His name's Taylor. He'll be 12 weeks old on Tuesday and I love him even though he causes me great stress and pain sometimes. I'm on the wrong computer to put pictures up, they aren't on here, but I will eventually put some up for you guys.

Housebreaking has been going okay...I was really worried at first because his breeders told us they kept the puppies in crates with wire bottoms and newspaper, so they went in there a lot. I've had him since last Saturday, and so he's only messed in there twice. Second time wasn't really his fault because we were in the car on the way home from the vet. e

I know many of you have experienced Cairns at this age, and I'd like some support and help maybe?

He chews on absolutely everything in sight. Carpet, rugs, feet/socks/pants, rocks, tile, cement outside. And getting him to do his business outside is a struggle because there are so many leaves on the ground that he simply can't keep away from. Are Cairns always chewy dogs? Or will he grow out of it?

He won't really pee in his carrier, but just today we've had two accidents where we shouldn't really have. Both times, my sister was holding him on her lap on the couch. This afternoon he peed on the pillow, and this evening he peed on the blanket. Both times he had literally just been outside to do his business, and I was positive he had gone. He's only three months old, so I'm trying to be understanding. It seems my golden was much easier to housebreak though. Will I ever be able to trust him with free range of the house? Any potty training tips?

Help and support is VERY much appreciated. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed at this point in time.

Also, just as a side note because I'm curious. At what age does their adult coat typically come in?

Welcome to the Cairn club! I'm not a ton of help with the housebreaking since Chloe was trained in a week...her breeder already had her paper trained so we just had to move it outside. But I stayed right on top of her. Followed her everywhere and took her outside like every hour. We have a lab/coonhound mix who loves to be outside and play. That made it easier for us I think too...someone to follow around and copy. As far as the chewing goes its the puppy teeth that do it! Chloe lost hers around 6 months or so and now she never chews. She is 10 months old. Once she hit 6 months we started leaving her out of her crate longer since she was potty trained and wasn't chewing. Her adult coat came in around 6 months also. At least with Chloe 6 months was a big deal!!!

Hang in there, it will get easier and in the long run, you'll have a great companion who is so entertaining!

We have Kirby, who is 5 months old today. We've had him since we has 12 weeks, just like you and Taylor. Kirby was crate trained when we got him, so we did have a head start on housebreaking. I think what helped us the most was learning his schedule. Remember that he's just a baby, so he doesn't have a lot of control yet. Learn how long after he eats that he has to go out, learn if he needs to go out after playing, and always take him out as soon as you get him out of his crate. Don't take the time to cuddle because he's all sleepy and cute -- take him out or you'll end up with a wet lap! We even thought about making a chart to record when we took Kirby out and what he did so we could get a better handle on it, but we got past that. Before long, Taylor will go longer and longer between needing to go out.

As for chewing, we're lucky because we also have a 4 yr. old Cairn, Packy, who just loves to play with Kirby, so they chew on each other. Since it doesn't sound like you have another dog to entertain Taylor, be sure you have plenty of toys for him to play with and don't leave him unattended. If he's bored and you're not watching him, he'll get into trouble! Do you have an ex-pen? We've got one for Kirby and when we can't keep a close eye on him, he's in there with toys. We used to put a potty pad in there with him, but he's past that now. That way, he's entertained and won't get into trouble. He did jump up and try to bite at our legs at first, but we just yelled like it hurt and said, "No." That seemed to do the trick.

Leaves: Both Packy and Kirby LOVE to run in leaves and they will always choose that place to go potty before anywhere else. Kirby always plays just a little before pottying and since I know he usually has to run off some energy before getting down to business, I just let it be. Yeah, it's a pain when you're in a hurry, but they will grow out of it. Packy is great peeing on command now and has been for several years. See, it gets better!

When can you allow free run of the house? It depends on your dog. Our first Cairn, Willie, didn't have free run of the house until he was like, 10 yrs. old. Packy probably could now at 4 yrs. old, but he's just as happy in his crate when we're gone. In fact, if we leave him out, he goes in there anyway. I guess he was about 3 yrs. old when we started leaving him out periodically for a couple of house. Mostly though, we still just crate him. He runs in there anyway when he knows we're leaving. In fact, he can't get in there quick enough because he knows he gets a liver treat -- his favorite!

