This dog is going to give me a heart attack

[Autumn & Lola]

Me again. The first two weeks we had Molly were trying. We were learning just how quick, smart and mischievous these little angels are. Then we had 3 months of relative peace and calm and Molly was, for the most part, a real joy. The past week it seems she has gone wild again. Today nearly did me in.

We took her to the pet store to pick up some treats. She did well in the store, much better than last time, when she pulled on the leash terribly to get to all the new sights and smells. This time she pulled a little, but not much. We met a 6 month old pug in the store. We weren't sure what Molly would do, as she never sees other dogs. She went up to her and kissed her right on the nose! Of course both sets of owners said, "awwwwwwwww". We let them sniff and play a bit and they really got along well and were so cute together. Molly actually acted somewhat subdued around the pup, who was jumping up and down like a superball. Molly looked at her like, "Well, what do we have here?" LOL! They "kissed" several times.

My husband and I went up to the counter to pay for our things. I started to bend over to give Molly a little treat for being such a good girl. Just then, the automatic doors opened up (about 30 ft away) and she BOLTED. I lost hold of the lead and she ran out of the store! I ran after her, but I cannot run really, as I am still recovering from a bad car accident. I screamed, "Help me please!!" I ran out to the parking lot and didn't see her. I ran in front of a moving car, stood in the middle of the lot and stopped traffic. My husband and two of the store's employees ran out of the store. I was screaming, "Where is she!!!!!" Two people got out of their cars and I said, "My dog is loose! Help me please!" Someone spotted her and said, "There she is!" Then one of the men who had gotten out of his car said, (and I'm sure you'll all laugh), "Oh sh*t, it's a Cairn!" A couple more people got out of their cars and were blocking traffic as we tried to coax Molly back to us. The parking lot is just a service road away from 7 lane highway. I was terrified. She simply would not come back and we were afraid to give chase as the highway was so close. I sat down on the grassy curb to see if she would come to me. I very calmly called her. My husband handed me the big treat we bought her and I held it out towards her. She started to come to me, then darted off in the other direction. One of the store's employees tackled her. He was a big guy and he literally threw himself on top of her. She was MAD, but she didn't bite him thank goodness. He carried her towards me and we checked her out as he thought he might have harmed her in some way. At that point I would have been happy with a broken leg if it meant she was otherwise safe. But she was fine and seemed quite proud of her little adventure.

We thanked the guy profusely and apologized to everyone for the commotion. They all laughed and joked and one said I should carry her in a baby holder across my chest. We strapped her in the car and I cried! I had gone white and thought I would pass out. It was a while before we could leave the parking lot.

I love my little Molly so much, but I swear this dog is going to be the death of me!

[Sandi16]

"Oh sh*t, it's a Cairn"

ROFLMAO!!

Sorry, but sounds like SOMEONE is familiar with the breed!!

I'm glad Molly is ok, and I'm sorry she put you through all that. What a stinker!!

[Nikki]

LOL we have had a couple instances where I had to chase down my dogs (well mostly scotty....b/c when were outside everything is more interesting then coming back) scared me to death...thought they were going to get hit by a car andwhen you get them back they always have that huge grin like the just had the best time of their life. Rotten dogs!! glad that you both are okay!

[pkcrossley]

i hate it when that happens!

well, today's lesson: always keep a strong hold on the leash. we've all been there, though this is a particularly dramatic way to learn. so glad everything came out all right.

the last time i heard a version of "Oh sh*t, it's a Cairn" i was in a local grocery parking lot, opening my car, when a wheaten cairn came walking very calmly around my front bumper. for a horrible moment i thought that somehow my own wheaten cairn had stowed away in the car and then decided to take a stroll while i was doing my shopping. but on second glance it was a female, on the pudgy side, and clearly not young. i reached out for her, thinking to snag her collar, and she shot across the busy parking lot and into a clump of bushes. those little legs could really go.

now she had a posse of about five screaming people chasing her, half of them saying "Oh sh*t, it's a Cairn", meaning, we're never going to catch the little bugger. as we tore through the bushes and along the street the crowd got bigger, and somebody huffed, "i think i know her." more huffing. "i think she is heading home." at that point she made a 90 degree turn and headed across the busy street, people running into the traffic to stop the cars, pointing at the little butter-colored streak. on the other side of the street a door opened and a matron burst onto the stone step, shrieking "Bitsy! how many times have i told you you are NOT to leave this yard!" bitsy ran to the step and sat, pretty.

we didnt even get invited in for tea.

somebody said afterward this was a fairly regular occurrence.

