Re: Dog activities

In Reply to: Dog activities
Posted by:  Richard
Posted on:  May 30, 2001 at 13:03:31

: Hi,

: We've had our Jack Russell for nearly a year now, and we are still learning about our dog. At the moment our biggest concern is keeping her active enough so that she won't have time to chew, bark, etc. (all the bad behavior this website keeps talking about). In particular, we want to ask if there is a way to get our dog to play by herself? She has a day-long routine where every hour she'll come find one of us to play with her, letting us know by scratching or barking. We're not sure if letting her out in the yard by herself solves the problem at all. We love our dog dearly, and I think she is pretty fond of us too, but we didn't realize that she would have to take up so much of our time!

: Knowing that JRTs have seemingly unlimitless energy, after how much play can we feel comfortable to stop playing with her? We seem to engage in pretty energetic activities (ball chase, running, etc.) and she seems genuinely tired after the hourly sessions, but after recharging, she's back for more! When we refuse her, she wanders around the house looking for chew targets, as if to punish us for not playing with her. What do we do?

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Dear Richard.

Your jrt is not looking for chew toys in order to punish you. It merely wants to do something. If you are not throwing or tugging on the toy, then what good is it? The dog then decides to investigate the toy. Dogs do that by chewing it up.

It is no different than a child left alone who is bored. What does it do? Rare is the child that says "oh I am bored and have all this energy, let me get a book and sit quietly and read". (I am sure the exception exists.) But for the most part, what happens--a bored child with tons of energy gets into things. They disasssmeble things; make messes and what not. A jrt is no different.

Frankly, the fact that your jrt wants to play with you is such a HUGE plus that you would not believe. That means it has bonded with you. You can use this need to play with you to train it and do so much.

If your jrt plays by herself, then why would she need you? If that is true, then why listen to you.

But, if you posses the ball which she adores and when she comes when called you throw it and enage in a game with her, why shouldn't she love to run to you when called.

I never suggest that a "dog learn to play by itself". That to them means to chew.

The only other thing I suggest is that you buy a HUGE tennis ball. You can get them at tennis stores or try cleanrun.com--they used to sell them. These balls are so big that your jrt canot put its mouth around it. But everytime it goes to get it and nip at it, the ball rolls away. It makes them nuts!

If you have an enclosed area, you can do that. PLEASE make sure it is enclosed--the ball can and will roll into the street otherwise.

This may wear them out. But, you have something special your dog wants to be with you and play with you. Also have you tried agility training? You cango to class once a week and do it in your back yard. Agility does wear them out and is incredible training. Check out www.dogpatch.org/agility

These dogs love and need attention from their owners. I am afraid that yours will keep demaning it from you. It is just theirnature.