Why Are Jack Russells So Hyper?
Like the other newbie pet owners, you might be wondering about Jack Russell’s hyper behavior. Are you worried about why your buddy is too hyper? Is that any issue with them? Is it dangerous?
Well, it is completely normal until they are not harming you. All the Jack Russells are hyper. This is their natural behavior. It happens because they have a higher energy level than other breeds, which causes them to be hyper and excited all of a sudden. According to my experience, this is completely manageable. You can control their hyperactivity by following some tricks and tips that I have mentioned in this article.
So, if you want to overcome your Jack Russell’s hyper behavior quickly, read this article. But first, you need to understand the reason behind it. So, let’s talk about it.
Why Are Jack Russells So Hyper?
Okay! Some questions that most Jack Russell owners ask are:
Are all Jack Russell hyper?
Why my Jack Russell is hyper?
Can I do something about it?
Well, the answer to these questions is simple. Yes, they are hyper, but that doesn’t mean you can’t handle Jack Russells. These dogs are loving and caring creatures. All you need is to learn a few tricks to encounter this problem (which I will discuss later).
The first thing you need to understand, which actually has helped me a lot in my case, is where they get their energy from? Jack Russell terriers are a working breed specifically bred to hunt the vermin. These strong pups get the best hunting companion’s tag because of their agility, bravery, intelligence, and strength.
As they are naturally working animals, they have a lot of energy. However, these dogs do not work as hunters anymore but still live with the same strength and power they once have. So, when they don’t get the chance to get rid of their high energy level, they start to behave differently or get hyper.
When Will Your Jack Russell Calm Down?
Yes, there are some ways, but that doesn’t have any guarantee that your pet will stop jumping or crushing things in a few days. Not to mention, these canines have plenty of energy for the most part of their lives. Mostly, they only get calmer in their older age.
To be honest, I personally think that being hyper is not always a bad thing. I love the feeling when my Jack Russell starts pulling my clothes when they observe something exciting. These are some natural behaviors that make your day. Moreover, it is also a sign that your pup is completely healthy and active.
Your Jack Russell should remain energetic from the age of 2 to the age of 8 to 9. At the age of 10 to 12, your pup becomes older and less hyper and active. Besides, they also become prone to various health problems. At this older age, they will mostly remain calm. But this should not worry you, as I am sure you will know that they are not as powerful as they were before.
I think that you need to enjoy your little one’s energetic and hyper behavior and habits, if they are not destructive, of course. However, the only hyper behavior you need to limit is tearing, crushing, or barking habit.
How to Control Hyper Jack Russells?
As I already discussed, your dog has a high level of energy. They need to take it out on something. If you provide them the right way to get rid of their energy, they will remain calm and relax throughout the day. So let’s discuss what you can do to control your highly active companion.
Do Massage and Rubbing
This is something all the dog breeds crave: owner’s massage and rubbing. Gently rubbing your Jack Russell’s belly makes them feel the same way humans feel when they get back massage.
Compassionately rubbing promotes a sensation that makes them calm. They can even fall into a deep sleep. Make sure to do that in a calmer way. If not, it will backfire, and your dog may become more excited instead of calming.
Additionally, you can use this trick when you want to sleep or make a call. Just call your pooch, place them on your lap. Start rubbing their bellies until you observe them closing their eyes for 5 minutes. Gently place them on the bed or any soft surface. Ta-da! Your Jack Russell’s hyper behavior is gone.
Keep them Away from Cats and Small Pets
It is vital to understand that an excited dog may not want to intentionally harm your pet or children, but they can playfully do. So, it’s better to keep cats, small pets, and children under the age of 6 away from an exciting canine.
Additionally, toddlers can make Jack Russells extremely excited when they notice quick and unpredictable movements of them. Interestingly, these dogs take it as a cue to play by chasing your child. Furthermore, Jack Russell also has a high prey drive. When they observe any cat or other pets running away, it triggers them to show their natural behavior.
Maintain Distance between Jack Russell and Other Excited Pups
This trick is great for owners who try to build a friendship between their Jack Russells with neighbors’ dogs. Keep your fellow away from other active or excited dogs. If not, no matter what tricks you use, it will become impossible for you to calm your dog afterward.
Besides being active, Jack Russell is also a playful dog. If you make them calm and they encounter a dog in a playful mood, this will make them excited too. Not to mention, they will most likely try to follow the other dog to play with them.
Use the Calm Hold Technique
Wondering what the calm hold technique is? This method helps to calm and settle any dog. Put your hand on the side of your Jack Russell’s shoulder. Try to keep your hand still in one position. Don’t say anything to them and avoid eye contact. If your pooch is moving continuously, you can hold them with your other hand from the collar.
Moreover, if you want to say anything, just say “Relax” in a calm, straight and unemotional tone. Once you feel your little one is now relaxed, you can remove your hand.
Train Jack Russell in Young Age
Not only do you need to train Jack Russell at a younger age, but you should also train other dogs at this stage of their life. At this age, dogs are easy to train. On the other hand, Jack Russells understand and follow instructions because they are highly independent and intelligent beings. They have the tendency to surprise you with their intellectual capabilities.
So, when you train them at an early stage, they will be more likely to follow your command during old age. Training them will help you prevent stress and problems because of their hyperactivities. As they live a very long life, around 15 years, you will be able to counter their behaviors in all this time.
Engage Them in Exercises
As we have already discussed the primary reason for Jack Russell’s hype behavior, you may already understand that exercise can reduce their energy levels.
They need to get rid of energy regularly to get a relaxing feeling. You need to provide them at least half or one hour of high-intensity activities. You can take them for jogging, running, playing, or anything which is easy for you both.
Don’t forget to provide them mental enrichment and stimulation. These dogs are intelligent and smart; they need some activities to exhibit their mental capabilities. Some toys can do the trick. Make sure to offer them as many activities as you can, so they can channelize their energy.
Bring Chew Toys for Jack Russell
Chewing is a natural habit of dogs. Furthermore, it also has many health benefits. For example, chewing promotes dental health. Chewing toys also keep your pup occupied in tearing little toys. This is safe for your household furniture and other objects.
One of the primary benefits of these toys is that it provides an extremely relaxing feeling to your canine. When a puppy chews, endorphins start to release in their brain. This makes them feel calm, happy, and less stressed. However, bring a toy that will not cause any harm to your pup. Check whether it has any pointy objects.
Bottom Line
So, now you may understand the reason behind Jack Russell’s hyper behavior and how you can control it. Another most important thing I would like to tell you is that you need to apply all the mentioned methods to calm them down.
If you avoid any of them, your pooch will get a chance to get back to its hyperactivity. But if you do them regularly, you will observe your Jack Russell remains calm all the time. Don’t forget. It will take time. But after a few days, you will notice the difference.