The Cairn Terrier is a big dog in a tiny package. The Cairn Terrier can be virtually tireless. They were originally bred to hunt rodents and foxes.
Cairn Terriers can run all day and keep coming back for more. They are highly intelligent and great problem solvers. There is no fooling a Cairn Terrier. They are spirited and fearless. Being a terrier they can be independent with a mind of their own. They aren’t above causing mischief if they are bored.
How much exercise does a Cairn Terrier need
So, how much exercise does a Cairn Terrier need? The Cairn Terrier needs a lot of exercise and activity, both physical and mental. They require up to 1 hour of exercise a day, but will never say no to more.
Without the opportunity to release all that pent up energy and to challenge their minds they can develop behavior problems. This can include barking, digging, destructive behavior, and escaping to explore on their own. In some cases, frustration can lead to aggressive behavior but this is rare.
There are three main types of exercise and activity you must provide your Cairn Terrier every day.
- 1. Daily walk
- 2. High-intensity short bursts
- 3. Mental stimulation
Providing the right type of toys for your Cairn Terrier is also a great way to burn energy, provide mental stimulation and challenge, and to keep them occupied. For recommendations of the best type of toys for Westies see here. Although this guide relates to toys for Westies, they are the same type of toys that would relate to a Cairn Terrier
These exercise suggestions are for a healthy adult Cairn Terrier. The exercise needs off a puppy are different as their bodies and growing and developing. See the bottom of this article for more on Cairn Terrier puppy exercise.
Cairn Terriers have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years but often live past this age. Exercise is still important for an older Cairn Terrier to maintain their muscles and mobility, and to manage weight. See the bottom of this article for more on exercise for a senior Cairn Terrier.
Cairn Terrier daily walking requirements
The daily walk is essential for a Cairn Terrier not only to release some pent-up energy. The walk allows your Cairn to stimulate the mind with the sights, sounds and smells they come across.
The length of the walk is only limited by your time and energy as a Cairn Terrier can go all day long. Ideally, the minimum should be 30 to 60 minutes daily. This can be just once a day, or two walks a day would be better if your schedule allows.
Dogs also like routine, so try to schedule the walk for around the same time each day. Daily walks are much better than nothing all week and a big walk at the weekend.
If your Cairn Terrier has good recall and comes on command, walks at the park off the leash are ideal. Alternatively, you can use a retractable leash or long line to allow them more freedom while maintaining control.
Cairn Terrier exercise ideas
The Cairn Terrier is fast and can turn on a dime. Ideally, you need to find activities that can burn energy in a short period of time and use these skills.
Here are some suggested activities and exercise ideas to help tire your Cairn Terrier.
Flirt Pole
A Flirt pole is like a giant cat tickler for dogs. It has a long handle with a bungy type rope with a lure or toy attached to the end. You simply move the lure along the ground around in circles or in different directions as your dog chases it. This activity is ideal for a Cairn Terrier as it works directly with their natural prey instinct being a ratting breed. Be sure they have a good “leave it” command and don’t allow them to destroy the toy. It is important that this be a controlled exercise. For a full guide to flirt pole exercise for dogs see here.
View Flirt Poles on Amazon
Fetch
Playing Fetch with your Cairn Terrier is another fantastic way to burn pent-up energy. Cairn Terriers are generally ball or toy crazy can play this for hundreds of throws. A great alternative is to use an Automatic Ball Launcher so your dog can play Fetch by themselves. As the Cairn Terrier is smart and is highly trainable as long as you focus their attention they learn to use this quickly. For more information check out “Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs”
Frisbee Toss
Most dogs can chase and catch a ball. But a Frisbee requires a little bit more skill, coordination, and timing. Cairn Terriers look spectacular playing this. Roll the Frisbee on the ground towards your dog. They will instinctually want to grab it in his mouth. Once you’ve accomplished this, try tossing it at a very low level first to your dog. If you feel like your dog is ready to go to the next level, toss the disc a little higher and further. Great energy burner and you may be amazed at your dog’s agility and acrobatic skill.
Backyard agility
Set up an agility or obstacle course in your backyard. You can use items you have around the home, build your own agility or you can get reasonably priced agility sets on Amazon.
You can include tasks such as the weave, hurdle jumps, tunnels or jumping through hoops or a platform to jump on and stay.
Check out our list of the best agility training equipment currently available on the market.
Stair Exercise
A good energy burner if you have stairs in your home. Start at the bottom of the stairs and have your dog “stay”. Throw the ball to the top of the stairs and then say, “Go!” Let your dog dash up the stairs as fast as they can. Have them return down the stairs at a slower pace to avoid injury.
For more on stair exercise for dogs see here.
Running, biking or skating with your dog
The faster your dog is moving the more energy they will release. Try running, biking or skating with your dog to really get them moving. Just be sure to build up distance and intensity of the activity over time to prevent causing injury to your dog. Read “Running with your dog” for more on this.
Tug of War
A firm favorite of all terriers. Make them crouch and pull back to use extra energy. Ensure that this is a controlled game and they release when you want them to.
Dog toys that move on their own
There are many dog toys available that shake, rattle, roll and move about on their own. These are ideal for a Cairn Terrier as they cater directly to their chase and natural prey instincts being ratting dogs. See “Dog toys that move on their own” to learn more.
Self Playing Dog Toys
There are a variety of dog toys that your dog can use to play by themselves. These are great for times when your dog is home alone, you don’t have the time or you are otherwise occupied. This way your dog can still get some physical activity and mental stimulation without your direct involvement. See “Self Playing Dog Toys” for some ideas.
Digging exercise
These little terriers love to dig. Provide an area or digging box for them so they can dig to their heart’s content. You can get a sandbox and fill it with sand and hide their toys or a bone in it for them to find. Just be aware that if the weather is warm the sand may get hot. You can wet it down with the hose if it is.
