My Westie HATES water! And he won't stop barking about it

It's no secret that Westies aren't usually fans of water. But what does life look like with a Westie who is scared of (and angry at) water, while his humans are water fanatics?
Watch and find out! 😅 (Warning: there will be some barking)
Let me know in the comments: is your dog a water lover or a water hater? ❤️
_______
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I am Miruna and, together with Sami, my 5-year-old West Highland White Terrier, I make videos about life with a Westie dog!
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[@sheribanner1648]

Sami is adorable. Such a protector

[@Prof.Rhombus]

Had a westie for 16 years, he was exactly the same😂

[@michaelgrife6964]

My westie hated taking a bath as well. It helped if I made sure the water temperature was always comfortable. Westes love to be praised. I would tell my westie a 100 times during his bath that "You are such a good boy, such a good boy." It helped alot. You sure have a beautiful dog. The universe has greatly blessed you.

[@mitchgillilan]

My westie loves water more than anything on the planet!!!

[@juliejordan8083]

Sami you are just the cutest thing ever , our boy loves going to the lake , loves the boat and really loves the paddleboard , oops I mean his paddleboard . He will swim but doesn't choose jumping in all by himself. Keep up the good life guarding Sami

[@WestieVibes]

Your boy knows how to have fun 😂❤️

[@kyungduong9672]

This video made me laugh so hard! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!

[@iteedewanify]

This was so wholesome to watch! Our westie does the same ❤

[@WestieVibes]

Thanks, I'm so glad to hear! 💕

[@MrMor94ok]

we took our westie puppy to kayak down the river. While swimming, she often walked along the edge of the side of the inflatable kayak and fell overboard 5 times. She saw green algae on the water and stood on it thinking it was just grass. Our dog was not tethered and without a life jacket. every time she fell overboard, I grabbed her with my hands and threw her onto the kayak. She does not like to swim, but she can go into the water to the level of her stomach to cool off.😊

[@mapatterson173]

Almost 40 years ago, we took our 1st westie on a short paddle in a canoe around Puget Sound. He watched the fish swimming around under the water up until he thought he should catch one. KER-plunk! He’d have been happy swimming, but that water was cold! We had to high tail it back, so we could rinse the salt water off and dry him.

[@gigidigiardinis604]

My westie did the same thing every time my kids would jump in the pool. Non stop barking until they got out. I never thought about the fact that he was trying to warn or protect them. Now I understand. Winston was a joy for 15 years, except around the pool! 😂 Great video.

[@michaelgrife6964]

Westies will drown if they flip over onto their back in a pool. It happens alot with westies. They are not made to swim.

[@henrysmith883]

I agree. And they knew this dog hated water yet they forced him to swim which must have been incredibly stressful for him. At least she didn’t kiss him the whole time.

[@TRoseTheArtist]

LOLOLOLOL! @ Sami!! So precious! My 3 Westies loved to get in the water and got frustrated if they could not go swimming. But! One of my Westies did dive in the water to go after a snapping turtle in the river! I could not believe it! I had to watch mine to prevent them from getting into trouble. They are just hilarious dogs! 😂

[@WestieVibes]

Your comment gives me hope! 😂 That maybe if we get a sibling for Sami, there's a chance he or she will be a water lover! That Westie of yours was brave, going after the turtle! Their prey instinct is strong even in water 😅

[@michelevoirol9129]

Both of my dogs love water. I have a trauma, German Rottweiler and a rescue mix. Love love the water good thing in a bad thing.

