Cairn Jobs

[Carolinasmom]

Does your cairn have a "job"? It is clearly Carolina's job to "clear the yard" for us. Whenever either of us is going out back, she runs out to our birdfeeder to clear the yard of any squirrels or cats. I suppose this could be some kind of dominance thing but she takes this job very seriously!

[Stephandy]

I have heard and read from many references that Cairns (or any energetic dogs) need a "job" or they will misbehave. But I really do not know what i can let our Pepper do...I do not want him to go into my garage and tried to find the "possible" mouse nest (which I am sure Pepper would love to do...) because we already hired exterminator and have poisons around the garage...He did find a job himself, he is the defender of the ceiling; everytime he sees any type of glare (reflection of lights from shining objects down below?) on the ceiling, he would go crazy and bark and bark and bark at it and jump toward it like he is going to attack it...why does he do that?

[Logansmom]

Step...the ceiling warrier I love it. I'll Pepper is great at it as well. Logan is the defender of the front window. Everyone in the neighborhood knows him (not us mind you..The DOG). He says hello to everyone and anything that passes by his domain. As well, he is defending the basement from unknown critters. "Just because you can't see them mom doesn't mean they aren't there" is the doggy slogan. Thank goodness we are all safe from hazards such as birds, lights and...stuff.

[bradl]

I don't know Stephandy, but we had a girl who was, and still is, exactly the same way with light. We thought she'd been 'ruined' by a friend with a laser pointer, but I've since met other folks who have or have had dogs similarly possessed by light demons. Look on the bright side (groan) - it's usually usually easy to get these dogs back in the house at night - just shine a flashlight!

As for jobs, I think training for any canine work or sport counts as the kind of job that keeps a Cairn's mind and body busy: obedience, agility, flyball, earthdog, freestyle dancing - anything that gives the dog some focus is terrific for dog and handler alike.

[kayharley]

Madison picks up all the dog toys that are thrown around the house after a hard days play and places them in the doggie toy box.

Winnie makes sure she gets every last one, especially those hiding under the furniture and poor little Elliott, he makes sure the toy box is put back where it's supposed to be in the den.

[MikeC]

Currently Duffy is unemployed, and that could be the reason why he has been a little lately! I can't think of what job he could do other than to keep crumbs off the kitchen floor. If however, barking, stealing and hiding our shoes, remotes, etc. can be considered working then he is gainfully employed!

MikeC

[bradl]

Haggis = Fun Police: referrees the girls' wrestling matches. Also, Sonic Squirrel Cannon: involves attempting to knock squirrels out of trees using nothing but his voice. He's terrible at it, with a zero success rate, but works very hard nonetheless.

Echo = Coffee Sprite: helps Peggy make the coffee in the morning in exchange for a little taste of milk-foam.

Barley = Official Timer: job involves notifying residents of approaching time for walks, dinner, breakfast cookie, etc. Will lead you to the relevant duty-area if highly-effective staring doesn't have the expected result. Also, Mattress Tester: extensive quality control of mattresses and duvets to ensure fitness for naps. Also (she's the oldest so has the most jobs): Cat Locator and Duck Disperser: still checking, every walk, under that one car she saw a cat under over nine years ago; ensures lake park pedestrian path remains free of ducks.

Stella = Personal Trainer: ensures all house dogs and visitors are exercised with personally designed wrestling and track programs. Also, Toy Inspector: carefully examines all new and archived toys for condition, teasibility, and tossibility.

[Eliz222]

You all are too funny!

I think Finch's job is to drive me crazy! LOL! Her job must be to collect my socks. She has a "thing" for my socks, be they in my shoes (not on), in my closet, or on the floor. She also watches the time and makes sure that I know when dinner time is! She is like clock work too!

Scout's job is to warm my bed up for me. She loves this job and even warms up the couch cushions too. Scout also let's me know when my neighbor is coming home. She will only do this if we are outside, but sure enough, I know when my neighbor goes to church, the store...anywhere!

Oh, and Finch's job is to let me know someone is at the door. It doesn't matter if it's at home, on tv, or on the interent....I always know when someone is at the door!

[Arf-arf]

Vacuum cleaner and dust buster! Oliver get's everything the wife and sweeper misses! On all 3 floors too

[Toto'smom]

I think Toto's job is to steal my already warm seat on the couch the minute I get up.

