Cairn Terrier

[donwilks]

Hi, have a new Cairn Terrier pup (10 weeks old), would love to hear from other Cairn owners to find out whether Alfies mischeivious and bitey manner is the norm!!

[ush]

Hi i am a proud owner of a cairn terrier but he's got abit of westie in him. They are very witty, fast and a big dog in a small body!! ;D

[donwilks]

Alfie definitely has a big personality for such a small dog. Took him to his first puppy lesson last night, hilarious, all these well behaved puppies lying down and doing what they are supposed to - but not Alfie, he certainly let everyone know he was there!

[Leanna]

Hiya altho my pup is not a cairn terrier, i can relate to the mischief and biting
my pup is a westie, hes 18 weeks now and still from time to time gives you a good bite/chew i think it is just normal and how dogs learn - i.e if he did it to another dog they may turn around and bite back or yelp lettin ur pup know he bit too hard etc but with humans they cant tell
i found a high pitch yelp stops him from biting (momentarily) u just have to stick to it and eventually they get the picture!
enjoy ur pup, best of luck xx

[donwilks]

Thanks Leanna, yes I think Cairns are exactly the same as Westies, just dirty in colour! His biting has calmed down although he still enjoys munching on the children's ankles! I think puppy classes is helping a lot, really starting to enjoy him now. My husband has been in India since beginning of August and not back til end of Sept - I'm hoping that we will have a fully trained dog by the time he returns - fingers crossed!! lol ;D

[Leanna]

when ur hubbie gets back ur little pup may not like him having ur attention - ;D
glad ur gettin along better
they are lovely things - mischievous but loved all the same

[moj1966]

my first dog i ever got was a cairn he was a little bugger. dog training was a nightmare, and he would disappear on walks in the forest and then come home days later.
waking up the whole nieghbour hood howling to be let back in.
how i missed him when he was no longer with us such a character they are a nice breed who seem to have very few health problems now i have gone to the other extreme

[ruff!]

I have a Cairn called Chloe and I was brought up with them. They are a very special little breed. They know their own minds but I like that as it shows that when they do something for you it is because they want to rather than have to! Every Cairn I have know have been so different in charactor and yet all have such intelligence, cheekiness and oh so nosey!! They want to help you with everything! They are so funny too. My little one did the same at puppy classes but still ended up with the first prize at the end of the course. They know exactly what they are doing and it usually means something less boring than laying down with all the other dogs! :o) She also came first in a course for agility. If you do something they enjoy they will excell. Have fun!!!

[westiemadsally]

Hi :)

I don't have a Cairn (although I love them!) but I do have a Westie. I think they are pretty similar really!
They definately are very mischievous...big dogs in small bodies.
Charlie is 8 months old now, but I remember when he was that cheeky little puppy!
Do you have any pics? I'd love to see him :)

[donwilks]

Alfie is definitely stubborn and refuses to do anything he doesn want to! Very loveable though. I haven't been brave enough to let him off the lead yet, am worried that he will disappear into the woods if he sees anything interesting and not come back!! Does anyone know how easy it is to train a Cairn to leave and drop things (especially things they shouldn't have!) I know their not known for their retreival skills but surely it can be done?, I normally just end up in a tug or war situation which can be funny but not when it's ones of the kids toys!! lol

I think i've attached a picture?!! No, couldn't do it - file size was too big??!!!

[ruff!]

As long as training is fun, short bursts and interesting Cairns go great guns! Mine loves to learn. I could teach her a trick in 10 mins!! They are sooooo clever. They are only "hard to train" when things are borring and there is nothing in it for them. They know their own mind so you have to make things appealing and then it just becomes second nature.

Be warned they try and outwit you though. My Cairn know if I have a treat and she will perfrom every trick in the book before I have even asked for one! She knows I'm going to so tries to beat me to it. If there is one she does not want to do (for no real reason) she will carry on doing every other one but remain stubborn about that one.

Puppy classes were sooo funny for us too as she was a tinker throughout however when it came to the final day and the test she all of a sudden pulled everything out the bag and came second to a Boarder Collie!!! They know everything they just don't want to do it all the time!!

She is also great at agility. We did it for a laugh and she excelled. Mine knows over a hundred words, tonnes of tricks, knows every toy by name and LOVES tennis balls. She loves to retrive and will go on for hours if you let her. She also loves swimming which is strange for a terrier. You are going to have so much fun with yours! When you let him off the lead you have to be the most exciting thing around. Run away and get him to chase you or play hide and seek (you hiding by the way)...

If you think your dog can't learn something they won't if you think the skys the limit you both will always be learning new things. Have fun!!

[ruffkutz]

Great advice Ruff!twin. I agree - we have a terrier - JRTxPatterdale and I belive to some extent all terriers have the same traits and need the same training - consistent and very firm - give them an inch and they will take a mile - too clever for their own good!! My JRTx retrieves aswell and I would have loved to have done agility with him but he has bad knees and can't. The reason they are so naughty is because they are so clever. Keep his attention on you and he will be fine off the lead - make sure you have some treats that he loves. If you haven't tried liver cake, I have a thread on here with the recipe - I am yet to find a dog that doesn't like it. Works fantastically on recall. Out of my three dogs, my JRTx is the most obedient.

