Pet Stress and Pet Behavior Problems

My friend Joan, her cairn terrier Rosco, and I took a hot and humid two hour walk this morning.

Rosco is always wonderfully enthusiastic about walks. Like other cairns, he is peppy, affectionate and curious. Many of the books about caring for cairns warn owners that they are active little dogs who need walks every day, because their need for exercise will not be satisfied by play alone, and inactivity will lead to stress-related behavior problems.

Rosco checks to see who has been around,

and marks everything (size is no obstacle), including the dry-docked boats along our route.

It rained heavily towards the end of our walk. Rosco would have been happy to stay out in the rain, but I had my camera so we headed to our favorite coffee place in town. He enjoyed resting near the doorway and greeting the morning coffee drinkers.

Cairns are great with children and easily become members of their human families. However, owners are often advised that cairns try to be the pack leader to all other dogs as well as humans, and need firm but gentle guidance to prevent them from becoming too dominant in their households. Personally, I love what big personalities they have in those small bodies!