[toomanypaws]

Well, Kiara's job is to remind me where the cookie jar full of treats is located on the counter as I stumble in at 6:30 a.m. to make some coffee.

Abbey's job is to alert me of any vehicle within 10 houses of ours. Her bark will turn high pitch if the UPS guy is approching.

Hannah's job has been to replace my arm weights by carrying her everywhere.

All 3 of them have taken their job very seriously every afternoon to remind me that it is time to run the backyard.

[bubba]

Cooper has decided his job is to sit in the middle of the living room listening for things no other living thing in our house can hear, including Yoda. When he is not sitting, he is going around checking the registers from the heater to see if something is coming out of them. I think he hears the furnace and it's noise, my husband insists it must be a mouse!

pat.

[hallswel]

This is too funny!

Rebel has the inside job of finding his ball and throwing it to us, thats when he want people time, when he doesn't he makes sure all the squirrels know that he will be out in a minute and chase them. He also plays hid and seek with his puggy brother. Robi runs around the sofa or stairs and Rebel will chase him or go to where he comes out...Its so funny sometimes Robi tricks him or Rebel will turn around and met him head on, just like kids.

When he is outside he very carefully checks the entire yard and makes sure it smells just right and then it's time to play frisbee or hide and seek. He loves for us to hide behind a tree and he comes and finds us. Of course it takes 2 people to play it as you should that way he runs back and forth.

I also have the jumps I made out of PVC pipes , a tunnel we got from toys are us, and a bridge....he loves these things but he only does them for treats. He has us trained! Of course there is picture time, I have them trained they know when the camera comes out there is always a treat involved!

[Bunzie]

I'm not sure my cairn has a job yet, but my lab (Schatzi) has her hands full being a nanny to the cairn (Corky). lol They do everyhting together, share bones, nap, play, run around the yard chasing squirrels, etc.

[bubba]

I remembered another job of Coopers, and this is the funniest thing I have ever seen. The night before our daughters dog had her puppies this past spring, Cooper sat and licked the inside of Sadies ears for almost an hour....I don't know if it is the wax or what, but he kept at it and she let him. He has now taken this skill and applies it to Yoda the schnoodle who just sits there and lets him do it, sometimes for 15-20 minutes! Their ears are not dirty, I have no clue why he does this. The other dogs must think it feels good, because they just sit there and let him carry on.

Anyone elses dogs do this?

pat.

[MikeC]

Maybe a form of grooming or just showing a little love and affection?

MikeC

[kayharley]

I've seen Madison do that to Winnie's ears when all is quiet and they're getting ready for sleep. It's the cutest thing although in the back of my mind I was waiting for Maddy the terror to get Winnie all relaxed and then pounce on her.

[Brigette]

Yoda takes his job very seriously. Every night before he goes to bed, he goes out the doggie door and runs a path along the privacy fence occasionally stopping to bark. I think he is patroling and letting any would be intruders know that it is his yard and they are not welcome. We occasionally have to go outside and carry him in so that his late night bark warnings dont disturb our neighbors. Luckily we havent had any complaints yet.

[Guest webstar]

Molly's favorite job is to keep my lap warm. She is also official guest greeter, cat antagonizer and crumb butler. To let me know the mail man went by she takes me to the door and sits in the spot where she was taught to wait while i go out to get the mail. She looks from me to her treats when we have visitors to tell me lets show them my tricks. She dances, rolls over, walks on her hind legs, shakes hands and jumps through the circle I make with my arms. I had to laugh at all your cairns antics, they are clowns. Molly's Gram

[CairnCrazy]

Boris' job is to protect little Natasha! He is so funny...since we brought her home, he has taken it upon himself to keep a close eye on her. We have a Doberman, Schultz, who is 10 years old and cautious of the newest member of our family. Boris will put himself between Schultz and Natasha, growling at Schultz if he even looks at Natasha wrong! On the flip side, he will scold Natasha for teasing Schultz when he is taking one of his much needed naps (poor old man!). I'm wondering if this is common with Cairns...being so protective of each other?

[Marmielin]

My five month old female, Tink, has a very important job. She sits on my lap while I dry my hair and put on my make-up to ensure I get it all done properly. She will not let me do it without her in my lap. If she is in another part of the house and hears the dryer start, she come flying into the room and jumps on my lap. While she is there, she has also started drying my sink by licking up all the water! What a pleasure she is. I'm still waiting for the day that I can say she is completely housebroken, but until then I'll just say we love her anyway.

lb