Congratulations on your adoption of your CP Kid! Your Matchmaker has found the perfect cairn for you; the Foster Mom has prepared him – freshly bathed, clipped nails, spiffy Col. Potter bandana, farewell kisses and whispers. And now he’s safely in his furever home, snuggled in his fleece from the Blankie Aunties. Col. Potter volunteers have guided you on this journey – do you solo from here on? Maybe yes with any other rescue group; but with Col. Potter – not a chance!
Meet me, your PAC, or PostAdoption Coordinator. I’ll guide you as you and your new cairn adjust to one another. I’ll explain how to gradually introduce the new furkid to your resident four-footers; suggest potty- and crate-training methods; discuss good nutrition; welcome updates and new photos.
So what basic advice do I have to offer you as a new adoptive family? First and foremost, read and follow the Foster Mom’s advice. She’s our “Mother knows best” as she has observed your cairn for at least a few weeks. Follow her feeding and potty schedules, or slowly adjust them to meet your own needs. Oh, and never, never, never ever allow your cairn off-leash in an unsecure area.
I also strongly encourage you to:
1. Introduce your new cairn VERY slowly. Your resident pet remains the “top dog” – they don’t lose or sacrifice privileges – the new furkid earns them. The new cairn should not be allowed on furniture or to sleep with you until he and the resident have accepted their pack order. And remember, YOU are always the benevolent Alpha!Limit the space your new cairn has access to. Allow your cairn time to get familiar with his new immediate space. Let him 1. him observe the household happenings; don’t block him from seeing where he now belongs. Show the appropriate elimination area and provide frequent access to it.
2. Wait a few weeks before inviting all your friends and family to meet your new cairn in your home. Change is good but too much can be overwhelming to a little four-footer. Allow your cairn to take it one day at a time and get comfortable with your immediate (as in resident) family. When the time comes, instruct your guests to come into the house and not give the animal any attention until the cairn has calmed down. Guests help train your new cairn as much as you do, it is important that they follow the same rules as the people who live with the cairn.
3. Always supervise your pets to make sure they are getting along. Just like humans, pets need to get use to each other and learn the different ins and outs of their new home. Let your kids show the newbie the house rules. This lesson may manifest in the form of aggression, and could, if not properly addressed, turn into a dangerous situation. It is important to not confuse the natural hierarchy in animal relationships for that of aggression. Though you should be the ‘top dog’ with your pets, they themselves will develop their own ranking amongst each other. You will observe this behavior as body language, territory, showing of the teeth or a quick snap. These indicators will help to establish boundaries of respect and order. If these exchanges escalate or turn into aggression, then you should intervene with an appropriate “knock it off!” or picking up the cairn by the harness and crating for a time out.
4. Do exercise activities daily! Though this is not an action you only do at the beginning of your relationship with your new cairn, it is a great time to start a routine that will last for life. Cairns, just like us, need daily activities to keep them healthy and well balanced. This also benefits you as you train and discipline your cairn. When you exercise your new cairn before you do training, you increase your furkid’s ability to absorb what you’re teaching because you have helped him burn some of that excess energy.
5. Start obedience training. Teach respect and your cairn will be well-behaved at least most of the time. Reward with praise and a small treat (like tiny pieces of dehydrated chicken hotdogs)- something they only get when training. Praise using the name of the action, like “good sit”, “good potty” – be gushy, excited and happy. Call your dog’s name only when rewarding – never to punish. Cairns are smart and will learn to push your buttons, so maintain the upper hand – benevolently and consistently.
6. Remember the Col. Potter TAG PROGRAM. If you wish to upgrade your foster tag and enroll in the TAG PROGRAM, go to http://mall.cairnrescue.com/forms/frm_upgradetags.htm and fill out the form. Provide as much information as possible so we can locate you should your pet be found. Call 1-866-506-7461 if you travel with your cairn, or change contact information. You may choose to continue to use the foster tag; however, only a single contact with a phone number and email address is listed; there are no emergency contacts, veterinary care information, medical information on file, away from home coverage, etc.
7. Call or email your PAC if you need to talk. She is ready to help and to celebrate your cairn being the “loved dog” in your home.
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