One of my clients has a Cairn and he is a horror because he has been allowed to run rings around the owners.

Just remember - be firm and don't let him get away with anything naughty and he will grow up into a fantastic dog.

[ruff!]

A story about running rings..with me Chloe the Cairn is as good as gold. But with my Mum she knows she can get away with murder..its soooo funny.

I use two leads, one for my time which is a normal traning lead and an extenderlead which is "her time". When with me on the extenderlead she never goes round lampposts etc but always comes back to my side and around it. She never pulls as she know how long she has to play with. IF she does manage to get round something by accident then I just say Back and she follows it back round. With my mum she goes round every tree, every lamppost, under fences. My mum just follows her! If she wants to go in a certian direction she pulls on the end of the line and starts choking. She is on a harness so a complete lie but my mum worries and lets her go in that direction.

I love the fact that my dog is THAT clever.

[ruffkutz]

That is so funny - terriers are too clever for their own good!!!!

[donwilks]

lol, i think me and Alfie are going to have lots of fun, will try to be brave with off the lead work - have tried it in an enclosed area and he is as good as gold, until he sees a person, dog, squirrel, crisp bag!, then he's off!!

You're right about them being clever, he learned to give his paw the day after being taught it at puppy class - trouble is he still doesn't to the useful commands like leaving things alone he shouldn't have!!

Can i ask another annoying question? Am very confused about stripping and clipping? What is the best thing to do? stripping sounds like it hurts and sounds like it's something that I definitely wouldn't be able to do. He doesn't look like he needs anything done although the hair around his ears is a bit long.

[donwilks]

They do sell liver cake at classes which Alfie will do anything for! I haven't made it yet though!

[ruff!]

Bless him. Yes Cairns can have "selective" hearing. Have something as a back up to get his attention again. Ie a squeeky toy in your pocket. So as soon as he sees something interesting and doesn't respond to you use a diversion. Squeek the toy and run away from him. You'll be loads more interesting and he should follow you. They get the hang of leave but it's a boring one so try and make it fun. They are confident and very nosy so they like to investigate everything. So show them as much as you can. Also at this age strange things become not frightening and installs trust in you. They LOVE to learn but tend to have a short attention span so you have to be a step ahead of them.

I used to get mine stripped. My groomer stopped doing it as it hurt her hands after years of doing it to other dogs. I now get her clipped. It does "ruin" the coat meaning it is not as harsh or waterproof as it was. But I like it as it is quick and easy and my dog doesn't mind it. I don't think it hurts but as it takes longer my girl gets into more of a huff. Ruffkutz will scold me for that (she is a groomer - Sorry Ruffkutz!).

It is good to get them done professionally a couple of times a year. Its good for someone to take a good look all over them. They usually do ears, teeth, claws, glands etc. They say if there is a problem and let you know. And I can't cut nails. I like to keep the bottom in particular all short and so cleaner too. It is also good for the dog to get used to being handled by others and touched all over.

I don't go for the usual cut where the legs and sides are left long either as that's what gets muddy! I keep her mid-lengh most of the time, short in the hot weather and long in the winter.

Ask as many questions as you like. You may not always get the right answer but different opinions and you decide what you want to go with.

Hope that helps!

[donwilks]

What difference does it make to their appearance? If they are clipped do they look like they've had a shave? I suppose I want Alfie to have the 'natural but neat' look!

[donwilks]

and does clipping make the hair less corse or softer? Also his colouring is beautiful at the moment, his mum is cream and dad black, so he looks a bit like a tabby cat! Would clipping completely change this? I suppose I need to contact some local groomers and see what they do? Two times a year - that's helpful. Thanks

Thanks for sqeaky toy hint as well!! x

[ruff!]

They have two coats a top wire one and a soft undercoat. On mine both are completely different colours and its funny as when clipped short in the summer (as they get so hot and then roll in something not nice to cool off) she has almost tiger stripes! A beautiful deep red and black. Top coat is golden brown (palamino) and grey. Two dogs in one!

She looks funny when really short but it grows really quickly. My fav is when her hair is mid-length. Cute and crazy fur but doesn't look unkept. Too long makes her look old.

Her coat is a little softer from clipping but I don't mind as the only times I show her is at fun shows and she hardly has to face harsh winters outside like it is meant to and with central heating they can get too hot. Lots of people will say to strip and maybe I have done the wrong thing but she doesn't mind and neither do I really. She still looks stunning.

Her hair always looks "windswept" but that is because nobody can stroke her normally. We all just ruffle her hair in all directions as she is so cuddly.

[donwilks]

That's really great advice, thank you, I know what you mean by ruffling in both directions! lol. I think I am hedging on the side of clipping just don't want him to look like a shaven poodle!!

Your dog does look beautiful!!! and very mischevious too! I think Cairns are such pretty dogs, and love their darker faces, so much character.

[ruff!]

Glad I could help a little. I just try and say what I do and let others make their own decisions.