So, take a deep breath when you're frustrated and then remember how much you laugh at him and those loving puppy kisses. Think about watching him chase his tail and how he is just so expressive! They make such funny noises as puppies! You're going to love Cairns!

CAIRNGRATULATIONS!!!

Welcome to you & Taylor to the Forum. Confinement is really a necessity with puppies. You might try using an X-Pen(a folding, heavy wire enclosure) outdoors to establish a potty area for Taylor. If you put him in the pen to go potty, he won't be distracted by things to play with, and the scent will remind him that it is the place where he is supposed to do his business. After you see him go potty, praise him & give him a treat, then let him out of the pen to play for awhile. Even if he has just gone potty outdoors, accidents in the house are going to happen. He's not ready to be on pillows, blankets, and furniture yet. It will be several months, at least, before you can trust him and give him access to the whole house. If you catch him in the act of peeing, tell him "No!!" and take him outdoors to finish going. If you find a puddle after the fact, it's too late to correct him, as he won't know why you are mad at him. If you take him out when you think it's time for potty and he doesn't go, bring him back inside and put him in his crate for 30 minutes, then take him back out to his potty area again. If he still doesn't go, back into the crate for another 30 minutes. Cairns are smart little people, and he will soon learn where it's acceptable to go potty and where it isn't. Chewing is what Cairn puppies do, and those sharp baby teeth will go after everything! Confine Taylor to an area of the house where you can watch him closely, and where he can't get into a lot of trouble (kitchen?) Provide him with lots of hard rubber toys, rope knots, etc. that he can chew on, and that are not a danger to him. If he's biting your feet, he's trying to play. Holler "No!!" loudly, and harshly, so he knows that it's not acceptable, and provide a chew toy as a substitute. Keeping him confined indoors also protects him from dangers such as electrical cords, toxic items, or something he might choke on. He needs protection just like any other baby. Good luck with Taylor, you're going to love being a Cairn parent!! Hope to see those pictures soon.

Hello to Taylor!

Buckley is 11 months old. I brought him home at 4 months. He was already paper trained, but I wanted him to go outside. Even though it seemed to take forever to potty train him to go outside, it only actually took two weeks. We still have very few accidents in the house. I noticed that even if we go for an hour at the dog park from 5-6 PM, he will still need to go out at around 8 PM and 10 PM to piddle (I learned this by accidents in the house after he was housebroken).

We've had a setback in potty training this weekend. We live in California. It doesn't rain from April to October. Buckley experienced his first rain this weekend and refused to go potty outside.

As far as chewing, he has already lost his baby teeth but still continues to chew. I think it is his mission to destory all of his toys. Since he has a basket of toys, he doesn't chew on the furniture, books, etc. He does have a thing for shoes, so I have to keep the shoes out of Buckley's reach.

Good luck with puppyhood!

Thanks so much to everyone for all of your support and encouragement! His biting is already improving. He's starting to understand that feet and pants and hair are not chew toys. He forgets sometimes when he gets really playful and excited, and what can you expect? I bought him a ton of things to chew on, and as it turns out, he has the most fun with an empty plastic water bottle. What a goof. I DO actually have another dog, a ten year old Golden. =) She's the love of my life. She didn't like him at all at first. Always avoided him and wouldn't get near him, but we've let her slowly adapt and today they played in the yard together! This is a HUGE step for my baby girl because she's never liked another dog in her life. I'm very glad she's adapting well and even beginning to like him a little.

I'm trying really hard to be patient and understanding with him though. Last night was troublesome though. I put him in his carrier for bed time after he had just gone to the bathroom and he protested it very loudly. I hope he doesn't keep up with this habit.

Also, tonight he peed in the kitchen three times within thirty minutes. Between each time I look him outside and he did nothing, then went back inside to finish dinner. It seems like his bathroom habits are getting WORSE, not better. Anyone have any clue as to why this is?

As promised though, I have pictures for you guys!

I'll probably put some more up later. It won't let me post anymore haha.

Anyway...that's my Taylor baby. =)

hi Taylor you are going to learn alot here-cant wait to see your picture!

Also, tonight he peed in the kitchen three times within thirty minutes. Between each time I look him outside and he did nothing, then went back inside to finish dinner. It seems like his bathroom habits are getting WORSE, not better. Anyone have any clue as to why this is?

