Life With Two Cairns?

[Mick]

Hi there,

Long time lurker, since we brought our Cairn home, five years ago!

We love our little bundle of joy, mischief, energy, clown etc... Yes we have a Cairn, and are considering getting another.

For those who have two or added another to a mature Cairn, any insight would be appreciated. Is two twice the work, twice the fun? Any issues bringing a puppy into the home of an established cairn? Any training issues different due to having a mature cairn in the home?

Thanks.

[Idaho Cairns]

In my opinion two Cairns are half the work because they entertain each other so much. I wouldn't even consider having only one Cairn in our home--we have done it both ways and Cairns simply do better in pairs. We have had dual females for years. It has been our experience that the puppy learns so much from the older dog that training, especially house training, is much easier when a puppy has a model. Other behaviors are also modeled so if you are satisfied with your current dog, like the way he/she behaves then expect your next dog to be similar in nature.

We have rescued older dogs to go with our adult dogs without problems either.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with how adaptable your mature dog can be with a younger dog. Obviously you should listen to other's comments on this topic tho--my experience may not be typical.

[pindrop]

Hi Mick "the lurker" We have an almost 10 month old who we got when she was 9 1/2 weeks and I have to say she is some handful. At the time, I thought, wouldn't it be nice to have two - now realize how happy I am that I didn't. It's been a struggle for both my husband and myself - being older (I was going to say elderly - but didn't like the sound of that) However, now that she is growing up, I might consider getting another one when she is around two. Time will tell. So sorry I can't help answer your question but wanted to say hi and once again welcome. Nice to have you finally out in the open and join in. Please keep in touch and let us know what decision you land up making.

[Lynn in TN]

Welcome!

I only have one and wish I had got 2. 1 is not enough for a family of 4. I wish I could answer your question but I don't know yet what it is like having 2. I can't wait

to find out though. HA!HA!

[jimnconnie]

Hi Mick,

Our experience is that 2 Cairns are not twice the work, are way more fun than one, but are also twice the expense (food, grooming, vet bills, etc). That said we would definitely get a second dog again if the situation arose. Bailey was 2 1/2 yrs. old when we brought Sophie, who was 1 yr., into our home. There were a few spats, one rather scary, while they sorted out who was who, but after a couple of months everything kind of took care of itself, and they get along fine now. I think your 5 yr. old will enjoy having a pup to play with, but be sure that you reassure him that he is still #1 in the house. Make sure that he is fed first, first out & in the door, and first to receive attention & affection from you. Good luck!!

Jim

[kf6ybl]

Just wanted to jump in an say "go for it" We have a sticker on the back window of our car that says "Life is Merrier with a Cairn Terrier". That is an understatement. I can't imagine not having both

Mulligan and Sullivan. Yes, they can be a pain at times, but they are also so much fun, and that's when they are playing with each other or with us. Our cairn's are 5 and 3.

[Mick]

Thanks for the responses, I am getting closer to going for another, the main issue is convincing the wife, her main concern is farming two out vs. one when we travel - The grandparents are o.k. with one, but two might be a harder sell, I have some ideas though.

[KerryJayne]

I have a 5 year old westie an 18 mth old Labrador and a 4 mth old Cairn and it is a struggle getting them looked after but we manage it all be it at 3 different houses ! I couldn't imagine only having 1 dog its so much more fun having more and they love to play with each other and our puppy is nearly housetrained which I think has been easy because of the other dogs :-) I will most definitely be adding another Cairn in a few years :-) go for it

[Dempsy's Mom]

I love reading about having two . I think a Cairn lover dreams of two - but I still struggle with imagining two crates - two feeding areas - two of everything? Is that how you have to do it? And, yes, that is a pain to think of two when you travel - that's why I am working on Jim for a camper .... but the new grain cart is winning. We could buy 3 campers for the price of this stupid grain cart!! Ok - I know, a camper don't make money. Blah, Blah. Anyway, that is what I struggle with, do I need two crates set up etc. ?

Good for you Mick - I think it would be a charm to have two bundles of pure energy. Let us know when you make a decision!

.....Jim won't let me have two Gators. ..

