Cairns and Water

[cullen46]

Hi, I've had my cairn terrier, Zoey, now for about a year now. Everytime I give her a bath or shes even around water she starts to panic. Just trying to give her a bath she acts like someone is trying to hurt her. She'll start whining and try to find a way to get out in a hurry. I was wondering is this normal for cairn's. Thanks

[DawnandTuk-tuk]

Aw, poor Zoey. I'm guessing Zoey was not a puppy when you got her? Tuk-tuk does not have water issues and likes to swim and I think lots of others here have water loving cairns too. You might need to begin some type of desensitization routine. Things like getting in the bath or shower without the water on and giving treats and praise. Then plugging the drain, putting just a little bit of water-enough to get her feet wet- and repeat (I'd even get in with her) with treats and praise, increasing as she seems to tolerate it. Then maybe try a baby pool outside with the same routine. Does she do ok with rain and puddles? If so, I'd take her out alot when you have wet weather to help with standing water. I hope she does better really soon!

[Idaho Cairns]

Seems like every Cairn has a different personality. I have two that love the water to wade and swim in but one of them doesn't like rain or sprinklers, the other one does--she will stand out in the rain forever, get soaked and has to be drug inside.

They both have no problems with baths--however, the old dog we lost last August hated bathing, swimming (wouldn't go near the water), and would literally faint in the shower--she would get increasingly nervous, start shaking and leaning over until she fell down, semi-conscious--it was hilarious.

So, I wouldn't be too concerned--I don't think you can generalize about Cairns when it comes to water. The good news is that one really doesn't need to bathe a Cairn very often--we simply brush our dogs regularly and that seems to keep them smelling good and keeps them clean.

[Cairnmania]

Rudi loves water. I have a small paddling pool I bought so he could sit in it when it's hot. He dashes into ponds, loves to get wet.

Abby - the only water she wants is drinking water. A few months ago in a moment of excitement playing with some other dogs she ran into a shallow pond with them. When she realized she was wet and surrounded by water she froze - all she saw was water in front of her, so she kept backing up! This is a real shallow pond (actually a disused sand pit) and I'm sure if she kept backing up she would have ended up on the opposite shore. However, she sat down and started wimpering and shaking. So, I ended up having to go into the pond - with my walking shoes and jeans on - to put her lead on and get her out. Boy, was she happy to be back on dry land! Boy, was I unhappy about walking back to my car with water sloshing in my shoes and heavy wet jeans wrapping around my legs.

Neither of them get bathed. Even trying to spot clean Abby is a nightmare. Rudi just accepts it, but then again he likes water.

[dinib]

Buckley loves the ocean, hates the rain and doesn't mind the bath.

[SparkyJonesMom]

I think different Cairns just have different personalities and tastes when it comes to water. I wish so badly that Sparky liked to swim, but when I put him in a little pool or big tub, he just stands there very still, like he's biding his time until he can get out.

[kintra]

Zach is the complete opposite. When we're home, we need to close the bathroom door, otherwise he runs in there and hops in the tub. During his baths, he always get 10-15 minutes of play time with his bath toys and hates it when the water starts to go down the drain. He's the dog who will stand under the downspout if there is any rain outside.

[jodi0553]

kintra - that is hilarious!!!

I wanted to add a different perspective...i *thought* my dog was scared of some things in the past because of the fuss he put up, but as I got to know him better I realized he was acting just like a human child and throwing a temper tantrum because he didn't WANT to do what I wanted. He does have some very specific fears (namely diesel engines) but most of the time when he's putting up a fuss it is just him letting his desires be known. For my dog, when he is honestly terrified, he doesn't make a peep. When he is faking it he puts up quite a noisy front. Just like parents can tell between their child's different cry sounds, you'll be able to tell if the bath thing is for real or imagined. As with any dog, food is a great motivator. Perhaps some sessions in the bathtub empty with some lunch meat then escalating it to with running and/or standing water will make a difference. good luck!