If we tried to show unconditonal love for each for just one hour today and increased that to two hours tomorrow and three the next, and so on and so on, wouldn't life be so much easier for all of us?

Old dog toys you'll need:

Rubber dog ball toy with bell inside (two holes needed)
Rubber dog teething ring

Other materials you'll need:

Twine

Instructions: Thread the twine through the ball. Then with both ends of the twine, tie the twine to the rubber teething ring so that the ball is actually inside the ring. Then create a long twine tail and connect it to the ring.

Results: Your Cairn puppy will pull the end of the twine hanging from the ring, and of course, the toy will follow and jingle. If the sound of jingling annoys you, you might want to get a set of ear plugs because Molly and Jack pulled this toy behind them throughout the house for hours! At least I knew where they were and what they were doing. :) Have fun!

Important Note: If your puppy is not passed the teething stage or likes to chew anything in sight, be especially careful that your pup doesn't chew and swallow the twine.

First let me say that all of the dog training techniques you have tried to stop your Cairn Terrier puppy from barking may not be considered positive dog training techniques. Although I can certainly understand why you have tried each of them. I had tried them myself before I found the magic of positive dog training.

I am quite sure your Cairn isn't barking to be mean. Generally a dog that barks excessively means the dog needs more socialization with humans or the outside world, or simply that the dog is bored. I know that sounds odd, but dogs are smart creatures and although the Cairn Terrier breed is small, they are very intelligent and a very social breed.

Cairn Terriers love people and they love to be part of the family activites. They want to feel like they are part of the pack. I'd suggest first easing your Cairn puppy into your social events with your friends and family. Just for a little while won't hurt. I expect you might just see significant behavioral changes in your Cairn pup. I'd also suggest rewarding your puppy for not barking when he might ordinarly do so. A reward can be anything your puppy wants or likes such as treats, praise, playing a game of tag or fetch with you, learning a new trick (I recommend clicker training), a non-routine walk, etc. A reward is anything that makes your puppy feel like he's being rewarded and it should come at a time so he knows exactly what he is being rewarded for.

Positive dog training techniques will work far quicker and last far longer than the old fashioned dog training techniques that most of us are accustomed. Clicker training worked very well with my Cairns, although Molly picked it much faster because I simply worked with her more. Cairns love to learn and this is especially true when they are puppies under the age of one year.

Your Cairn Terrier puppy is at that age I call the puppy "sponge-dog age". He is learning new things all the time, good and bad. He is learning when you least expect it and soaking up everything around him. A few months of teaching him what is acceptable to live with you in your world now will be worth it for the next 10+ years he will be living with you in harmony.

The best clicker training source I found is Karen Pryor's Clicker Training book. When I purchased my book, she sent me a free clicker. You can ask her for one; it won't hurt to ask.

Let me know how it works out for you, Michael. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. I generally love to help pet owners of the Cairn Terrier breed. My Cairns bring me so much joy as I'm sure your little pup will too.

My other Related Articles you might find helpful:

• Clicker Training a Cairn Terrier
• Clicker Training DVD Videos

Wichita — Kansas often has capitalized on its designation as the home of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” and now one woman thinks the state should honor Dorothy’s buddy, Toto.

Annette McDonald is leading a petition drive to designate Toto’s breed — the cairn terrier — as the state’s official dog.

The Wichita resident acknowledged that she has a special interest in the breed, having owned cairn terriers for 25 years and shown them in national shows. She currently owns five of the animals.

She said the breed exhibits a “true character” that “fits Kansas nicely.” They can be “a little ornery,” but are “jovial” and “game for just about anything,” she said. “They think they’re a big dog in a small package,” and they “love to be a full member of the family.”

Less than half of the states have designated an official state dog, and McDonald said some people have asked why Kansas needs one.

“Well, we have a turtle (official reptile) and salamander (official amphibian),” she replies.

McDonald has enlisted the help of Sen. Mike Peterson, who wasn’t sure at first that lawmakers would be interested in an official state dog, she said.

But after the Wichita Republican found some legislators positive about the idea, she said she started collecting petition signatures to prove the public supports such a designation.

She’s also seeking letters of support from dog lovers and asking Kansas veterinarians to display the petitions. In western Kansas, which has fewer veterinarians, she hopes county extension offices will promote the petitions.

“I think that’s a terrific idea that the lady had,” said Paul Miller, interim director at Dorothy’s House in Liberal, which has collected more than 100 signatures. “They all say, ‘Well, gosh, that’s a natural.”’

In Wamego, where The Oz Museum’s toll-free number is (866) 458-TOTO, more than 200 people have signed the petition, said gift shop manager Ellie Coots.

It's basically a bacterial infection that can be caused by any number of things but is most commonly found in dogs caused by seasonal allergies, lawn treatments, fertilizers, etc. Since we don't haven't done the latter two, we can conclude it's merely an allergic reaction to grass, weeds, or whatever else she gets into during her daily walks.

Molly and Jack got a good medicated bath last night and every day Molly will get an antibiotic. They will both get a medicated belly bath every day until it clears up. Today was their first belly bath, and they loved it! I tried to make it a pleasant experience and it was. Hopefully they will continue to cooperate with me every day until we get this cleared up. I'll keep you posted how this new daily routine goes.