[Idaho Cairns]

Lori, let me answer the "two of everything" question--no we don't. Our girls eat from the same bowl, drink from the same water bowl and only Bonnie uses a crate--when she wants to, otherwise we have the great pleasure of waking up with two warm Cairn butts snuggled in to the back of our legs. I think our girls move around quite a bit at night (I can tell by the food bowl that they snack sometimes), but usually at least one of them finds a spot on our bed to greet the morning.

Travel is no more of a problem than having one and I do believe they keep each other calm in situations where we have to run into WalMart or when we eat at a restaurant. There is always a bit of competition to see who gets to use the jockeybox between the front seats when we drive but they work that out between themselves--it is a Cairn form of "I've got shotgun!".

Mostly they entertain themselves with each other--daily wrestling matches, syncro pursuit of squirrels, dual visits to the neighbors for treats, toy snatching from each other--that sort of thing.

Most of the time they do well on leashes together--both have that determined little Cairn strut that propels them down the street together like a pair of little mischievous draft horses plowing on to new smells and new adventures.

The same things seem to interest them and get their attention.

We find a lot of symbiotic behaviors--little ones that mark their relationships--they sit the same way, move their heads the same way, sigh at the same time, vocalize the same way under certain circumstances--there is a definate set of signals they have for special situations--someone approaching the house, a squirrel on the feeder, etc.

Then there are all the little gestures, the way they sniff each other around the mouth--and other places, the concern they seem to show for each other if there is a yelp of pain--that sort of thing.

As I have expressed--our dogs spend so much of their time entertaining each other on the average day that it really relieves us of the necessity--in fact, when Bonnie is being a pest about us throwing a ball for her an addiction that she has, Sammi will intervene, find a way to steal the ball and cause Bonnie to refocus on her instead of us--I don't know whether that is motivated out of jealousy over us or because Sammi senses we need relief but it works.

Best way to sum it all up is to say, "If you like one Cairn so much, just imagine doubling that pleasure!"

[Hawkeye]

Hi Mick! We have two boys ages 3 and 1 and just love it. We have maintained two dogs now for about 15+ years. (Even had three for a short period.) Two is easier like the others said because they entertain themselves so much and they do learn from each other. We did have a couple of scuffles in the beginning but they did work it out and they are now best buds. We do have two crates and separate feeding bowls. And as far as the crates, they don't really use them all that much anymore even the younger one.

They are more of an expense as Jim pointed out, especially as they age. Traveling is another issue. We can't always take them with us when we travel so in the past we used our parents to watch them, but they are too elderly now. So we have the additional expense of kenneling at times. That being said, I kennel them together and feel a little better knowing they are not alone.

I say "Go for it"! Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Thanks Idaho!

[Lynn in TN]

I would just like to say if anyone is going to be traveling through Tennessee and you need some one to keep your Cairns I would be more than happy to.

I can't promise I'll let you have them back though. LOL

[percy's_girl]

After reading Idaho's post I want two, too!

[jo_]

We debate about having two quite often. Jagger just turned 1 on Sunday. *IF* we decide to add to the family we've thought rescuing a young adult would be the route to go. Jagger's come a very long way but we wonder if a puppy would influence her instead of the other way around ;-)

I often think two would be great fun for Jagger and us, but wonder how challenging getting two in and out of the car, two in the canoe etc, would be. Plus as others have mentioned...would family be willing to dog-sit two little munchkins? Guess it would depend how well they got along.

Couple of more questions to add to the topic:

- any advice on what's best...female/female or female/male combo?

- if crating at night do you crate them separately or together?

Thanks

jo

[finncaraid]

Ditto what Lynn in TN said! If you're on the eastern seaboard, they can stay with me! IF you get them back, they may be a little more spoiled, though. Good luck Mick! Can't wait to hear how things turn out!! I'll be relating all the positive aspects of life with 2 to DH, who is firmly rooted in the 1 Cairn mode right now.

[Idaho Cairns]

I'll give you some insight into how two bonded Cairns react under situations where "caring" or attention is required. Dogs get very dependent on each other, even in situations they don't really understand. The two photos attached show a situation last summer when Bonnie had to be put under anesthesia to get some cheat grass out of her ears. She was gone for a few hours at the vet and when we brought her home she was still very groggy for a couple of hours. Sammi would not leave her side, knowing something was wrong but, of course, not being able to understand.

