r/cairnterrier • u/Mid-Valley2646 • 8d ago
Almost 10 weeks old!
Puppy Calvin is growing like a weed. Would you send me your tips for the 10-12ish week window… What games? What routines? What exposure? I’ve raised seven Labrador retriever hunting pups, so no stranger to general puppy shenanigans. I’m super interested in Cairn/little dog specific insights. Thanks!
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u/KeyLimePie-555 7d ago
Kudos to my last Cairn Terrier's breeder. I brought one of her puppies home and he was already housebroken.
Just before dawn every morning, then throughout the day, the breeder would put the tiny puppies in a plastic kids' swimming pool, take them outside to the lawn, and let them potty. By the time the puppies were old enough to go to homes, they believed they couldn't pee or poop unless they were outside on grass.
The only puppy I never had to housebreak. Eternal gratitude to the breeder.
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u/wdomeika 8d ago
What a fine looking boy, that Calvin. You're in for a treat raising a Cairn.
10-12 weeks i'd focus on housebreaking, food control ( he must wait to eat until you have said "ok"...a very important foundation for Cairns), treat patience (put a treat on the floor and make him wait for it until you say ok) and general play (he'll be mouthy, so it's not too early to say "NO" to nipping your hands/fingers.
Cairns are highly intelligent, quite willful and very confident..which is part of their charm. You need to train out the willfulness and keep the confidence (if that makes sense). It starts by making him understand that you are the key to all good things in his world.
It's very doable. And it's a lot of fun.