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Peggy M joined the community
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how great is this picture?? -
this is mesmerizingly cute
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Agreed 1,000 percent. You need tools to work with problematic dogs and a serious obedience class will help *you* acquire useful skills and tools.
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Well said by all. I want to emphasize that everyone in the house needs to be on the same page -- and that is perhaps the hardest of all. The spouse who just wants to give him a little treat off the countertop; the child who lets the dog play "keep away." All of these sabotage training. One of the best ways to get everyone on the same page is to take a basic obedience class -- with everyone there learning the same commands, the same consistent behavior. And the practicing between sessions at home. Everyone! Terriers are little show-offs, even though independent. Each of mine has loved the excitement, the attention, the activity of training. The dogs also learn to behave appropriately around other dogs in a controlled atmosphere, and that gives you some techniques to control them around other animals at home. I am pretty sure not all dogs can be obedience school champions, but all terriers are definitely trainable -- and they actually seem to love it. I really recommend you sign yourself up!
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Hillscreek has it exactly: herding, hunting, guard dogs all want to please humans. terriers can make time for you at the end of their busy day, but "commands" will always be considered optional. the more reasonable and rational the commands are, the higher the chance they will be complied with.
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Agree with pk's suggestions. And would emphasize working with terriers is very demanding. My retrievers longed to please me. My terriers wondered why should they bother. Terriers are bred to be independent and your fella will be no different. Think LONG TERM patience and persistance.
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welcome! I know you are determined to help the dog if there is any way, and there is a lot for you to explore. Sanford's ideas on baby gates are good. first thing is, make sure everybody is safe. I see he has a harness. I would recommend putting a short leash on it and keeping it on at all times --you can very quickly get control of any situation that way. he is definitely terrier and to me looks half cairn or half jack (same dif in terms of strategy). NEVER get angry, never shout, never cry. these dogs will get into pushing your buttons if they know they can affect you. get the short leash and when your dog gives you trouble, lift him up and fly him away to a safe zone (maybe behind a baby gate, maybe a bathroom, laundry room --kitchen is usually not that great, since they can levitate onto counters). ignore him (they hate that) until you think he has learned a lesson and can be let out again. others on here have different ideas about effective discipline, so read the threads and experiment to see what works. these dogs need to go to boot camp. make him sit and wait for you to put his food bowl down. if he is giving another dog problems, make him let that dog go through doors first, or get into the car first. if he doesn't respect cats, give him a time out if he chases them, growls at them or pounces on them. with the leash attached to his harness, you are always in control. he will figure that out. this means you have to go to boot camp too. your dog will whine and charm and do everything to get around you. if you have children or spouse, he will try to get them to go easy on him if you are insisting on the rules. everybody must be on board! make the rules for your dog, and keep them in place. these dogs are very determined, and very ambitious. if you give your dog any hint that he might be able to take over, he will run with it. make it very clear that not only can he NOT take over, he can't even make you worried or sad! believe it or not, once these dogs are ABSOLUTELY convinced that they cannot rule the house, they relax. they have confidence with you in charge, and feel they can just enjoy life. it takes time and effort to get there. if you get a behaviorist or trainer in, he/she MUST be somebody who understands terriers. training these dogs is not like dealing with exuberant retrievers or lonely labs. tiny terriers are bred to be independent, and to assert themselves as if their lives depended on it (because in their working environment, it did).
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Rescuing this dog was a kind-hearted thing to do, but bringing him into an environment with 4 cats + 1 other dog was possibly courting disaster. From what you describe, further conflicts are likely and dogs can be grotesquely injured in combat with cats. I would immediately separate him with a baby gate or put him in another room if possible. I don't want to alarm you but the last thing you want is to come home to a bloody mess and a suffering animal. That could be a worse fate than euthanasia. Sadly, there might be no good options here, short of returning your dog.