[@redlikewineagain697]

Aww Poor Sami 😞 Maybe Sami knows something about water that humans don't. My late Westie hated the water, too. I have a new Westie puppy and I was told by the people we got him from that he "froze" when he got his first bath. When I gave him a bath, I rolled up my pant legs and got in there with him and gave him treats while he was in there. Maybe do that with Sami? Pair it with something good so that he associates it with something good? But if that doesn't work, I wouldn't force it. It's stressful for him. Poor little guy. I know it's disappointing when they don't love something we love because we want to take him with us and all have fun together. ♥

[@helenaculhane-tu7jp]

I. AGREE 💯. WITH. YOU. IN. Everything. ON. YOUR. COMMENT,,,. SOMETIMES. ANIMALS,,,. SPECIALLY. DOG'S. SENSE. SOME. KIND of. DANGER ⚡👀⚡👀⚡👀😳😯👀. AND. BECAUSE. THEY. Can't. TALK,,,,. THEY. EXPRESS. IT. In a WAY of. BARKING 😲🤯😮😫🙀🙀💤😿🙀💤😲😯😮🤯😲😲👀😯😫😮🤯😫,,,, BUT. BECAUSE. WE. DON'T. Understand. Them,,. WE. THINK. IT'S a. BIG. JOKE 😂😳😳😎😳⚡😂😯. ,,,,,,MY. NIECE. HAD. A. DOG 🐕. WHO. TRIED to. WARNED her,, THAT. THERE is. GOING to be a. 🔥🔥. HE. WOULD. BARK. NON stop,,,,. BUT. Bei. The. TIME,😳😯🔥. IT was. TO. LATE ‼️. HALF of. HER. HOUSE 🏠🏠. BURNED. DOWN 👀👀🔥🔥😯😳‼️😫😫😫😫.

[@helenyoung8183]

My Westie Jack Russell cross loves water. He is a very good swimmer. Hello to Sami from Milo ❤

[@onemanandhisdog]

Sami is so much like my Westie, Jock! He is 11 now and Sami is spitting image in looks, character and attitude! Love your videos❤

[@Alinsey]

Murphy is Sami's water twin. He said never give up Sami those humans don't know what's good for them!! 😂

[@joygallagher2531]

Oh my!! Sami and my Taz are just a like!! Taz runs around and barks non stop also!! ❤❤

[@nancyclark7736]

My Westie liked the water. Baths and lake water mostly. I took her to Maine for her first swim. I went into the water and she followed me. She swam very well right away. I was so proud! I had everyone clap for her to encourage her. She was proud of her self and walked out to the shore with her head held high. Normally in walks she would wade into the water but wouldn’t swim unless I was in the water. I was amazed how she knew how to turn around in the water instinctively. I loved that dog. Just like kids I just think with lots of encouragement and praise they will swim. If you aren’t afraid they usually aren’t either. I say keep trying with Sami he’ll get it. ❤️He’s so cute! Mine. Didn’t really like the ocean, the waves are just too forcefully coming towards her. But it was ok when it was calmer water. Have his nails smoothed out after cutting. ❤ Also mine doesn’t have any hip or leg problems that may bother some swimming dogs?? Don’t give up!

[@WestieVibes]

Aw, you had a good girl! ❤️ She sounds like she was very smart and sweet. I file Sami's nails with an electric trimmer, because he is afraid of the clipper. So his nails are never too blunt, he was just very desperate 🙈 I don't know if the hip or back bothers him when swimming... if anything water should help. I think his fear of water is just irrational. We will try again this summer with patience and praise 😅

[@Guyver09]

Love Sami

[@brendathompson2503]

Love your video! My Westie hated going in the water too. Originally had a small black Scotty & a Westie. Scotty absolutely loved the water. One day we hooked their 2 leashes together & used a small tube (canvas covered w/a bottom we pulled the kids around in when they were little), put our Westie inside the tube & all went in the water together. Worked like a charm! While Scotty swam, the tube would float effortlessly behind her & we were right with them. Westie was finally content to look out over the sides of his tube while we were all right there together. What a sight! So many laughs from people watching us play in the water❤️

[@WestieVibes]

Ahaha, I am laughing just imagining that sight 😂😂😂 The Scotty did all the work! That's spectacular! Thanks Brenda for the laughs!

[@xinchi-cello]

Ours is absolutely the same😂

[@dane3165]

My Westie Winston understands the disdain Sami has for water. He’s been like this since he was a baby, I’m Thankful he won’t jump into our pool so I don’t have to worry about him.

