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Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message
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gayle
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March 19 at 10:04
Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home

We had adopted a Cairn Terrier approx 2 months ago. He is a lovely dog but unfortunately we are having some problems. He is very hyper around people that come into our house and nothing is being very effective, he is also occasionally biting. He has bitten my 7 year old mostly and last night left a puncture wound. Very concerned as we often have a house full of kids and cannot take the stress. Very concerned that he find a good home with people who know and love terriers and will have the time, patience and experience to train him. This is very hard as we love this little guy. We are in Ontario, Canada, north of Toronto. He is a year old and newly neutered, does not like the crate but pretty well trained in the house, with only a few minor accidents. Likes to chew but not furniture just pillows, blankets, shoes, gloves & hats.
Not completely sure what we are doing as our kids are totally in love with him. What do people do in these circumstances? Is this appropriate for rescue bulletin. In case you are going to suggest taking him to a trainer, we are financially unable to do so. Had some rough handling in 1st year of life which may make him inclined to bite.

Washington Gang
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Member PageMember Page March 19 at 11:10
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Hey guys - is there anyway we can help with the training costs so that they can keep this little guy or do you think he belongs in a home without kids?

Lynda and the Minkies
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Member PageMember Page March 19 at 17:12
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

I'd day if he had a rough time before being rescued, if I'm reading the post right, that the home's too hectic for him with all the kids.
XXX.
Beth & the Herbs
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March 19 at 12:45
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Gayle,

I am not a trainer by any means but I do have access to one. Under what circumstances has he bitten ... meaning what is going on when he bites. How old is he? I would like to see if we can help you a bit before you make the decision to give him up.

Please keep in mind that he is in a new enviroment and may be a bit scared himself and this coupled with his "rough" handling could be the what the real issue is.

Hugs,
Beth & the Herbs
Corinne
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Member PageMember Page March 19 at 13:53
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Col Potters does help if you want to keep the dog.. and if not, we have a few members in Canada..
feel free to check out our site and/or send an email

Col Potter Cairn Rescue Network

Washington Gang
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Member PageMember Page March 19 at 14:34
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Corinne - that is wonderful. Hopefully, she will contact you to get the help she needs with this little boy.

PS: I am still saving my pennies (change) just for things like this.
Angie
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Member PageMember Page March 19 at 14:43
Email Gayle Your Replies Reply to this Message

Just in case she doesn't check TC. :)
Angie
Lynda and the Minkies
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Member PageMember Page March 19 at 17:11
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

You've at least come to a good place rather than just dump him in a shelter. I hope you find him a nice home.
XXX.
gayle
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March 20 at 21:04
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

We still have Rusty, the kids say he is on probation. We don't have to want to get rid of him, the vet stated that in most cases like this he would be put down but we do not think that this is an option. we are noticing that we can tell from his mood when this stuff is going to happen, he gets real spunky and almost rebellious sometimes in the evening, he almost seems to have too much energy stored up and a good long walk/run almost seems to make it worse. We are hoping for best and probably will find a way for behavioural training to happen. Hoping to keep him but right now it is wait and see. Thank you all for your wonderful advice and support. New to the web as well as dog ownership so I am finding this all so positive. Take Care! Will update you re outcome.
Gayle

Washington Gang
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Member PageMember Page March 20 at 21:23
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Gayle - so glad that you are going to try again with him. Maybe he is getting too tired. Lucy get very grumpy with my other three dogs when she gets tired. They can't even sit by her without her snarling and snapping.

Col. Potter said that they will help with the behavorial training so please take them up on it. They are also a wealth of information on Cairns and can help you so much.
gayle
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March 21 at 11:36
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Thanks so much for the advice!
Do I contact them through the web thier web site?

Washington Gang
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Member PageMember Page March 21 at 21:35
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

That would probably do. If you can't get through that way, post here and I will email them for you.
gayle
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March 21 at 22:37
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

He was in that mood again tonight and snapped at my husband. We do not trust him and are really stressed by this. If we do email col potter how long do things usually take to happen?
Corinne
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Member PageMember Page March 21 at 22:41
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

send a note directly to CPCRN@cairnrescue.com that will be read by one of the directors.

you should also go to the main website, in the adoption section is new owner info.. read nothing in life is free...
he needs boot camp for now.
corinne

Col Potter Cairn Rescue Network
gayle
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March 22 at 09:45
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

just to let you all know that last night he came up stairs and woke us up, when I bent to pet him he snapped at me. I will be contacting col potter - thanks for all the advice.

Lynda and the Minkies
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Member PageMember Page March 22 at 09:57
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

You either startled him or there's something going on with him....perhaps he's not well or in pain with something...hopefully Colonel Potter's will help.
XXX.
gayle
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March 23 at 09:27
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Hi All,

Have emailed a rescue group here in ontario. They have not yet replied.