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Get onto YouTube and watch every e-collar training video you can. There are many. You can start with these trainers: https://www.youtube.com/user/lklencho/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/AmericasCanineED/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/communicanine/videos Get one of these: https://www.educatorcollars.com/educator-et-300-mini.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAp5nyBRABEiwApTwjXn6XV_hbbwaYi_c1mbvMNPtvleo0BWgdxkZHBaYgv5xTm--x-hfa1BoCwZ8QAvD_BwE
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Tammica joined the community
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Hi I’m fostering a great 6yr old half I was told cairn half possibly terrier but there are some issues and I’m scared the rescue will do what they are threatening n that’s euthanasia. He’s bit but no one outside my house. They have not helped me with getting him training and I’ve begged. He does live with one other foster dog n my resident which he has attacked and 4cats also attacks but also gets along with. He was not socialized at all before he came here. He can learn his life is worth it please I’m begging you for you advice and help
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Dogs are incredibly smart, and they need mental exercise just as much as physical. This is particularly true in the winter when many dogs spend more time indoors. Boredom in dogs leads to frustration and destructive behavior. But giving your dog a cognitive workout burns off excess energy, provides entertainment, and prevents problem behavior. There are lots of fun cognitive training games you can play, but toys can challenge your dog’s brain as well. There are tons of fun puzzle toys on the market; however, some can be quite expensive and others are simply too small or too large for a given breed. Do-it-yourself cognitive dog toys not only save you money but allow you to tailor the toy to your dog’s size and preference. Read on for some DIY toys that will help warm up your dog’s brain on a cold winter’s day. Toilet Tube Treat Dispensers Cardboard containers make great destructible treat dispensers. Empty toilet paper tubes or paper towel rolls can be stuffed with soft treats. For example, spread peanut butter or cream cheese along the inside of the cardboard tube. Your dog will have to lick the treat out while preventing the tube from rolling away or being squished flat. To increase the challenge, fold down the ends of the tube so your dog must rip into the cardboard to get at the goodies inside. And for a longer-lasting treat, freeze the tube and its contents before giving it to your dog. If a paper towel roll is too small for your dog or you want to use hard dog treats or bits of kibble, try using an empty box. Poke holes in the box slightly larger than the size of the treats, place the treats in the box, and seal the top. Your dog will have to toss the box around in order to get the treats to fall out of the holes. To alter the challenge, simply change the size of the container. Your dog will need to manipulate an empty tissue box differently than a round potato chip tube or a pizza box. Because these cardboard dispensers are destructible, ensure your dog doesn’t eat the bits of cardboard that fall off. As with any puzzle toy, these are meant to be used under supervision. And because these toys were destined for your recycling box anyway, there’s always a fresh box or tube waiting to be filled. Muffin Tin Shell Game This version of the shell game requires a muffin tin and a ball for each cup in the tin. Tennis balls are a great size for a standard muffin tin, but any appropriately sized ball will do. And if your dog is a toy breed, simply use a mini muffin pan and miniature tennis balls. But don’t ever use balls too small for your dog’s size as they can pose a choking hazard. To help your dog get the hang of the game, leave the cups uncovered at first. Fill each muffin cup with treats or kibble and let your dog lick or paw the goodies out. Now that your dog knows good things can be found in the cups, it’s time to cover them with the balls. Your dog will have to remove each ball to get at the treat underneath. To increase the difficulty, only bait some of the