Attila the hun-ey!

[DemiSheep]

First I apologize for the long delay in posting again... My wife and I have just been really busy.

Attila is now 17 weeks old, we long ago upgraded his playpen base from a dozen pee pads to a tarp, which he can almost not destroy. We believe he is now past the point of potting in his playpen, so now we need to get him to stop having accidents in the house. He now has all his shots and has had his first official walk which he met his first dog friend on. He went to the pet store for the first time today and we've taken him to a few outlet malls. Everywhere he goes, he loves and clamors for everyone's attention. He simply is not satisfied until people he sees walking near him comes and pets him. I'll have to make a video of this some time. He has lost most of his front bottom teeth and the new ones are growing. He still has not hurt his little blue dog toy, which we need to find out what brand it is as it seems indestructible. It's his first toy and, it doesn't have a scratch so to say. He is now bigger than twice the size he was when we got him. We are about to let him free in our back yard (while being monitored) finally once we practice getting near the edge of the stone wall we have some more, so he doesn't fall off of it and hurt himself. We have tons of landscaping in our back yard from the previous owner, including some rose bushes with thorns. We hope he can learn to stay out of the landscaping, but I have my doubts. We have been traveling with him in the car a little bit and he's gotten more used to it. We have an airline soft carrier for him which he goes in while in the car, seat belted in the back seat.

I do have a question about traveling around with Attila. What do you all do when you travel with your dogs as far as eating at a restaurant? We've been sticking to places with outside eating area's like Chipotle and Panera Bread. I wanted to get advice from you experienced Cairn owners. Leaving him in the car is no option, and we don't know what else to do and we're getting tired of Chipotle and Panera Bread.

Attila will go to Chicago with us this weekend (driving) and fly back with us under our seat. Please give me any advice you may have concerning travel with a Cairn and what to do about eating at restaurants and even going to sites to see such as museums etc. I'll try to post some more pictures and video's soon. Here is one I just took. If you saw the first pictures I posted, you can compare his little pig toy to him in both pictures to see how much he's grown.

[KerryJayne]

Oh he is gorgeous what a lovely colour . They grow really quick don't they my puppy is the same age and looks huge now compared to when we got her . I take our puppy in her crate in the car but then its not so hot here so its safe to do so with Windows left open. Could you look for places that allow pets? We have quite a few around here . Enjoy your trip and I hope you work something out .

[Idaho Cairns]

We normally leave our dogs in the car when we eat but also find restaurants that have trees in the parking lot so there is shade--we give them a good walk before we go in, put out water, open the windows for some cross ventilation and there is never a problem--of course if it is super hot that practice is off the table. We normally get some kind of take out--Subway type sandwiches and then find a shaded park to eat in where the dogs can be out with us. Our girls are pretty good in the car when we travel, sleeping most of the time--good travelers. I have never flown with our dogs so I have no advice, however, I have had them in airports many times to pick up family and they do exceptionally well except for escalators and elevators--ever want to see a Cairn at its most stubborn, try putting one on a moving walkway or an escalator!

[Tracy A.]

I do have a question about traveling around with Attila. What do you all do when you travel with your dogs as far as eating at a restaurant? We've been sticking to places with outside eating area's like Chipotle and Panera Bread. I wanted to get advice from you experienced Cairn owners. Leaving him in the car is no option, and we don't know what else to do and we're getting tired of Chipotle and Panera Bread.

When we are on vacation, I have a pinic backpack with everything utencile wise that we need for a meal. We will get 'take out' from a resturant and take it to a park or anywhere with a picnic table and eat there. That way we can feed the dogs while we eat. I like 20' training leads to attach to the pinic table and the dogs so they can wander around while we all eat but be leashed. Of course we are traveling with two dogs, but we've been OK with taking the dogs on vacation with us over the years.

[hheldorfer]

I have no traveling advice. Just wanted to say that Attila is a beautiful boy and . . . Wow! Look at those ears!

[pindrop]

I too have no advice to offer but having read the previous responses, I'm of the impression that your questions may have already been answered. Good to hear from you again, and Attila has certainly grown and is gorgeous. Hopefully he will be growing into those ears As Layla is not a traveler - gets car-sick, it's difficult for us to go anywhere. Firstly, we have to overcome this by short jaunts and hopefully she will outgrow this. Have a safe trip and let us know how it goes upon your return.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Dempsy stays in the car if it's not to hot with windows down & sun roof cracked and we too look for a shade tree. Pretty much what everybody else does.

