Dog Community

It's been two weeks, and now I have a bit of "buyer's remorse"

Posted : 1/31/2007 9:38:12 AM

Buyer's remorse is the wrong term, I guess, more like scared that we are not right for the dog we adopted. Our vet and trainer both think that Sally is a full JRT. So...I have been researching the breed and now I am scared to death. I have small children, a 2.5 year old, a 5 year old, and a 7 year old. So far Sally has been nothing but loving and affectionate toward them. My children don't treat her any different than they do my 35 pound mutt dog who they play with and have fun with. Neither dog is treated like a porcelien doll, but I keep finding myself say, "Leave Sally alone. Get away from Sally."

Everything was fine until I started reading about what difficult dogs JRT are and how they need expeieinced owners. I am not an experienced owner. I also keep reading that they should never be in homes with children. I already have a small fear of dogs and it took over a month to completely trust Heidi mutt dog. Will I ever be able to trust Sally?

I feel like I keep waiting for the shoe to drop, for her to turn into this monster dog who runs on the wall and nips at my kids. She isn't perfect by any means. She is a tease to Heidi and she is mishevious, which combined with her ability to jump and climb nearly anything has gotten her into bit of trouble. She climbs onto the dining room table and tosses stuff down for Heidi to inhale. (Not talking food here- pencil, pens, junk mail, etc) She is a leash lunger and is very difficult to walk and runs anytime she sees the leash. However, she is anxious to get outide and bolts for the door anytime it is open. She seems to be getting nervous, and sat shakinng for her second vet appoinment (she had to have her sutures removed from being fixed). That was new, she didn't do it the first time.
But she is so sweet, and we already love her so much. We have a 30 day trial period with the shelter we got her from, and I get so tempted to call and have her sent back. But the reason is so stupid. Because I think she might turn into a bad dog? Because she is a JRT? Because I think she should have a home without the annoyance of kid? All the reasons are silly, as she has not shown any signs at all of being a bad dog or being annoyed by my kids. BUT I hate the idea of living in fear that things might change.

Does anyone else have fears with their dogs like this? Do you think we can be a good family to a JRT? Can love overcome any probems that might show up?

We have hired a behaviorist and Sally will be in the next obedience class that opens up.

Sorry this is so long. I guess what I really want is to be reassured that my family is a wonderful home to Sally and that there is no way I am being selfish by keeping her. But, if that isnlt the truth, please tell me to send her back while she is still young enough to find a good home.

twelvepaws

Posted : 1/31/2007 9:55:46 AM

You sound so much like me, Rebecca. Fortunately when I first got my German Shepherd, no one told me that I was supposed to be an "experienced dog owner." [

] I think it has more to do with willingness to learn than anything.

You have enrolled your dog in class and have a trainer scheduled, it sounds to me like you're willing and ready to tackle any problems that arise. I'm not going to suggest anything because there are others here that are experts. I do want to say that I had two puppies (an ES and a Pom) at one time, along with a 3-year-old, 5-year-old and a 7-year-old autistic child. (And the GSD!) I read as much as I could, divined the help of others and got through it, rather successfully I think.

I think you can make it work with your JRT and your kids. Waiting to hear what other JRT owners have to say.

Chuffy

Posted : 1/31/2007 9:56:00 AM

My sister has a JRT and children. She has never had a dog before. It hasn't turned into the monster you are describing yet. Take hope!

JRTs are prone to developing this way because, as a terrier they are game, tenacious and hardy - some people see this as stubbornness and think it makes them hard to train or don't bother to train at all. I am sure you don't fall into this category.

The JRT is a working breed and many come directly from "working lines" making their need and drive to "work" even higher. JRTs are bred for function, not conformation. They are bred to be able to do the job they were meant to do. If you don't give them a job they go self-employed - hence the problems you are afraid of. Again, I am sure you won't have a problem with this. You walk her, play with her, train her and set firm boundaries for her (like how its appropriate to play etc). Have you tried clicker training? I've used it on a couple of JRTs and they went nuts for it, they loved it. They have so much intelligence and independence, there's real scope there for creativity. Let her try it. Do a forum search, there's loads of useful info and links.

If you keep worrying she'll pick up on it and that will cause probs on its own!

Do brace yourself for the "shoe to drop". Rescues often start exhibiting a few problems a few weeks after they come home. It's normal. Most responsible, caring people with common sense get over these hurdles and then get on with enjoying life with their dog. I think you will be one of them. Stop worrying!

jones

Posted : 1/31/2007 11:27:11 AM

I don't know what exactly you've been reading, but the typical "problem" with JRTs is just that people tend to equate smallness with "easy and low maintenance" while JRTs can be very high energy... so it's the gap between expectation and reality that causes trouble. If JRTs were actually bad dogs, who would have one? [

] Terriers aren't for everybody, no, but they're for lots and lots of people.

I read a lot of breed guides when I was trying to choose a dog and they scared me too. Every breed has its downsides. After a while you think you just aren't going to be able to handle it... that's when it's time to put the books down for a little while. [

] Breed guides are only that... guides. Individual dogs can vary. Don't let the guide tell you who your dog is, lest it become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have some friends who got a terrier puppy and then kept reading about how their breed of terrier was very independent and hard to train. They went into training class with that mindset and by the time he was 16wks old they had written him off as not cut out for obedience training. What I observed was a perfectly normal and trainable puppy who was just distractible and had a short attention span... but the 'breed guides' had colored their view of their own dog!

