Re: My Run A Way Jack Russell

In Reply to: My Run A Way Jack Russell
Posted by:  Jonell Badon
Posted on:  June 28, 2001 at 15:43:18

: I have a 10 month old male Jack Russell. He gets more than enough attention (with my 7 and 9 year old boys). We play with him constantly and still he takes any opportunity to sneak out the house and down the streets looking for other people to visit. And these people play with him and bring him in their home and THEN call us. He thinks he has several homes. So now, I only take him out on a leash to pottie. Will he grow out of this running away? Will neutering help? Or should we just get an electric fence and jolt him a little bit? Please help.

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Hi Jonell.

PLEASE do not take your jack out without being on leash. This could mean saving his life. A good majority of jacks get killed by cars -- not old age.

You should get a fence immediately. If your town permits, please have a fence put in that is tall enough so your jack russell cannot jump over it (or climb out) and that it is deep enough that it cannot dig out.

For some people electric fences are the only ones allowed in their towns, so they do not have a choice. I do not like the thought of shocking my jack russell, but it is a much better alternative than having her hit by a car. I also fear that if she does go thru the electric fence and gets shocked--why come back--it only means getting shocked again. Now the dog is on the other side of the fence line.

But, like I said, you may have no choice in the matter and it is better than no fence.

PLEASE--PLEASE--get a fence immediately.

Your neighbors are doing what they can to catch him. It is tough and perhaps better if they did not reward him with hugs or treats -- but it may be the only way to catch him AND from roaming even further. If he feared them instaed, he could try and run away and run into traffic. So as long as he gets rewarded for roaming- it will continue. At least you know though, he is being caught by someone.

If your jack were to see a squirrel or a cat, it could get hit by a car. These dogs will chase first and think later. Since your jack already has a propensity to wander, PLEASE get a fence right away and do NOT let him outside without a leash.

There are lightweight training leashes that are about 12' long which you may use to give him more room. But do not leave him unattended wiht it on since he may hurt himself or break loose.

Good luck,