eating ritual

Question
First of all they are siblings  and I was concerned about getting both but they keep each other company and play together great   no fighting   male and female fixed  who knows   it works   and the eating thing has got to mean something  but it doesnt really matter   they do eat   they are so cute   i used to have labradors   so this is a change
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Followup To
Question -
i have 2 cairn terriers that are 8 months old.  Before they eat they circle around the bowl with their noses pushing the bowl and also push down on the food with their noses.  Sometimes they don't even eat the food after this.  Also one will do it while the other watches.  Have you ever seen this behavior before?  Do you know anybody else I could ask in case you never saw this?   We are just curious why they do this.
Answer -
Lori -

First off, you are a brave woman to have 2 cairn pups at once - Kidding. If you love terriers, they're going to be the source of tons of laughs.

Yes, I have seen behavior like that, but from the rescue dogs I usually handle.  I always wrote it off as a goofy habit they had picked up along the way - Kind of like burying a bone.

If we were friends I would have suggested that the reason is "because they want to"...  LOL.

I don't think this is anything you're likely to break them of unless you use a bowl in a holder of some sort, but then they'll probably keep pushing the food around with their noses.

I assume they're eating enough despite this little quirk ?

-Beth
www.cairnrescue.com
www.esrescue.org

Answer
Lori -

Are you doing some basic manners-type training with them, even if it's on your own ?

Terriers can easily become terriorists (joke) if they are not trained to be respectful. They simply want to be in charge of everything, including the people.

It's not uncommon for rescues to get owner surrenders when the dogs are about 18 months old because the dogs are running the household.

I love the brains and sense of humor cairns have.  They are so incredible. ENJOY !

-Beth