[@peartfaldo]

1:42 Thats the best. Such a cool dog.

[@DonnaSmith-pq5tv]

My westie barks at waves too :)

[@Sarah-tm4nn]

Poor Sami,water is one thing he can't control.

[@AlesiaGonzales-t8i]

That's going to cause him to always be anxious and stressed being around water.

[@TheBioniXman]

Ours is not yet old enough to know if he loves or hates water, but he has decided that he loves motorcycles. He has done 170 kms on my bike with me this weekend with his mum on her bike watching him all the way. He is now 4 months old and is very happy getting into his doggy carrier on the BMW.

[@sunflowerM0M]

Nacho jumps right into a swimming pool but he’s not a fan of ocean waves at the beach

[@KipCollard]

My Westie actually loved the water, but she didn't like going into water deep enough where her paws were not touching the bottom. Occasionally, she would go into deeper water, but would turn around pretty quick. Actually I think she enjoyed the sensation of swimming and always felt pretty proud of herself, if only for that brief 10 seconds or so.

[@SpeedKrown]

I have two girls, mother and daughter! I love Vestikov!

[@thomasrispo8587]

I don’t think either of my Westies relly liked water but every time I go in they jump right in behind me. I think out of loyalty. Otherwise they seem to avoid it.

[@WestieVibes]

It's kind of how they follow us into the bathroom haha! They don't particularly feel like it, but they have to.

[@willycanes3054]

Pobrecito Sami!

[@SpeedKrown]

Super

[@ariscaprice7766]

My Westie pup's nickname was "the Great White" he loved watching Sharks Happen and Shark Wranglers. He would start barking when the show was over. He loved baths. I only took him to the river once, my other dog loved it more but she was a Chesapeake Bay retriever - I took her every day. We would walk out to the island and have lunch. The water was 12 inches deep.

[@TrailStrider909]

Hey its a Westie Channel! So cool Leaving a sub!

[@allysonscibetta2115]

Lol my cairn terrier is the same!! So cute tho!

[@carologden7640]

I am a water lover but my 2 Westies are rhe same as yours

[@davidlewis8748]

My German and Me would walk through a couple of 3ft deep streams and then walk through 2 different swamps During the winter time we di this every day

[@SpeedKrown]

Good luck with everything

[@01.Allegra]

HI ! nice video well done! I'm sorry that Sami doesn't like water... and as he makes it clear, scratch! At the end of August I'll go to the beach and it will be the first time for my Mickey... I'll see how he behaves and I'll be able to tell you, I'd like it... because I love the water and I'm good at swimming... let's hope for the best!! ! hello, kisses to everyone and Sami first!

[@SpeedKrown]

hello from Altai!

[@Festvangelist]

Our Westie Dougie ( Scottish Boys name) is just like Sammi. Just wants to be with us but does not like the water he gets a bit mouthy and generally acts out like a 2 year old.

[@WestieVibes]

Perfect description, acting like a 2 year old 😅😅 They do! Tell Dougie that's ok, he is not alone in this 😂❤️

[@lin68dahl]

My westie Penny loves the water. She goes after sticks i throw for her and swims back and immediately starts shaking off, rolling in the sand and trying to rub against me. But she hates baths. She doesn't like being shampooed and sprayed down with water. She hides under the bed when i turn the shower on. In the morning when she starts barking at anything or nothing, I go to my bathroom and call her sweetlly and turn the shower on. She quickly hides under the bed and is silent.

[@susanc.8009]

Additional comment from me-is Sami ball crazy? If so, he might go in the water, especially shallow water, if you toss a ball in. My dogswimming, but he’’ll swim to get his ball.

[@MangeTak-t6n]

I enjoy this video very much then.

[@lightseeker108]

Both of my Westies LOVE the water! Crazy..

