While leaving the doggie park this morning Zen and I came face to face with a gentleman that had two beautiful golden (wheaten) Cairn Terriers and

a larger dog (because I was so stunned I can't remember the larger dogs breed). The reason I was so stunned was because Cairns are very, very rare here in the Las Vegas Valley and here Zen and I came face to face with two of them. That's the good news. The bad news is; as Zen who has never met a human or dog he doesn't love, approached ears back, tail down, in the "Hi, I'm harmless and would like to meet you mode" The two Cairns, on the leash, immecdiately went into the ATTACK mode. Showing teeth and lunging at the end of their leashes. Both Zen and I were totally

surprised at the action and retreated to a safe distance. Because Zen is the first and only Cairn we have ever been exposed to and he is so social, I guess I thought all Cairns were basically the same. Why do you think these two beautiful Cairns acted this way?

I'm certainly not an expert but it sounds like these 2 cairns were never properly socialized with other dogs. I sure hope they weren't going in the dog park as you were going out.

On our walks we have come across this a few times with other peoples dogs trying to go after our 2 cairns. Cooper is like Zen, a social butterfly and loves to meet everyone and every dog. Jezzy just kind of has the "If it's not a squirrel, cat, rabbit, I could care less" attitude.

Myself I don't think it was the Cairn's but the owner, how did the owner react? Bet if they were all off leash it would be a different story, of course I wouldn't take that chance either and did like you did and retreat. Skipper is like Zen on leash or off everybody is a friend.

Brody is not very friendly to other dogs when he is on leash. Whenever we meet other dogs, I always shorten the leash and tell the other owner not to let their dog approach. He gets along just fine with other dogs when he is off leash.

You know it is not so much that you are seeing bad dogs....we the handler of the leash are sending a signal (whether we know it or not) down the leash. Being as there is a rare occurance that you meet a "cairn", the other owner probably felt the same way...the want to meet yet the uncertanty of the out come. He had another breed...he should know how his dogs react and try to adapt as such.

As we have three and other do not...I would appreciate it when the others allow me to approach in the way I know mine will accept the other dog. Of course dogs get along better without the leash...they are able to act as dogs with no pre-idea of the dog they are meeting. I just love the saying.."they live in the moment."

It is always exciting that we meet others that agree with us that this breed is a lovely breed. With keeping our own emotions in check we (that is my pack) hope to meet all of you someday!!

Of course dogs get along better without the leash

Why is that?? I also noticed this with my Paco and when I am not sure of the outcome with another dog off leash, and when the cicumstances allow it I let him loose too.

Usually I do not let him meet other dogs on leash when he is on leash too. Would that be correct??