Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 4/29/2008

Question
I have a 8 month old westie, who has always been a bit of a hand full.  She first snapped at me when she was 14 weeks old, she has snapped at my 22 year old daughter on one occasion when she was trying to get her off the bed, she also had a problem with food aggression, but with lots of work and puppy classes all seemed to be going really well. So we decided to get another pup.  we go her a week and a half ago she is a border terrier bitch and is now 11 weeks old.  At first things were going really well, and the westie really took to her, allowing the puppy to curl up with her and sleep in her bed, "we always put the puppy in her great when were out and over night". Due to my westie previous food aggression i have feed them separately feeding the westie fist.  This morning however the westie snapped at the pup when they were in the kitchen when i was preparing their food.  Then she snapped at  the brush twice when i was grooming her, something she has never done before!! This afternoon the westie snapped at the pup again when she tried to cuddle up to her, and will not do a thing i say.  We have made sure that the westie has the same attention if not more than before the pup arrived. As i write this e-mail to you i think she has just done a wee on the puppy pad.Do you think things will settle down or will i have to find another home  for the pup. Thank you very much for your time.

Answer
First, I would call the breeder you got the Border Terrier and return it.  Immediately.  You have no control over your Westie, at all, and this puppy is in the line of fire.

Your Westie is out of control; she is the victim (most likely) of very bad breeding;  NO puppy 14 weeks of age should be showing any aggression whatever.  Your Westie needs to be on behavior modification, most likely for many years.  She needs to sleep in an area far from human beds; she needs to work for everything (Nothing In Life Is Free), you're giving her far too much free attention; she needs to be on a house tab (lightweight nylon leash) to control her movements in your household, as well as other therapies to address her aggression (which will worsen as she gets older).  AND...she needs to be SPAYED BEFORE going into season.

You need to do two things: find a credentialed behavior expert (NOT a dog trainer!) by calling the veterinary college closest to your home.  Ask for a Ph.D. or DVM and be certain they have experience in dealing with genetic and dominance aggression.  Second, you need to learn about positive reinforcement training, as well as some dog psychology.  I suggest you purchase a copy of Paul Owens' book, "The Dog Whisperer" (NOT Cesar Milan.)  You will learn about training your dog using positive reinforcement and you will learn a bit about how dogs perceive rank in the human pack.  Until then, begin demoting this dog by making her sleep in the kitchen (buy her a soft bed.)  Do NOT confront her aggression, this will only worsen it.

As for the puppy, until you resolve the situation with its breeder you need to protect this baby.  Your Westie's behavior is far too aggressive and dominant (and inappropriate) for this puppy's age and development.