[@patticarnevale2360]

When I had my Westie he loved to walk on the beach, but never went swimming. Our current dog, a chihuahua mix, is not a fan. We have a pool, and when she was very small she fell in, so I don't know if that is why? I jumped right in and grabbed her, so she never was in danger, but she has never shown any interest in swimming since. We do bring her in occasionally and make sure she knows how to get out if she happens to fall in again, but we also keep the fence up around it when we are not out there with her. If we are in the pool she will walk around the edge and watch us swim, but won't join us. My sons dog, a Boston Terrier, is the opposite. We can't keep him out of the pool! It is sweet that Sami is protecting you. At least traveling on the boat seems to agree with him!

[@luciaramos4006]

Miruna mi westie también odiaba el agua 🤣🤣🤣 se ponía muy nervioso cuando estaba cerca de ella. 😘😘😘😘

[@yusufraheem7586]

DAMN Bobby is a lucky man ❤

[@kayredfield6717]

Definitely a water hater!

[@marilynmcdonough3839]

Our Westie likes the water such as creeks, will jump in and swim. Does not like her face to get wet. She does not like the pools that sprinkle water.

[@MARSBELLA1]

They dont like water, but they love Mud Puddles right!!

[@aurorabosques8017]

Mine hate water too

[@cynthialopez4651]

My WESTIE loves water...hates anyone on a bike... barks a lot...Loves watching TV But if there's dogs will bark at them...

[@janetlevite3882]

Sam-maaaaay! Poor baby. He's serious! Perhaps recalling a past life experience. ❤ Hope you guys return to NYC. I missed you last time.

[@WestieVibes]

Yes, water upsets him quite a lot! I hope so too! Both Sami and us loved NY ❤️

[@dariahrens5588]

Put him on a floaty my Westie loves it.

[@WestieVibes]

I did, it's in the video, he broke it 😂

[@mapatterson173]

💦🐾💦Our westie hates baths, but loves the water. We have a creek and a pond where we live, and he enjoys a daily dip. (Sami has started a fashion trend. I give my westie the "Sami Trim" instead of the traditional westie trim with longer hair on his undersides. MacLaren might enjoy a daily dip, but we live on dirt and gravel roads. He’d be a muddy wee mess by the time he got home.). Thank you for your delightful videos.

[@judithhickey6936]

You and Bobby are great with Sami . Very patient and Loving humans , as Sami would say .

[@susanc.8009]

If you take your dog sailing with you, it’s probably best he doesn’t like the water. Folks we met when we were cruising with our Westie on board had a Portuguese Water Dog that jumped overboard in the Gulf Stream off Florida for a swim. They were fortunate to find him.

[@WestieVibes]

That's scary! Having been on water I realize how difficult it is to find anything or anyone once they fall in. Plus the risk of drowning. We keep Sami tied with the leash while sailing, never loose, just in case he could accidentally fall. Better to be safe :)

[@angelrose7906]

My Westie also hates the water :)

[@WylieWestie]

I also hate the water! I’m totally fine to splash in the sea but will not go anywhere near a swimming pool. My humans have me my own life vest and surf board but as soon as they come out I go running away as far and as fast as I can 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

[@mapatterson173]

What brand of little swim/floatation vest does Sami wear?

[@SpeedKrown]

Good luck

[@metalplane3]

Louie recently chased a dragonfly into the water by a lake. He was OK until he realized he was up to his neck in the water, then wouldn't even go near the shore again.

[@judithhickey6936]

Liked picture of Sami in his lifejacket, hat and blue sunglasses. Truly adorable!!.

[@WestieVibes]

Thank you Judith 🥰

[@marciamatos480]

My Westie grandson doesn’t like water either. He’s more like a land lover. But there’s something he hates more than water. It’s a pool full of little balls. In fact he doesn’t like balls at all.☹️

[@Headstrong11242]

I WONDER IF THEIR IS A DIFFERENCE IN GENDER. WE HAD A BOY DOG WESTIE WHO WAS CURIOUS ABOUT WATER. BUT WE NEVER HAD A POOL.

