Cracker!

[gt_mustang_gal]

I cannot figure out how to upload more than one picture at a time. Very sad considering I have a Master's Degree!!!

I will start posting pics of Cracker. Most were taken on the trip home, but a few were taken from my parents house. I've not been able to take more cause he's always on the move and it's all I can do to just keep up with him (unless I take more pics of him sleeping - LOL).

So far, everything is still going great with the housetraining and crate training. We're having a problem with him biting/nipping at us though (especially toes and fingers). It doesn't seem to matter what we say or do, he won't stop and doesn't understand that he shouldn't be doing this. He's our FIRST puppy to be so young (8 weeks) so we aren't sure what to do. Any suggestions?

We went to the vet today for the health guarantee checkup. He said everything looks perfect and Cracker seems very healthy with a wonderful coat. However, he did have several fleas. The breeder warned us that she hadn't done anything for flea prevention. The vet said the best flea medication can't be used until he is 5 pounds and he's only 3 pounds. Does anyone have any advice?

[gt_mustang_gal]

Pic #2

[gt_mustang_gal]

Pic #3

[gt_mustang_gal]

Pic #4

[gt_mustang_gal]

Pic #5

[Zekey's Mom]

Stop - don't post any more!! I'm going into cuteness overload!!!

Cracker is insanely adorable. LOVE the name, too.

[gt_mustang_gal]

Pic #6

[gt_mustang_gal]

The last for now...and my favorite

[pindrop]

Cracker is just a darnright cutie. I too love the name - I'm sure he will be living up to it too. Insofar as the nipping, I now know they all go thru this as this is how they sense everything - through their mouths. Consistency and patience will eventually win out. I tried to distract Layla with a toy or whatever I could think up. With the flea situation, I'm sorry I can't help as I don't know what you can do. I would hope that someone on this forum would have an alternate suggestion to doing nothing.

[Idaho Cairns]

Oh my! Now I went from photo to photo gasping with every one--that is one pretty little pup! Good for you--nice pick.

As to your problem, it's a pretty easy fix and gives you a chance to teach two lesson at once. As you know, I believe the first word a Cairn must learn is "No!" and this is the time. Here is what I have done with my pups to dissuade them from biting and snapping (a perfectly natural thing for a Cairn to do--however it must be controlled). Grasp the dog's muzzle in the web of your hand, between the thumb and the forefinger--tightly but not to the point of pinching. As you grasp with the rest of your hand wrapped underneath the mouth, say "NO!" firmly and gently push the head back. He will most likely come right back at you--thinking it is playtime--repeat the grasp and command firmly and with your left hand, push him on the side of the neck and hold him down, repeating "No!" until he relaxes and gives up on the idea that you are playing--his momma did it in the litter--she nipped him on the neck--just enough to get the idea across. It will take you about five or six times and he will understand that he cannot bite.

Make sure everyone in the home does the same, the same way. No hitting and no screaming--just the grasp and, if necessary, over on his side.

"NO!" is so great--used properly and often enough and your dog will immediately recognize it as the command that means "stop what you are doing" and once learned is a universal aide to every part of his little life when it comes to training.

No, you will not make him "hate you", he will not get a complex, he won't be warped for life--he will learn who has the biggest bite and loudest bark in his world--he will learn his place in the pack--comfortably.

Good luck and let us know how it works for you.

[Tracy A.]

I wonder if you could give a bath with flea shampoo? I know that you can't give him any meds for the fleas, but I wonder if a good old bath with flea shampoo might work. However, I would consult with your vet first.

[Lynn in TN]

Awww Cracker is a cutie! I am so glad to see the pictures. I've been watching for them! He weighs 1/2 pound more than Kelly and she is a week older than him. He is so cute, Do you want another yet? I do.LOL

As to the biting I know what you are going through I just went through this with mine. I followed what Idaho said to the letter and it worked but it took 2 days with mine, because I have a husband who egged it on

the first day she started it. She had him running through the house jumping on the furniture to get away from her. Today she nips but with a soft mouth

and when I say no about anything she stops. Thank you Idaho!

As to the flees mine had a few also. The vet said he had never seen them this bad in our area, and not to hold it against the breeder

for this is out of her control. He told me that even the best flee medicines were not working as well and his neighbor that doesn't have pets is having trouble with flees. He said it is because of the early heat and no rain in our area that is causing it. In the last week or 2 there was a topic posted on this forum that had to do with flees and natural remedy. I plan on trying it. You might want to also.

I am so glad he is doing well. Good luck with the biting!

[hheldorfer]

:wub:

Words cannot describe Cracker's cuteness!

[kjwarnold]

Oh, geez, those sleeping puppy pictures just do me in! As for that last photo, you need to know that the innocent look is a cover for devious thoughts running through his mind. That's their way of getting around you and it routinely works. Great name, too! If it's short for Firecracker, that would be about right!

[oscar's mom]

Picture # 5, a sleeping Cairn puppy. There is nothing like it.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Oh my gosh is he sweet. Love Cracker for a name.

[Jeff N Oscar]

I have a couple things to say...

1. Cracker is A D O R A B L E... OOhhh so cute, I want him...lol.

2. didn't the vet recommend something to do for the fleas until Cracker is 5 pounds? he's your best bet for advice on caring for you pup

3. If you pup bites too hard you should YIP like a puppy... that's what the other pups would be doing to indicate that it was too hard and that is how they learn not to bite too hard. Not saying he should be nipping you at all, but if he misses a toy and gets you instead, just give a loud yip, one loud pitched enough that he stops what he's doing and looks at you. That's his language. That's what I learned and that what I did.

4. and the most important thing I want to share is to keep the pups out of seats with airbags. I am not sure if your car has a passenger side airbag, but if it does and if it deploys it will kill him. Keep that adorable lil guy safe!!

5. Cracker is A D O R A B L E... I meant to repeat #1

[josie&holly]

Cracker is a real cracker!!

Such cute photos.

[ScruffynMag]

What a cutie!

[tomatosandwich]

Congratulations! I love #6. What a darling!

I think for natural flea control for little Cracker I'd consider using food grade (NOT pool grade, very different) diatomaceous earth and rubbing it in his skin and on his bedding, or some essential oils diluted in a spray bottle. Oh, and a flea comb. I'd comb him with a flea comb every day and dip the comb in soapy water every few swipes to be sure I was killing the eggs/fleas the comb picked off.

[beccadiane374]

Wow, what a little doll!! Love all the pictures! Congratulations!

[Hawkeye]

Cracker is adorable!! I love all the pictures of him.

[janis]

Simply a wonderful pup! Make me want a sib for Kirby - he looked a lot like that. Being in Tennessee too, I think Cracker is a great name! I was going to give you advice on the nipping, but Idaho beat me to it (it's what he told us too!), remember, consistency is the key! Sometimes when we play (Kirby is almost 2) he will bite a bit more than I would be happy with, "No Bite" stops him immediately! Keep posting those cute pic, one at a time is fine! More drama!

[CJ_NY]

Picture #4 makes me want to puke. It doesn't get cuter than that.

[Napi'smom]

he is adorable!! i recently found some pictures when napoleon came home 5 1/2 years ago!!! theya re all so darn cute!!

as far as the fleas goes, I have posted here before that i do not use any of the commertially sold flea items, I use yeast tabs for both my dogs and I have to say that its pretty effective as long as you give it to them daily...Napoleon was 12 weeks when we got him and i started him right away and he's been flea free.. one summer my husband forgot to tell me they pills were finished and they went without it for about a month and sure enough I found a couple of fleas but once we got started again none..