10 Ways to Tell if Your JRT is Healthy

Spending time with your companion as you do, it is possible to take it for granted whether or not your JRT is healthy.  However, this is very important part of being your companion’s caregiver and should be one of the questions that you think about more often than not.  There are signs, symptoms and subtle tells that will let you know if they are healthy or if a problem is brewing.  A few of them are listed below:

            

     

            Eating habits

JRT’s can be finicky eaters—any JRT owner can attest to that.  However, your companion is usually a big eater, or is finicky more so than usual there may be cause for concern.  Also, if your JRT has gone of their food or water for more than 24 hours it is definitely time to contact your veterinarian.  This is usually a good indication of a problem.

      Full Body Checks

Once a month, while grooming or just loving on your JRT, you should run your hands over every part of their body.  You are checking for any noticeable changes such as cuts, lumps, growths or displays of discomfort when a certain area is touch or rubbed.

       Changes in their Gait

When you and your JRT are out for a walk, watch and notice how your companion carries themselves.  Do they walk stiff?  Drag their toes? Limp?  Also, do you notice more panting than usual or perhaps a cough?  If so then there is definitely a need to see your veterinarian and follow up.

            

      Watch their Weight      

Obesity and being overweight can cause a multitude of physical as well as health problems for your JRT.  Although most JRT’s are very active, a lot can have to do with their environment and their exposure to the chance to exercise.  Make it a priority to keep your JRT on a well-balance, healthy diet, and if things begin to get out of control it is better to handle them sooner than later.

 Monitor their Potty Habits

This is one area that is helpful in detecting a problem with your JRT.  There are several warning signs to be on the lookout for such as: diarrhea, constipation, blood or even mucus are the four top warning indicators that may be in your companions stool.  Their urine can be a signal as well if it is dark, cloudy or contains blood.  The key word to remember is that everything is consistent.  If not, then see your veterinarian as soon as possible.

      Check their Teeth

As with us, your JRT’s teeth can tell you a lot about how they are doing health-wise.  You should make it a routine to check your companion’s teeth at least every month.  If you notice any change in their teeth and make sure none are loose or cracked.  Check their breath noting if there is an odor.  An odor can indicate anything from digestive issues to tooth and gum infection.  Finally check their gums as healthy gums should appear pink; if they appear dark red or dark in general make sure to have them looked over by a veterinarian.

            

Look them in the Eyes

Look your JRT directly in the eyes and make sure they are clear and the pupils are round and even.  Also, check for any ingrown eyelashes that may come to pose a problem, and make there is no excessive discharge or signs of redness or irritation.  If any of these symptoms are visible, make sure to get them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. 

          Don’t forget the Nose

In most cases your JRT’s nose should be moist and cool, will be free of visible discharge, no evidence of sneezing and no sounds of obstructed breathing.

      Check out those Feet

Make sure when you do our monthly checks that you include your companions feet in that routing check.  Make sure there are no cuts, scrapes, or sores either on the pads of the feet or between the toes.  Also make sure that your companions toenails are kept as short as possible as long nails can cause problems and discomfort.  Caution: when trimming the nails make sure to be extra careful because if they are trimmed too short, you may hit the quick causing both pain and bleeding. 

            

       Lastly, check their Ears

Look in your JRT’s ears and make sure there is no wax build-up or swelling.  Smell them as well, because if there is an infection starting you will smell it before you see physical signs of it.  You may clean around the outer area of your companion’s ears, but at no time do you insert anything into the ear canal itself.  If you find anything unusual make sure you see the veterinarian to have it checked out.

If you make sure to do a monthly routine checking these areas, if a problem were to crop up you will notice it well in advance of it becoming a major problem.  It is all about being diligent and keeping the best interest of your JRT in mind.  A healthy companion is a healthy and long living companion which is a win-win situation all the way around. 

Why Does My JRT Growl And Snap At Me?

In the canine world your JRT has a very limited means to express when they are not comfortable or pleased with a situation, unlike in the human world.  It is because of this gap in communication that from time to time you may misread or misunderstand your JRT’s actual meaning or intentions.  Many times in fact when a JRT shows displeasure or discomfort in a situation they are mistaken as being aggressive, when really that is not the case at all. 

            

The one thing to keep in mind is that your JRT can snap and growl and still be a good companion.  This behavior does not point to aggressive tendencies, and should not be treated in that manner.  The underlying cause of the behavior is what needs to be scrutinized, not the automatic jump to a conclusion of aggression. 

With a normal, what we will call a good JRT from here on out, there are steps, or warnings, that are issued in a sequence.  With an aggressive JRT, there are no warnings, just the head long leap into the aggressive behavior. 

            

The warnings may be basic, such as low growling, pulling away, raised hackles, or even a snip here and there.  These are your JRT’s way of letting you know in the best manner they know how, that they are unpleased or uncomfortable about a situation or action. 