[@ishakak147]

My lab, Diego, loves water (which is like.. quite normal for labradors), but what surprised us - when first time we tried to swim with him in a lake, lab was acting strange... He tried to bite my brother in the ear or neck? At least, that what we thought at first, because we thought that maybe Diego gets wild in the water and it changed him. But then I though "maybe he is trying to save my brother from 'drowning' " and I told my brother to give his hand to Diego. Diego took his hand in his mouth and... started to lead him to the shore. We were shocked! We put the long line to his harness and when somebody was in the water (me, my dad or brother) and Diego was approaching us while we were swimming, we had to take the line into our hands and let him know that we "are hanging on" - then, when he felt the push, he would lead us to the shore, lol. But for me it ended the same as for your boyfriend one - he was going to me, and he scratched me with his paws... I caught the line and he saw it, started to pull me into the shore, but he did not feel the line pulling (even though I was hanging on there) and he turned around to make sure I am still there and I keep the line so he can "save me" - he scratched me again. My belly and thighs were so scratched as if something bad happen to me. Instead of saving me, it was almost the rason to be drowned, lol. Nobody thaught him that, he somehow had an instinct of a lifeguard. Which is fun, when you think about it, but thinking about those scratches.... 😅 And yeah, it is difficult when he sees other, random people swimming somewhere farther away, because he feels the urge to go and "save them". Sammy is really, really audible - I am sure they heard him on the island when he barked on the yacht 😁

[@WestieVibes]

Diego is very smart! Diego the lifeguard! We laughed out loud when we read this 😂😂😅 I'm sorry about the scratches though 🥺

[@leeann2262]

My wanted to get her paws wet but she did not want to swim that much but like taking rides in a boat

[@divadesle]

My westie absolutely hated water and getting wet. He hated bath time too. 😂

[@WestieVibes]

Same here, bath time is something Sami hates 😅

[@lindaoburke7426]

My 3 Westies hated the water. There was never a moment when they didn't bark at whoever was in the pool. We took them to the beach in California and they literally tried to get everyone out of the water. It was embarrassing!! They never got used to the grandkids playing in our pool. I don't want to be Debbie Downer but I don't think Sami will ever get comfortable with it. His protective instinct is stronger than any of his other characteristics. Good luck. It's worth trying at least one more time.

[@WestieVibes]

All 3, oh no! I thought Sami was exceptional, but I guess that's just a Westie trait. You are right, he has a strong instinct and with all the training, when it comes to protecting us and prey drive - these 2 things we were never able to train out of him. Thanks for the reality dose, it's good to know that he might always be like this 😅

[@marysquillacote7076]

My friends westie, Sammy, dodn,'t like water either. 🐾🦴💖🦴💖🦴💖😘🐾

[@WestieVibes]

Sami would be proud 😅

[@seahorse73]

MacKenna Rose loves pool ocean boat, put her in a float and she’s sooooo happy

[@WestieVibes]

That is amazing!

[@ajorimnas]

Yo tengo curiosidad de saber cómo será mi nene Roma, si le.gustara el agua o no.

[@X3Jane]

I’d love to know what Sami is wearing-the halter-type thing that you can easily grab him with. Our previous Westies hated water-and barked like crazy if we dared try to swim in a pool. It really affected our lives as we live in Florida with plenty of opportunities to swim. As for six-month-old Finn, our newest Westie, he seems to love being in the pool. We don’t feel secure letting him jump in yet-we curate his pool experience by holding him and letting him dog paddle. About three feet from the steps, we let him swim to the steps alone. Our goal is to try to get him used to the water and, hopefully, understand how to keep himself safe in it. The problem is there’s only one way out-the steps. Still don’t know if he’s actually enjoying it or just glad to be near me because, otherwise, when he sees me swimming thru the glass doors, he barks ceaselessly.

[@LuisMartinez-ft9or]

A Garmin Bark Collar will eliminate the barking.

[@chapman9230]

Our westie definately is on the side of Sami. Water is wet, it is often cold but it is always, always dangerous and not to be trusted.

[@SpeedKrown]

I forgot to tell Kerry's mother and Nick's daughter Nick became the champion of Russia.