It sounds like you have a great little dog. I love all dogs but the Cairn to me is so special. They are naughty but knowing that they are being naughty so it shows they are smart enough to play you. They have a great sence of humour they truly do. They are beautiful dogs inside and out. FULL to the brim with charactor. They keep you on your toes but that is their wonder. Mine amazes me everyday. I think a lot of people think that you are a dog and you are this smart and can only do this. I like to find out what they can really do. And I have had some amazing results. Only we put restrictions on them. My cairn has developed a form on communicating. She has about 30 different sounds that she makes. Each one means something. She makes it perfectly clear what she means. One type of noise for a walk, one for wanting to go to bed, one for follow me, one for I'm hungry etc etc. If I am being a bit stupid I ask her to "show me" and she takes me to what she wants me to do or what she wants to show me. One of these times she has come and got me and I said show me. She took me to our lounge and showed me that one of my Aquatic Crabs has escaped and was going along the carpet! Another occasion I was on my own with Chloe in the house at night and she came and got me. Really quietly mumbled. I followed her downstairs and into the dinning room. 4 youths were standing against our house and being idiots. She never barked as she knew to remain quiet. We just listened until they left. Bit scary but if she had barked it would have brought to their attention us and I didn't want that!

She was fab at agility that we did for a giggle and she was top of the class inc labs, boarder collies etc. She is great with children especially disabled children. God I could go on for hours how fab Cairns are and not just mine, every one I have known.

They are like sponges and sometimes if you don't understand something right away, just have a think and you will see there is usually a reason behind it. They have huge hearts and really try and understand you. They love to make you laugh and entertain you.

Enjoy him and post a photo!!!

Take care

[donwilks]

oh my god!! Your training sounds fantastic!! If Alfie is half as clever I will be over the moon. Maybe you could be my personal trainer!! lol Am trying to post photo for think its too big!

[ruff!]

I am not a trainer at all. I have managed to teach her over 20 plus normal tricks. As I said she is like a sponge. 10 mins a new trick was tought. I ran out of tricks... Funny though as there were ones she had trouble with that were simple but I think it was more my fault. Stand is one she never understood as I think she thinks she isn't doing anything! Normal tricks are sit, roll-over, spin, paw, other paw, reverse, lay, bang (play dead), gimme-five, Settle (goes away from you to a mark and lays with paw on it), Bell (reception bell which she tings with paw), touch, bow, kiss, beg, door (shuts doors - great if OH has left lounge door open and is letting the heat out), through, over, talk, hold and so many others but COME is one she seams to forget.... All her toys are names differently and she knows what is what. Tennis balls are the fav though. With words she understands like the above but also walk, heal, stay, dinner, bed, wee, out, off my OH and I lost count at over 200!

Her real inteligence is more than that. How she can make people do things for her. Getting what she wants from them without them knowing it. How she can spot someone crying a mile off and sets to see if they are ok. How she rough plays with those who want to but never with children, old or disabled.

My old Cairns were very clever and loving but back then I didn't have the knowleage that I have now. I can look back and really see their achievements but it was me and our family's ignorance that put limits on them.

Challenge your boy and he will excel and love it. They are breed to think for themselves for survival and this can be a problem but you can harness this and see where it takes you. Mine still can't open a can of beer yet though!!

Food is another interesting area. I have encouraged mine to be fussy and know what she likes and doesn't like (for my business). Surprisingly her favs are broad beans, chicken (No medels there), Markeral and lychees.

[ruff!]

Sorry to be boring but she can do the cup game too. 3 cups with something under one and you mix them up. When concentrating and watching properly she can get it everytime!! Sometimes I forget where which one it is under.

She also knows hand signals for most commands and clap (loud or scilent) means good girl.

Go on try it with yours just make it fun and short. Vary it a lot. Let me know how you get on.

[donwilks]

You've really encouraged me, gonna give it a try!!! Will let you know how we get on!

[ruff!]

The sky's the limit!!

Good luck and have fun!

Be warned sometimes they won't do anything at all and not hell or high water will make them but when they do you know its because they want to and are doing it for you.

[ruffkutz]

That's really great advice, thank you, I know what you mean by ruffling in both directions! lol. I think I am hedging on the side of clipping just don't want him to look like a shaven poodle!!

Your dog does look beautiful!!! and very mischevious too! I think Cairns are such pretty dogs, and love their darker faces, so much character.

Just IMO - please don't clip your cairn off, they look like odd westies gone wrong. I have to do it for one of my customers and he looks so odd when he is done. Stripping really is the better option and will only take you half an hour a week to keep his coat in lovely condition. and will save you around £25 every 6-8 weeks which is what I charge to clip off a westie or cairn.

[ruffkutz]

That's really great advice, thank you, I know what you mean by ruffling in both directions! lol. I think I am hedging on the side of clipping just don't want him to look like a shaven poodle!!

Your dog does look beautiful!!! and very mischevious too! I think Cairns are such pretty dogs, and love their darker faces, so much character.

Also - don't worry your cairn will never look like a poodle in a million years if you do take the clipping option. Just make sure you get a good groomer, word of mouth is the best way to find one.