Understand What the Behavior May Mean Start by looking at when the behavior happens and what helps your Westie settle. A Westie may ask for attention because interaction has rewarded the behavior before, because the dog needs exercise, play, food, water, a bathroom break, or rest, or because something feels uncomfortable or frightening. Keep a simple record of the time, situation, body language, duration, and what finally helps the dog settle. Sudden or unusual clinginess deserves special attention because pain, illness, hearing or vision changes, cognitive changes, or another health problem may alter behavior. Barking, whining, pawing, nudging, jumping, or bringing toys repeatedly Following one or more family members closely from room to room Interrupting work, meals, conversations, or rest to request interaction Becoming restless when attention ends or when a particular person moves away Showing distress only during separation, such as persistent vocalizing, pacing, drooling, destruction, indoor accidents, escape attempts, or an inability to settle These behaviors do not all mean the same thing. A dog who brings a toy and settles after a short game is different from a dog who panics when left alone. Treat the behavior as information rather than mischief, and respond to the likely need instead of applying one rule to every situation. Minnie gives us a good example of this. When I am working in my office, I cannot be disturbed, so she stays in another room with my wife. When I come out, Minnie barks a couple of times, quickly finds a stuffed toy, and brings it straight to me. Once I sit down, she settles beside my leg for petting and becomes calm. To us, that seems less like a problem and more like her way of reconnecting after waiting patiently. Meet Needs, Then Teach a Calm Alternative Before pausing attention, make sure your Westie has had a reasonable opportunity to use the bathroom, drink, eat, move, play, and rest, and is not showing signs of pain or distress. Then teach a behavior that can earn attention appropriately, such as sitting, lying on a mat, bringing a toy once, or responding to a “settle” cue. Reward calm behavior before your Westie has to demand interaction. If barking, pawing, or nudging begins, avoid yelling or physical correction. When it is safe to do so, pause attention briefly, wait for a calmer choice, and reward that choice. Do not ignore behavior that may signal fear, illness, injury, or an urgent need. Provide Appropriate Activity and Enrichment Walks, sniffing, play, short training sessions, food puzzles, and safe chew activities can give a Westie useful outlets and may reduce repeated bids linked to boredom or excess energy. Match activity to your dog’s age, health, mobility, and interests. A dog does not need to be exhausted to learn how to settle, and more exercise alone will not resolve fear, pain, or separation-related distress. Balance active time with practice resting quietly near you and, when comfortable, a short distance away. Build Independence Without Creating Distress Begin while you are home. Reward your Westie for relaxing on a comfortable bed, mat, or open crate while you sit nearby, then gradually practice small amounts of distance or brief movement around the room. If your dog remains relaxed, you can progress slowly to stepping out of sight for a moment and returning before distress begins. A camera can help you observe what happens during very short absences. Do not keep increasing the time if your Westie is barking persistently, pacing, drooling, scratching at exits, refusing food, eliminating indoors, trying to escape, or unable to settle. Those signs call for veterinary or qualified behavior guidance rather than simply more practice. Keep the Household Consistent Everyone in the household should use the same calm cues and reward the same behaviors. If one person rewards barking or pawing while another ignores it, the pattern can become more persistent because the dog never knows which attempt will work. Schedule dependable time for walks, play, training, grooming, or cuddling, but also notice and quietly reward the moments when your Westie rests, plays independently, or watches the household without demanding interaction. Know When to Ask for Help Speak with your veterinarian if clinginess or attention-seeking begins suddenly, increases noticeably, or appears with pain, appetite or sleep changes, confusion, restlessness, house-soiling, hearing or vision changes, or other unusual behavior. If medical causes are ruled out but your Westie shows persistent separation-related distress, self-injury, destructive escape attempts, or behavior that is difficult to manage safely, ask for help from a qualified reward-based trainer or behavior professional. Severe separation-related distress may require an individualized treatment plan rather than ordinary independence exercises. A Westie who loves being near you is not doing anything wrong. The goal is a comfortable balance: dependable companionship, appropriate activity, clear ways to ask for interaction, and the ability to settle when your attention is elsewhere. Watch the individual dog, reward the calm behavior you want to see again, and move slowly enough that independence does not become distress. When behavior changes suddenly or suggests anxiety or illness, involve your veterinarian rather than treating it as a training problem alone.