cups with food but continue to cover all the cups with balls. Now your dog will need to use scent to locate where the treats are located. This will help prepare your dog for other scent related games like hide-and-seek. Shoebox Hide-and-Seek You don’t have to participate in an AKC Scent Work trial to have fun with your dog’s nose. Try doing some scent work in the house. All you need is a set of empty containers like shoeboxes or yogurt tubs. Place the containers in a group on the floor and bait one or a few with smelly treats. Then allow your dog to sniff all the containers in a search for the hidden treasure. In the beginning, you can make your dog’s job easier by poking holes in the tops of the containers. Once your dog has the idea, start increasing the challenge by only baiting one of the containers and spreading them out around the room. In addition, the more containers your dog must search through, the greater the effort required. Doggy Ball Pit If your dog enjoys playing hide-and-seek, this toy will really up the difficulty level. All you need is a plastic kiddie pool and tons of balls. Fill the kiddie pool with the balls then sprinkle kibble or treats on top. As your dog walks through the balls to retrieve the food, the balls, and therefore the treats, will keep shifting positions keeping your dog occupied for a long time. This can be a great way to feed dogs who tend to gulp their food. It slows them down and provides lots of mental stimulation. And for dogs who are easily frustrated or nervous about new situations, start with only a few balls in the pool and slowly increase the number as the dog gets comfortable. Tea Towel Snuffle Mat Snuffle mats are pieces of fabric with lots of loops, flaps, or pockets that can be used to hide treats. The point is for your dog to sniff for treats hidden in the fabric. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own snuffle mat out of sturdy fabric. Simply stitch pockets and flaps all over the material to allow you to hide bits of food. A simpler, sewing-free alternative is to buy a plastic mat. Look for one with a grid of holes already in it, like a rubber sink mat, or poke holes in the mat yourself. Then tear fleece into strips that are six to eight inches long. Tie a fleece strip through each hole in the mat until the top of the mat looks like a fleece forest. Once you’ve filled all the holes, toss a handful of treats on the top of the mat then watch your dog snuffle through the fleece to retrieve them. An even easier version of the snuffle mat can be made from a tea towel. Lay a towel flat on the floor and place some treats in the center. Then fold the towel longways across the treats. Next, tie the towel in a loose knot so the treats are in the middle. Your dog will have to figure out how to untie the tea towel to get at the treats inside. Easy for you to make, but not easy for your dog to undo! To add to the challenge, tie several tea towels together in a row with treats in each one. The post Do-It-Yourself Cognitive Dog Toys for Cold Winter Days appeared first on American Kennel Club. View the source article
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4 cairns - 4 times the fun and love. Welcome
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I haven't had to deal with heart disease but I have several friends who have (with cavaliers, in both cases). diagnosis is usually a guide to choosing how best to maintain. hoping you get good and useful info for our Rosie.
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what handsome dogs. you must be a real expert by now! have to chuckle at the idea that somebody gets a cairn because they don't want a jack! like deciding to fight a crocodile because you don't want to fight an alligator. I have to say, living on a farm with four cairns sounds like a noisy, adventuresome, happy paradise.
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Welcome to you and your Cairns! I think we're in awe of you for managing to wrangle four of these stubborn little beasts.😁
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I love the raptor comparison because when we walk down the trail (on leashes) both Pepper and Brodie are scanning and trotting in unison just like those Jurassica park velociraptors!!! Two similar predators!!!
