Cairn Terrier Problem on Walks

Hi there,

I've got a 2 year old Cairn Terrier who has recently developed a problematic behaviour when we're out walking, and I wonder if anyone can help me figure out a solution that doesn't involve keeping him on a lead.

Basically he generally walks beautifully, he's extremely well socialised, but whenever he's off the lead, he's recently developed a habit of rushing up to any people we may meet and jumping all over them. We generally have a good recall, but once he sees his 'target,' he's gone and my frantic calls fall on totally deaf ears!

It's more of a problem in this bad weather as he's inevitably covered in mud, and I've spent the last 2 weeks apologising to complete strangers for him covering their clothes in thigh high paw prints.

I get the feeling it's more of a dominance thing than a friendly greeting, and it's possibly because he's so little and cute no-one ever tells him off (in Summer time!) so he's under the impression that everyone will fuss and play with him.

I don't know how to handle it. I'm reluctant to keep him on a lead at all times, but we can't walk in total isolation. I know that I'm going to get in trouble with him one day though as people are understandably annoyed when he launches himself at them.

I'd be so grateful for any advice.

Many thanks in advance,

Em.x

Hi, when this happened to me with one of my boys, I immediately reverted back to a flexi, until he realised, and rewarded the desired behaviour. I admit it took a few walks to correct this but it came right in the end - Good Luck

Thanks TB, the little blighter is driving me to distraction.

It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't take off from approx 3 feet away from whoever he's greeting. He slams into them, all four paws at knee/thigh height, then he dances round them scratching at ladies tights, scrabbling at men's work trousers etc etc.

A friend called me on my mobile whilst I was in the woods today - all she could hear for the first few minutes was me screeching 'Archie Come, Archie Come.... I'm SO sorry about that, did he hurt you?!!!' etc etc... Our walks are becoming a bit fraught to be honest.

I think I may have to put him on a lead. Last week he jumped into a swamp, and then promptly slammed into a smartly dressed couple who were cutting through the woods to the pub on their lunch break. Needless to say, they were less than impressed, and I can't blame them!

It's the odd person we meet who's in their scruffs/waterproofs who make a fuss of him who're inadvertently making the problem worse I'm afraid. For every 10 people we meet, if 9 people turn away, but even just one person pets him, I suppose it's worth it to Archie. I have to say I'd be the same though and inclined to fuss a cute little dog who bounced up to me.

It's so frustrating as this behaviour is new and has come out of nowhere. If I could pinpoint a change in circumstance I'd be so much happier, but nothing's changed...

Maybe I will have to flexi him for a while and see how we get on.

Thanks again TB.

Em.x

Hi me again, your reply put a smile on my face because my boy "Archie" was the one I had a few off-lead incidents with. Must be in the name joking aside do you walk with others or see regular people on your walks that you may be able to expalin the situation and role play with them ?

Get them to stand ahead, keep him on a short lead and stop and chat keeping a distance ( a few paces ) each and every time he attempts to jump up at them tell him ( whatever command you choose ) and carry on chatting and each and every time he does this repeat the command. If no response then walk away and try again - it will come ( I think you said he was 2 years ) he is at that age where he will test the limits so to speak ) a little like teenager's

Good luck let us know how you get on

Hi DogBond he sounds a lovely friendly little dog and I would not want to discourage that, this is what I would do ...

I would start at home with yourself and everyone else who comes to the house and be consistent in this , don't encourage him to jump up. Before stroking/feeding/playing with him ask your little dog to sit then give lots of praise (and the occasional tip bit) . If he jumps up at people when they arrive at your house put him on the lead and ask him to sit before being spoken to.
If you can practice this at home/ in the garden with friends it will all help.

Now to walks, I would take some high value tip bits with you and as Trixybird says I would go back to the lead in situations where there are people are around. As they approach ask your little dog to sit and give him a tip bit and lots of praise , if people indicate they are happy to speak to him make sure he is sitting first (you can explain you are training him) . It may take a time, don't expect overnight success but your little dog should learn to sit before getting attention.