Its funny but he is trying so hard to be good now. Has not snapped, bitten or done anything bad at all. Listening to all commands. I know this sounds wishy washy but it makes me want to give him another chance. He is so wonderful when he is good.

Last night while I was at work my husband blocked off the kitchen with baby gates so that he would not have to watch him every moment with the boys. When I got home at 9pm we let him out and although this is usually his funny time, he was very calm. He did get past the baby gate at 2:30am again and come into our room. I told him to go downstairs and let him out for a pee, he seemed to want to play but as I do not want to do this every night, I informed him it was time for sleep, no play, and told him to stay downstairs. He settled into his favorite spot on the couch and went to sleep. Did come up stairs this morning though but I think my younger son may have called him, not sure. What is this 2:30am wake up all about, had always slept thru the night since we brought him home other than 2 or 3 times and its alway approx 2:30am when he is up. Taking him for an extra long walk this morning and will aim to keep him up and active. He will be alone this afternoon for approx 3.5 hours so he can sleep then. We plan on doing gates on the kitchen again this evening and see if he stays calmer this way, maybe he needs to be out of the action in the evenings. Not an ideal situation I know but not sure what else to do till we talk to the Rescue people and see where we are going with this.

What do you all think?

Lynda and the Minkies
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Member PageMember Page March 23 at 10:19
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

I think it sounds like you haven't really given him a regular routine which he needs...hopefully the rescue people will get in touch soon.
Did you get in touch with Colonel Potter's ???
XXX.
gayle
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March 24 at 09:19
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Hi,
We actually do have him on a pretty regular routine. My schedule changes with work but his stays pretty much the same.
Last evening we kept him in the kitchen area again and it seemed to do the trick. He did not have one of his funny times and was well behaved. I think that maybe he just needs to be a little removed from all the family action and to have his own space. Don't worry he is not neglected we are in and out of there frequently and he gets lots of attention and pets and it is right beside the living room so he's not very far away. This seems to be working so I think that we are going to go with it. We changed the location of the gate to the upstairs last night, put it at the top of the stairs and he did not wake us up, did not hear him so he probably slept thru the night. He really seems to be trying to be good. Have not heard back from the resue group here in Ontario that I emailed, can't figure that out. But right now it is wait and see. The kids love him and he is starting to learn our rules re staying down when greeting people, sit and stay etc. He really had very little training when we got him. I think that he has mellowed out and come along way since then. Will let you know what happens here.
gayle
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March 24 at 09:20
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Linda,
Does col potter operate in ontario?? Educate me I am ignorant in this area.

Corinne
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Member PageMember Page March 24 at 13:11
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

We do have a couple Canadian members, but most of us are in the us.

Have you heard back? I'll email Danielle to check on it.

Many younger cairns can get overstressed, especially late at nite. Taking them away from the action can help keep them out of trouble. You may want to keep a journal of his activities, to see if its just late at nite or something else that is setting him off.

Is there something that happens at 230 am.. a train that passes, the heater goes on.. Other than wondering if maybe he has a medical problem that is waking him at nite, I would have him closed in, then ignore him tomorrow. See if he can make it to the usual wake up time (I wouldnt yell at him if he couldnt though, since he did try to tell you)

good luck, hope we can help
corinne

Lynda and the Minkies
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Member PageMember Page March 24 at 09:42
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

I'm not sure, Gayle. They may not. I live in the UK..
XXX.
Corinne
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Member PageMember Page March 24 at 13:22
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Gayle, I'm forwarding your info to Karen P,. our foster home boss mama.. she'd be the one I go to for advice..
she should be contacting you soon
corinne
gayle
Email
March 29 at 10:10
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

yes we still have rusty, did not hear back from the rescue people here in ontario, have not tried to contact them again. He is trying his best to be a good dog. Had one more weird night end of last week but other than that has been perfect. We are really still concerned re the temperment switch and the biting, we have an open door policy with our kids friends and really need a dog that we can trust around the kids. Will be filling out the surrender form later today thru col potter.

Want to thank you all for your advice and support it is much appreciated. Will update you re what the final outcome is.
Gayle
gayle
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April 04 at 19:44
Re: Cairn Terrier - possibly looking for new home Reply to this Message

Hello, He is still here. We have not given up and hoping we do not have to. He seems to be coming along and learning our house rules and expectations and adjusting to them. Have increased walks in both volume and duration but still having the odd night when he is up and about making noise when we are sleeping, we generally get up as worried he may be damaging something or getting into the coat closet or something along those lines. Last night was one of those nights and I am now incredibly tired. Anyway thought you would all want an update on what was happening with Rusty. Hopefully we will be in the position soon to afford puppy school but in the mean time are working on socializing with other dogs during walks and with the kids coming over with treats for good behaviour. Will write again soon. Gayle
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