Aggressive Behaviour Towards Strangers

[Jason&Cathy]

We got our Cairn from a shelter about 5 months ago (he is now 1yr & 1 month) and he has been great. He had not been socialized when we got him so we took him to obedience school and have some really great dog-walkers who have helped us a ton. Unfortunately he does have a tendency to sometimes run after strangers when we are walking him off-leash. It is getting to the point where he just stops listening, will not come when called and runs after people, barking and growling and even nipping at their legs.

We are contemplating getting a Citronella collar and will probably not be able to let him off leash when we walk him. Does anyone have any good behavioural tips to help get rid of this behaviour. He is a great dog otherwise and we would hate to have him bite anyone and have to be put down or have a muzzle order placed on him.

[bradl]

Hi. Thanks for adopting a Cairn. Keep him on-leash and continue with obedience classes (perhaps for a couple of years). Forget the citronella collar for this; a collar and leash will ensure he is not able to take off after folks and allow you to regain his attention. I feel your expectations (off-lead in public) of a very young dog are unrealistic.

[CallisMom]

I have to second Brad's advice. We have a rescue Cairn - who does exhibit some atypical Cairn behaviors - for example we can let her out in our unfenced yard and she won't go anywhere - BUT we would never even DREAM of walking her off leash unless we were at our farm in the Catskills where there aren't any people and she knows all the dogs . . . Cairns are known to take off as soon as something catches their attention - be it a dog's bark in the distance, a chipmunk or even a moth - and the majority of Cairns can't be off leash in their own backyards unless fenced in (and even then - well, they like to dig . It is the nature of the breed but you will get used to it! And as you probably already know, it is well worth it!!

[kayharley]

I'd never consider letting even my 11 year old Cairn off her leash in any public place or any private park setting that is not confined. No matter how much trust, training and loyalty...she is a Cairn!

It's hard because I'd love to take her to one of our wooded parks that have acres and acres of trails, gardens and just take a leisurely hike while allowing her to sniff, explore and do "dog things" at her own pace. BUT...even though she's older and doesn't have the puppy energy, it would only take a second for her to dart out into a dangerous situation and I honestly don't think she's listen if there's something around that got her attention.

As far as my 1 year old goes.....NEVER!! I could not bear the thought of either one of my girls roaming in the woods or lost in any traffic areas.

Maybe I'm a protective mother but I want them around forever!!!!

[toomanypaws]

Like kayharley, I must be overprotective too. Although I now have my 3 yr old cairn coming to me in the backyard, I would never trust her off leash in the front yard. She too would run at strangers but not to be aggressive. She is overly friendly and expects everyone to love her as we do. I don't even trust her w/ just a collar for fear she'll pull her head out. I had to order a special harness that if it happens to come undone, there's a 2nd hook that acts like a collar to keep your dog from running. I've heard of too many of the regular harnesses coming undone and the dog escaping. My other 2 aren't runners at all but that doesn't mean I'd let them out front w/o being on leash. I dropped the leash accidently of my 9 mth old last month and my heart started pounding for fear she'd run. She ran a circle between our house and the neighbors and came right back to me. She got a treat for that! Then there's my 4 mth old, she's so darn cute, she won't even leave my feet alone when we're in the backyard.

Kayharly said it perfectly, "I could not bear the thought of either one of my girls roaming in the woods or lost in any traffic areas. Maybe I'm a protective mother but I want them around forever!!!!" - I couldn't agree more.

[wags]

Toomany, what is that harness called, and where did you get it?

Sounds like a good one.

Thanks.

[toomanypaws]

Sally,

cairn control

If this can't hold my Kiara, nothing will.

No really, I had to order the harness from a pet boutique in my area, but I think they're called a step in harness. I was looking for them on the internet but can't find the one w/ a double hook that acts as a collar if the harness comes undone.

If I do find them to order, I'll let you know.

[wags]

Thanks. Those look like kinky chastity belts

LOL!

[CathyAnn]

Hmmmmmm......now we're gettin' kinky.......

Cathy