Advanced · West Highland White Terrier
How to Teach a West Highland White Terrier Tricks
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Short answer
Teach your West Highland White Terrier tricks by using positive reinforcement, such as luring and capturing, paired with high-value rewards. Because Westies are independent and spirited, keep training sessions short and build from foundational commands into advanced chains to channel their natural energy productively.
West Highland White Terriers are spirited, confident dogs with a stubborn streak and high prey drive—traits that make trick training both rewarding and challenging. While their trainability score of 3/5 means they require patience and consistency, Westies are intelligent and love engaging activities that channel their moderate-to-high energy levels. This guide focuses on teaching fun tricks from foundational commands (shake, roll over) to advanced trick chains, using positive reinforcement to work with rather than against their independent nature. With their barking tendency and natural digging instincts, trick training provides mental stimulation and a productive outlet for their spirited personality. Success depends on keeping sessions short, using high-value rewards, and understanding that Westies need to be motivated to comply—they do things because they want to, not because you've told them to.
How to do it
Step-by-step
Tick off each step as you practice it — your progress is saved on this device.
Step 1: Establish Foundation Commands Before Tricks
Start with solid sit, down, and stay commands—these are the building blocks for all tricks and give your Westie clear structure. Use high-value treats (small pieces of chicken or cheese) and keep sessions to 5–10 minutes, since Westies lose interest quickly if they feel bored or controlled.
Step 2: Teach 'Shake' Using Luring and Capturing
Hold a treat close to your dog's chest; most Westies will paw at your hand naturally due to their prey drive. Mark the behavior with 'yes!' immediately, reward, and repeat. After 5–6 successful repetitions, add the 'shake' cue—this mimics their natural instinct rather than fighting their temperament.
Step 3: Build 'Roll Over' in Small Stages
Start with 'down,' then lure a treat from nose to hip to encourage a roll to one side—reward heavily. Over multiple sessions, gradually encourage a full rotation by luring the treat over the hip. Break this into 3–4 mini-sessions across days; forcing it will trigger their stubborn streak.
Step 4: Chain Tricks by Linking Commands
Once shake and roll over are solid, combine them: 'sit → shake → down → roll over.' Always reward the entire sequence once, not individual steps, to build the chain. Use a marker word like 'chain!' to signal you're linking behaviors, which Westies will quickly recognize.
Step 5: Manage Barking and Digging Impulses During Training
Redirect excited barking with a 'quiet' cue and reward calm attention instead. Use trick training sessions as a constructive outlet for their high energy—a 45-minute daily walk plus 2–3 short training sessions (10–15 minutes total) prevents boredom-driven digging and excessive barking.
Step 6: Practice Consistency and Refresh Advanced Chains Weekly
Westies are smart but independent; they'll 'forget' tricks if not reinforced. Do quick 5-minute refresher sessions 2–3 times weekly to maintain chains, and always end on a successful note to keep their confidence high and motivation strong.
For the West Highland White Terrier
Pro tips
- Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes max) and always end on success: Westies will tune out or switch into 'stubborn mode' if sessions feel long or frustrating. Two short sessions daily beat one long one.
- Use their prey drive as a training tool: incorporate play-bow and pounce behaviors into trick chains to match their natural instincts and keep them mentally engaged and willing.
- Train before walks or play, not after: a tired, overstimulated Westie is less responsive due to their spirited nature. A brief calm training session when they're alert and eager works best.
Owners ask
Frequently asked questions
My Westie knows shake and roll over separately, but won't do them together. What's wrong?
Your dog likely isn't yet fluent in the chain. Go back to practicing each trick solo for another week, then practice linking just two tricks (e.g., shake→down) before the full sequence. Westies need extra repetition to 'lock in' chains due to their independent nature. Keep rewards immediate and high-value.
My Westie barks during training—should I correct this?
Never correct; instead, interrupt the barking with a 'quiet' cue and reward silence or attention-focusing behaviors like eye contact. Correcting a Westie's barking often backfires due to their stubborn, confident temperament. Consistent redirection and rewarding calm behavior is far more effective.
How do I keep my Westie motivated if they seem bored with treats?
Rotate high-value rewards frequently—try different meats, cheese, or even toys. Also, vary training locations and times to keep sessions novel. Westies have moderate energy and need mental stimulation, so variety prevents boredom better than repetition in the same spot.
Can I train my Westie to shake with both paws, or is that too advanced?
Yes, but it requires patience. Once shake is solid, reward only when the opposite paw lifts (ignore the trained paw). Use a different cue like 'shake left' or 'both paws.' Start this after your dog is fully fluent in basic tricks—Westies respond best when they feel in control of the learning pace.
Watch
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Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Email us — we review every report, fix the guide and update its date. Our guides are general education, not a substitute for a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
