Ive just been given a dog and its hyper active. How do I calm it down?

Question

Its a jack Russel 8 year old. He wants me to throw his ball all the time. When I refuse to, he forces the ball as close to me as possible then stares. After a few minutes he starts shaking like a crazy dog. Is this normal for Jack Russels?

Also when he goes out he is always pulling on the lead to the left. Its hard work to walk him.

He licks shadows on walls...is this normal?

Answer 1

All terriers are very energetic. Did you research the breed before it was given to you? Jack Russels make great companions with patience and training.

Answer 2

Jack Russell Terriers are just like this. They are bred to be this way. You can't make a JRT into a lazy dog. Yes, the fetching behavior you describe for your dog is normal for them. He will begin to slow down in another 4-5 years. These dogs are active until they are ancient.

Jack Russells can be good dogs for canine sports like agility, flyball, etc. They are busy, high energy dogs, very smart, and will need an owner that can keep up with them. These sports can be quite fun- you might find you have a new activity!

If you decide you must get rid of him don't take him to the animal control- a lot of people love the breed, so if you decide you can't keep him, contact the Jack Russell Terrier Rescue nearest you... Google Jack Russell Terrier Rescue and your town.

Find a good positive trainer in your area and have her work with you on teaching him loose lead walking. This will help with taking walks. I recommend getting a harness for him called a Sensation Harness. This harness goes around his body, but it has a hook in the front of his chest where the leash is attached.

I'll include some links for lists of good trainers. You can start out training at PetSmart or Petco, but that will just get you started. Consider continuing with your dog's education! Learn how to train tricks at home using a clicker and treats and you'll have fun for the rest of his life. Clicker training is easy once you get the idea, and it will give your JRT a job (which he needs) and you'll be able to impress your friends, too.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. I do it all the time.

Answer 3

A lot of people describe naturally very active dogs like Jack Russells, Springer Spaniels and Border Collies as hyperactive but usually it is just a case of not giving the dog enough exercise and not providing enough mental stimulation.

'Hyperactivity' is above normal activity and your Jack Russell sounds as if he could be genuinely hyperactive.

You should see your Vet and ask whether he can recommend a Dog Behaviourist. The behaviourist will be able to tell you whether the dog has a genuine problem or whether he just needs some proper training - the solution is often a combination of both.

Lots of dogs chase or lick shadows but it isn't really 'normal' and don't do anything to encourage the behaviour - like showing his behaviour to friends, laughing at him or telling him off. Try to distract him with something else. He could be doing it to get attention or he could be bored out of his mind. Dogs that have been confined on their own for very long periods often develop this sort of obsessive behaviour.

P.S. These dogs are not naturally highly strung or over-excitable. They are bred to be active and have loads of stamina. A working terrier that spends the day either killing rats or driving animals out of dens and burrows for hunters does not spend the evening wanting to play with a ball or licking shadows.

Unfortunately because they are small people think they are ideally suited to living in a flat or apartment and will be OK with a leisurely stroll around the local park. They need plenty exercise and some activity which exercises their brain.

Answer 4

Wow, first off, Jack Russell Terriers are VERY HYPER. My aunt has one and it gets on my nerves. I love dogs, always have, but I'm not a big fan of these. Plus, with it being 8 years old, you really can't teach an old dog new tricks. When you adopt an adult dog, what you see is what you get. They are not going to change their ways at this stage. My aunts is 7 years old and is the same way. Jumps on people, runs around, claws you, barks, it has so much energy I don't know where it gets it from. Maybe thats why the previous owner got rid of it. Good luck to you though. Just give it lots of love and just be patient.

Answer 5

Is that this your first Aussie?? These are my favorite breed and have owned them for well over two decades (before they were famous by way of the canine association). At the moment we now have a dog, and a border collie/Aussies mix. That is so natural of the Aussie! You have to get her something to do! These dogs won't most effective test you however many persons get out smarted by using them! Please get this dog into coaching, this dog should have ALL her fundamentals down already! Did you potentially do studying about them before you bought her? These are not border collies. Is she your first? Am i able to ask simply considering i love these dogs what colour is her coat? Also no two Aussies look alike... These dogs don't do wellbeing left on my own, it is incredibly endorsed for any proprietor to be at house with there Aussies. Or take them to work with you continually if they do not work (cattle or every other high vigour work). I would like to see pics of her! Is she one of these mini's? Or is she average. I have obvious the mini's (or some thing name they have on the present second) and they're a lot more hyper then the average breed. These mini's are rejected by using the Aussie peeps as good. No longer actual just right workers for cattle, or even a helper canine like mine have been. Simply to small and breeding of the mini has triggered changes in there persona. I for my part would not ever provide any of my Aussies any sort of chemical compounds, usual or not. Rawhide not just right in your canine, who did you hear this from???? My puppies normally adored natural rawhide, and the clippings from the horses hooves. I'm also amazed your boarder collie is at ease lol! Lots of the farmers and ranchers here have Aussies or BC (most BC) and neither are all that calm of puppies. Introduce your Aussie to a tennis ball. This will get so much of there vigour out of them! If my Aussie (s) are not at my heals always I think whatever is incorrect! Hope this helps some and i have been a authentic trainer (having experience coaching can be totally recommended for owning these dogs) as well as coaching mine as helper dogs for me so if you wish to talk e-mail! I certain would like to see graphics of her :0) not to many peeps have aussies.... Why i suppose I was once so desirous about seeing your post lol!

Answer 6

Jacks are hyper dogs. They need lots of exercise and they tend to make people crazy with their antics.
They end up in rescue alot as people do not realize just how annoying they can be.
Try a get the dog more exercise and pray he clams down some.
But all the stuff he is doing sounds like a noraml Jack to me.

Answer 7

Jack russels are one of the most hyper dogs out there. You will be busy with that one. Just make sure you let it run around as much as you can...you may want to try letting it chase a laser pointer...my pit bull loves it and it doesn't take much energy for you, but will at least get rid of some of their energy. You might also want to try to get it into training or get a harness, because if they tug on their lead like that it could damage their neck over time.

Answer 8

Yes the shaking at you when you wont play is totally normal for a jack russell who wants his own way, its sort of an exaggerated put on shake but they do it well...
Having a 'play time' then a settling routine every day will help him, maybe Play before dinner, settle after, if you need to, remove the ball, as it is a fixation that can be calmed.

Pulling on the lead... watch BBC Three 7pm Mon- Thurs Dog Borstal if you're in the UK.

Licking shadows on walls..... Mmm... I'd like to reassure you but never heard that one before...

Answer 9

Yes i have a jack Russel and this can be normal for a dog his age. Some dogs do this because they just want to play and other it's because they dont get enough attention. To calm him down every time he does something that you want him to do like do to sleep and not be crazy you should give him treats.

Answer 10

If he isn't neutered that could be the cause. Most male dogs jump off the walls until they get neutered; males are always more active. I have a miniature schnauzer...of the terrier family...and he is hyper as all h3ll. He constantly wants attention and follows me everywhere; while my female cocker spaniel is the most relaxed dog ever. Sex and whether they've had their surgery determine a lot.

Answer 11

You may need a dog whisperer/dog trainer. But aren't Jack Russell's kind of hyper to begin with???

Also talk to your vet and see what you can do. Some stores/websites sell doggie/kitty aromatherapy to calm animals down.