[Malcolm's Dad]

Again I am so glad Molly is ok. First it was the pot on the stove and now running near a 7 lane highway. When I first got Malcolm I learned to never NEVER let go of that leash. He did the same thing in the pet store parking lot. We were getting back in the car when Malcolm bolted and started running in the parking lot. He stopped to sniff the curb where the dogs go potty and I managed to step on the leash and get him. I did the same thing, sat in the car for while until I could breathe again. Now I wrap the leash around my wrist. Like they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

[Puddlesmama]

Oh you poor thing! I was on my toes reading this. God bless the bystanders.

These lil snots can sometimes pull the best of us out. But i love the way you handled it. Heart warming actually. You are really a great dog owner. I can feel the love you have for your pup. Good luck when the next oopsie comes.. We all know those things happen..Yikes!

Give Molly a scritch.

[BetsyNoodle]

Love that line "Oh, sh*t, it's a Cairn!"

I am relieved you got Molly back safe and sound after her trek through the parking lot. What a day you had! I had a similar experience this past Friday. My DH and I were at the Veterinary Dermatologist with Murphy and all of the sudden, as we were walking him back to our car, he bolted OUT OF HIS COLLAR! I couldn't believe it. It seems Murphy had decided he wanted to sit down in the lot, and my husband pulled at his leash and off the collar came. Thank God I was right behind him and was able to capture him in a matter of seconds. There is a very busy street nearby, and I am terrified to think what could have happened. He has worn his collar without incident since we got him, and has never before been able to get out of it. Now we call him Houdini.

I got Murphy three weeks after my Min Pin, Ralph (aka Rudy Valentino) passed away at the ripe old age of 17 last November. He was my heart. Well, now my heart belongs to a Cairn named Murphy. Like you, if something happened to him I don't know what I would do. He and his "sister" Gracie, a black Lab, mean the world to me.

Hugs to Molly,

Melissa

[TazTalk]

What a scary, emotional story!!! Glad to hear that everyone pitched in to help and you had a happy ending. Molly sounds like a little character

Both my husband and I have reoccuring dreams about the dogs running into traffic. Guess it's because both have bolted out our front door -- and got to the street.

[jodi0553]

Oh my, what a story! I am so glad to hear you caught her!!! I do think the bolting is the absolute worst thing about having a cairn. We've had numerous minor incidents and four major incidents in Currey's 3 1/2 years. Two of the four majors were houseguests just *not* understanding that he will slip through any crack or run with any chance even when we tell them just that. That is the hardest part! The most recent was two weeks ago, when, right after DH explained that Currey could never be out without a leash, my friend proceeded to let him off his outdoor line about 3 feet from the back door. We saw him doing it from just a few feet behind and were helpless to stop him - it just happened so fast. Good news was that my houseguest was a young career military guy in good enough shape that he chased the bugger down and tackled him singlehandedly!

Okay...so a couple notes from experience....1) don't try to tackle the cairn. Its nearly hopeless unless you are amazingly quick. You'll have a much better chance of stomping on a leash to stop them. Typically when we have company Currey wears a 6 ft lead at all times. Especially helpful when they let you get close then bounce away. They'll usually let you get a few feet away as part of that "game". 2) Betsynoodle - we had a similar experience a couple times with the collar. Were you using one with a plastic snap closure? The ones that fit these guys are rated up to 40 lbs typically, so they should be no problem for a 14 - 18 lb dog, right? Wrong! We found that when bolting Currey applies enough force to snap one of them open. Now he wears a collar with a metal buckle closure. Downside of it is that it isn't as readily adjustable and you have to err on the tighter closure so that the bugger doesn't slip out of it.

