New User, New Puppy . . . HELP?

[_whits_]

Hello All,

This Wednesday I will be adding a new addition to my life. Her name is Addie, and she's an 11 week old Cairn rescue. Her mom was rescued from a puppymill in Missouri and Addie and her littermates ended up being an unexpected surprise for the foster mom. I've had terriers (Jack Russells) before, but Addie's going to be my first Cairn.

I'm absolutely thrilled to give Addie a new home. But it's been a LONG time since I've had a puppy running around and I was wondering if I could pick your brains for advice. I'm hoping you might be willing to answer this for me: what is one thing you wish you had either 1) known or 2) bought (or both!) when your Cairn was a puppy?

PS. I promise to post pictures when she comes home!

[KerryJayne]

Hi and welcome . I'm on my first Cairn puppy too she is 4 mths now and great . A crate would be the one thing I would say definitely buy and I would imagine after having a JRT you probably know a lot about terriers. I was surprised how energetic they are ! :-)

[KShep]

Hello All,

This Wednesday I will be adding a new addition to my life. Her name is Addie, and she's an 11 week old Cairn rescue. Her mom was rescued from a puppymill in Missouri and Addie and her littermates ended up being an unexpected surprise for the foster mom. I've had terriers (Jack Russells) before, but Addie's going to be my first Cairn.

I'm absolutely thrilled to give Addie a new home. But it's been a LONG time since I've had a puppy running around and I was wondering if I could pick your brains for advice. I'm hoping you might be willing to answer this for me: what is one thing you wish you had either 1) known or 2) bought (or both!) when your Cairn was a puppy?

PS. I promise to post pictures when she comes home!

Hello and welcome! I have an 8 month old Cairn and if you have had terriers, I am pretty sure you are prepared for a Cairn. Bully sticks are the one thing I am definitely recommending for a Cairn puppy. They will keep her occupied for a good while and satisfy her need to chew.

Also, lots of patience! lol

[hheldorfer]

Welcome! You'll find lots of threads here dealing with new puppies along with some great advice. If you've had JRTs before you know all about terrier puppy madness, so I don't think there will be too many surprises. Please post pics when you have a chance - we live for Cairn puppy photos!

[Dempsy's Mom]

Addie. I like. I haven't had a puppy - but you have found the right place for good support. Congratulations on your new member and welcome to the forum. I can't wait to meet Addie.

[Tracy A.]

I wish I would have bought and ExPen sooner,

[kjwarnold]

Welcome and be sure to post pics when you can! Crate and ex-pen, not just one thing but two.

[bradl]

A crate (or two or three), a grooming table (with arm and noose), and an ex-pen or two are worth their weight in gold.

For folks who may come along later who are new to ANY puppy:

I wish I had known that raising a puppy was not a race. I no longer care about how long housebreaking takes; I no longer care how long it takes a dog to learn (and reliably perform) an obedience exercise as well as another dog in class, etc. Rather than look at milestones now, I just look at living with dogs as a way of life.

They come, they grow up, they grow old, they die. Along the way they learn some things, refuse to learn or do others, surprise us in ways both good and bad, and absorb and reflect all the love we have to give. Like a canine karmic savings bank, a little interest adds up over the years and in the end, a small investment leaves me richer than I could have imagined.

[Kathryn]

"I wish I had known that raising a puppy was not a race. I no longer care about how long housebreaking takes; I no longer care how long it takes a dog to learn (and reliably perform) an obedience exercise as well as another dog in class, etc. Rather than look at milestones now, I just look at living with dogs as a way of life.

They come, they grow up, they grow old, they die. Along the way they learn some things, refuse to learn or do others, surprise us in ways both good and bad, and absorb and reflect all the love we have to give. Like a canine karmic savings bank, a little interest adds up over the years and in the end, a small investment leaves me richer than I could have imagined."

Brad - so very very true...

[Lynn in TN]

I am a new Cairn puppy person. I have had Kelly for 4 weeks. She is 13 & 1/2 weeks old. I like the crate (i use the plastic airline type) She loves it and so do I.

Lots of different textured toys to chew on, bully sticks and such. I wish I had room for an ex-pen, if I did I would have one. I also want a grooming table.

The one thing I wish I had gotten and didn't was the other girl. We have enjoyed Kelly so much and she is our only fur kid it would have been nice to have 2.

Between Hubby and 2 sons and myself she gets constant attention, I wish I had gotten them both as we have so much love to give.

Good luck and post those pictures as soon as possible.

[janis]

" I just look at living with dogs as a way of life.

They come, they grow up, they grow old, they die. Along the way they learn some things, refuse to learn or do others, surprise us in ways both good and bad, and absorb and reflect all the love we have to give. Like a canine karmic savings bank, a little interest adds up over the years and in the end, a small investment leaves me richer than I could have imagined."

