"Why doesn't your dog do that?"

[Lisad]

My dh and I were at my in-laws the other day. My 80 year old mother-in-law (God bless her heart), loves my little dog but gets very frustrated because he is sooo independent. She mentioned that she saw a beautiful black dog (a lab) jogging with a man the other morning. She said the dog wasn't even on a leash and he stayed right by the man's side. She said that "the dog was so well behaved!" Then my 80 year old father-in-law asked, "Lisa, do you think your dog will ever listen to a command?" I honestly started to laugh because I think Harry is doing so well in obedience. It's too funny. Unless you've ever had a terrier...you can never really fully appreciate them. I just said, "Oh probably not Dad." They don't mean any disrespect, they just don't understand that dog breeds have different temperaments.

Thought I would share....

[sj4iy]

We had some friends of ours over for a cookout a couple of weeks ago, and they are newly married and thinking of getting a dog (well, she does; he's not too keen on the idea). He has met our dog before, but it was the first time she met him. We also had another couple over, who also have a cairn terrier- well, we started telling the newlywed all about our dogs, and she got to meet mine first hand (loud, barking and running all over the place ^_~).

The next day, my husband came home and said that they decided something very certain about getting a dog- that they would NOT get a dog like ours ^^ I actually find this funny- but I just said "Well, I'm glad they know what terriers are like beforehand, rather than get one because it's cute and then realize later that's not what they wanted."

[Hagar]

Renny and I have been going to obedience classes for the last seven weeks. The class consists of approximately 20 dogs of all sizes and quite a few different breeds. The first week's lesson was "Heel" and "Sit". I worked with Renny faithfully twice a day the following week.

When we arrived for the next class, we were waiting outside the building for the time to go in. I had Renny on a grassy area near the door to give him a chance to pee before we went in. Another couple was also waiting nearby with a minature Schnauser who wasn't cooperating at all. Renny was sitting by my left side like he was supposed to. The lady with the other dog looked at Renny in amazement and said "Gee, your dog ACTUALLY does that?". Of course I was a rather proud "Papa" after that, but being a Cairn, Renny made sure it didn't go to my head. by being a pure Terrier in class that night.

Hagar.

[mrskti]

I just got home from the Vet with the girls....I deserve the sucker for that trip!!! Anyhow, they were doing pretty good with sitting there while a cat was across from us....but when a guy came in with a shiztsu or whatever...they went nuts. God, talk about embarrassing. I got them to stop and sit still, but then the little shizt....su started in and got them going again. I was so ticked, I just wanted to get the heck out of there. Dori and her glass breaking bark....grrrrrr!!!!!

Yes, terriers are NOT for the weak!!!! LOL And I have the battle scars on my arm from Dori during her nail clipping to prove it!.....I want a sucker and i want it now!!!!

[Eliz222]

Here ya go.....vet visit can be really hard!!!

My inlaws are not crazy about our dogs either. They usually make fun of them. They have had hunting dogs for years. One year we bought Scout a little stuffed duck and showed my inlaws how Scout could hunt....she knows how to retrieve ducks! Well, they were not thrilled...but we thought it was funny!

[Scully'sMom]

You mean I'm NOT the only Cairn mom who gets embarassed by my holy terror, ummm...terrier?? Scully doesn't mind going to the vet's at all but WHY does she have to be the only one causing a ruckus. I want to put a bag over my head!

My mom, who is 83, keeps saying to me "Why can't Scully be like Ginger (my first Cairn). She's totally different from her." At first it hurt my feelings but after I got into the group here and saw that Scully is probably the normal terrier, I didn't feel so bad.

[kayharley]

If I have to bring Elliott and Madison to the vet at the same time (a discount applies if I bring multilple pets), I have decided to wear a paper bag over my face so know one knows I am the owner of the two "terrors"! That was decided after our last visit.

[mrskti]

Here ya go.....vet visit can be really hard!!!

Ahhhhhh, I'm happy now!!! Thanks Shoe!!!!

[brin145]

My neice just got a Lab puppy for her birthday. When they took the puppy, Honey, over to my parent's house, my tactless mom says, "This puppy is soooo lazy. It doesn't jump around and play like Gus and Crunch." I thought that was humorous. I had to chime in that all dogs are different and BOY ARE THEY. I get to dogsit this weekend. Hope mine behave.

[tena]

My experiences before Sophie were mixed breeds (typically spaniels) and foster care of a belgium malinois and a yellow lab. Sophie is so different it is hard to describe. Such a curious, bossy little thing, investigating everything. She does not mind as well as the lab, is less potentially aggressive than the malinois, and not as clingy as the spaniel mixes.

She is such a happy dog.

[toomanypaws]

I think it takes a selective group of people to appreciate the joy a Cairn brings to one's life. When my family visit, they all make such a fuss over my Lab and totally ignore my Cairns. How can anyone ignore that precious animated face when the ears go down and their eyes pierce through your heart while they wait to be noticed? I love my Lab and always will own one. I enjoy how he loves to please me, but a Cairn has shown me it's not just about me being pleased, but it's about me being pleased by seeing THEM pleased. Life should be enjoyed, and a Cairn certainly knows how to make the most of every moment.

[Tracy A.]

When I have to take the boys to the Vet- it's total Havoc And Mayhem..

The only plus side is that the office manager, and my Vet owned Cairn's- So they normally take pitty on me and get me into a room quickly. Mett & Bratt have a corrupting factor about them.... they can get even the most well behaved Lab to start barking and want to play

[Anna_525]

Heh. From my husband's aunt, not only do I get the "why doesn't your dog do that" but also the "nooo, you're wrooong, every dog can be trained to walk off leash, just try". This is when I just stare back at her and keep quiet

Alfie was actually good at our last visit to vet, even if we were surrounded by cats and other dogs....UNTIL he saw a hole on the ceiling and started barking at it :ninja: (is there a bag over the head smilie?)

[ckthomas00]

I can relate all too well!

Bruski is about 9 months old and we are in our 8th week of obediance training. During the first 2 classes he was barking and causing a ruckus while everyone else's dogs just sat there and stared at us like we were crazy.

HOWEVER, now Bruski is one of the best-behaved dogs in the class - he even won over the instructor, who wasn't too sure about terriers (he's a Rottweiler-lover).

In 2 weeks, Bruski will be taking his CGC - Canine Good Citizen - test!!!