ColleenC

Posted : 1/31/2007 12:24:50 PM

Don't worry! With the Russells, their personality tends to develop early, as with many breeds. But, they don't just turn into crazy hyper dogs over night. Rose has been very mellow since the beginning. Colton has been a crazy man from day one! They really aren't hard dogs. They just take work. Training and lots of play are perfect. In fact, I think Russells and kids were made for each other! My mentor loves to place ours in homes with kids. They are small enough to not knock the kid down, but tough enough to hold up to some rough housing! Now, for proof that they are adaptable little dogs and can do anything if properly socialized and trained...I have TWO in a one bedroom apartment! All the books say they need lots of room to run! Mine couldn't be happier. They run in the house, but when I tell them to settle down, they do. I do take them to my mentors so they can play outside, but you could do the same with a park. Or, I bet you even have a yard! Here is some more proof that they aren't all crazy dogs! That is a baby sugar glider on Rose's back. She just layed there while the baby crawled around. But, I don't recomment leaving little animals loose with Russells! They are never near each other unsupervised!

Chuffy

Posted : 1/31/2007 2:41:08 PM

Altogether, 1 2 3....
Ahhhhhhhhh!

What a doll! A totally utterly and completely gorgeous dog. [

]

Becka

Posted : 1/31/2007 3:07:08 PM

Coleen, your dog is stunning! So very beautiful. I hope Sally's hair grow's in more full like that. Right now she has short soft hair along her sides and very long, very wirey hair all along the ridge of her back. She has a mohawk! LOL, Our vet calls her the crazy hair dog, but I hope it calms down just a bit. As much fun as having a dog with a mohawk is, I would love it to fill out.

I am hiping she fills out a bit as well. She seems a bit skinny to me, with really long, matchstick legs. but as much as she runs, I bet she never gains any weight. She has an adorable big black nose and face whiskers, a face no one in their right mind could turn away from.

I am glad to here you have a calm JRT and that you think they are okay with kids. My biggest fear is that a dog would hurt my children.

ColleenC

Posted : 1/31/2007 3:10:03 PM

Just make sure to teach your children to respect her. Get them involved with the training! I always recommend taht to my students. I have a corgi in class right now, and the kids try to help with the training. Even if they are not old enough to give the commands, have them help reward her when she does well. How old is Sally? Some have hair like Rose, and some have crazy hair! Post some pics, and I would be more than happy to give some grooming tips to help calm her crazy hair down a bit!
And Rose says "Thank you very much!" She is a very polite little girl.

Sherrie Porter

Posted : 1/31/2007 3:50:38 PM

Oh, colleen, you have sugar gliders!!! Oh, I miss mine so much. They crossed the bridge due to old age a while ago. Eventually I will get more, but want the wounds to heal a bit first. Where are you located at? Do you breed them?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 1/31/2007 5:54:43 PM

OMG. There's a BUNNY sitting by your PRT!!! *faints*

That would NEVER work, around here, LOL. Emma has had a very high prey drive since day one. She's always been a fear biter, and a pain biter, so she is not allowed around children, for more than a very breif pat. She is a VERY good dog, though. She is mostly mellow in the house and very, very active outside. Getting into obedience classes is a fantastic idea, and I think you'll do GREAT with your new dog. You sound like a very responsible parent and dog owner. I'm sure that you'll do well.

dasher

Posted : 1/31/2007 9:56:45 PM

Hi RebeckaK,
I don't want to reiterate what has already been said, looks like you have gotten some great advice. It also sounds like you have taking the right steps in signing up for obedience classes, kudos to you!! [

]

I don't have kids, so I don't have first hand knowledge of how to deal with kids and dogs in the same house, but I can tell you this, if your kids know how to respect dogs in general, you should be fine. I personally don't feel comfortable leaving kids alone with ANY dog, but thats just me, you know your kids better than me. (I am not saying you do leave your kids alone, just talking in general terms on some of my "kid" rules [

]) Sounds like Sally is a fine girl. Usually dogs that are constantly tormented are the ones who may be more prone to nipping or biting, simply to try and get away. I don't really think that a dog that is generally good natured one day will become vicious overnight for no reason.

My Dasher absolutly needs a job! [

] Luckily he and I actively compete in agility so that keeps his mind occupied. But the best thing you can do for your girl is to stimulate her physically and mentally. If she gets outside time with you playing and walking each day she should be pretty happy. Also providing "mental" games inside is good. Things like kongs stuffed with goodies, or a similar toys work great.

Good Luck!!

P.S. here is another example of a JRT taking down time with his "buddy" (they are not left alone unsupervised by the way [

])

grab01

Posted : 1/31/2007 10:50:14 PM

I don't own a JRT, so no advice there. However, shaking at a vet appt while having spay stitches out doesn't necessarily label a dog as "nervous" in temperament. Think of taking very young children to the doctor. The first time they go, they have no idea of what to expect, so they're jolly as can be. Then they get a shot. They next time they're usually a little more apprehensive.

Luvntzus

Posted : 2/1/2007 2:53:29 AM

She already sounds like the handful that you've read about. lol If you're fine with the way that she is right now then I wouldn't worry. [

]

ksags411

Posted : 2/1/2007 3:41:04 PM

Hey now - that crazy, never-ending energy is why I love JRT so much!!! [

]

I myself have a JRT mix and my younger teen sister has a full-blood JRT. The only advice I can give you is play, play, play. Other than getting them into obediance class (which you are doing), I've found that Jack Russel's love to play and will fetch or play tug-a-war all day long if you let them. So with kids, I would think you have a great fit - they can play with your girl all day and tire her out! [sm=biggrin.gif]

All kidding aside, JRT are a great breed - super loving, loyal, smart, and hilarious. Give the classes a chance and you'll see. [

]

Here's Odie (left - JRT mix) and Willow (right - full JRT).

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 2/1/2007 3:56:43 PM

hahahahaha, Colleen, you're right! Rose is not right in da head. I'm guessing she hasn't read the JRT handbook. She's supposed to chase furries, not snuggle with them. Too cute!!