New dog chases cats.

So I have wanted a dog for a long time. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to dog sit for some neighbors and I really enjoyed walking him every day (and lost 9 pounds!). So I began searching for the perfect dog for our family. I found a rescue dog that was described as good with children, cats, and other dogs. I filled the application out and waited and waited and waited. Well not really I waited for two days while checking also the local adds and impulsively adopted a puppy. Of course the next day I got an email saying they were processing my adoption application. First I feel really bad that I didn't wait for the shelter dog.
Second adopting a puppy on impulse without researching the breed is a bad idea! The puppy I adopted is a jack Russell terrier. He is now just over 12 weeks old. Smartest puppy I have ever met. He hasn't had accidents in the house and he sits on command. He is also picking up the game of fetch. He is starting to understand the "leave it" command but he loves to chase the cats. He is pretty good at leaving them alone if I catch him and say leave it but once he is in a full on chase he is unstoppable.

He has been a good smart puppy but I worry about my cats if I cannot curb this (natural) behavior.

What would you do?

I am personally not a fan of Jack Russel Terriers. My parents has a mix that's about 7 years old now. The older he got, the more aggressive he became. He bit my toddler nieces, very food aggressive and he attacks me whenever i visit. he has bitten me and growls every time he sees me.

My parents trained him well as a puppy. he was a great dog until about 4 years of age then he became aggressive  My parents did not get lazy (well, maybe in the feeding department), but he had no reason to become aggressive to me as I've done nothing but visit the family. Correcting him when he snaps does not seem to help.

Further research tells me that majority of Jack Russells are territorial and can become aggressive. They have a very high prey drive since they were bred to chase and hunt foxes and other small animals. They are easily stimulated by things that move too.

Since you've adopted this dog on impulse, I would be VERY firm with him. Leash him if he goes crazy over the cats and teach him to keep his distance and 'leave it'. Crate him when you're not home and can't supervise him with the cats.

Remember, the cats were there first. I'd hate to see them hiding of fear because of the dog's prey drive.

I suggest dog training classes for both of you. What happens when you're not around to say "leave it?" You need to learn how to train him not to chase the cats at all. As Draco points out, Jack Russells were bred to hunt small animals, and they are VERY active, energetic dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if you can train him to leave the cats alone or not, but your best bet is going to be classes.

And make sure you have a LOT of vertical space for your cats.

I absolutely LOVE JRT dogs. I have two that are thirteen years old. I have had cats and dogs my whole life. JRT will take over the household unless you take on the role. They must, must have training as a puppy. Start by taking him to a puppy class and then continue on to beginner's obedience when he is six months of age. Stay in the puppy class till then.

Go out and purchase a bean bag or get on on-line. I can't remember where I got mine - but to this day (although they need no training now :lol3 if they hear the little box opening up that contains that bean bag - they know what it means. You also must attach a long-line to the puppy in the house and watch his every move right now. This will take you much time and effort but will save you many years of problems with the dog and the cats. When you are home and puppy is out, keep the long -line on. It should be about 15 feet. As soon as you see him even LOOK at a cat - toss the bean bag and shout NO!!!!!!!!! IF he does not respond, pick up the long line and give him a good correction at the same time shout NO. If he is a smart dog, he will learn very quickly not to look at the cat. You must enforce this constantly until he has learned. Then you can take the long line off and keep the bean bag handy. When you toss the bean bag as him - toss at his rear end and feet. When he behaves and responds by backing off and looking at you, give him a treat and praise him. Soon you will have no trouble at all with the puppy. I just love JRTs - they are fun, extremely intelligent, easily trained, great trick dogs, wonderful agility dogs and are funny little clowns. Just the BEST!!! Good luck!!!!!

Draco said:

I am personally not a fan of Jack Russel Terriers. My parents has a mix that's about 7 years old now. The older he got, the more aggressive he became. He bit my toddler nieces, very food aggressive and he attacks me whenever i visit. he has bitten me and growls every time he sees me.

Further research tells me that majority of Jack Russells are territorial and can become aggressive. They have a very high prey drive since they were bred to chase and hunt foxes and other small animals. They are easily stimulated by things that move too.

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Yes, it is true that as JRTs age they can become less tolerant of children - but so do I You cannot lump all JRTs together and put a blanket statement on them. They are no different than any other terrier out there. Most dogs have a prey drive too. They are very active and energetic and need to be exercised daily. As you say, your parent's dog was a mix - so who knows what the combo was. Most important thing for any new dog owner is to 100% establish alpha/ dominant role. It takes a lot of work to properly train any dog, especially one that is so intelligent and active as a JRT. Lifelong training and daily reminders are a must. Consistency, exercise and never letting them take an inch is the key. It is so worth it. As you can tell, I am a JRT fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :heart3:

Feralvr said:

Yes, it is true that as JRTs age they can become less tolerant of children - but so do I

You cannot lump all JRTs together and put a blanket statement on them. 

