Nakoa Cairn Terriers - Big Island Hawaii

We love to do things with our cairns, and they love it too. Cairns can do anything - tracking, obedience, rally, earthdog, and agility! The owners just need a good sense of humor and the right attitude. You never know which cairn will show up - one day he may get High In Trial (like Ozzie did!) - the next time around; he might leave the ring to inspect something before continuing the off-leash heel. This is a dog meant to think for himself and the cairn will always weigh other factors: extenuating circumstances like something better to do, or just grumpy today, or it's raining and quite ridiculous to lie down on wet grass. We have learned to use lots of motivation (food usually), praise, minimal corrections and minimize practice. It is of course important to make your dog do what you ask. Once a cairn does it correctly, don't continue; they will consider the thing dull. If you have some lackluster performances; give it a break and return to the activity some months later. It also works well to take turns practicing - with lots of rewards- with one cairn while the others watch and get jealous.
Lisa uses "air cookies" to good effect to help Hallie negotiate the offset figure 8 in Rally Advanced. (There are enticing treats in the silver bowls). Members of the Hilo Obedience Training Club, Novice Competition Class. Margaret Blackmer is our instructor. Mackie and Paul wait for their ring time in Novice A. Paul did a great job with Mackie. This was the Kona Coast show, where Mackie, formerly known for his noisy behavior in the terrier group ring, was the star in the infamous "schipperke sniffs the cairn during the long sit" story... Ozzie's smile says it all - cairns love to show off! Ozzie begain training at age 8 1/2, qualified for his Companion Dog title at age 10, and received High In Trial at the HOTC Dec 2007 with 195 in Novice B, at nearly 11. You can teach an old dog new tricks! Mackie doing a "heel slow" in nice position. Mackie started doing obedience after a wonderful show career. The "sparring terrier" proved he could be a "very good boy!" Tia, Halle and Molly get 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Rally Advance A. They have all completed their Rally Advance Titles. Yes, that's off-leash folks! Our cairns love Rally as they can be told what wonderful dogs they are during the performance.
Getting Down and Dirty - What a Terrier does Best!
Agility - no problem for the cairn - the owner????

Getting Down and Dirty - What a Terrier does Best!

Agility - no problem for the cairn - the owner????