New Cairn Abby

[Guest posting as: David Gross]

Hi everyone - new Cairn owner here - Abby is now 10 weeks old and have her for a week- get more laughs than I've had in a while -a real dynamo! The puppy biting is getting worse, but maybe she will outgrow it in time - some problem with what appears to be dry skin(no fleas evident) as she scratches quite often. Any suggestions to help here.

[MikeC]

Hi David,

Welcome to the Forum. Abby is adorable and looks alot like my Duffy when he was her age. Keep up on the biting situation as you do not want it to get out of hand! As for the itching, I know that oatmeal shampoos can help alleviate that but you may want to check with your vet to see if she may have any allergies.

MikeC

[bradl]

This time of year it can be dry skin from heating the house. Some EFA or oil supplement (available at every pet supply joint) can help a bit. Also, ask your breeder how to pull the puppy fluff. A puppy coat can also cause some itching if its completely blown and needs to come out. If it's not ready to come out, brush it frequently to help the skin stay stimulated. Lots of posts (and books) on teaching bite inhibition. It will pass eventually, sooner if you actively address it as MikeC suggests.

[Carolinasmom]

Welcome to you and Abby! What a cute ball of fluff!

Carolina had some itching last winter and the vet gave/sold me a bottle of fatty acid supplement. It did seem to help. Like Brad said, check the pet stores.

[Scully'sMom]

Welcome! What a little adorable bundle of fur Abby is, and I love her name.

The heat in the house might be the cause of the itching as was already stsated. I always feel best if I can't find the solution on my own to ask the vet.

I wish you guys many many happy years ahead. You made the best choice!

[Arf-arf]

MikeC, how do you deal with the bitting issue? Is a mild slap on the rump or snout which produces a mild yelp OK? What action makes "us" the alpha dog.

[bradl]

Here are some links that describe teaching bite inhibition:

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/bite2.html

http://www.perfectpaws.com/bite.html

http://doglinks.co.nz/training/bite_inhibition.htm

http://www.clickertraininglv.com/bite.htm

http://www.parkvets.com/veterinaryservices...yclub-bite.html

Is a mild slap on the rump or snout which produces a mild yelp OK? What action makes "us" the alpha dog.

Eeek! you risk making them hand-shy.

[MikeC]

Arf Arf,

What I do may sound drastic but when he gets in these wild play biting frenzies it is the only thing that works. I hold him down on his back and cup my hand gently around his snout and yell as loud as I can "NO BITE". It usually works as I think it snaps him out of his frenzy. I tried the light smack on the snoot, but he thought it was some kind of game.

MikeC

[toomanypaws]

Ooops, I posted in the test forum. I just wanted to welcome you and tell you that your Abby looks like a little bear cub. I too have an Abbey, just spelled differently. She's actually Abigail Lee (my daughter named her) but we call her Abbey most of the time. She knows if I yell "Abigail", she got caught doing something wrong. My youngest cairn scratches but has no fleas. My dh is a vet so if he doesn't see a problem, I really don't worry.

[kgemind]

I want one just like Abby!! She is too cute. Sorry but I can't remember problem Puppy behavior - too long ago. So I think that proves they grow out of it. Enjoy your little darling and keep posting pictures.

Take care!

Karen

[hallswel]

David

What a beautiful Abby girl! Check with the breeder you got her from and see if maybe they had been putting a supplyment on the food,

I love her face

Liz

[lsquarey]

Wow..Abby sure is fluffy and has such an adorable face! I am still waiting for Cami's (15 weeks old) fur to grow out. Is it normal for some pups to have more fur/fluff than others?

[Eliz222]

Abby sure is adorable!

Finch has alot more puppy hair/fuzz than Scout had as a puppy. She is very hairy!