Brad - that was just beautiful! Hi to the new addition - upright and furbaby both! If you can't get an x-pen a gate is a good investment so if you have to confine her to a space for awhile you can. Kirby pretty much had the run of the house from the day we brought him home, but he still persists in going to the bonus room and destroying my yarn, so a gate at the top of the stairs has been a real help. The Crate is great too. It's like their safe place, not some horrible cage, and it helps with housebreaking. Toys are great, just like upright babies, they explore the world by putting everything in their mouths, so it's better if the something is their toy or bully stick than your new shoes or belt. Post Pictures often, it brightens everyone's day! Also, read Forum daily! It's great first thing in the morning with coffee or late in the evening with a glass of wine! Community, family we have never met, sympathy, empathy, great advice and support when you need it most!

[Jayme]

A crate and LOTS of paitence are musts. Other wise, lots of chew toys are also a good thing.

[hheldorfer]

" I just look at living with dogs as a way of life.

They come, they grow up, they grow old, they die. Along the way they learn some things, refuse to learn or do others, surprise us in ways both good and bad, and absorb and reflect all the love we have to give. Like a canine karmic savings bank, a little interest adds up over the years and in the end, a small investment leaves me richer than I could have imagined."

Brad - that was just beautiful! Hi to the new addition - upright and furbaby both! If you can't get an x-pen a gate is a good investment so if you have to confine her to a space for awhile you can. Kirby pretty much had the run of the house from the day we brought him home, but he still persists in going to the bonus room and destroying my yarn, so a gate at the top of the stairs has been a real help. The Crate is great too. It's like their safe place, not some horrible cage, and it helps with housebreaking. Toys are great, just like upright babies, they explore the world by putting everything in their mouths, so it's better if the something is their toy or bully stick than your new shoes or belt. Post Pictures often, it brightens everyone's day! Also, read Forum daily! It's great first thing in the morning with coffee or late in the evening with a glass of wine! Community, family we have never met, sympathy, empathy, great advice and support when you need it most!

I couldn't agree more . . . especially about the wine. You may want to stock up.

[Rohnda]

I think that you are already ahead of the game if you have had terriorists before (Jack Russles). We got our Cairn when he was 11 weeks old also. My first terrier so I was ignorant going into it!! Luigi will not be our last Cairn though. Brad gave the best advice. It applies to any breed of dog that comes into our lives. Can't wait to see pictures.

[Hawkeye]

Welcome to the forum, we all look forward to your big day. I will second Janis - get a couple of gates. I would give mine the freedom by the room I was in at the time, so the gates were great. I think you already know what you're in for so basically enjoy your new furbaby and cherish the puppy stage. It can be trying but it goes too fast.

Brad said it all and beautifully put!

[josie&holly]

Lovely that you are getting a rescue pup!

And I think what brad has put is beautiful....................

[ScruffynMag]

I wish I had known that raising a puppy was not a race. I no longer care about how long housebreaking takes; I no longer care how long it takes a dog to learn (and reliably perform) an obedience exercise as well as another dog in class, etc. Rather than look at milestones now, I just look at living with dogs as a way of life.

They come, they grow up, they grow old, they die. Along the way they learn some things, refuse to learn or do others, surprise us in ways both good and bad, and absorb and reflect all the love we have to give. Like a canine karmic savings bank, a little interest adds up over the years and in the end, a small investment leaves me richer than I could have imagined.

How lovely.

[The Cairn Farm]

A crate was a huge benefit to us! We also love the Bully sticks, although they smell funky...Kong Wubbas and Cuz balls are two other favorites around here and with the litter of pups we had last winter. I hope that helps! If you have had JRT in the past you are going to be all prepared! I think Cairns are alot calmer than the JRT!

[_whits_]

Thank you all SO much for your advice and welcome. I promise to repay in pictures.

I went shopping today and Addie now has two crates (one smaller for going to the vet and while she's a tiny puppy, and a slightly bigger one for once she's full grown). I'm ordering an ex-pen online (house is open plan so gates are impossible). I picked up practically every Kong variety there is. And some cuddly bedding for her crates.

It's been almost two years since my last pup passed away, and I'm so ready for the house not to be so empty. And for the joy (and exasperation) that comes with a little puppy.

[lindasue]

Hide the socks, panties, flip flops, ugg boots, bras.....and get plenty of chew toys.

[finncaraid]

Hi and Welcome! Ditto to everything everyone else said. For me, the #1 thing I'd wish I'd considered when Finn was a baby was another one at the same time.

[jo_]

Great advice has already been posted. I'll just add that always keep in mind that they grow up very fast. Jagger was my first puppy and I had times of frustration, maybe even a few tears (too emotional for my own good!), but never, ever one second of regret. Any moments of frustration were - and still are- greatly outweighed by the smiles. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. To have a cairn is to love a cairn! Enjoy!!!

[Sue G]

Baby gates...definitely. And lots of treats for training. These guys are very food motivated (or at least Ozzy is!).

[Tuesday]

Congrats! We really, really, REALLY like puppy pictures.

With that being said, the one thing I wished I would have bought when Murphy was a puppy were hip waders...

You'll understand about 10 days from now! :whistle:

Seriously, this place is wonderful for every type of Cairn advice going. Again, congrats!

[utgaard]

What one thing would I have if I could go back and start over again? A fenced yard. I've had the house a lot longer than my Cairn. The yard is terraced with rockeries about four feet tall and just doesn't lend it self to Cairn-proof fencing.