When you take Taylor outside to go potty and he doesn't go, take him back inside and put him in his crate for about 30 minutes, then take him back out to try again. If he still doesn't go, put him back in the crate again. Most dogs won't soil their living space, so he most likely won't go potty in the crate. Keep repeating the process until he potties outside, then praise him lavishly & reward him with a treat. House-training takes time, more for some dogs than others, so don't be discouraged, be consistent. He needs to go out as soon as he wakes up in the a.m., or after a nap, after meals, just before bedtime, and after playing or running around indoors. Watch him closely for signs that he needs to go, such as sniffing, whining, or circling. Puppies often need to go out every hour or two. Very nice pictures, Taylor is a real cutie, and I'll bet he and your Golden become great friends.

If he's peeing 3 times within a half hour he may have a bladder infection. I'd get him checked out by the vet to rule that out. Its going to be almost impossible to potty train him if he has a bladder infection.

Savannah was 9 months old before she was fully potty trained. She made great progress earlier but it was actually 9 months before we could trust her not to go in the house at all. She is not really unusual as I know there are many others who said it took many months for their pup to train. So it will take time. And I am sure that you will be ready to pull your hair out sometimes but your pup WILL GET IT (promise) and it will be worth it in the end.

I also agree that a Urinary Tract Infection may be to blame for the excessive urination. You may want to mention it to your vet and have your pup checked. It is not uncommon and can make potty training very difficult. My friends pup was peeing all the time and she had a bad UTI. Antibiotics was all it took to clear her up and make for a happier pup and owner too!

Savannah chewed A LOT as a baby but as an adult she never chews on anything but her toys. I think it is a puppy thing especially when they start teething. But some are worse at chewing than others. The nipping when playing is a puppy thing too. Just correct your pup when it nips and soon, it will stop.

I would say Savannah was about 2 years old before we left her in the house out of a crate for any length of time when no one was home. Before then, she would just get into too much trouble. 2 years old seemed to be the point where Savannah turned into a "grown up". Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Edited November 5, 200816 yr by savannahsmom35

what an adorable little fellow! it may not be a matter of concern if housebreaking seesaws a bit at such a young age. but i agree with others that it is extremely important to make it crystal clear that he can't get around you on this --no wearing you down to wear you just shrug and let it go, no fooling you into thinking he has peed outside when he hasn't (my dog did that as a puppy and still does it. lifting the leg and looking intent, while not doing anything really. i don't know what the point of it is, i think he just a kick out of thinking he is fooling me). just be completely consistent, never get out-stubborned or outwaited, and he will shape up.

Thanks everyone! The first thought that came to my mind when he peed in the kitchen that many times was a uninary tract infection until I realized he already was on antibiotics for giardia. So that would have taken care of it. I think that was just a bad day. He's been much better, especially with treats as encouragement. The barking at night has gotten much better at night too. I've had him a little less than two weeks and he's already grown! I still get a little frustrated but we're working through it. He's a good boy. I'm so grateful for this forum and all the people on here!

The first thought that came to my mind when he peed in the kitchen that many times was a uninary tract infection until I realized he already was on antibiotics for giardia. So that would have taken care of it.

Your vet is probably using a wormer (Fenbendazole?) to treat the giardia cysts and not an antibiotic. You will likely need a separate medicine to treat a UTI if that is what is causing the peeing.

George

Im pretty sure we're using an antibiotic to treat him but I can check again I guess. He's due back at the vet on Tuesday

Hello, and Taylor is adorable! You're in for a treat! As for the chewing thing, I can't help you out much there. My Sparky likes to chew, but I just make sure he has plenty of his own toys. He's really good about chewing on the proper things. We've never had a problem with him chewing on the furniture or anything. At any given time, there are at least 4 toys for him in the living room, so he always has something. Socks, however, are another matter. He's completely and utterly obsessed with them, and I've come to accept the fact that it's something he probably won't grow out of. I don't know how, but he always manages to sneak a sock, even when I'm very careful. I read an article that said dogs like to chew on things like socks and underwear the most because they smell like their owner. Also, socks are the #1 thing swallowed by dogs! I couldn't believe it, but it's true.