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I didn't say all, I said majority haha

I always say - there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. My Wilbur has always loved children - even ones he doesn't know. He will tolerate anything from them :heart3: Henry is the opposite and avoids children like the plague. They are all different. Jacks tend to get a bit crabby when they are seniors as do a lot of other terrier breeds. But my Wilbur and Henry are polar opposites in personality and temperament, you just never know.

I have been around JRTs and cats at horse barns for thirty years. Never once has there ever been a cat attacked by a JRT. They learn to live together quite well indoors and out. Actually, it is the other way around. Cats can be extremely aggressive and practically maul a small dog, yes even a JRT and send them off howling and screaming for their life. I have even had rescued adult Pit Bulls and brought them in my house at one time or another in the past. Any dog can be trained to live peacefully with cats. I have always had a dominating personality with dogs and certain breeds you need to be just that way. Cats - well - :lol3: I am totally opposite . Just make sure you use a crate for the puppy when you leave. For more reasons than one. :lol3: I always crated dogs until they were usually two or older and I knew they well past the puppy stage. Never leave the dog loose with the cats. Always crate when you are not home for both the dog and cats safety.

Thank you for all the replies. It gives me hope.
Thankfully my mom used to be a certified dog trainer and she recently moved to the small town I live in so I have a great resource nearby.
I have been working with Pete (the puppy) since day one. He is really smart. He is on a lead in the house at all times and I have a safe room I leave him in when I am gone. He sleeps in a crate. I love the beanbag idea!!
I am a stay at home mom. I wanted a walking partner so the exercise isn't a problem.

Pete is a sweet dog so far. I believe I am doing a good job asserting my authority as pack leader. It is my youngest cat that runs, the oldest is curious and brave and the next swatted him once and put the fear of cat into him but Molly is the runner.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u27/cmdoppler/cc64eacc.jpg

And this is pete

Oh! What a sweet little face! No wonder he was an impulse!

That and what a snuggler he is:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u27/cmdoppler/1aa2c0a1.jpg

I wanted a dog that would be like a cat in the house and a walking partner outside. A jack Russell doesn't really fit that but so far he is sweet and snuggly and fun when he plays.
He is really cute too :-)

he is cute!

Just be firm with him and be consistent with the trainings. I am sure things will work out as long as you are the dominant one and teach him!

A lot of people on here have given you some great he advice. I hope you've let the rescue know that you will have already adopted a puppy. Not to lecture, but I worked for dog rescue for a long time helping to process applications and this is something that happens a lot and really slows down the application process. 

I have dachshunds and while they are in the hound category, they are more like terriers than hounds behaviour wise. You need to be firm and nip any problems in the bud before they become larger problems. Crate training is a must as a puppy and even into adulthood with some dogs. They are chewers and chasers, lol. You will not be able to train out any drives, you need to work with the drive to get the kind of commands you want. When he's a older you can play with him with a flirt pole (kind of like a wand toy for dogs, lol). It will help to satisfy the prey drive and let out some excess energy. Is he a short legged JRT or long legged? If he's short legged you want to be more careful with is back as well. Remember that a tired dog (both mentally and physically) is a good dog. In addition to walks, runs and play time, set aside time each day to do ten minute training sessions. Go through commands he knows and work on ones he doesn't. Always end with something he knows so that it's ended on a positive note. 

Good luck with him. 

Thank you.
I did let the rescue know that I got a dog.
I agree lots of good advice. I think he is a leggy jrt. So far he seems eager to please so I am hopeful.

AWWWW Pete is SOOOO cute!! You certainly are doing a great job asserting yourself as the "alpha" with your new boy He is the long-legged JRT. He will be square another words :lol3: Legs and long as his back. My Jack's have always had the short legs - English JRT's. Wilbur is on the left holding his dumb bell. He does that hoping for a treat :rofl: Henry, his brother is on the right.



Good luck with Pete!!! You will definitely have a great walking companion. He will need that daily!! Once he is a bit older - take it easy on him since he is still just a baby. I now have a stroller for Wilbur. He has multiple health issues and cannot make the walk anymore. So in the stroller he goes. He loves it and makes him feel special. I could never leave him at home for my power walks and the was the solution. Henry is still quite strong at 13 and needs the exercise.

Jack Russells can be great dogs but they tend to be high energy, very demanding, and at times too smart for their own good. Those are all traits found in most terriers. Make sure he gets enough exercise. I would also get him into obedience class. Not only will it help make him become a good citizen it will also occupy his mind. As a bonus he will be around other dogs and people which will go a long way in getting him well socialized.