies & Dogs

Do you want to definitely eliminate your Scottish terrier’s excessive barking? It is quite easy to be achieved once you understand the reasons why he is barking and make the right approach to it.

Barking is as natural for your Scottish terrier as speaking for us humans. It is his instinctive way of communicating with you and with other dogs and by no means should it be completely inhibited through training.

However, excessive, unwanted barking is a problem not only to you but also to your neighbors. Let’s face it: few things can be as annoying in a quiet neighborhood as a dog that keeps barking all day long and also at night.

Do you realize that you can be responsible for your Scottie’s excessive barking?

As with any dog, your Scottish terrier barks for some reason, even if it may not be very clear to you at times. Normally, due to his hunting background, he will bark when he sees other animals, strangers or visitors to your home. Being hungry, thirsty or in need to go out to relieve himself are some other reasons for him to bark.

Excessive barking is often related to boredom. Loneliness and lack of exercise can easily lead to a barking habit.

But when your Scottie barks to get your attention and you do pay attention to him that’s when you are encouraging him to bark more and more.

When training your Scottish terrier here are three simple measures you can take to curb his barking habit:

1. Keep him busy with regular exercise and toys.

2. If possible, remove or hide what causes him to bark.

3. Do not pay attention to him when he barks begging for it. Instead say a firm “quiet” or “stop barking” command, followed by a reward or praise if he stops barking.

Curbing your Scottish terrier’s barking habit is not an overnight achievement, it requires constant and repeated training to be accomplished.

From personal accessories and dressy clothing to putting up pictures of them on billboards and advertisements, the Scottish terrier is one dog that conjures images of his highland home, Scotland. Scotties in black or plaid are painted or even sewn on skirts and barrettes, greeting cards and purposes, wrapping paper and sweaters and dozens of different items in between. But the nature of the Scottish terrier is not very consistent with this public image as a trendy, stylish trademark. Instead, he is a lot like the folks back home in his native country – independent, and stoic – the Scottish terrier is fully equipped with fierce loyalty to his master or mistress, stubbornness and an insane need for privacy.

All in all, these qualities make the Scottish terrier a very good companion. At least, President Franklin D. Roosevelt thought so. What’s more, the White House of today is also graced with the presence of this jaunty, self-confident breed. President George W. Bush also received a Scottie as a gift and has ever since been captivated by this dog’s tough and apparently non-nonsense behavior. The Scottie is actually a short-legged terrier, one of many wire-coated terriers that were developed in the Scottish Highlands years ago. The origins of this breed are not very certain, but it is fairly sure that they emerged from the same stock. Progenitors of the fiery Scottish terrier were first sent to France in the 16th century, but in the year 1882, three different breeds of terriers were displayed as Scotch terriers: the Scotties, the Cairn and the West Highland White terriers.

Terriers were then developed in Britain to hunt down vermin that harassed farmers by eating eggs, grain and poultry. These scrappy yet courageous dogs were more than a little eager to follow badgers and foxes into dark dens, and would even dig their way in if necessary. Unfazed by the unpredictable Scottish weather, theses dogs have soft undercoats and wiry outer coats that protect them from rugged terrain and harsh climates.

Appearance of the Scottish Terrier

To the novice, Westies and Cairns will always look similar in appearance. Yes, the Westie and the Cairn are indeed very closely related, as the Westie tends to look like a white version of the Cairn. However, a closer look will prove that these similarities are just superficial. The Scottie will always be longer in body and head, darker in color and will always have a distinct personality. Typically, a Scottish terrier can be described as being compact, powerful and well muscled, which gives it the impression of being extremely powerful in a small yet efficient package. The skull is moderately wide, long and mildly domed, the eyes are set apart and almond-shaped, and the ears are generally small and pointed. The chest is deep and broad, the bone structure is very heavy when compared to the size of the dog, and the gait is usually strong and distinctive.
The tail is generally short and is around 7 inches in length. Mature males would be 10 inches in at the shoulder and would weigh somewhere around 20 pounds, while mature females would be around the same height and would weigh a pound or two less. The typical Scottish terrier colors are black, iron gray, sandy or wheaten, and the coat may be brindle or grizzled. The outer coat is generally 2 inches long.

Caring for the Scottish terrier
Basically, the Scottish terrier can be called a healthy breed but is sometime susceptible to a disease called the vonWilliebrand’s disease or vWD. Apart from this, these dogs could also suffer from skin problems, epilepsy, flea allergies and a few jawbone disorders. The terrier is also prone to getting Scottie cramps, which is a minor condition that causes difficulty in walking. This is a genetic bleeding disorder and every breeding stock should be tested before mating takes place. And, puppy buyers should first ask the breeder if the vWD scores of the parents are available. Cerebellar abiotrophy is another very rare and slow-to-progress neurological disease, which causes a loss of coordination in the dog.

In order to maintain its original texture, the Scottish terrier needs a lot of care and attention. The dog’s fur must be combed several times each week and must also be trimmed every now and then. As is the case with most hard-coated terriers, the Scottish terriers dead hairs should be plucked out. The Scottish terrier will need professional grooming at least once or twice a year in order to stay wiry and firm. The coat can also be trimmed with electric clippers, but it will grow dull and soft.

Training your Pooch

Like most terriers, the Scottish terrier has a mind (a stubborn one at that) of his own. Unlike his cousins, he is more reserved, especially in the people he chooses, and is also steadfastly loyal. He is very tolerating when it comes to rowdy children, and many rowdy adults as well. He tends to be wary and cautious of strangers and is more likely to become a one-woman or one-man companion. What’s more, the dog is super sensitive to the moods of his master. He tends to bark a lot and loves to dig holes, no fence or wall can hold him back, and he’ll probably dig his way out.
This scrappy attitude of the Scottish terrier makes it very difficult to train him. As a new owner, you are advised to find a good obedience school, or this tiny bundle of energy with loads of attitude will quickly dominate your home if he isn’t taught that his master is the real boss. The training must be gently yet firm so as not to break his spirit, for there is nothing more insulting to a Scottish terrier than severe treatment.