Cairn Terrior (Terrorist!)

[ggoodwin]

We have a Cairn Terrior, Maggie, who was recently 1 year old. She is very very cute and totally self centered. She is treated wonderfully, but seems to not really care about us. We have two outside cats, and Maggie has totally bonded with them (we got her when she was only 6 weeks old.) My husband carried her everywhere with him for several months, but she seems to be totally "catlike" in her behaviors--independent, selfish, not at all loyal like other dogs we have had. There are several problems associated with Maggie--we should not have done so but bought her from a place that was NASTY and she was not in a great environment from birth to 6 weeks old. She was the only puppy to her mom, but the lady also raised Westies and had 2 litters of those. Anyway, we also live on a farm and although Maggie stays in the house at night, she is outside during the day and constantly runs and hunts--she kills rats, mice, birds, squirrels, etc. We also have heifers on our place and Maggie loves the cows and eats their poop all the time. Yuck! She is very smart but WILL NOT come, down, stay--nothing. Wonderfully, we did finally get her housebroken and she never has accidents in the house now. We do not have a controlled environment for her and we do not have a fence. Is there any way to get her to be obedient at least to come when we call her? Is she ever going to WANT to come to us? We love her and give her incredibly positive feedback to no avail. Oh yes, she will ONLY come when we call, "Here, kitty kitty!" And then, only if she wants to. Help!!!

I just recently purchased your book but have not had time to really read it yet. I will be retiring in June and will have more time then to devote to Maggie. Right now, if we could just get her to always come when called, it would be simply lifechanging. She will run from my husband but when he is in the tractor or on his bulldozer, she gets in the way and he is terrified he'll kill her, but when he gets off to get her, she runs. He is quite frustrated.

[Idan Kashi]

Read the book about the Alpha dog. It sure gonna' help you about this disobedient dog.

[LetsPlay]

Hi there,
I agree, the Alpha Dog Book will give you some insight on how to become the pack leader in your house.
For a balanced relationship with your dog you will need to be the pack leader.
Some people don't like being consistent and they like the fact that the dog is "free" and can do what he/she wants. However, you will find that your dog will actually be much happier and relaxed if you are the pack leader.
You are much better at taking care of your dog than your dog is at taking care of you.
Does Maggie have access to her toys all the time?
Has she got some kind of routine? For example a set time when she gets fed/walked?

To start with Maggie will need to learn that all the good things in her life only happen because of you (toys, being fed, play time). That way she will become much more interested in you.
Fed her out of your hand, one piece at a time, rather than out of bowl. Do that for a week and see if her behavior changes. Don't pat her when she asks for it, just pat her when you feel like it. Make her do something for you before you do anything for her. Make her sit before you feed her or pat her.

Hopefully you will have some time soon to read the Alpha Dog Book.
All the best and let us know how you get on.

[ggoodwin]

I will try your suggestions and see what happens!