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Tennis ball obsessed JRT!
19 Answers
My 10 month old JRT is completely obsessed with tennis balls, if we let him he would keep fetching and mouthing it until he dropped!
Even if we hide it when he's not looking, he knows where it is and whines until we get it back down.
Its not as if he doesn't get plenty of other stimulation, lots of walks, training and playing, but he always goes back to the tennis ball.
Is this normal behaviour for this breed?
Or is it just a general dog trait to become fixated on something?
Even if we hide it when he's not looking, he knows where it is and whines until we get it back down.
Its not as if he doesn't get plenty of other stimulation, lots of walks, training and playing, but he always goes back to the tennis ball.
Is this normal behaviour for this breed?
Or is it just a general dog trait to become fixated on something?
Answers
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Just a typical Jack Russell Slinky. I only ever tired mine out by throwing a ball downhill in the Chilterns. Oscar would race downhill after it and then back uphill to bring it back to me. Eventually he would get tired - but it took about 30 minutes!
Oscar also loved a leather football which was as big as him! He would stick his nose under it and run around and around with his head pressed against it barking all the time! He didn't have a clue where he was going as he couldn't see ahead! If I kicked the ball high he would race beneath it, avoid the bounce then jump up and down with it as it bounced until he finally caught it! Real characters.
Oscar also loved a leather football which was as big as him! He would stick his nose under it and run around and around with his head pressed against it barking all the time! He didn't have a clue where he was going as he couldn't see ahead! If I kicked the ball high he would race beneath it, avoid the bounce then jump up and down with it as it bounced until he finally caught it! Real characters.
Thanks Andy, first time dog owner so was starting to think he has canine OCD!
We can take Geoff out with a ball on a rope for half hour down the field, come home and he'll go tennis ball mad for an hour, then take him out in the yard where his leather football is and he just doesn't stop!
What little characters though, he squared up to a Rottweiler last week!
We can take Geoff out with a ball on a rope for half hour down the field, come home and he'll go tennis ball mad for an hour, then take him out in the yard where his leather football is and he just doesn't stop!
What little characters though, he squared up to a Rottweiler last week!
Slinky -
Believe it or not Jack Russells are fearless! Oscar hated other dogs and he would go for and see off every other dog we came across if I wasn't quick. He especially hated Alsatians and he would launch himself at them and hang around their necks with his teeth. He would then avoid their biting and keep snapping at their legs until they turned and fled - with him snapping at their heels! I even saw him do the same to a St. Bernard! The number of times I had to apologise to Alsatian owners! Oscar only ever took on one dog that got the better of him - another Jack Russell!
It's easy to say keep them on a lead but as you will find out they are bundles of dynamite and you just can't do that. You have to give them loads of exercise but always keep watch for other dogs. As soon as you see one put him on the lead until they are gone. He will spy them at 300 yards and hit them like a torpedo given the chance! You'll love him though and they are totally loyal. Geoff will return all the love you give him and more besides!.
Believe it or not Jack Russells are fearless! Oscar hated other dogs and he would go for and see off every other dog we came across if I wasn't quick. He especially hated Alsatians and he would launch himself at them and hang around their necks with his teeth. He would then avoid their biting and keep snapping at their legs until they turned and fled - with him snapping at their heels! I even saw him do the same to a St. Bernard! The number of times I had to apologise to Alsatian owners! Oscar only ever took on one dog that got the better of him - another Jack Russell!
It's easy to say keep them on a lead but as you will find out they are bundles of dynamite and you just can't do that. You have to give them loads of exercise but always keep watch for other dogs. As soon as you see one put him on the lead until they are gone. He will spy them at 300 yards and hit them like a torpedo given the chance! You'll love him though and they are totally loyal. Geoff will return all the love you give him and more besides!.
They do if you don't take them out very often Slinky. If the dog gets used to going out regularly - and I walked Oscar about 3 or 4 times a day - they won't run off. The dogs who do run away are those so unused to being out that they want to make the most of it when they suddenly find themselves free. They then think the owner can do as they please and that's the owners' fault of course.
Geoff will be fine if he's used to being out and about. Keep throwing his ball for him and he won't want to go anywhere else except with you! (It's making me broody for another one now!)
Geoff will be fine if he's used to being out and about. Keep throwing his ball for him and he won't want to go anywhere else except with you! (It's making me broody for another one now!)
He gets at least two walks a day Andy, and extra long ones on weekends, but he is still young and excitable, every walk is like his first as far as he is concerned!
I am loving the whole dog owning thing,never thought I would as I have always been a cat person.
If you don't mind me asking,have you not had a dog since Oscar?
I am loving the whole dog owning thing,never thought I would as I have always been a cat person.
If you don't mind me asking,have you not had a dog since Oscar?
Yes I have Slinky, but I found losing the last two so upsetting that I haven't been able to bring myself to get another since then.
Oscar lived to be 16 which is a ripe old age for a dog. His eyesight started to go as did his hearing and his continence. When the point came where I had to make that unavoidable decion I was so upset that I've got tears welling up now. That was over 20 years ago. I then rescued a Manchester terrier I called Barney and I loved him too. After 6 years my marriage broke up, I sold my house and business, then I had a complete mental collapse and spent 6 months in hospital without having a clue what was going on. My mother found a new home for Barney and when I eventually recovered enough to realise where I was, Barney was long gone.
I'm now full time carer for my second wife who had an accident and can't be left alone. I just don't have the time to look after a dog too. Walks would be the main problem. We have got 6 budges which my wife looks after but they aren't really a substitute. Perhaps we should get another dog as this thread has really got me wanting one again.
