Caring For Your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Pet Dog

First bred in Ireland as a farm dog and family companion, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is
closely related to the Irish and Kerry Blue Terriers. He has a soft, silky coat, and he is a happy
dog. He's not as feisty as other terriers but makes a good watch dog and protector. This
medium-sized dog ranges from 20-40 pounds in adulthood and has a strong graceful gate. Most
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very good with children.

Many people think the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a high-maintenance animal because of
its longer fur, and they do require a lot of grooming to maintain a healthy, matt-free coat. If
you're thinking about bringing a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier into your home and family, you
should understand what it takes to care for and groom him.

A Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier's coat is perhaps the most distinguishing thing about him. His
very name captures this outstanding feature. He has a long, abundant white to light-grey coat
that falls loosely about his frame. A good breed for allergy sufferers, a well-groomed dog will not
shed much at all. However, its coat requires regular, careful grooming.

Frequent grooming is necessary with the Soft Coated Wheaten Carrier. A daily comb (use a
medium-toothed comb) is recommended over a brush for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and
it should be used daily to prevent matting and to keep the coat soft, shiny, and tangle-free.
You'll also want to have him trimmed now and then to preserve the traditional "terrier look" and
allow for his new coat to grow. You'll be happier if you begin to acclimate your Soft Coated
Wheaten Terrier to the grooming procedures while he's still a puppy. Make him learn to love the
comb and trimmer, and he's more likely to be cooperative!

In addition to daily combing and occasional trimming, it's important to care for the eyes, ears,
teeth. and nails of your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Their abundance of fur makes it easy to
get eye and ear infections, and brushing his teeth regularly can add years to his life. If you don't
know how or are not able to do these tasks yourself, you can hire a professional dog groomer to
handle it.

It's important to begin socializing and training your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier pet dog while
he's still a puppy. Being a terrier, he has lots of energy and can become dog aggressive if it's
not channeled properly. Your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier will respond well to a training
program that is characterized by a few well-picked keywords:

Consistency
Always be consistent when you're training you Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier pet dog. Use the
same hand signals, body language, and tone of voice for each command to avoid confusion and
mixed behavior. And always be consistent with punishment and rewards so that your Soft
Coated Wheaten Terrier pet dog will know what you expect when you want something of him.

Tone
Soft coated wheaten terriers are sensitive to tone of voice. He'll be able to read you quickly,
especially if you are not sensitive to how sensitive he is. For a consistent level of behavior, try to
cultivate a calm, soft tone with him at all times.

Timing
Your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier will respond better if you correct and reward him immediately
so that he associates his behavior with your response. If you sense he's about to make a
mistake, correct him before it happens. Your terrier will have a sense of behavioral
consequences if you react to him quickly and clearly.

There's considerable work involved in the care and training of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
pet dog. He is a bundle of energy, though not so much as other terriers. He's a good-sized dog
with an enthusiastic nature and the ability to protect you and your children. He's a great
playmate for the kids and a loving companion for you. But be aware that when you bring the
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier into your home, you are making a commitment to provide regular,
careful care and grooming.