When one looks at a Cairn Terrier, they see an adorable dog with soft eyes, small in stature and huge in personality. This leads a lot of potential pet owners to believe that this little breed would be a lovely house pet. In many circumstances, those people would be right. However, as anyone who as already owned a Cairn Terrier knows, they do not make very good lap dogs and one should not expect them to be a calm companion. Cairns were originally bred as hunting companions and ratters and because of this, they have extremely high energy levels! Their cute appearance and docility in puppyhood can often be misleading and lead to the purchase or adoption of a pet that the new owner cannot handle.

If you are looking into adopting or purchasing a Cairn Terrier puppy, or if you already have, it is imperative that you enroll your new dog in an obedience training course. Cairn terriers are a high-energy, hyperactive, reactionary breed. Having been bred to flush out vermin or game, they are easily excited by other animals, especially when they can potentially be considered prey. An untrained Cairn Terrier will live true to its instincts, barking at and chasing any creature that runs in its sightlines, or even any piece of garbage blowing in the wind. Obedience training courses, besides helping you learn how to handle your excessively active Cairn Terrier, can provide valuable and much-needed socialization with people and other dogs.

Cairn Terriers are notoriously stubborn, as well as extremely intelligent. This can lead to a very complicated relationship if proper training is not pursued! Your Cairn Terrier will do anything it can to get what he or she wants, and may sometimes misbehave just for the sake of trying to get away with it. This is not necessarily meant to challenge you; as an intelligent and excitable breed, the Cairn Terrier constantly needs new forms of stimulation and activity.

Engaging in frequent physical activity with your Cairn, besides the typical obedience and trick training sessions that are mandatory for this (and any) bred, is a good step towards keeping him or her happy and healthy - and keeping you sane! A tired Cairn Terrier is a well-behaved Cairn Terrier. An exhausting game of Fetch or tag in the back yard can work wonders for keeping your little dog calmer inside the house. If you play outside regularly enough, your Cairn will eventually learn that outdoors equals playtime, and indoors means quiet time.

When playing in the yard, you may notice that your Cairn wants to dig or climb or try any possible route to escape! This is not because they are unhappy, it is simply within their instincts. These little terriers are phenomenal diggers and escape artists. It is important to put obstacles to their escape in place wherever you think it is possible. Cement at the bottom of fences is often necessary for this breed so that they do not dig out and escape, but above all, you should never, ever leave your Cairn Terrier unattended outdoors. They are clever little dogs and will find a way to get out - and may never find their way back!

Choosing a leash for your Cairn is another important decision in owning one of these terriers. Though they are scrappy little dogs and seem like they could withstand the impact of a cannonball, they can actually be quite fragile. Choke collars are a general no-no for this breed; they will often forget they are on a leash and charge anything they might want to chase. Small dogs like the Cairn Terrier have fragile throats, and too much force from a collar could lead to a tracheal collapse. Of course, the best way to curb this behavior is with extensive leash training. Teaching your Cairn Terrier to follow commands while on a lead is imperative to a happy walking environment.

Cairns can make wonderful pets, but these dogs are not intended for the inactive lifestyle! If you love to run and play and have plenty of time and patience for your new dog, a Cairn Terrier could be the perfect pet for you.