Alternatively, get them an iDig. This is the first dog toy that has been specially designed to cater to your dog’s natural digging instinct. You simply hide their favorite toy or treats in the flaps and let them dig away to uncover the hidden treasure.
Not only will the action of digging help burn off pent-up energy, but the mental challenge of working out how to get to the goodies will help to tire them also.
Check out the video to see how this works or view the iDig Go on Amazon.
For more ideas on how to provide for your Cairn Terriers digging instinct read “Dog toys for diggers“.
Play with other dogs
Provide the opportunity for your Cairn Terrier to play with other dogs. This is not only great to burn energy and stimulate their mind, but teaches them important social skills.
Dog Sports
Consider involving your Cairn Terrier in dog sports. You can participate in serious competition or just enter for fun. Apart from the obvious sport of agility, there are many other dog sport some of which are ideal for terriers. This includes Terrier racing and Earth dog sports where competitors go through tunnels to locate rats. The Rats are safe inside cages so the dogs can’t get to them. For more ideas see “Dog sports you may not have heard of“.
There are countless more activities you can do with your Cairn Terrier to burn pent-up energy quickly. For more ideas, check out “How to tire a hyper high energy dog” and “Tire a high energy dog quickly“. You may also like “50 Boredom Busters and games for dogs”
Mental stimulation for Cairn Terriers
Terriers, in fact, all dogs need an outlet for their minds. If they are not provided the opportunity to challenge their minds they will come up with their own ways to achieve this.
This usually manifests itself in bad behavior such as excessive barking, digging, escaping, and other destructive behaviors. Read “Mental stimulation and mind enrichment for dogs” to learn about the 6 types or categories of mind stimulation a mental enrichment and some great ideas to provide this.
Some ways to provide mental stimulation and enrichment include;
Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are ideal for dogs like the Cairn Terrier to challenge their minds and test their problem-solving skills. Due to their high intelligence, try to find puzzle toys that are a bit more challenging as they tend to work these out quite quickly. Check out “Top puzzle toys for dogs” for my top picks.
In addition to puzzle toys, Kongs for dogs are another great way to get your Cairn Terrier to solve a problem and challenge the mind. Read “How to use a Kong for dogs“.
Scenting and nose games
Cairn Terriers have a keen nose. Playing scenting and nose games helps to provide mental stimulation. Read “12 Scenting and nose games for dogs” for some ideas.
Chew Toys
Provide your Cairn Terrier with good strong chew toys. Chewing is a great way to occupy them. In addition, chewing releases endorphins and helps to relax a dog. Many dogs hold stress in the jaw.
Read “Best dog chew toys” to learn more.
Learning
Teaching new commands and tricks is also excellent to provide mental enrichment. A popular game that involves learning is to teach them the names of their toys. Dogs can learn hundreds of words and names.
Food enrichment
Turn mealtimes into an opportunity for your Cairn Terrier to get a mental challenge and enrichment. Instead of feeding them from a bowl, give them activities that require them to work for their food. To learn more about feeding enrichment for dogs see here.
Enrich their environment
Environmental enrichment is the process of making a dog’s living space more engaging and interesting. To learn more about environmental enrichment for dogs see here.
Over exercised dog symptoms
Cairn Terriers can go hard and keep going, often not knowing when to stop. With any dog, it is possible to over-exercise them. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a dog that has overdone it. Read “Overexercised dog symptoms” to learn more.
How to exercise a Cairn Terrier puppy
The exercise suggestions above relate to a healthy adult Cairn Terrier. The exercise needs of a puppy are quite different. With puppies, their bones, muscle, and joints are still growing and developing.
Overly strenuous walks are not necessary and in fact, could possibly cause harm. An activity that is high impact on the joints should also be avoided.
The best exercise for a young puppy is free play with age-appropriate toys. Socializing with other puppies or friendly adult dogs is a great way to burn some of that puppy energy along with teaching them the social skills they need.
As your Cairn Terrier puppy gets older you can take them for short informal walks allowing them to sniff and explore and get used to being on a leash. Puppies under three months probably haven’t had all their vaccinations so shouldn’t be walked in public. Check with your vet when it is alright to venture out to the park or street.
The general rule of thumb for walking a puppy is around 5 minutes for every month of age. So, for example for a 4-month-old puppy, a walk of 15 minutes to 20 minutes is enough. Monitor your Cairn Terrier puppy on the walk for signs such as lagging behind, lying down, or panting. End the walk if they seem too tired.
Mental stimulation is important for puppies and can tire them just as much as physical activity. For more on mental stimulation for puppies see here.
For more on exercise for your Cairn Terrier puppy read “How to exercise a puppy”
How much exercise does an older Cairn Terrier need?
As a dog gets older they become less active and have lower energy levels. However, it is still important that they remain reasonably active to keep their joints and muscles mobile and to manage their weight. Read ” Dog exercise for a senior dog” to learn more.
Many dogs develop arthritis as they age. Exercise for them becomes a balancing act. It is important to keep their joints mobile and manage weight, but too much can make them sore. Read “How to exercise an arthritic dog” to learn more.
In conclusion – Cairn Terrier exercise requirements
The Cairn Terrier is high energy and a highly intelligent breed. It is crucial to provide adequate physical and mental exercise and activity to release pent-up energy and prevent boredom.
They require an hour of exercise and activity daily but wouldn’t say no to more. This should include one or two daily walks, other energy burning play, and plenty of mental stimulation.
The cost of not doing so can be an unhappy and frustrated little terrier. This can lead to behavior issues such as barking, digging, escaping, and destructive behavior.
Let us know in the comments how your exercise your Cairn Terrier.
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