Oscar lived to be 16 which is a ripe old age for a dog. His eyesight started to go as did his hearing and his continence. When the point came where I had to make that unavoidable decion I was so upset that I've got tears welling up now. That was over 20 years ago. I then rescued a Manchester terrier I called Barney and I loved him too. After 6 years my marriage broke up, I sold my house and business, then I had a complete mental collapse and spent 6 months in hospital without having a clue what was going on. My mother found a new home for Barney and when I eventually recovered enough to realise where I was, Barney was long gone.
I'm now full time carer for my second wife who had an accident and can't be left alone. I just don't have the time to look after a dog too. Walks would be the main problem. We have got 6 budges which my wife looks after but they aren't really a substitute. Perhaps we should get another dog as this thread has really got me wanting one again.
Andy you've really had a rough time, I'm in no way an expert on dog owning, like I said it's the first time for me.
When we were discussing what sort of dog to have though, I did consider an ex racing greyhound apparrently they are happy to lay on the settee all day and will only be dragged out reluctantly for a walk, so maybe if you are yearning for a dog that maybe one to consider (though I guess they take off like a rocket once you take them out!)
When we were discussing what sort of dog to have though, I did consider an ex racing greyhound apparrently they are happy to lay on the settee all day and will only be dragged out reluctantly for a walk, so maybe if you are yearning for a dog that maybe one to consider (though I guess they take off like a rocket once you take them out!)
It's been a rocky ride Slinky. However, as I posted last night I live near Stoke Mandeville hospital which has a specialist spinal injuries unit. Almost all the people we see around here in wheelchairs are paralysed from their waists and necks (like Christopher Reeve). Those from the neck control their motorised chairs with a stalk control they operate with their chin. Almost all of them are very young and they had motorbike or diving accidents. Many are teenagers.
My wife and I have had what some people might consider a tough time. My wife was brain damaged and we certainly get through one day as it comes. However, we are walking and talking and when I see those youngsters paralysed for life I thank my lucky stars and really don't think we can complain. It puts everything in context. Strangely, my wife and I both agree that we are happy for the first time in our lives!
Greyhounds are inherantly lazy so I believe. They won't walk anywhere and I think the racers have to virtually starve them to get them to run! I love dogs with character so I think it would have to be another Jack Russell. Once you've had one then nothing else will do!
I'll bet you are having a great time with Geoff. They are good for getting you out and about, breathing lots of fresh air and keeping healthy.
My wife and I have had what some people might consider a tough time. My wife was brain damaged and we certainly get through one day as it comes. However, we are walking and talking and when I see those youngsters paralysed for life I thank my lucky stars and really don't think we can complain. It puts everything in context. Strangely, my wife and I both agree that we are happy for the first time in our lives!
Greyhounds are inherantly lazy so I believe. They won't walk anywhere and I think the racers have to virtually starve them to get them to run! I love dogs with character so I think it would have to be another Jack Russell. Once you've had one then nothing else will do!
I'll bet you are having a great time with Geoff. They are good for getting you out and about, breathing lots of fresh air and keeping healthy.
I'm owned by two 3 year old JRT's. Andyvons right in everything he says, about dogs (he's discribed Freddie perfectly) Bitches on the other hand........... Well walk them as much as you like and if they have the scent of a rabit, mouse, rat, phesant (I could go on and on and on ....) then she will come back when she feels like it, and look at you and say" I did'nt hear you, fancy a bit of rat?" The energy the pair of them have is unbelievable, if you could bottle it you'd be a millionaire in a week! Geoff looks so lovely, you'll have hundreds of stories to tell about him,
LOL You definitely don't starve greyhounds to make them run - in fact before they race they are weighed and have to be within a kilo of their last racing weight or else they cannot run. They are fed the best of cooked beef, turkey, chicken etc with vegetables and sometimes complete food soaked, and breakfast ceral with milk in the mornings. Once retired (well actually when in training too) they are happy with just a couple of walks on the lead a day and spend most of their time sleeping. They are very loving and yes they will run off if let loose, but they don't run away as such, they just like to run and will come back eventually, so the beach is a good place or open fields. They will chase small animals if not introduced properly to them but I had them with cats and small dogs for many years. They do make lovely pets. They have been well looked after and vaccinated etc. walk well on a lead and adapt easily to home life.
I know you will get the exception but these are very rare and most greyhound trainers treat their animals better than their famlies!
I know you will get the exception but these are very rare and most greyhound trainers treat their animals better than their famlies!
Hi Lankeela,
I didn't mean they are starved in general - just kept hungry before a race.
I used to know a lady whose husband used to race their greyhound which had cost them some money. He wouldn't feed the dog before a race as she said it encouraged it to chase the hare. If it had been fed then it wasn't interested in running hard. The reason the lady confided all this to me was because she felt sorry for the greyhound when her husband was keeping it hungry before a race. She would sneak outside without his knowing to give it a meal then tell me that her husband was always puzzled why the dog always came last!
I didn't mean they are starved in general - just kept hungry before a race.
I used to know a lady whose husband used to race their greyhound which had cost them some money. He wouldn't feed the dog before a race as she said it encouraged it to chase the hare. If it had been fed then it wasn't interested in running hard. The reason the lady confided all this to me was because she felt sorry for the greyhound when her husband was keeping it hungry before a race. She would sneak outside without his knowing to give it a meal then tell me that her husband was always puzzled why the dog always came last!
Just a word of warning re: tennis balls - Modern ones usually have nylon (or similar material) as an outer covering & this damages a dog's teeth, particularly if they try to chew or pull it off. Our vet has had many cases of damaged gums, teeth & gut problems to deal with so is very anti. The hard rubber balls made for dogs, with or without a rope, or better still a KONG that you can stuff with dog biscuits, are the very best toys.
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