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At this time of year, many of us make resolutions to get fit. Maybe you’re even thinking of getting back on that neglected treadmill that you bought for last year’s resolution. If you’re having trouble getting excited about the idea, here’s something to do with it that might be more fun: Teach your dog to walk on a treadmill. A treadmill is a great way to exercise your dog when the weather is nasty. When the snow is higher than my Pug‘s head, we head down to the basement where she gets to walk for treats, I watch TV or listen to music, and both of us stay warm and dry. But it’s useful in other situations year-round as well. “Many people are doing dog sports and it is important to keep our athlete dogs in excellent shape,” says Pamela Johnson, CPDT-KA. “Treadmills can be a great way to get your dog a full-body workout, without the impact. You can use the treadmill to warm up your dog before trick training, dog sports, long walks or hikes.” Johnson has also found the treadmill valuable for rehabilitation when her dogs were injured. It was a lifesaver for me when I first got my dog and she was so reactive that walks outside were a challenge. And the training itself is a great mental workout for your dog on cold dark days. Getting On the Treadmill Training your dog to use the treadmill means breaking the process down into small steps and building a positive association with each one. Start by treating your dog for simply getting up on it. “Dog gets on, click and treat. Dog gets off, click and treat. Repeat this step many times, then end the training session,” says Johnson. If your dog is not clicker trained, simply feed treats. Remember never to force the dog to get on equipment. “The goal is for your dog to want to get on the treadmill on his own,” she says. If your dog is nervous about the treadmill or not used to getting up on things, you may need to start slower by treating for simply being near, or looking at it, before working on getting up on it. Once your dog is comfortable getting up and standing on the treadmill, the next step is to turn the power on. But don’t start the motion yet — this step is just to get the dog accustomed to the sound of the motor and fan. Treat for standing there listening to the noise. My machine was so quiet that my dog didn’t seem to notice it, so this step went quickly, but be sure to look for signs of stress and make sure your dog is completely comfortable before moving on. Get Moving Gradually Then comes the big step: Start the treadmill moving at a slow speed, and treat like crazy. “At this point, it’s important that your dog gets a high rate of reinforcement in order to build a strong treadmill walking behavior,” Johnson says. Always remember to keep the training session short. Do multiple short sessions a day, and always stop before the dog shows a desire to get off. “It is best to always leave the dog wanting to do more, and not overdo it,” she says. Also, make sure you don’t rush from one step of the training to the next. “Building your dog’s confidence is extremely important. Do not progress to any of the steps until your dog is completely confident and doing really well at the step he is on,” she says. She suggests expecting to spend a week on each step of the process. Once Your Dog is a Pro Remember that the goal is for the dog to love the treadmill. Mine whines at the basement door with excitement when she thinks that a workout is about to happen. Yes, for her, it’s partly about the cheese, but that’s OK. Johnson recommends that you should keep treating during workouts. “I am a firm believer in continuing to treat or reward dogs for behaviors they are doing,” she says. “This will keep those behaviors that we like strong and consistent.” Still, some dogs might not need it. “My oldest Border Collie loves the treadmill so much that he will just get on and walk without me constantly reinforcing him with treats as he walks,” she says. Once your dog is completely comfortable on the moving treadmill, you can increase the speed gradually. Remember to always hold the safety cord so you can stop the machine if there is a problem. If your dog really gets into this — or you don’t already own a human treadmill — you can buy one specially made for dogs. Johnson notes that these are preferable for large breed dogs, who may have to shorten their stride unnaturally on a human treadmill. Dog treadmills have side panels, so you may need to do a little extra training to get your dog used to them. However, some trainers recommend you remove the side panels so the dog is completely at ease getting on and off the treadmill. You can see a video of Johnson training the whole process using a dog treadmill here. Differences to Keep In Mind It’s important to remember that walking on a treadmill is different from walking your dog outside in a number of ways. It’s more demanding physically, because there’s no stopping to sniff. Johnson suggests starting with five-minute workouts and building up a few extra minutes per week to a maximum of 20 minutes. If you want to increase the speed, do that separately from increasing duration. Also, while the process of training provides mental enrichment, once your dog is used to it, it’s just physical exercise. A treadmill walk doesn’t provide the same mental stimulation as getting out and sniffing and seeing the world. But when that’s not possible for whatever reason, it’s a great alternative. The post Use Your Treadmill to Exercise Your Dog appeared first on American Kennel Club. View the source article
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My children sometimes refer to them as the raptor pack(a Jurassic park reference) because when they are locked on something, they definitely hunt as a team 🤣
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Oh they are beautiful!
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Wonderful news! Thanks for letting us know. Happy for you,
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❤️❗️ ❤️❗️
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Wow...a pack of Cairns! Sam was a wild child now gratefully a sensible almost three yr old...kind of. Your home must be full of exciting times! 😳 Never a dull moment no doubt. They are lovely.
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We have only two. Litter mates we adopted this past summer. First time Cairn owners. Wish I had room for more. I envy you...
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That's a great expression 😁
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🥰