Even after the 4th time this has happened to me, I still end up freaking out and sobbing like a madwoman when he's caught. That little doggy has given me more grey hairs in the past 3 years but I still love him!!!!

[josie&holly]

Oh, so glad that you caught your little mischief!

Like others it is something I worry about - up to now the only incident I have had was just after I got Holly I took her to local country park and the catch on the lead to harness came undone and she was off like a shot across to the lake - I had to persuade to come back to me and others were helping. Fortunately it was not a road/car park in my case but I just had visions of her disappearing into the woodlands and not finding her.

[Tracy A.]

Glad to hear everything turned out ok.

Both of our dogs have been tackled at one time or another. And at 4 years old, if Mett gets off leash he things it's a game and "chase me". This is where I use psychology on hime and use my old standby.... his favorite thing in the world..... "want to go for a ride in the car and get a hamburger?" He will run back home and sit outside my car waiting for his ride. I've also sat on the ground and started acting like I was in pain to get him to come to me...

For the majority of us, one of our dogs off leash is a heart stopping event....

Tracy

[Murphy's Mom]

For the majority of us, one of our dogs off leash is a heart stopping event....

Indeed! I dropped the leash at the park the other day and Murphy had a rabbit in sight. She started to move and I tromped on the leash with my foot before she realized she was free. My heart skipped a beat or two. She would have been off into the woods and I don't know if I would have gotten her back. That leash is wrapped on my wrist twice now.

[i_love_my_puppy]

LMAO at the "oh sh*t it's a cairn" line but OMG i think i would have had a panic attack if that happened to me!!! You handled it well and can ctach your breath now and calm down. Stick with it, Cairns, like most terriers are strong willed, independant creatures that REALLY try our patience. I wouldn't DARE let Flynn off leash EVER becuase his instint will be to bolt. I hope i never have a moment like you experienced!!

I was looking on YouTube a few days ago at Cairn vids and there was one of a man who's 2 cairns were running around the bonfire he had lit, then one of them very nearly jumped in the flames...you can image the guys comments about how he nearly sh*t himself... if we don't laugh we'll cry...i swear they do it on purpose and are having a good laugh at our expense, gremlins in disguise *sigh*

[sanford]

When I adopted my cairn I was told by the rescue organization that unlike most dogs, many cairns have necks that are almost as thick as their heads which makes it a lot easier for them to slip out of the collar. For this reason, they advocated using a harness instead. I don't know if this is true, but if it is, that would explain how some cairns perform this Houdini act!

P.S. It gives me a chuckle to think that we may have come up with a new name or an official motto for this forum: OSIAC ("Oh Sh*t, It's A Cairn!").

[Sandi16]

No offense.. but,reading these stories, makes me thankful I have a lazy cairn. The only time he's bolted was when we were on the beach and I decided to let him off leash, even then he was easy to catch. He doesn't bolt out the door, if he does wander out front, he usually just comes back in when I tell him too. The one time he left the yard. Same thing.

I must have a broken Cairn.

[Cairns2]

Ah, all in a days work for a terrier!

So glad this story had a happy ending. These dogs give us gray hairs and take years off our lives!

FYI - never chase a dog, especially a Cairn, they love the sport of it and are adept at avoidance techniques, as you noticed. Run in the opposite direction and sound like you are having so much fun, they will chase you to see what all the excitement is about.

[cairnsby3]

Another kind of collar you can check is called a martingale collar (google it). Most of the pet stores sell them now. The collar is made so that it can be comfortable on their neck, but tightens when pulled from any direction, but it can only go so tight, so it won't choke them. I use them on my dogs when they aren't in their harnesses and I brought a dog across country for a friend last fall and insisted on using one on him, since I didn't know him well. The collars were originally designed for greyhounds since collar slip over their head easily.

