TAMING YOUR TERRIER The Quick Guide to Dealing with Your Jack Russell Terrier Without Pulling Your Hair Out!
Jack Russell Terriers are a special breed, aren’t they? Most people have seen a Jack Russell or two on television, whether it’s Eddie from “Frasier”, or the dogs from the old RCA commercial. They project a combination of energy and intelligence unique among the dog breeds. I must confess, I am a bit partial, being a Jack Russell owner myself. I say, if you’re not partial to the dog you own, you’ve got no business having a dog! Just like every other breed, the Jack Russell Terrier has it’s own special set of needs and behaviors. I hope to address some of that here so that you, as a prospective or current Jack Russell owner, will better understand what makes this breed tick. Note: I haven’t undertaken to give an exhaustive account of the history of the breed, what a show specimen looks like, or how many calories the average Jack Russell burns before noon. If you’re looking for that, there are other resources at your local pet store that can help you out. I’ve also forgone things like “how to potty train your dog”, and the like. These are general questions you can get answers to anywhere. Again, check your local pet store, or look online. I’ve basically focused on a few areas that will help you with Jack Russell Terriers in particular. “Before you bring a Jack Russell Terrier home...” If you don’t yet have a JRT in your home, but you’re considering it (or your kids are begging for one), please keep something in mind before you make the move: there are many Jack Russell Terriers out there who have been abandoned to shelters because their owners didn’t understand what they were getting into beforehand. Take a second and read the previous sentence again. If having a dog in your home is some kind of impulse decision, a lark, or some kind of weird experiment, there are plenty of other breeds that you’d do much better to adopt/buy. Actually, any of the above reasons to have a dog are pretty poor, period. Please understand that JRTs are energetic, curious, people-centric little dogs that will keep you on your toes. If you’re not prepared to invest time in your dog on a consistent basis, then maybe a hamster is more your style. Or a cactus.
The Fox and the Hound
The Jack Russell breed was developed in England in the 19th century specifically for the purpose of hunting foxes, specifically to chase them out of their dens in the ground. The hunting instinct is bred into the JRT. Remember that. The ideal living situation at home would be to have a yard where your JRT could run around and play. If you have that, or if you live in the countryside somewhere, you’re in good shape. Now to the good part: Jack Russell Terriers love to dig. That’s right, all you grounds keepers out there. So if you have a yard, it’s a good idea not to be so attached to that perfectly manicured lawn. Here’s the thing: it’s the hunting instinct that drives JRTs to dig in the ground like they do. You may be able to train the behavior out of them to some extent, but your dog just may be a lot happier if you set apart a portion (perhaps fenced in) of your yard or property where he can go crazy and dig to his heart’s content. He’ll love you for it. Incidentally, you may find this behavior carry over to the inside of the house. He may try to dig at your carpet, pillows, etc. Nip it in the bud as soon as possible, and you won’t have any problems. This is where it helps to have a spot outside where your dog can do it. “Whaddaya mean, „I need a sense of humor‟?” If you’re going to own a Jack Russell, and live with one for fifteen or so years, you better come equipped with a sense of humor. That’s not a suggestion, it’s mandatory. Let it sink in well, because if you’re the type who hyperventilates over a shredded roll of toilet paper all over the living room floor, you’re going to have a very long fifteen years (no, that’s not a typo)! Even worse, your Jack Russell may end up in a shelter. We want to prevent that scenario if at all possible. It’s not the dog’s fault that that he was adopted by the wrong person. Do your homework first. There are going to be times when your dog gets so deliriously excited and happy, he’ll go absolutely bonkers. He’ll tear around the house faster than you can catch him. He may spin around in circles and bark incessantly. It may be when you first come home from work. It may be during Christmas with the family, when everyone’s tearing the wrapping paper from their gifts, throwing it in the air. Every JRT’s personality is a little different, and they each have their own unique triggers that will set them off. If you can, try to have fun with it. Isn’t that the whole point of having a family pet?
JRTs are curious, and a little mischievous, so they’re going to get into things from time to time no matter how much you train them. Show your dog a little grace and you’ll both be a lot happier. Another point comes to mind. Many JRTs tend to have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I don’t mean that literally, of course, but they tend to get really involved in whatever it is they’re doing. You’re JRT might develop a taste for a certain activity, such as crawling under the bed or licking himself. It doesn’t matter. But when he’s doing it, he’ll be in “the zone”. One track mind. It’s actually quite amusing. You just have to learn to roll with it. There’s nothing wrong with your dog, that’s just the way Jack Russells tend to be.
