11 replies to this topic

[Pingber]

So here's another one ... (we've never had a pup quite like this one!) ... Every so often, but especially when trying to get her to walk on a lead, also sometimes when walking in our hallway, she will latch onto the bottom of a pant leg, start growling and kind of get dragged along until we stop the behavior with a loud NO! and a hand held open against her snout... then she will back off. I'm assuming this is some sort of predator/prey behavior???

Phil

[jo_]

Jagger used to do this quite a bit as a pup and it was 100% to get my attention and to instigate playtime. Outside was the worst - I could not walk across the grass without her grabbing on to my pants or biting at my shoe. I was forever putting her on her side with a firm no. I'd often have to have her pinned for a couple of minutes before she'd give in with a big sigh. And, sometimes, once released she'd try again. And again, I'd have to pin her. After months of persisting she's finally learned. She does it on occasion now, but very rarely. If she latches on, a firm no is enough to make her release. I can't remember the last time I had to pin her.

Good luck!

[bradl]

It's play. Small pups will attack and attach to each other or older dogs in a similar way. Haggis used to walk around with Stella or Dundee hanging off his ruff. We do have to teach puppies how humans play, which is "no teeth" "no bite" and so on.

[Tuesday]

Pingber, on 15 December 2011 - 08:26 AM, said:

(we've never had a pup quite like this one!)

Welcome to Cairn ownership! It's a phase they ALL go through. I have the shredded pants to prove I survived!

[claymike]

Yes they do have stages, Mischa is 5 weeks older then Rudy and you can pretty much see whats coming next.

[Lynn in TN]

I have 3 pairs of pajama pants and each pair has a whole in the leg, thanks to my little darling Kelly. She has almost quit biting at my pants legs but still once in a while she does.

[lindasue]

Like Jagger, Pegi also did this all the time as a pup. She's 2 now and still does it once in a while (like yesterday) to get my attention. If my work phone (I work at home) rings at night and I have to make a dash for it it's guaranteed she'll intercept me on the way and grab my pants, slippers, foot - whatever she can - to slow me down. It's just a cairn thing.

[pindrop]

Oh heck yes - I remember that so well. I too have pajamas with holes in them from our little sweetheart (grrrr....) I've never had another dog quite like this one and I have to admit they are in a league all their own. Layla is 15 months now and still on occasion will try to grab my pant leg. However, it's pretty hard to grab when their leash is so short and your arm held out that they can't reach that part of your anatomy - and that is what I used to do outside. Inside is another story - I just would stop walking, stand still and that was no fun for them. It's really just a stage and they will outgrow this too. Pretty soon all this will be a hazy memory and you will sometimes wish you had that little baby back with all their little quirks. Each part of life is a stage and you just have to keep hopping from one to another. I do promise you that it will get better - with time. Hang in there - rewards will come.

[Hawkeye]

Isn't it amazing? You think you terror is doing things that are so outrageous only to find out that she is totally normal and we have all experienced the same hurdles. Radar thought it was a game when someone was putting their pants on and felt the need to grab the leg and pull at it. Has Maggie Mae got to the socks and underwear yet? We were finding those all over the house. I learned to pickup everything off the floor.

[chips]

Buddy does this as well, espically outside when he wants to play

[Ivysmom]

Ivy does it too-I am afraid I am going to kick her accidently. She loves to come up behind me and do it when she is trying to get me to play with her..So funny....

[cairnrescueleague]

"I just would stop walking, stand still and that was no fun for them."

Pindrop hit the nail on the head. Just as effective as pinning them. This also works for puppy nipping/biting. Just freeze, and there's no movement to stimulate their impulse to bite.