The Westie Routine Your Sitter Needs in Writing
Leave a West Highland White Terrier's sitter the full daily pattern, not a vague promise that the dog is easy. Write down breakfast and dinner times, the exact amount in the usual bowl, where food and treats are stored, and whether this Westie grazes or finishes in minutes.
Add the house rules that matter for a Westie specifically. State clearly whether furniture is allowed, which doors stay shut, and where the dog sleeps. A small white terrier who normally curls on a particular blanket will settle far better when the sitter recreates that exact sleeping spot rather than offering a new bed in a new corner.
Behaviour Notes That Prevent Terrier Surprises
A West Highland White Terrier's sitter needs honest behaviour notes, because Westies are bold, vocal, and quick to chase. Explain how your dog reacts to the doorbell, to squirrels and birds on walks, to unfamiliar dogs, and to visitors arriving with bags or children. If your Westie digs, name the corner of the yard to watch and the toy or game that successfully redirects that energy indoors.
Describe the cues your dog actually answers to, written exactly as you say them. Include the recall word, the cue for dropping an item, and what to do if a prized sock or garden find is picked up. Westies can be stubborn about trading, so note the treat swap that works for your dog instead of letting a sitter improvise and turn it into a chase game.
Skin, Coat, and Comfort Details for a Westie
Skin and coat information belongs near the top of a West Highland White Terrier's sitter notes. Many Westies have sensitive skin, so tell the sitter which areas your dog scratches most, what gentle handling looks like around ears and paws, and which signs you want reported the same day rather than at pickup. Ask for a photo if redness, relentless scratching, or a new hot, sore patch appears.
Explain the coat routine in plain steps. Note how often to brush the wiry white coat, how to wipe paws and beard after wet walks so the furnishings stay clean, and whether eye or ear cleaning is part of the normal week. Keep any products your vet has already discussed for your dog in one labelled place, and write that nothing new should be tried on the skin without asking you first.
Health Contacts and Emergency Permission
Every West Highland White Terrier sitter sheet needs your vet's name, address, and phone number, plus the out-of-hours clinic you would use. Add your own mobile number, a backup family contact, and written permission for the sitter to authorise emergency care if you cannot be reached. Note any ongoing health monitoring in simple language, such as watching water intake, appetite, or stiffness after rest.
List warning signs that should trigger a call to you or the vet the same day for this Westie.
A First-Day Plan That Helps a Westie Settle
A West Highland White Terrier usually settles best when the first day mirrors home closely. Suggest the sitter keeps walks at the normal times, uses the familiar blanket and toys you left, and avoids inviting extra visitors over until the dog has eaten, walked, and rested normally. A short, calm play session in the garden often works better for a Westie than a long, exciting outing with new dogs.
Close the notes with gratitude and one clear request for daily updates with a photo. Knowing how your Westie ate, walked, and slept lets you spot a wobble early while you are away. When that whole handoff lives in KinsLe as a Care Pass, the sitter is not hunting through messages for the feeding amount or vet number at the moment it matters.