For a Jack Russsell, Biting Is Showing Who’s Boss
For Jack Russells, biting is what singing is to Mick Jagger. All, Jack Russells are the rock stars of the terrier world.
A Feisty Big Dog in a Small Body
Smart, feisty, high energy, with a personality that’s much bigger than his compact 10 to 15 inch high body, your Jack Russell terrier thinks he’s the leader of the pack and will give you a run for your money when you try to persuade him otherwise.
Jack Russells were bred as fox hunting dogs, used to flush quarry when it tries to go to ground. They ran with the hound packs, nipping and snarling at the horses’ heels, and were often called upon to protect themselves from those other dogs.
Biting and snapping are instinctive part of their behavioral repertoire.But biting and snapping are not behaviors we want to tolerate in a family pet. Fortunately there are a few simple practices, behavioral modifications practices and training techniques available that can help quell Jack Russell biting.
Regular Exercise
In most Jack Russells, the nipping urge never entirely disappears: when the dog is frustrated, over-stimulated or has excess energy to burn, Jack Russell biting behavior may return. So the first rule of Jack Russell ownership is this: exercise your dog regularly.
A brisk walk of half a mile or more at least once a day is the bare minimum. If you jog, take your Jack Russell along for the run. A well-exercised Jack Russell is a calmer Jack Russell.
Avoid Negative Reinforcement
Jack Russells are exceptionally intelligent, headstrong dogs and they do not respond well to sharp scolding, physical punishment or jerking on a leash. Often this type of negative reinforcement only serves to intensify your Jack Russell’s native aggressive tendencies.
The best way to deal with Jack Russell biting is to treat your dog exactly the way you’d treat a toddler who was behaving similarly: tell your dog, “No!” in a firm tone of voice and give him a time out!
Jack Russells are inherently sociable within their own packs – and you are their pack – so isolating the dog will cause him distress. He’s a clever dog too, so very soon he will pick up the relationship between cause and effect.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is also an effective means to stop your Jack Russell biting. Holding a treat in one hand, make sure you have your dog’s attention. Get him to sit still in front of you as close as possible so that he is focusing; the treat should be directly in front of his face.
If he tries to bite for the treat, tell him, “Off!” in a firm tone of voice. When he steps back, praise him and give him the treat.
By practicing this exercise on a regular basis and prolonging the interval he needs to sit before he gets the treat, you will have taught him the “Off” command – a useful intervention for those occasions when he forgets himself and starts to nip.
Regulate Types of Play
Jack Russells like to play. Avoid games like wrestling or tug of war whose object is to establish dominance. Can you really blame a Jack Russell biting or nipping under these circumstances?
The best games for Jack Russells combine physical activity with chances to show off how clever they are and earn rewards for being obedient. Fetch is the perfect game for your Jack Russell terrier.
Play Ball With Him
Try using one of those plastic canine ball throwers, available at pet stores everywhere, for extra mileage or if you’re really ambitious, a tennis ball catapult. Jack Russells are famous for being able to jump very high, so they’re the ideal dog ot play Frisbee with.