Breeding and Showing Wheaten Terriers since 1982 I generally breed about every 18 months. Puppies are sold to homes which have completed the screening process.
I am a member of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of American, currently serving on the Board, the Vice President of the Delaware Valley Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club, a Board Member of Columbia Terrier Association of Maryland, and Vice President of Maryland Kennel Club, assistant Show Chair for Del Val and Maryland Kennel clubs. This is my hobby but also my passion.
11/30/2025
Preventative training is a vital component of responsible dog ownership. Throughout their lives, dogs may encounter a variety of situations—from minor injuries to unexpected medical procedures. Preparing them in advance helps reduce stress, promotes cooperative behavior, and ensures they can be safely and comfortably cared for when medical or management needs arise.
Incorporating brief, consistent training sessions that introduce your dog to common veterinary and recovery tools—such as crate rest, bandaging, surgical suits, Elizabethan collars, boots, panties or belly bands, and muzzles—can make a meaningful difference. Early exposure builds familiarity, confidence, and trust, making these items far less intimidating should they be needed in the future.
High-value rewards and enjoyable activities are key to successful preventative conditioning. Pairing new equipment or handling with positive experiences keeps your dog focused and relaxed, helping them form calm, confident associations.
Crate time should be accompanied by enrichment items such as frozen Kongs or high-quality chews to create a soothing and rewarding environment. Likewise, training with Elizabethan collars or muzzles should be introduced gradually, always pairing short sessions with exceptional treats and slowly increasing duration as your dog’s comfort grows.
Just a few minutes of preventative training each week can significantly enhance your dog’s well-being and prepare them for life’s unexpected challenges.
For more detailed information on desensitization, please feel free to contact me for illustrated resources. These materials will also be available at
I specialize in canine behavioral rehabilitation training, emphasizing that every family receives a custom program tailored to their unique needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
11/15/2025
11/01/2025
Attention Dog/Wheaten Owners:
One of the most common questions breeders receive from owners are regarding those strange bumps, lumps and weird growths on their dog. It is always worrisome when they appear and some of them grow very fast. Some owners panic thinking their dog has cancer. There is no need to panic but it is important to understand them and know how to treat them. A bump on your Wheaten doesn’t automatically mean cancer. While skin bumps and strange lumps on dogs should always be taken seriously, certain types of bumps are more common than you might think, and they’re often harmless. Because this is such a common problem we are turning to Dr Ed Jazic, DVM DACVD (that means board certified canine dermatologist) for a one hour presentation and then Q & A with participants on November 18, 2025 at 4:00 pacific time. This webinar is free to you and graciously paid for by SCWTCA Health Endowment Inc. donors. You can send questions and photos in advance to [email protected].... We encourage participants to attend the live presentation as this is your opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from Dr. Jazic. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Best of all your dog doesn’t have to be a Wheaten to attend. We love all dogs and want them well. So feel free to share this post.
Dr. Jazic presented a webinar on Dermatology that was wildly popular and has been viewed many times. To date we have had 27, 519 views on our Webinars in four years. We hope to see you there.
Anna Marzolino is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
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I am a member of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of American, and the President of the Delaware Valley Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club, a Board Member of Columbia Terrier Association of Maryland and Maryland Kennel Club I breed about once a year. Puppies are sold to homes which have completed the screening process. This is my hobby but also my passion.
Here are a few things about Wheatens
Wheatens are smart dogs. They can be stubborn, and may do well in obedience and agility but a word of caution, living with a thinking dog means that if you don’t keep his or her mind engaged your Wheaten will find a way to think up his or her own fun. What they come up with may not be your idea of fun. To have a well-mannered pet you need to invest the time training, socializing and working with your dog on a regular basis and provide consistent leadership. Even your children
Some Wheaten have a prey instinct and desire to chase small, quick moving animals such a squirrels, birds and rabbits and yes if not socialized to them, even cats, and sometimes squealing children. Because of this I do not think they are good off-leash dogs.
The grooming. The Wheaten is a coated dog. Most people are attracted to them because of their soft coats. They don’t shed like other breeds do and they are soft and cuddly and wonderful to pet. When they are kept clean. When they are mat free. If you are not prepared to invest the time maintaining their coat you will very quickly end up with a dirty, smelly, matted dog that in all likelihood will need to be completely shaved down or endure hours on the grooming table to restore its coat to a semblance of order. You should expect to have to fully brush and comb out your dog on a weekly basis in order to keep it in a manageable and healthy state.
Their coat grows continuously. It doesn’t just reach a certain length and stop growing. You are going to have to keep cutting it down periodically. If you keep your dog in a shorter pet trim of approximately 1-2 inches you should expect to have to trim your Wheaten every 6 to 8 weeks or so. If you aren’t doing this yourself expect to pay $75 and up at the groomers. If you keep your dog in a longer trim then you can go several months in between hair-cuts. You will have to keep the hair on the underside of their feet trimmed too so that it is flush with the pads. Not only can snow, ice and mud get tangled in the hairs causing serious problems to the dog, if the hair is long enough it is the same as you walking around the house in socks. When your dog comes running around the corner on a linoleum, tile or wood floor you are asking for an accident to happen as he or she will simply have no traction whatsoever. They have beards. When a dog with a beard drinks from the water bowl it will invariably leave a trail of water behind as it walks away from the bowl. This wet beard will also wet up your lap when the dog comes over to say “hi” after a drink and rest that wet beard with such loving tenderness in your lap.
They’re big softies. Really, some Wheatens can be sensitive individuals. They are a happy dog and they want everyone around them to be happy too. They will get stressed out in a home with a lot of yelling and fighting and they will shut down on you if your training methods are harsh. A soft but firm hand is what is best suited. They will thrive with positive training techniques that reward rather than punishing corrections.
They are not loners. Some dogs will follow you around the house and be happy as long as they are in the same room as you. This shadowing is a quality that most owners find endearing. If you think it would drive you nuts having your dog following you around, look elsewhere. This same quality is what also makes the Wheaten ill-suited as a kennel dog, or a dog that is left alone for long periods of time for that matter.
There are several health issues that you should research. Go to www.scwtca.org for information. You will need to annual testing to make sure that your dog stay healthy.
Take your time to research the breed and decide if the Wheaten is the right fit for you. Although we love them dearly they are most definitely not the dog for everyone.