[@normaromero7271]

I absolutely love your videos ❤

[@WestieVibes]

Thank you so much!

[@lidiagraca1546]

❤😂😅

[@WestieVibes]

🥰😂

[@billymountiii5788]

Does Sami like bath or is it the same thing with the water?😂

[@SpeedKrown]

Greetings from Russia!Supee!

[@ECole-le7we]

Sorry. I know Cairn Terriers hate being in water, so it doesn't surprise me that their descendants, Westies, don't either. Maybe it's a DNA thing. When you force it on them, it just makes them nervous. According to FiveThirtyEight, "The word 'terrier' comes from the Middle French chien terrier - literally, dog of the earth."

[@WestieVibes]

Yes! Good point, terriers are earth dogs and water must be a strange place for them.

[@Mario87456]

So it was not just my own family’s Cairn Terrier that hated water seems like a lot of them actually hate water.

[@ECole-le7we]

@@Mario87456 Indeed! But they are such great dogs!

[@marthayvette]

My westie @pookie.monster.westie is identical to Sammy in so many ways. This is certainly one of them. She acts just like that and when I’ve put her in water, she swims out like if her life is in danger and I’ve gotten the same scratch marks as a result of it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@AlesiaGonzales-t8i]

Please don't keep forcing this doggie. You could put him into a panic attack 😢

[@dimitriostheodorikas4850]

ο ιντεφιξ μου ειναι δελφινι

[@Helena-ig4jj]

❤😂🎉 This was the best 😅 and Cutest. Video of SAMI and You and Bobby. In the boat 🚤⚓️🚤🌎🚤🚤🚤🚤⚓️😎🤣😎🇪🇸🇺🇸🌎 and. Bei the Pool. That was the funniest 😂. Scene❤😂. I. Ever. Watched 😅 ❤😂🎉 Thank you for the. ENTERTAINMENT 😆🇺🇸🥳🇺🇸😎🇪🇸😆🇪🇸🥰🇺🇸🥳🇪🇸🥳🇺🇸😎🇪🇸🥳🇺🇸🥰💖😂🎈🚤😎🇺🇸🇪🇸😎🌎😆🌎🤣🎈💕💖🎈🤣💕🎈💖🤣🎈💕SAMI. We all. Love you 💕🎈🥰🇺🇸💕💖😎🎈🇺🇸🎈🎈🎈🥰💕💖🤣🤣🌎😆🌎🤣🌎😎🌎🥰🇺🇸🥰🌎Here in AMERICA 🇺🇸 ❤😂🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@judithhickey6936]

Sami is so adorable!!?.

[@melissahardesty3168]

First, I have to say each time I see a new video that Sami is AMAZING. Watching video also makes me miss my Lexi girl who was a Cairn Terrier (very similar). She passed away this April at age 16 years and 5 months. So she liked the hose. We bought her a baby pool to play in and she wouldn't go near it. We took her on vacation to the beach when our children were young. She liked to walk on the beach, but HATED the waves. If she saw a wave coming in, she would tug away from the shore. She didn't mind getting wet, but she wasn't getting IN the water!

[@johnmcdonald9239]

I know what you are saying Murphy doesn't even like the groomers. John Ann Murphy. Bonnie Scotland.❤☺️☺️

[@Idelia412]

My Westie Edison when a pup thought he could run across the pool. I had to jump in to get him out. He now just looks at the water.

[@charotupacyupanqui8122]

Por Sami..Walter is not for him😊

[@debmurray2734]

When it comes to water, our Westie is the Sami kind of Westie! 😂

[@melissahalloran8614]

Our Westie, Duncan, LOVES the shallow end of the pool. The sundeck in our pool is only a foot deep, so he can stand and play. He will do a superman dive into it if we open the back door. He doesn't love to swim over his head though, but he will gladly get on his doggy float and loves it when you pull him all around the pool. Sometimes he actually demands it.

[@judithhickey6936]

Hi Miruna! . Don't believe that Candi , my Westie liked water either .