how can i stop my jack russell from chewing my childrens toys?

Question

i have a jack russell x. he is 6 years old and he keeps chewing the kids toys. he will go into the bedroom select a toy, he picks the toy he wants its never the first toy he finds. he takes the toy from the bedroom and chews it up under my bed. the dog has his own toys he has bones. but still chews the toys. please help

Answer 1

How in the world would the dog know what is his and what are the kids. You have to keep the childrens toys out of the dogs reach.

Answer 2

Hello. It sounds like your Jack Russell is establishing the fact that he is higher up in your family's "pack" than your children are.

He needs to be taught that this is unacceptable.

First, to teach the lesson, you have to catch your dog in the act of stealing the toys, and remind him that you are the "Alpha Dog" - the leader of your family's pack. Dogs are very much aware of the hierarchy of the pack, some more so than others. A Jack Russell has a big personality, for being such a small statured fellow. (Scolding your dog over bits of chewed-up toy after the fact, isn't effective. Dogs probably don't remember when they chewed the toy, or why.)

When your Jack walks into the children's room, follow him in, and after he has taken a toy, a firm "NO!" in a low, serious tone, from deep in your chest, similar to a warning "woof" sound. Your children must learn this as well, to establish that they are above your dog as far as who's in charge, and that their toys are off limits to your dog.

I have listed a few sources below with more information.

I hope this is helpful. Keep me posted, and good luck. :-)

Answer 3

But the toys are just funner! lol. I have a Jack Russel and she loves to play with kids toys.
All you can really do is just keep telling him no when he takes the childrens toys. Show him the toy and say no. Then give him one of his bones or his own toys.
Does he play with his own toys too? He has a tennis ball right? Jacks love to have a variety of toys. And mine needs durable ones cause she'll chew up any rubber or cloth kind.
If he doesnt stop chewing the kids toys then just try to keep the toys put away or up out of his reach. But hes just trying to play you know.
They can be really sweet dogs. Mine is a sweetie... Well to me and to anyone I let into the house or to kids. But she tries to kill every other animal. or well she puts it into submission and humps it in the face then tries to attack it. lol.

Answer 4

Clean up your childrens toys and keep out of range of your Jack when he is running loose in your house. Have your children learn to pick up their things or if to young do so yourself. Some people make the mistake of giving the dog toys as a puppy so it could be a learned behavior. The germs are more of a concern on toys that may not get thrown away that are not damaged. I guess if it was me. I would make sure dog was put away when children are at play.

Answer 5

I also have a JRT and he will take things and chew them when we are ignoring him. Granted, with a family, you can't give your dog undivided attention, but this breed needs attention and needs to be exercised a lot. They are sneaky and very clever, too!
Two things that worked for us were the use of a crate (contrary to what people think, it is not abusive to put a dog in a crate) and bitter apple spray. It will not harm your children and dogs do not like the taste. Perhaps keeping doors closed and toys out of reach may help...or keeping your dog on a lead outside or in the basement/garage. There's always obedience training, too. It's NEVER too late to train a dog. Good luck!

Answer 6

My Jack Russell learned the difference between his toys and the rest of the stuff on the floor. Make an effort to pick his toys up and play with him emphasizing how much fun his toys are, soon he will learn the message.

Answer 7

There is somethign you can get from your chemist which is like a clear nail polish that tastes bad. Its supposed to stop children biting their nails and is completely safe.
This worked to stop my nephew biting his nails and maybe itll work to stop your dog chewing the kids toys.
Like i said, it is a clear solution and doesnt smell or anything so you can put it on the toys.
The only thing is, if your children put that toy into their mouth, they'll get a bad taste also. But better to have bad tasting toys reather than chewed up toys with dog spit all over them.

Answer 8

How is he supposed to tell the difference between his and their toys??? Keep the kids toys in a toy box where the dog cant reach them,,,or keep the bedroom door closed...good luck

Answer 9

Easiest solution is constant supervision. I had ot keep my kids' bedroom doors closed, and to watch mine all the time, I would notice her going towards the bedrooms or the kids' toy boxes and I would say "ah ah ah" if she got a toy I would call her and take the toy away. She got the idea soon enough. Some people tether their dog to them, using a leash tie the dog to your waist, this is an easy handsfree way to supervise.

Answer 10

I just got a boxer pup and I have a son that is severely handicapped. He rolls around the floor playing with his rattles and such. My pup named Anastasia (Annie) picks my sons toys over his own. I have tried spanking with newspaper and then telling her no and give her her own toy. That worked about a day or two. The most effective way I have came up with is shut my sons door and keep only what is neccessary for my boy to play with. I keep a close eye on the both of them so when Annie goes for his toys instead of hers I squirt her with a water bottle then tell her no and give her on of her own. Has worked for about a week so far. I hope it will maybe work for you. Hopefully some other helpful hints will come our way. Good luck to the both of us. LOL