Exercise, exercise, exercise... You’d be hard-pressed to find a more energetic dog, so don’t skip over this point. Jack Russell Terriers have lots of energy, even when you don’t, so it’s vital that you allocate the time and space for them to burn it off. Which reminds me, if you live in a cramped city apartment or condo, and you don’t have any space nearby where you can let your JRT play, then another breed might be better suited for you. Rule #1 with Jack Russell Terriers is this: give them plenty of exercise! Exercise is a vital part of any healthy dog’s life, but even more so for the JRT. Everything that follows this point is contingent upon it. A word of caution: if your JRT doesn’t get enough proper exercise, he will act out. I promise. He will tear your pillows up. He will eat your dress shoes. He may even try to start a romantic relationship with that ceramic gnome you have sitting in the corner of the room (neutered or not). Please, don’t let this happen. Think of the children. Make sure you have the time to devote to providing your Jack Russell with a variety of activities. Because they tend to be rather intelligent breed, they can get bored easily. So mix it up, alright? How would you like to chase the same stupid tennis ball around the yard every day for the rest of your life? I rest my case. As mentioned earlier, if you can give your JRT a place where he can dig, or chase squirrels, or even eat grass, he’ll be a happy camper. Throw frisbee with him. He’ll love it. If you’re a walker or a jogger, you’ll always have a companion. Jacks love to go walking or jogging with you. You may find that he’ll be pulling you the whole way, but you can work on that! What about indoors? At most pet stores, home improvement stores, big box stores, or on the internet, you can purchase a little laser pointer device that you can point on the floor or the wall. Get one. Your dog will love to chase it as you move it all over the
place, always seemingly just out of reach. Just be careful not to point the thing directly in his eyes, or you run the risk of damaging their eyes. No matter how it sounds, dogs with detached retinas are not fun. At any rate, if you give your little dynamo enough exercise, you’ll find that you’ll get rid of any pent up energy. A lot of behavioral problems tend to stem from a lack of activity. Don’t let it happen to you!
The Carrot or the Stick? Ah, sweet discipline. It’s a stern sounding word, but necessary. Jack Russell Terriers are just like like any other dogs: they don’t train themselves. When someone’s able to breed that particular trait into a dog, I’ll be the first person in line to get one, with cash in hand. JRTs are loyal dogs that love people. They love being around people, plain and simple. As such, be careful as you train your dog not to step over the line when disciplining him. JRTs will not tolerate abuse. It sounds silly to say that, because what dog would, right? But Jack Russell Terriers can be particularly sensitive to how you correct them. Once you step over the line, your Jack Russell will lose all trust in you, becoming wary, even openly disobedient. Do you want a dog that doesn’t like you? It comes down to a choice between the carrot and the stick, as they say. Although there are times when you’ll have to give your dog the “stick”, that is, swatting him on the nose or the rump when he does something bad, it can be taken too far. Scientific studies in human and animal behavior all point to the same thing: behavior modification is accomplished quicker through rewarding good behavior rather than punishing the bad. JRTs will generally respond especially well to positive reinforcement. If he obeys a command or does something else good, pat him on the head or give him a treat. Do not do this every time he obeys, or he’ll come to expect it every time. When he’s a puppy, and you’re just beginning to train him, reward him frequently. As time goes on you can scale it back, giving him treats from time to time, but not in any sort of regular pattern. Trust me, it works. Don’t ever stop rewarding your dog altogether. You should always reward your dog for good behavior, no matter what his age. It could be as simple as a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ear. “Good boy!” Remember this: dogs are pack animals. In any pack, a pecking order will develop. The top dog is called the Alpha. He lays down the law first and foremost. Nothing goes on without his say-so. In your home, you must assert your dominance, or you will have problems. I’m talking about discipline before I talk about love and companionship, because your dog needs to know his place first and foremost. If you spend all your time
playing huggy-kissy with your pet, pretty soon he’s going to think he’s the dominant one, and has got you wrapped around his little paw. That’s not a fun place to operate from.
Companionship I’ve already mentioned that Jack Russell Terriers are “people dogs”. They love to be around their owners. I will reiterate that if you’re away from home all the time, JRTs are not the dogs for you. You may or may not have heard of the term “separation anxiety”. Any JRT owner knows what separation anxiety is. Your Jack Russell will get very anxious when you leave him home alone. This can be evidenced in a variety of behaviors: incessant howling or whining, pacing, chewing on whatever objects are available, involuntary shaking or shivering, etc. They may even lose control of their bladder or bowels, but that would be an extreme case, for sure. If you have to leave the house for an extended amount of time, you should consider putting your JRT in a crate, kennel, or in a dog-proof room. The last thing you want to come home to are drapes that are torn down from the window, or pillows that are ripped to shreds. Of course, the extent of separation anxiety will vary from dog to dog, so you’ll have to adjust your accommodations accordingly. Just so you know, many Jack Russell Terriers can become especially attached to one person. Like I mentioned before, don’t betray this trust. Once it’s breached, just like in human relationships, it’s pretty hard to get it back.
IMPORTANT RECAP None of the advice I’ve given here is revolutionary. They are ideas that have been around for a long time, and will be for a long time to come. It’s because they work. Make sure you follow these three main guidelines, in the following order of importance. A dog’s hierarchy of needs aren’t necessarily in the order you might think they are. They ARE wired just a little bit different than you and me, after all. 1. Make sure your JRT gets lots of exercise. Wear him out with healthy activity and he’ll be a lot less likely to cause you problems around the house. 2. Use proper discipline. Use the carrot to reinforce good behavior; the stick to deter bad behavior only when necessary. You’ll get better results if you use a lot more carrot than stick. 3. Be a good companion to your dog. Be around. Play with him. JRTs are dogs that need the presence of their masters to be happy. If you can’t give him that, get a cat. Or that cactus I mentioned earlier.
If you don’t have a Jack Russell yet, I hope this helps you in your decision. If you do, I wish you many happy years with your friend. They’re wonderful dogs, and I can’t imagine my life without mine. Here’s to our furry little friends!