4 replies to this topic

[IGotAHome]

PK has said many times the Cairn you see at 1 or 2 years old is not the same Cairn you will see at 4 or 5.

PK is so accurate lol. Malcolm's birthday listed in the profile is his gotcha day. He was 1 year old. So this March he will be 4. This high rpm turbo charged dynamo in a gray fur coat is starting to slow down some. Today he jumped in my lap and settled down. He fell asleep while I was petting him. Usually he jumps in my lap for a few pets and then it's off to see what else is going on. This time he was sound asleep. Well I had to get up after a while. I know, you are not allowed to disturb a sleeping Cairn either in bed or on your lap. They let you know they are displeased. I jostled Malcolm to rouse him. Nope, nothing, still dozing away. Now I thought, is he trying to pull one over on me? Pretending to be asleep so he doesn't have to get up? He was really in a deep sleep. So I scooped him in my arms and put him in the other chair. He opened his eyes a bit and went right back to sleep. It was nice to see him calm and relaxed. He will sit next to me and enjoy a back rub or neck scratch for a long time now. It is relaxing to sit and pet him. This is more like a regular dog.

I was at the kitchen sink the other day. I turned around and laughed so hard. There was Malcolm on the floor rolled over waiting for a belly rub. He gives me that sideways peek and looks away. "Do you see me yet? Here I am." He discovered if he will stay there for a few minutes he will get a belly rub for a few minutes. Not for too long though. Staying still is hard work.

The best thing is he now acknowledges my existence lol. I call him and he looks at me. Used to be I could call him and he would ignore me. Not move a muscle or even twitch his ear. Or he would turn his head away as if to say "Don't you get it? I'm ignoring you." Even without a treat he looks at me when I call him. Still doesn't mean he will come every time, but at least he acknowledges I am here.

Malcolm is still as playful as a puppy. Always bringing me a toy or ball. Then giving me a good talking to if I don't play with him. It's ok for him to ignore me if he chooses, but I am not allowed to ignore him.

Thanks to everyone who had suggestions on fish oil this autumn after Malcolm was itching terribly from allergies. I thought fish oil was something to get at the drug store. I never go down the aisle at the pet store with the vitamins and stuff. Well I looked at the drug stores with no luck then went to the pet store. There was Wild Salmon Oil. I remembered PK said she really liked it. It was on sale too, half price. I got a few bottles. Boy does this stuff work well. It makes Malcolm's undercoat luxuriously soft. His outercoat used to be stiff and dry. Now it's not so stiff or dry. I noticed it doesn't tangle so easy. Brushing him is quick and easy.

Maybe this summer he will calm down at the park. A lady with a Westie said her dog was aggressive when he was young. Nothing like Malcolm though. Then he calmed down as he got older. I'm hoping this happens with Malcolm. Sure would be nice to walk in the park without other people running to the other side of the street when they see us.

Thanks to PK for her advice and insight. It sure has helped. Malcolm is coming along exactly as she says. And thanks to Idaho Cairns for his training and discipline advice. I still haven't been able to apply it to Malcolm but maybe someday that will happen too.

Woof! Malcolm here. Daddy can think whatever he wants. Just remember, I am the boss. Always have been, always will be.

[pindrop]

Thanks for the update on Malcolm (and I see your computer is still hanging in). I too want to thank both PK and Idaho (along with all her other aunts and uncles) for the invaluable advice on raising a Cairn. If it hadn't been for their expert help, I don't think we would be where we are today. It isn't that long ago that Layla was a pup but we have seen so much positive advancement in the last five or so months. Although she is now almost 16 months, she is finally realizing that she is not top dog. I doubt we will see any changes in her excitement for squirrels as she thinks they have their place and that is in the forest (not sitting atop the bird feeder.) A few weeks ago, she bailed off the porch in trying to catch that pesky squirrel. Thankfully no damage to herself (even though the drop is over four feet.) With no leash on, hubby was able to coax her back onto the deck. I know she loves having us both at home and is definitely getting used to her daily walks in the forest. Only thing about this is her eagerness to run free and smell all the woodsy scents. I've just bought a ruffwear harness and can't wait to get it in the mail and start using it. It is so much fun to watch them grow and change from little imps to mature furballs. Every day is a treat when you own a Cairn and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[pkcrossley]

i'm so glad malcolm is mellowing on you! it is a strange thing, i don't know if it is general to terriers, but there does come a point where cairns seem to just rev down a bit. their attention span increases, their patience increases a bit, their activity level starts to coincide a little bit more with the humans they are living with. and as they continue to mature, they do become rather deep, and very companionable. your best days with malcolm are well ahead.

i only wish, in some ways, that cairns matured a little more quickly than they do. but in in another way, that makes it all the more special when you look at your cairn and see a mature individual looking back, attentively and companionably. there are the days of struggling to get a young cairn to do as you want, and then there are the days when your mature cairn and you want the same thing, at the same time.

[Terrier lover]

Having a Cairn that will be 11 this spring, I certainly see a huge difference of when he was a youngster and now. In the last couple of years he is way more accepting of other dogs, calmer in so many other ways also. Although I must say he was an exceptionally well behaved pup and teenager. He never chewed, dug up the yard or soiled in the house. But I truly believe that is because he was "raised" by our Scottie Sandie. She taught him the ropes right off from the start. No walking on Mums veggie garden, no peeing on her roses, always go and stand by the back door when you need to go out, wait patiently for your supper and breakfast oh yeah and always look hopelessly cute when you want something. There is something so special in an older dog... the bond is amazing

Edited by Terrier lover, 03 January 2012 - 08:36 AM.

[Hawkeye]

It's so nice to hear Malcolm has settled down for you. PK is so right when she says they just need a little time to "rev down". Some take longer than others but eventually they get there. I'm still waiting for Radar to settle down. As I write this Radar is frantically playing with hubby and Bailey. I have to say this forum has been a life saver for me as well. Along with PK and Idaho, there have been so many people on this forum with great advice on how to cope with our beloved four legged creatures. Thanks to everyone!!