| When one looks at a Cairn Terrier, they see an | | | | sessions that are mandatory for this (and any) bred, |
| adorable dog with soft eyes, small in stature and | | | | is a good step towards keeping him or her happy |
| huge in personality. This leads a lot of potential pet | | | | and healthy - and keeping you sane! A tired Cairn |
| owners to believe that this little breed would be a | | | | Terrier is a well-behaved Cairn Terrier. An exhausting |
| lovely house pet. In many circumstances, those | | | | game of Fetch or tag in the back yard can work |
| people would be right. However, as anyone who as | | | | wonders for keeping your little dog calmer inside the |
| already owned a Cairn Terrier knows, they do not | | | | house. If you play outside regularly enough, your |
| make very good lap dogs and one should not expect | | | | Cairn will eventually learn that outdoors equals |
| them to be a calm companion. Cairns were originally | | | | playtime, and indoors means quiet time. |
| bred as hunting companions and ratters and because | | | | When playing in the yard, you may notice that your |
| of this, they have extremely high energy levels! Their | | | | Cairn wants to dig or climb or try any possible route |
| cute appearance and docility in puppyhood can often | | | | to escape! This is not because they are unhappy, it is |
| be misleading and lead to the purchase or adoption of | | | | simply within their instincts. These little terriers are |
| a pet that the new owner cannot handle. | | | | phenomenal diggers and escape artists. It is important |
| If you are looking into adopting or purchasing a Cairn | | | | to put obstacles to their escape in place wherever |
| Terrier puppy, or if you already have, it is imperative | | | | you think it is possible. Cement at the bottom of |
| that you enroll your new dog in an obedience training | | | | fences is often necessary for this breed so that they |
| course. Cairn terriers are a high-energy, hyperactive, | | | | do not dig out and escape, but above all, you should |
| reactionary breed. Having been bred to flush out | | | | never, ever leave your Cairn Terrier unattended |
| vermin or game, they are easily excited by other | | | | outdoors. They are clever little dogs and will find a |
| animals, especially when they can potentially be | | | | way to get out - and may never find their way back! |
| considered prey. An untrained Cairn Terrier will live | | | | Choosing a leash for your Cairn is another important |
| true to its instincts, barking at and chasing any | | | | decision in owning one of these terriers. Though they |
| creature that runs in its sightlines, or even any piece | | | | are scrappy little dogs and seem like they could |
| of garbage blowing in the wind. Obedience training | | | | withstand the impact of a cannonball, they can |
| courses, besides helping you learn how to handle | | | | actually be quite fragile. Choke collars are a general |
| your excessively active Cairn Terrier, can provide | | | | no-no for this breed; they will often forget they are |
| valuable and much-needed socialization with people | | | | on a leash and charge anything they might want to |
| and other dogs. | | | | chase. Small dogs like the Cairn Terrier have fragile |
| Cairn Terriers are notoriously stubborn, as well as | | | | throats, and too much force from a collar could lead |
| extremely intelligent. This can lead to a very | | | | to a tracheal collapse. Of course, the best way to |
| complicated relationship if proper training is not | | | | curb this behavior is with extensive leash training. |
| pursued! Your Cairn Terrier will do anything it can to | | | | Teaching your Cairn Terrier to follow commands |
| get what he or she wants, and may sometimes | | | | while on a lead is imperative to a happy walking |
| misbehave just for the sake of trying to get away | | | | environment. |
| with it. This is not necessarily meant to challenge you; | | | | Cairns can make wonderful pets, but these dogs are |
| as an intelligent and excitable breed, the Cairn Terrier | | | | not intended for the inactive lifestyle! If you love to |
| constantly needs new forms of stimulation and | | | | run and play and have plenty of time and patience |
| activity. | | | | for your new dog, a Cairn Terrier could be the |
| Engaging in frequent physical activity with your Cairn, | | | | perfect pet for you. |
| besides the typical obedience and trick training | | | | |