My first thought when seeing that beautiful puppy of yours: ... I think he needs a bigger sleeping area and a little more plush please. Oh my, are you spoiled Attila!! I wish ALL Cairns (all dogs) had it as good as ours. Enjoy your trip. I am curious to see how Attila likes the airplane. In a previous post some of the members give their pups a pill to help them relax. I don't know much about flying with a pet - but I do remember that that post was very interesting - maybe you could look it up - I suppose it was 6 months ago. Have fun you guys!

[Hawkeye]

Attila has grown so much and is so cute. As far as traveling with our two, we do the same as you and stop at restaurants that do take out and either eat in the car or somewhere outside to give them some leash time. Our newest cairn (Radar) has had some issues with cars so we have been taking it very slow with him. I haven't taken our dogs into public buildings, like museums, etc. not sure if they would be welcome or how the dogs would handle it. Let us know how you make out on your travels.

[DemiSheep]

They grow really quick don't they my puppy is the same age and looks huge now compared to when we got her.

Yes my wife and I looked at him one morning and he looked like he physically grew 1/8th larger all in one night! Yes it gets very hot here in Ohio in the summer and very humid.

[Idaho Cairns]

As a postscript to how to deal with dogs while traveling I will add that having to consider the dogs has led us to some really neat experiences. We usually travel on two lane highways anymore, avoiding interstates as much as we can and we have found that many small communities have the nicest little parks and it seems like the more isolated these communities are, the nicer the parks--it is almost as if the communities, sensing there isn't much else to do, provide these cool, green places for their residents as a form of community service.

I am always surprised with how nice some of these facilities are and how friendly the people are--often they will be very hospitable and curious about the dogs and what we are doing "in these parts?". Found some great restaurants and wonderful folks because we had to cater to our Cairns. Believe it or not some people still live like it was the 40's or 50's--open, relaxed, just neighborly as the dickens and until you get out into the hinterland, off the main highways, you forget this way of life still exists.

I can remember how neat some of the pocket neighborhoods in Savannah, Georgia were--grand old homes, huge grassy parkways in the middle of the streets, shaded with Spanish moss and everyone out walking their dogs or just strolling about in the evening--the dogs loved it, all those interesting muggy, humid smells and lots of attention from kids.

So, my advice is to take your time, discover these out of the way locations and you might find, as we have, that the trip, rather than the designation, is the most fun of all.

[DemiSheep]

We normally get some kind of take out--Subway type sandwiches and then find a shaded park to eat in where the dogs can be out with us.

That's a great idea, I wonder why we hadn't thought of it yet. Finding a park with a pick-nick table shouldn't be too hard.

Finding a shaded parking spot would be great too.

How do we get Attila used to being alone in the car? I have a feeling he'll start howling. Normally he's very good by himself in his playpen and crate, but a few times he was in his carrier in the car in the garage and I went inside the house for a quick moment and he started freaking out. Does he just have to get used to this?

[DemiSheep]

Good to hear from you again, and Attila has certainly grown and is gorgeous. Hopefully he will be growing into those ears

Thank you -- I think his ears are what gets him the most attention from people. It's amazing how people smile so big when they see him. His big ears fold back in a submissive posture when he's begging for people to pet him, he's so adorable when he does this. He doesn't do this for my wife and me.

[Idaho Cairns]

We normally get some kind of take out--Subway type sandwiches and then find a shaded park to eat in where the dogs can be out with us.

That's a great idea, I wonder why we hadn't thought of it yet. Finding a park with a pick-nick table shouldn't be too hard.

Finding a shaded parking spot would be great too.

How do we get Attila used to being alone in the car? I have a feeling he'll start howling. Normally he's very good by himself in his playpen and crate, but a few times he was in his carrier in the car in the garage and I went inside the house for a quick moment and he started freaking out. Does he just have to get used to this?

I think so, after a few experiences in a car, Cairns settle down, or at least mine have. Just a little at a time--take him to the local quick stop and go in and buy a coke, watch and see how he acts in the car while you are out. If you need to step out and correct his behavior it is an easy thing. Once they figure out you are coming back they calm down.

