Friday, February 27, 2015

Friday's Funnies!

Off the Leash

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Col. Potter Training Tips: Proper Introductions!

Contributed by a Col. Potter Volunteer
Proper introductions are essential for harmony in the pack!

Are you thinking about adding a new Rescued Cairn to your family?  There are many things to consider, and lots of planning to do.  You can expect to get many great tips to help you integrate your New Cairn into your home, so it is good to know that some of this advice will also apply to your current resident dogs.  Introductions is a great example.

Think Ahead about All Introductions!

Whether making introductions to family and friends or other dogs, it is important that you have your calm, secure, Alpha attitude firmly in place so that you can communicate to your New Cairn that this is all under control and there is nothing to worry about.  Remember: your New Cairn is a body language expert, so you communicate everything you project.  Be sure to send the right signals to your Cairn!

Whenever possible, plan ahead when your new Cairn is first meeting a family member or friend, especially if they also have a dog.  Arrange to have both dogs walking outside, in a neutral setting, moving in the same direction, towards a meeting point.  If you imagine a wide “V”, you each start out on opposite sides of the wide end and walk towards the narrow end at approximately the same pace.  Walking in the same direction allows both dogs to get closer and closer while not actually presenting the threat of facing a “new” dog.  When you get close enough to talk to the other person, speak in a happy, positive voice so both dogs know this is a friend.  Avoid handshakes or hugs, at this point, so you don’t accidentally communicate that either dog should feel the need to defend their human. 

You should expect the two dogs to scope each other out.  The best situation is where the dogs sniff one another, without any signs of dominance by either one, and, after a few minutes, they basically ignore one another and begin sniffing the grass or acting as if they want to continue their walk.  Sometimes this happens. Often it doesn't. 

Sometimes one dog may really want to sniff and sniff and sniff, and the other dog feels that he or she has been sniffed enough.  Use whatever words you use around the house to calm the other dog down, like "EASY", stated firmly as “Ease-eeeeeeeeeee”, and it helps the dogs to back off each other.  Then you should continue your walk, as you would normally.

Be calm and observant, always prepared to act quickly if needed.  You will know by your Cairn’s body language how to proceed in a natural manner that communicates “All is well and under control!” 

Rescuing one Cairn will not change the world, 
but it will surely change the world for that one Rescued Cairn


Read More About It:

Toto: The Other Side of the Story!

And the Oscar goes to…


Col. Potter Needs a Few More Introductions! 
Please Volunteer to Foster and help us help every Cairn in need!

Please  Consider being a CP Volunteer!

CP Foster Home Application form:

CP Transport Volunteer Driver form:

CPCRN Volunteer form:

Col. Potter’s Name a Rescue Cairn Program









Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Wacky Wednesday!

Wednesday is the day to be WACKY! Each week we will showcase a terrierific cairn picture with an appropriate caption. If you have a terrierific cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture and caption for an upcoming "Wacky Wednesday" send it to us at cpcrnblog@gmail.com! All photo submissions become the property of CPCRN and may be used for fundraising, promotion and/or out reach purposes.

 A big shout out to Skye for being our Wacky Wednesday model this week!

Monday, February 23, 2015

Sprout is Healthy, Happy and in His Furever Home

Forever Mom Val Rae wrote:
Ann personally delivered Sprout with her daughter Sommer yesterday (02/21/15).
From the moment he entered our home, our cairns were happy to see him and have accepted him as part of the pack.
Sprout is quickly integrating into the family and has been busy exploring his new home and finding his favorite spots.  He doesn't seem to mind the cold MN weather at all and spent a little time exploring the yard today on one of our coldest days of the year so far. 
Here are the photos I took this weekend. 


























He is such a sweetheart, so full of love, and has the most beautiful soul. I know this is thanks to the loving care he received in his foster home.
In just 6 days we are celebrating the 1 year anniversary of Pippa's adoption! Thank you to all of the volunteers, the foster homes, and Col Potter for brining so much joy to our lives.
Barrett, Val Rae, Sparky, Pippa and Sprout!

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Sunday Sweets!

Sunday is full of SWEETS!  Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns.  If you have a sweet filled Cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets!" send it to us at cpcrnblog@gmail.com (All photo submissions become the property of CPCRN and may be used for fundraising, promotion and/or outreach purposes.).

WiiGii just waiting for Spring!

Bilbo, Jameson fka CP Chevy, and Hemingway

Happy Birthday Gibbs!

Birthday Girl Anna and sister Daisy

Yvonne

Tori

Gertie fks CP Trudy Lou

Kenzie

Tommy R

Lola fka CP Egypt

Sprout

Sadie Jo and Skye La

CP Belgium nka Mia Bella












Friday, February 20, 2015

Got Kefir?

Contributed by a CP Volunteer

Dogs love the taste of Kefir and are happy to lick the bowl - or bottle!

One of the easiest and best things anyone can add to their dog’s food which will give enormous benefit to their digestive tract, nervous system, and overall immune health is a wonderful milk product called Kefir (pronounced “Kee-fur” in the US and “ki-Fear” in Europe).  Most dogs really love the taste of Kefir and consider it a wonderful treat!

Kefir is easy to make at home!

