psychotic jack russel?

Question

I know they are high strung but "Buddy" is off the hook. anytime someone enters the house he yelps and barks and whines so LOUDLY it is impossible to talk over him. NOTHING works. Ignoring doesnt work. Giving him extra attention makes him worse. Discipline is meaningless to him. Rewarding good behavior is impossible because as soon as you start giving him attention he goes off the hook again. HELP

Answer 1

To Veterinarians and their staff they are known as Jack Russel Terrorists. They are just like that. You have to be very firm. He will constantly test you and try to get away with anything he can. He is very smart and stubborn, they (Jack Rusells) turn everything into a battle of wills.
Get him neutered if you haven't. Get to obedience classes if you haven't, you will need all the help you can get with him, for the rest of his life. Find a class that offers free "go backs" for refresher courses through out his life.
Consider different activities for him. Look up "Fly Ball" and "Earth Dogs" on the internet. As well as teach him to do different things around the house. They do better when the have a "job" and lots to do.
Get toys that drop bits of food as the dog plays with it. Get several of them.
Consider a shock collar for the barking, trust me, it is the only way to get him to quit.
Good Luck.
Don't you wish someone had told you all this before you got him?

Answer 2

Guess you didn't read up on the breed before you got him? Jack Russells are tied with some of the toy dogs for the yappiest dogs on the planet. Make sure he's getting plenty of strenuous exercise every day, at least a thirty minute run twice a day. Use a bicycle or a treadmill to really give him a workout.

If he's in bed or on the couch with you, you're giving him the impression that he is your equal - you need to be the boss. Get his butt on the floor and keep it there. Don't do anything for him before he does something for you. If he wants to go out or get a treat, he has to sit and stay first. If he nudges you and demands to be petted, make him lie down before you do it. Don't let him jump up on you - use the leash to correct him and only pet him when all four feet are on the floor. Absolutely no playing tug-of-war; it teaches him to challenge your authority and growl at you.

Keep him on a leash tied to your belt all the time. Teach him to sit and stay - at first when it's quiet, then add distractions. Make him sit before he gets fed or petted. Take control. Do not allow ANY nuisance barking at you or other family members. You have to be consistent and MORE determined than the dog.

If the doorbell rings or someone knocks, he should be allowed to bark for about fifteen seconds or as long as it takes you to get to the door. Pick a new command - a word that he's not already immune to - like STOP! or ENOUGH! Every single bark after that command must be corrected. Don't hold him in your arms - that makes him feel like you've got his back and you approve. Put his little butt on the ground like a real dog. Make him sit and stay at the door - spinning around like a nut is not okay either. For a correction, use a leash tug, try a spray bottle of water in his face or a squirt of lemon juice in his mouth - find something he just hates. Use a correction word like "ATT!" and repeat your quiet command "STOP!" Ask you friends to come over and help you. They'll probably be delighted to help - they probably hate it as much as you do. Practice for at least fifteen minutes straight, every day for a month or two. Even the most determined yapper will eventually give up. Invite people over more often, so you can practice teaching him how to behave.

As a last resort, consider surgical debarking - it is much more humane than hitting the dog for this natural behavior.

You should also read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan

Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Answer 3

Consider switching to a lower protein food as it can take him down a notch. Talk to your vet.

Get to obedience school. If you went already, Go again. Maybe learn clicker training. Ask a trainer what might work for his specific behaviors.

Have people who enter your home move away from the door and sit down. Have them acknowledge the dog and tell the dog to go lay down. Sometimes its a combo of dog and people training... Is the doorbell setting him off? do doorbell desensitizing sessions with him.

If all that fails, attach a bark collar and put it on the lowest setting. I don't usually recommend this, but I have seen it work in the most extreme cases. Sometimes it only needs to be used for a couple of days.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Lock him away in another room as soon as the guests arrive, don't even let him say hello to them. He needs to know that you are in charge of the situation and that you can handle the visitors without him. Wait until he's calmed down and then let him out again.
As with any bad habit, the first thing you have to do, is making it impossible for the dog to keep doing it! If he needs to be locked away in order to keep him from barking at your guests, you're gonna have to do it! You may even have to lock him in the car or in a crate if putting him in another room isn't enough. Just be sure that you put him in a place where he can't hurt himself and do what you have to do to cut off this kind of behavior.

Answer 5

I personally can't understand why anyone would have a Jack Russell for a pet. I think they are all psychotic, at least all of them I have known. I went to a dinner party and the hosts' Jack Russell came in with a swollen belly. The hosts said it had eaten an entire road kill jack rabbit. It lay on the couch groaning, and farted dead jack rabbit farts all through the dinner party, grossing out all the guests. The hosts thought it was "cute". It left a lasting impression on me. I say get a greyhound.

Answer 6

Too bad you didn't do ANY research before you got a JRT. They are NOT"high-strung","hyper" Or any other B-S label stuck on a dog by people who couldn't handle a dead golden.

They ARE high-energy,independent,& relatively pain tolerant BECAUSE they were bred to HUNT ALL DAMN DAY,entering vermin holes,facing dangerous quarry while AWAY from their handler & making their own decisions.

YOU need to step up your training efforts.

***TRAINING???WHAT"S THAT???"***

Yeah,thought so...how about you start with" YOU are the dog.*I* am the human. You WILL do as you're told. And,I *WILL* enforce my laws!"

Answer 7

I agree! A plant mister and a loud firm NO are great training tools! Just make sure it is not on stream as you could hurt his eyes.

Work on his sit stays! There is no reason you couldn't have him on one when people come in. To 'proof' him, have him on lead and have friends ring or knock and come in.

Answer 8

Sounds to me like he can be given a lot more runs or chases -- given his breed and all. An exercised dog is a mellow dog.

Answer 9

Have you tried taking him to training classes? Terriers can be difficult to train, but if you haven't tried a professional, you need to now.

Answer 10

have the guests give it a dogbone, tht will show tht they are friendly, and then if tht doesnt work use a squirtgun if unseccful obediance school is your next option