One of the tools I used to help me keep track of my Cairn Terriers' behavioral patters and body functions for the first few weeks is a Puppy Housebreaking Chart. I developed this chart myself and used it for both of my Cairn Terriers when they were puppies.

Basically what I did was keep track of when they ate, napped, eliminated (and where), and any other things that might effect their body function patterns like heavy play time.

It also helped me remember when I took them out to eliminate the last time and whether they did anything while they were outside. If you keep accurate enough records, you can soon begin to see a pattern and can be prepared to avoid any possible accidents.

The few accidents your Cairn Terrier puppy has in the house, the sooner they will be housebroke. That is definitely a fact. If they do have an accident, it is not their fault. Keep that in mind. It is your fault because you didn't watch them close enough to help prevent it.

If you would like to receive a copy of my free Puppy Housebreaking Chart template in PDF format, just sign up for my newsletter below, and I'll send it out to you right away.

Once you receive it, you will need to open it with Adobe Reader (it’s free software that you can download here). Print several copies of it and put it and a pencil or pen near the door where you will taking your Cairn Terrier out to eliminate. In this way, when you come back inside, you can write down exactly what happened.

Always stay with your Cairn Terrier puppy until he eliminates. In this way you can keep him focused on the task at hand, and you know whether he did his business avoiding the possibility of a near future accident.