[Malcolm's Dad]

cairnsby3, thank you for telling us about the martingale collar. I checked it out and its a great idea.

[TiggersMom]

Oh does this bring back memories of when Cutter was young. I swore he wouldn't live to see five because of his great escapes (he's 14 1/2 now). There is not a leash that he has not gotten to come off. We actually even now tie his leash into a knot and connect it to his harness. He loves to roll on his back and every time he did he would make his leash become unattached and off to the races he would go. One time when he got away my step-dad clocked him running 25 MPH NOW TRY TO CATCH THAT! We have called him Mr. Houdini pup since he was 3 because of his escapes. He hasn't gotten away in 10 years now but even at 14 1/2 I wouldn't give him or Tigger our Cairn Puppy (who is stuck to me like glue) a chance. Whenever we would have to end up having to catch Mr. Houdini I would shake a bag of Snausages and he would come running and wagging his tail and looking all sweet and innocent with the look on his face What I didn't do anything wrong! . I started to go grey at the age of 21 thanks to him and his escapades. As far as the comment Oh Sh*t it's a Cairn is just beyond hysterical. It is exactly what I would say. My friend just got a Yorkie and I keep trying to tell her that she's a terrier and she will run and she won't listen to me. I just hope the dog doesn't run away and get killed that was always one of my greatest fears whenever Cutter would run away. I remember saying one time if the car doesn't kill him I may do it first

[Nikki]

Angel doesn't really bolt (she did twice she was a puppy....but now I could leave my front door wide open and she wont go out) she always comes back when called well like 95% of the time. Scotty on the other hand it takes two people to catch him. one person runs in the opposite direction ...so that scotty will chase them (usually me) and the other person has to grab him. (usually my husband)

Scotty has to wear two collars just in case one breaks...(he has broken like 4 collars...he is so strong)

we go hiking/camping alot so Angel wears a web master harness.which there is no way she can get out of that. It has a 5 point adjustable fit. Here the harness if want to see it. web master she comes when called 95% of the time...but I would be broken hearted if I lost her in the woods.

I've seen those martingale collars (boats85 cairn Skipper uses it) they are pretty neat

[i_love_my_puppy]

P.S. It gives me a chuckle to think that we may have come up with a new name or an official motto for this forum: OSIAC ("Oh Sh*t, It's A Cairn!").

Haha...gets my vote, and i'd even buy the t-shirt lol!

[Hagar]

I can't beat the "Oh S**t, it's a Cairn" comment, but it sure fits.

I know most "experts" are against placing the loop of the leash around your wrist, but I've done it since Renny was a pup. It's just added insurance against the dog bolting at some distraction.

[Jetti]

Martingale is THE thing - I have used them for more tham 20 years. This is my first Cairn an this Martingale

hangs allmost on his shoulders when I let him loose but tightens nicely when he is on leash.

He only bolts after airplanes but comes back all (95%) the time.

[iRusty00]

rusty's escaped a couple of times. last summer, when he was about 8 months, he ran out of the backyard gate while my brother was opening it. thats when i learned how fast a cairn can move! rusty ran into the front yard, up and down our dead end street (thank goodness for that) but, luckily for us, he didn't go into the busy street. we caught him. now he is trained not to leave the gate unless i say he can.

his second free run was just a few months ago when i was at the park with him. i was near the handball court and he wanted the handball that a guy was playing with. he darted and i lost my grip on the leash. the guy thought rusty was going after him and started to run. well, then the guy became rusty's toy. rusty chased him around the handball court while i was right behind them trying to step on rusty's leash. Next,what i was hoping wouldnt happen happened..the guy runs out of the handball court. right before rusty steps off the court, i stepped on rusty's leash. i was done for the day and walked rusty home.

[Fudgie]

This is the funniest story I've read in a long time. I can picture the entire story! We've had a few incidents like that in our time also, but the descriptive you wrote is the funniest. And, why do we love these little heathens? Ha Ha!