Although they’re not known to be barkers, the Glen will bark a lot if you accidentally encourage him. Don’t run over to a barking Glen to see what the fuss is about — you’ll teach him that if he makes a ruckus, he gets your attention. Glens enjoy playing and roughhousing and can be wonderful companions for children, although they’re strong and rambunctious enough to knock over small or young kids. Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt (such as the word “sit”), an action , and a consequence very quickly. If you’re adopting a puppy, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup’s parents and other relatives.
You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site (offa.org). Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. They need a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, and they’re more likely to spend time jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells. Teach your child never to approach any dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. The Glen needs daily exercise; a brisk, 30-minute walk in the neighborhood will satisfy his need to move.
The Glen can be aggressive to other dogs and needs plenty of time with other canines to learn how to get along with them, ideally beginning in puppyhood. Puppy kindergarten classes that give the pups time to play with each other, in addition to the obedience training, are an excellent way to help your dog hone his canine social skills. If they don’t get the mental stimulation they need, they’ll make their own work–usually with projects you won’t like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue. And you can channel his energy and athleticism into dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions.
Don’t ever run over to see what the fuss is about when he barks — you’ll teach him that if he makes a ruckus, he’ll get the attention of his favorite person. Teaching a “Quiet” command as part of his basic canine manners is a good idea. Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. Do you have young kids, throw lots of dinner parties, play in a garage band, or lead a hectic life? He’s an extremely strong and muscular terrier, though, and can play too rough for very young and small children. For more on feeding your Glen, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog.
Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult. He’s intelligent, loyal, and patient, traits that can make for a wonderful companion dog. As a family pet he gives his people plenty of affection, but he’s got an independent streak that’s led many people to label him stubborn. The breed is still rare today, although the Glen is gaining popularity every year.
I am Kraig Wharton, a wildlife conservationist and a television personality. I am 30 years old. I was born and raised in the small town of Marion, Alabama. I have always had a love and respect for nature, which led me to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel all over the world, working with some of the most endangered species on the planet. My work has taken me to some of the most remote and dangerous places on earth, including war-torn countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am passionate about educating people about the importance of conserving our natural resources, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to protect our planet for future generations.