Re: My JRT chews on doors, cabinets, etc!

In Reply to: My JRT chews on doors, cabinets, etc!
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Crystal Petet
Posted on:  January 30, 2003 at 21:08:11

: My 7 month old JRT, Scrappy, will not stop chewing on cabinet corners, and most recently the door frame of the back door. He sits there and whines like he has to go out but won't go out when I open the door. If you leave him there, he chews and scratches at the door frame excessively. He is destroying our house. He has plenty of chew toys and gets plenty of exercise. Also, is there something I can do about him chasing his tail? He does it for hours, and sometimes he gets so involved with it he bangs into the furniture. I'm afraid he's going to injure himself. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Crystal

Response:

Hi, Chrystal,

What you're experiencing is VERY typical of the Jack Russell Terrier. They're smart little dogs, and if we aren't going to "employ" them by giving them something positive to do with their energy, we'll find that they'll find their own ways of spending their energy, and 9 times out of 10, it's not going to be a way we like.

Jack Russells need oodles and oodles of exercise. It's very clear that Scrappy isn't getting enough, because he's starting to do some things that can actually become obsessive for a dog. When that happens, you'll have a really hard time breaking him of bad habits. Sometimes, bored dogs start with minor destruction of various things, but when they begin to focus on certain items (like the door, or chasing his tail) that's not good. It means he's focussing too much on something and may be forgetting completely what good, healthy exercise actually is.

Spend more time with the little guy. Throw a ball for him until your arm gets tired, take him out for a hike, find a nice fenced in, safe area where he can run to his heart's content. Find some positive outlets for his energy!!

A well exercised Jack Russell is a well behaved Jack Russell.