I rescued a Cairn Terr. last year. Here is so history, the previous owners had had them for two years, and had abused him. They would keep him a crate for days at a time, somtimes without food or water. And then go to the next extrem and keep him outdoors on a chain for days at a time. He had no attention what so ever. In the two years the had him, they never took him to vet or groomed him.
The promblem is I have done everything to try to house train him. He used to go all over the house. Know I have got him to just go in one room. Which is better but still not the solution. I do not want to get rid of him. Part of the promblem is he will drink as much water as you can give him. Ive tried to cut him down on water but he will start panting, and does not stop. I cant keep him in a crate all the time, or keep him from water!!!! Could he be sick, or just stubern. Please help.

Hi :)
No he's not being stubborn but yes, he could be sick. There are some illnesses (e.g.diabetes, kidney or thyroid trouble etc) that have excess drinking as a symptom so I would get him checked by a vet.

You sound to be doing very well so far to get him to get him down to one room. :) Take him out as often as possible and if he does anything give him a command (I use "do a wee" or you could use "good boy" or whatever). Keep saying it everytime he goes and praise him loads! He'll then get the idea of what you want him to do when you say the command. :)

Good luck. I hope all goes well. :)

Kath.