Cairn ahoy

[Sam I Am]

So with hopefully a new Cairn pup coming our way can someone please explain the different classes one can show a Cairn on? He is going to be neutered so best in show is out..lol. However what is the difference between a rally, agility? And the other classes? 

[eastofeden]

The article in the following link give a nice high level view of Obedience, Rally, Agility, Tracking and Lure Coursing: 

http://www.akc.org/content/dog-training/articles/akc-sports-overview-competition-mixed-breed/

And here is information about Earthdog:

http://www.akc.org/events/earth-dog/

And the newest event to AKC, Scentwork (aka NoseWork):

http://www.akc.org/events/scent-work/news-updates/

And while not an official AKC sport CTCNA recognizes Barnhunt:

https://barnhunt.com/

There are a ton of activities that you can participate in with your Cairn.  Have fun!!!!

 

 

[Hillscreek]

There need never be a dull moment for you and puppy!

[Sam I Am]

As my mare grows older (and me too) transitioning to perhaps training a Cairn and perhaps doing a bit of competition (or not) seems like a good one!

[bradl]

I can't recommend dog sports enough. It's so good for all involved. There is no question that I have the deepest relationships with the dogs I train with. It takes them from being friends and companions to being partners. 

[Hillscreek]

I agree. Whether you are working for competition on just to have your cairn and you understand one another better it is wonderful. I don't want to compete at this stage in my life but have worked with Angus every day. Sometimes formally, more often just in the course of everyday life when an opportunity arises. Like Bradl says you become partners. Angus and I know what each other thinks. We are bonded.

Here's a couple of rallyO videos from UK forum. In one the dog is a beginner on leash in the other the dog is more advanced off leash. Competition there can be at a meet with other dogs or "on line" where you are given a course to set up and you provide someone to film you and dog. Then you send it in to be judged. The trainer here set this up for forum members to get an idea of how it works.

Isla (Level 3)
https://youtu.be/opGKxqqZzRM

Harris (Level 1)
https://youtu.be/p4IeWoSNgvc

 

 

 

 

[Idaho Cairns]

I must be the only odd man out on "training" Cairns or partnering with Cairns because my limited observation is that Cairns "partner" with no one except another Cairn.
I have pondered how one might train a Cairn for agility contests, leaping barriers when they could simply walk around it.  Running thru tunnels, walking up teeter totters, wiggling thru poles and such with a whole bunch of activities, other dogs, and people to distract them.
I have found commands, even understood commands to be routinely shunned by my girls, "come", "stop", "no", roll over, sit, are often completely ignored unless accompanied by the operative noun "treat", without which almost nothing reactive happens. 
Perhaps I am a bad parent, a silly human asking a Cairn to be unCairnlike.   My fondest hopes are always dashed when I review this short example of Cairn obedience that most of you have seen, perhaps too often, but it is a real example of what most of us face with these hardheaded little terriers.  I think it should be required viewing for every new Cairn owner, less we let our expectations run away from grim reality!
 

 

[Sam I Am]

Yup..you are probably right Chuck.  Jock only came when called by my DH, I was the half boss, so commands were mostly ignored.