[DemiSheep]

My first thought when seeing that beautiful puppy of yours: ... I think he needs a bigger sleeping area and a little more plush please. Oh my, are you spoiled Attila!! I wish ALL Cairns (all dogs) had it as good as ours.

I will let you guys know how the trip went and I'll see about finding that other post.

About his cramped sleeping area...that reminds me of another question. We have a crate with a divider in it and we are slowing expanding it as he grows, I am wondering if we should just take the divider out as I doubt he'll pee in there anyway. My wife had the thought that if we expand it fully as he grows he's going to feel cramped with no further expansion. Thoughts?

[DemiSheep]

I haven't taken our dogs into public buildings, like museums, etc. not sure if they would be welcome or how the dogs would handle it.

We took him into a few outlet stores at a local outlet mall, most of the stores allow dogs which is cool. But we asked at a couple of museums and no dogs allowed..

[janis]

Hi! He's a cutie. I haven't flown with Kirby, but have had him on some car trips. First off, he does great in the car, but I carry: paper towels, wet wipes, some snack for him, a food bowl and I found a great carrier for a large bottle of water with a nylon bowl (Outward Hound brand) at the pet store, Poop bags, also something to chew on. If we are going very far he will usually take a nap. We stay at "pet friendly" hotels/motels. They usually charge $10. + for the dog and ask that he is crated if he is in the room alone. We take his crate, although the only time he's in it is when we go to a restaurant to eat, or go in a store to do a little shopping. He and I take lots of walks (usually we are accompanying DH on a fishing tournament, the only problem with Kirby is he won't go to the bathroom easily in a strange place. We are often found out in the grassy areas saying "Pleaseeeeeee go poop!" Good luck.

[DemiSheep]

We usually travel on two lane highways anymore, avoiding interstates as much as we can and we have found that many small communities have the nicest little parks and it seems like the more isolated these communities are, the nicer the parks--it is almost as if the communities, sensing there isn't much else to do, provide these cool, green places for their residents as a form of community service.

I am always surprised with how nice some of these facilities are and how friendly the people are--often they will be very hospitable and curious about the dogs and what we are doing "in these parts?". Found some great restaurants and wonderful folks because we had to cater to our Cairns. Believe it or not some people still live like it was the 40's or 50's--open, relaxed, just neighborly as the dickens and until you get out into the hinterland, off the main highways, you forget this way of life still exists.

I can remember how neat some of the pocket neighborhoods in Savannah, Georgia were--grand old homes, huge grassy parkways in the middle of the streets, shaded with Spanish moss and everyone out walking their dogs or just strolling about in the evening--the dogs loved it, all those interesting muggy, humid smells and lots of attention from kids.

So, my advice is to take your time, discover these out of the way locations and you might find, as we have, that the trip, rather than the designation, is the most fun of all.

It's interesting that you said this, sounds like the movie "Cars". We have had very good experiences at an outlet mall somewhat near home, getting to it is two lane highways and it's in the center of a huge farm area so not a lot of city folk. The people at this outlet mall are so nice, curious to see our dog and talk to us.memo pyres at the stores even run outside the stores to see him.

[cairnsby3]

I travel with my dogs all the time. They both travel in wire crates (more ventilation) and have battery operated crate fans and water, also a sunshade for the windshield is great for keeping the car cooler. I look for restaurants with windows and eat at very non-busy times. I open the car windows all the way and since it's a van I even open the rear door. I park where I can see the van and ask the hostess to sit where I can see it, explaining that I have dogs and had to leave it open. It's not a problem cause the restaurant isn't busy and I have never been turned down. Also I have never had anyone bother the dogs, or do more than glance at them. Of course my dogs are used to being left in their crates and don't bark at anyone.

[Lynn in TN]

I am so glad you posted! It is funny but Eric and I was talking last night(about the cairns on the forum) and we were wondering if Attila was living up to his name. He has grown so much, and is

just as handsome if not more.

We get take out also. Even nicer food places offer takeout. We have always done this the atmosphere is always nicer in a park. So many restaurants have went to playing loud music that

we would rather eat at the park a lot quieter.

I hope you enjoy your trip. Keep us posted.