Kefir is a thought of by many as a “liquid yogurt” but it is fermented milk, with no cooking involved, and it is loaded with beneficial bacteria.  Kefir originated in the Caucasus Mountains more than 2,000 years ago, meaning “feel good" in Turkish.  It helps to balance the intestinal flora, helping the body to maintain optimal health and strengthen immunity, enhancing longevity. 

Many use Kefir as part of our overall, day-to-day preventative health routine for our dogs (and ourselves!), but adding Kefir can be especially important after a course of antibiotics.  Antibiotics kill the good intestinal flora along with whatever bad bacteria was the target, and this has a negative impact on our overall health – human or canine.  Simply adding Kefir to the diet will quickly improve the situation!

In addition to balancing our digestive flora, Kefir also delivers the natural healing powers of minerals and essential amino acids, including Tryptophan, well-known for its beneficial effects on the nervous system, plus calcium and magnesium, critical nutrition for a healthy nervous system.  It is also rich in vitamin B12, B1, and vitamin K, and is an excellent source of biotin, aiding regulation of kidney and liver function, as well as promoting healthy looking skin, boosting energy and promoting longevity.

All you need are healthy Kefir grains and milk
Humans can enjoy Kefir in many flavors, but dogs must use only plain, which you can buy in the grocery or health food store, or you can make it yourself at home!


Kefir from Lifeway: 
http://lifewaykefir.com/

Friday's Funnies!

Off the Leash

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Col. Potter Training Tips: No Place Like Home!

Contributed by a Col. Potter Volunteer
When life is a little stressful, it’s nice to have a place to call Home!
Are you thinking about adding a new Rescued Cairn to your family?  There are many things to consider, and lots of planning to do.  You can expect to get many great tips to help you integrate your New Cairn into your home, so it is good to know that some of this advice will also will apply to your current resident dogs.  Learning to use a crate effectively is a great example.

Crate Training Essentials for Your New Cairn

Your new dog has been Crate Trained, and is accustomed to sleeping in his or her crate.  He or she is also accustomed to spending some "down time" relaxing in the crate.  This is a practice that we HIGHLY recommend you continue.  Crate training is definitely NOT "cruel" as many people believe.  Numerous studies have shown that, contrary to being cruel to dogs, it's compassionate and caring.  Canines are, by nature, pack and den animals.  They feel safe and secure when they have their own den-like containment area.  A cage/crate serves as such.  Maintaining a positive pattern of regular, daily crate time will serve you well and will provide your new Cairn a safe and familiar place of his or her own.

Another helpful hint is that we often give the new dog too much attention at first in an attempt to make him or her feel welcomed, secure, and loved.  Please be aware that your new Rescued Cairn will be on emotional and physical overload for at least a couple of weeks.  Give them time and space to "decompress."  To become familiar with and comfortable in your home and with your family, on his or her terms.
 
A wire crate lets your Cairn feel like part of the activity
in the room, and a sheet or blanket can be draped over it
to give a more den-like feel when a more quiet time is desired.

Keep in mind that your little one has experienced at least TWO major disruptions in life already: being rescued from whatever his or her original environment was, then leaving the safety of the Foster Home to become your adopted dog.  Just think about your new Cairn’s story and imagine yourself in the same situation… Changes – even for the better – can be very stressful.  It's no wonder they experience a bit of overload.  Quiet time in the crate will help your Rescued Cairn adjust more easily - and more quickly.

Crate him or her at night and while you are away to help him or her feel secure.  Also, give him or her "time outs" in the crate whenever you sense the beginning of a little over stimulation or overloaded.  Sometimes everyone - human and canine - needs a chance to catch their breath.

Take it Easy and You’ll Get it Right!

Basically, TAKE IT EASY with your new Cairn!  We recommend that you not take the new dog into a lot of new situations right at first.  Many mistakes are made because the new adoptive home is so excited about their dog that they want to share their new little one with all their friends and family.  This new dog has NO CLUE that the adoptive family is their new family, nor will they have a clue who these new people are - especially new people who have dogs.  Give your New Cairn time to adjust to you, your immediate family, and your home before taking him out to visit friends or relatives.  If your friends and family cannot wait to meet your new family member, please introduce them to him or her slowly and allow time to adjust and welcome each member one at a time.  A large number of unfamiliar humans descending on a newly adopted Cairn has the potential to be overwhelming and can cause them to react in a negative way.

You cannot go too slowly...  but you can move too quickly by exposing your new adoptee to too many new people, places, sights, sounds and smells at first.  Be sure to use the crate wisely to give your new Cairn time to relax a few times each day, always making it a gentle, positive experience going in and coming back out.  Little bits of cheese in your hand help in any crating exercise, and it will reinforce the absolute goodness of your hands!

Good luck! And thank you again for opening your heart and home to a rescued Cairn!

Rescuing one Cairn will not change the world,
but it will surely change the world for that one Rescued Cairn


Read More About It:

It’s Always Best to Start at the Beginning!

I’m Not Sure we’ve been Properly Introduced!

Toto: The Other Side of the Story!

And the Oscar goes to…


Col. Potter Needs a Few More Beginnings! 
Please Volunteer to Foster and help us help give a new start to every Cairn in need!

Please  Consider being a CP Volunteer!

CP Foster Home Application form:

CP Transport Volunteer Driver form:

CPCRN Volunteer form:

Col. Potter’s Name a Rescue Cairn Program