Jack Russell Puppy

[Jazzy]

Is it possible that a nine month old J R cross (we think with  a corgi) will grow out of his snappiness?  It is not all the time - just the odd time now and again! It seems to happen in the evening.  We have only had him two months and we love him and do not really want to part with him,

It this natural behaviour with J. R's?

Thanks

[silly moo]

Both jack russells and corgis have a reputation for being snappy.
Not always undeserved.
Good luck with him.

[PurplePixie]

He will not just 'grow out of it' as such, unless you train him out of it. Get some good (kind) training advice & stick to it...he's young enough that you could get really good results if you persevere.

The main thing to convey to him is that he is not in a position in his pack (your family) that gives him permission to take the liberty to snap at anything. It sounds as if you may have given him the impression that he is very high up in the pack & this has made him a little big for his boots.

Gently lowering his position in the pack will help him feel a lot more secure about where he fits in & will help his general behaviour.Very important that you never use physical punnishment with a dog that snaps...firmness & tone of voice is vital. Get a good book or some training to help you be confident in what you are doing.Things to start with are not letting him jump on the furniture when he feels like it, not feeding him before you, not letting him through doors & gates before you, not allowing him to demand attention....all these things are normal dog ettiquette & should be readily accepted by most dogs. There are other things too, but I hope you will have a go at changing his behaviour while he is still young...it's worth it, you don't want this snappiness to continue. Good luck.

[Jazzy]

Thank you for the help given.  He his our fourth puppy in total and we have not experienced any thing like it before - it has been quite a shock to us.  Now he his chewing furniture whilst we are out and he has only been left for 11/2 hours!!  He has a collie X for company as well so he has not been left on his own!!

We will try and stick with him and hope that things go well - thanks again for advice XX

[Solarjunkie]

Totally agree with purplepixie - plus I heartily recommend getting a crate.

Think like a dog, this is a cave, a place of safety. Make it comfy, and cover it with a blanket to make it dark, leave the door open for a week or so with the occasional treat thrown in to make it a nice place to be.

Then get the pup used to being in it for a few minutes, building up to longer - then you have a safe, comfy place where pup can be left with a chew toy when you go out. Both you & pup are happy to see each other when you get home!

In my experience, a dog will suffer greater stress being left with the whole house to search for you, while once he has no option but to curl up & go to sleep, that is exactly what they will do. Many people report their dogs often going to their crates for a snooze in peace; it's their own little sanctuary.

[Jazzy]

Thank you so much for that suggestion - will certainly give it a go.

[HAnn521]

Dear Jazzy- I have a full-blooded female Corgi pup(now 6 months old). I just wanted to let you know that the snapping is something I also have encountered. The corgi's, in nature, are also very similar to the J.R., so if you have a mix, I don't doubt that the snapping is an issue. Just understand that it is normal behavior...

and I have also some to realize that is actually a form of play for my corgi, or at least her idea of playing. I am slowly, but surely trying to break her of it. She snaps at the oddest times, for no reason but to snap, seeming to do it just to spite me...

but she would NEVER hurt anyone, and I know she doesn't mean it as an attack or threat at all...

I have found that lying her on her back and holding her still, and holding her mouth shut with my hand while saying "No Bite!" to her is improving her behavior. Good Luck!

[Jazzy]

Thanks HAnn for that advice.  I know what you mean about it being a form of play for them.                         

He had two weeks in a 'training camp' and that really helped alot. We still have odd moments with him - and you do not know why!  I will give your advice a go! TY:)

[drgnrdr]

Just wanted to add in a thought. A corgi and a JRT are two different breeds. The Corgi is a herder, the JRT is a terrier. They have 2 different types of breeding. Herding dogs use their mouth to nip at the heels of cattle and JRT are sent down holes to catch vermin, on their own. So you have 2 differnet breeds competeing in this dog.Please don't use the "alpha roll" on your dog. It may work for the corgi for now, but you may get bit in the face, which has happened many times, even the "monks of new skete" have taken it out of their books. Your JRT is a typical terrier and he needs Training in his life, they usually do not work with humans it is not in their breeding, so we need to convince them that working with us is in their best interest, ie..Positive reinforcement training. PurplePixie has the right ideal. Good luck...