Naughty Jack Russell!!

maxapple

maxapple

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 February 2007
Messages
2,181
Visit site
I have a male JRT (3 yrs old) who has always been great with recall whilst out walking. I've been walking him and my female JRT off the lead around parks / farms ever since he was a puppy.

About 2 months ago in the park he saw a squirrel in the park and chased it into some undergrowth & it took me ages to get him out again - and ever since then he's become a horror to walk! He'll come back when called most times, but has developed the habit of just putting his head down and running (particularly towards woods etc) leaving me shouting like an idiot!!

As I said he will come back but ignores me shouting initially. He's a typical JRT and needs lots of exercise - and loves running round in the park, but I'm getting to the stage where I'm just having to leave him on the lead! We do have to go near some roads, and he has been known to chase children (he's playing - but it can obviously scare some children) - and I can't risk him not coming to call in wither of those situations!

Any ideas? I used to love our long walks but he's started to drive me crazy!!
mad.gif
 
Hi Maxapple

I have two JRTs too. One old one and a little lad of two and a half. The young one is a bloomin nightmare and is the same as yours, fine off the lead one minute, but then does the trick of nose down and off.

I've just bought one of those high pitch dog whistles and my plan is to go out with dog biscuits and a long lead. I'm going to practice blowing the whistle and when he comes he'll get a biscuit. Hopefully we'll progress to being back off the lead again.

The other JRT is a lot older and nearly always comes to call, however she can be a little pig headed too so I guess this training will help too.

Good luck!
 
As you say he sounds like a typical JRT who becomes distracted when he's on the hunt!

I am afraid this can take a bit of time and patience to sort out. Have you ever tried a long line with him? This is basically a very long but very lightweight line, so that the dog remains connected to you but doesn't feel he's on the lead (this is why it needs to be lightweight). You allow the dog to run anywhere it likes until you recall. If he does not come back, step on the line (halting any further running away), walk on the line all the way to the dog, place a couple of fingers under the collar, walk backwards to where you first called him, when you get there praise, treat and release.

This teaches the dog that even when he thinks he is free to run off you still have control and you can get him anytime. Even though he tries to get away, he won't be able to and he will have to do what you asked (come back to the original spot) regardless.

I wish I could tell you this will work in a couple of days, but it takes weeks and sometimes months, but if you do a search on here quite a few people have had success with this method.

The other thing you could try is diverting his attention the moment he becomes fixated on his quarry. Your timing has to be spot on and he has to respond to the diversion (try a squeaky toy or a whistle).

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top