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Jack Russell Terrier Owners?


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We have had our Jack Russell for about two years. She belonged to an older lady who just couldn't keep up with her. She is a real sweet-heart, but her energy and her barking drive me crazy. The first night she was at our home, my dh said he didn't think she slept at all!

 

Now she is pooped out at night, and that is when I love her best. We have had to learn to keep the doors closed because she will take off (and she's SO fast!). She gives no heed to the road, just nose to the ground and off she goes. Fortunately, we have a stone wall around our back yard, so she has a safe place to play. When we first got her, she dug holes all over our yard and would bring us moles for presents. I'm guessing she would easily have been able to dig under a regular wooden fence.

 

If I could change only one thing about her it would be the barking. And, from talking to other JR owners, they don't all bark. Maybe you will be lucky and get a non-barker? Also, we've never taken her to obedience lessons, but we should have. I would highly recommend it, especially if you are getting a puppy.

 

Most of all, make sure he/she has space to run and burn that energy. We just got ours a new harness called "Gentle Leader" which helps keep her from tugging and pulling on walks. The jury is still out, but I think it will make walking her much more pleasant.

 

Enjoy your little Energy Bundle. They are fun!

 

Jacklyn

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...But I'm really *really* jealous! I want a Jack Russell because I just think they're so adorable, but I'm not sure we'd be able to deal with a dog digging up the yard. In fact, I'm positive dh would rant and rave, and I would probably cry if the landscaping we've put in over the past couple of years was torn up. Sounds shallow to me, but this is the first nice yard we've ever had in our 20 years of marriage. Please enjoy your pup on my behalf! :p

~Julie~

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I was very concerned as we just did the same thing--landscaped our entire backyard. The dog was going to GO if she tore it up! Amazingly, she hasn't been digging (and we've had it for over 6 months). She did dig a couple times in the areas that are mulched, but she never hurt the plants or the sod. Since we have this wall, I'm guessing she has effectively eliminated our mole population and maybe that's why she doesn't dig anymore.

 

Right now we are out of town, and she is staying with friends. They took her to the dog park, and they sent us a picture of her: head buried in a hole she dug looking for moles! I guess that's a good way for her to get it out of her system.

 

Jacklyn ;)

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and a lot of retrieving games (where he runs and you don't have to! LOL.) This is a high energy dog, and he's got to have something to do or he'll turn distructive. Also this can be an aggressive dog. Don't tolerate the first sign of growling at humans, or he'll soon be running your household.

 

Have you watched the Dog Whisperer? This is a breed that requires human authority, more so than other breeds that you can be a little more casual with.

 

My parents have JRK, and they let her rule the roost, which is OK when it's just the three of them. But if anyone else comes near their property -- delivery person, grandchild, neighbor, cat, etc. -- the dog is a menace.

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Sometimes little children visiting are afraid of her because she bounces like a spring. She will jump right up in their faces, and even though she isn't big she has some claws. She could scratch you up pretty good, but not intentionally. Generally we try to tell children to ignore her and she'll ignore you. But if you run from her she'll think you're playing and want to run after you.

 

Otherwise, she is a real sweetheart. She has never hurt anyone--and she's around all kinds of people, big and small. She is not the Alpha dog, as they say. She certainly knows who is boss (me!). It would be nice if we could get another dog for her to have a companion and play-mate. As it is, the only other dog she has here is our 16-yr-old 8 lb mutt Trixie. Needless to say, SHE is the other boss around here (and doesn't take kindly to our JR's attempts at play).

 

I guess all breeds have their "menaces", but I think it is pretty safe to say that most JR's are of a sweet, albeit lively, temperament.

 

Jacklyn

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