We have seen this behavior over and over, our Tootsie was so sick for so long and Sammi became a canine care taker for years--solicitous to a fault, careful, sharing, and watchful. Sammi became Tootsie's eyes and ears when those failed the old dog. It was wonderful to see and until you have two Cairns you cannot imagine how close, physically and emotionally these dogs get with each other.

And, do Cairns model on each other? Check it out--Bonnie and big sister Sammi when Bon was just one year old!

[jo_]

I'll give you some insight into how two bonded Cairns react under situations where "caring" or attention is required. Dogs get very dependent on each other, even in situations they don't really understand. The two photos attached show a situation last summer when Bonnie had to be put under anesthesia to get some cheat grass out of her ears. She was gone for a few hours at the vet and when we brought her home she was still very groggy for a couple of hours. Sammi would not leave her side, knowing something was wrong but, of course, not being able to understand.

We have seen this behavior over and over, our Tootsie was so sick for so long and Sammi became a canine care taker for years--solicitous to a fault, careful, sharing, and watchful. Sammi became Tootsie's eyes and ears when those failed the old dog. It was wonderful to see and until you have two Cairns you cannot imagine how close, physically and emotionally these dogs get with each other.

And, do Cairns model on each other? Check it out--Bonnie and big sister Sammi when Bon was just one year old!

I might have asked this months ago, but when two dogs bond and become so close, are they not as close to their human owners? Jagger's not a snuggly dog to begin with and I cherish the few minutes a day that she wants to snuggle and be petted (still hoping these times will increase as she gets older). This might sound silly but I'd hate to have to share those moments with another dog.

This is off topic but I have to ask Idaho...there looks to be such a huge size difference in your girls, has Bonnie grown since she was a year old?

[Idaho Cairns]

No, Bonnie is still quite small (13lbs) and Sammi is very large for a Cairn--she pushes 30lbs. It is a true "Mutt and Jeff" situation with the dogs. That seems to work out fine with them--Bonnie gets pushed around when Sammi takes a mind to do so but most of the time they roll each other when they play. I don't think Bonnie has a clue that she is "little"--her attitude certainly isn't.

Our girls rarely compete for affection, just ever once in a while I will be petting Bonnie and Sammi will try to get in between Bon and I. Usually they are pretty satisfied to take affection from us one at a time. Bonnie was quite standoffish for the first 2.5 years of her life but just recently she has started to come to me for scratches, usually in the morning. One of those little quirks that Cairns have--we were quite disappointed that Bonnie would avoid contact--dodging away or hiding from the attempt but now she seems to seek it from us--I guess part of that maturation process.

[Jeff N Oscar]

We have 2... thank goodness, cause after reading this thread I would want a second one right away...lol Our second Cairn was an older rescue dog so I can't answer the puppy questions.

We've had our second Cairn, Oscar for a lil over 2 months (wow, seems like longer than that) and at this point they are pretty settled in. Mine share food and water and toys, but have seperate crates. Our first, Jeff is still insistent on getting his due affection, nudging himself between my hand and Oscars head. Oscar has been a wonderful addition to our home and has not taken any of Jeff's desire for play or affection away from us. Jeff is about 5 and Oscar is around 8.

The only advice I have is that you must understand that a second dog could bring their own problems to an already happy home. Oscar is a great dog and has blended in well, but he eats poop!!! I NEVER had to worry about that with Jeff, but now I have to scoop all the time and I still don't get it up fast enough before I see Oscar outside scouting the grass for poop to eat!! GROSS!! lol but it's part of his package and within the realm of acceptable, so we are now the owners of a dog that eats poop. Which by the way might be the reason he is overweight, he isn't losing any calories because he is eating them back into his diet a little while after eliminating them.. again GROSS!!

We will probably get a puppy the next time we are running low on Cairns around here, but that is just for personal pleasure of having a puppy once again!!

PS, More eastcoast room here for travelers to leave a pup behind.... visiting Cairns are always welcome!!

[kjwarnold]