Now, by no means think that these are the only warnings, or that they will end there.  It may very well end up that your JRT is in a situation that makes them so uncomfortable or uneasy that they will become more forthright in their objection.  It is usually when they are pushed to this point that they are seen as aggressive in nature, even though they tried to give you adequate warning of their feelings. 

            

When your JRT does issue these warnings, and others that may be more specific to your companion themselves, it is best not to confront or push the issue.  It is by pushing your JRT, and confronting them, that the situation can escalate into aggression.  Keep in mind that most aggression is caused by stress.  If you stress your JRT, there is a good chance that the will present with aggression tendencies or responses.  Responses that could have been prevented had you headed the warning signs.

Snapping and growling are two different types of warning.  As such we will need to look at how to deal with them separately.  First, lets take a look at how to deal with your JRT growling. 

                -First and foremost, it is essential to figure out WHAT is causing your JRT to growl.  Is the growl one of warning, or is it sign of something else?  Is your JRT is stressed?  Uncomfortable? Or maybe even in a fearful situation?  You need to know WHY your JRT is growling, in order to better understand them.

            

                -Under no circumstances do you punish your JRT for growling.  In their world, growling is a form of both warning and expressing their feelings.  If you punish them for growling, then there is no precursor to the next warning, snapping.  And in some cases punishing for growling will move your JRT into full blown aggression, since they no longer feel comfortable with their warning system.

                -When your JRT begins to growl stop what you are doing immediately.  If there is usually a very short span of time between their growl and their snap, step back a safe distance.  If there is usually a decent span between one warning and another, just stand by your JRT until they are calmed down and more relaxed.  It is then that you may move away, showing this action as a reward for relaxing rather than one for growling. 

            

                -After your JRT has calmed down take a moment to analyze the situation.  What act or action might have elicited the growl?  Were you grooming them?  Did you take a toy or such away from them?  If you know what caused the growl, you will be better served to deal with if not prevent the same response in the future.

                -Plan out a method to accomplish the same action you were attempting before without initiating a growl again.  This will undoubtedly take some planning, and might involve the help of another individual, but make sure that, unless you can convince your JRT that the action is a good thing, that you do not repeat it because you will only serve to achieve the same end results. 

            

                -Here is the most important of them all…identify those things in your JRT’s environment that are causing them stress, and triggering their warnings, and eliminate them if at all possible.  If you cannot eliminate them all, eliminate as many as possible.  The less stressed your JRT is, the less the chance they will feel the need to issue warnings. 

Now that we have looked at why your JRT might be growling at you, lets look at possible reasons why they may be snapping as well.

             

                -The number one reason your JRT might snap at you is out of fear.  Keep in mind that any situation that is deemed uncomfortable or unpleasant may trigger a sense of fear in your JRT, that then in turn may trigger a response of snapping.  Also, the snapping may or may not be preceded by a warning growl. 

                

            

                -The next most common reason a JRT might snap is over possessiveness.  In the canine world, the need to protect what they feel is theirs can cause a JRT to snap.  This possessiveness may involve a beloved toy, treats, food and in some cases their human companion.  It is your JRT’s way of indicating what is theirs will remain theirs…period.

                -If your JRT is experiencing pain that is worse than usual, this may provoke them to snap at you.  It is important to either determine what is causing your companion pain, or take them to a veterinarian and have them evaluated.  Anytime pain is the cause of the snapping, there is cause for concern.

                       

                -If your JRT is female, she may be experiencing maternal feelings and believe it or not this can lead to snapping.  When you are around her puppies, handle them with care, and in full sight of your JRT.  Also, try to keep young children away from both mother and babies, and make sure they have a place where they can be together at any and all times that gives them a feeling of safety and security.

If you look at the warnings signs, and the possible reasons that might trigger your JRT to growl and snap at you, then you will be better prepared with how to treat the underlying causes.  Do not automatically jump to the conclusion of aggressive tendencies, and make the mistake of handling each situation in this manner.  If you do it will only aid in straining your relationship with your JRT and possibly cause long term irreparable damage as well.

Territorial Marking in JRT's

Like most canines, whether wild or domesticated, Jack Russell Terrier’s tend to mark their territory.  

Most achieve this method of ownership through their barking.  They will bark at strangers or interlopers making sure that it is understood that they claim a specific area.  However, some JRT’s male and female alike will take this claiming of territory to the next level by urinating on what they perceive to be their “turf”. 

            

It is very important to understand that this type of urination habit is not one of a lapse in housebreaking.  Your JRT is doing this action on purpose.  To begin to take control of this annoying habit, you must first figure out what is triggering it to begin with. 

To help in determining if your JRT is, in fact, marking its territory you will need to figure out if one of the symptoms below matches what is going on with your canine companion:

            

                -The issue is solely with urination.  Although some JRT’s have been known to mark with feces, more often than not this is not the issue. 

                -You are finding the urine on walls, cabinets or other vertical surfaces.  This is from leg lifting which believe it or not females are known to do just as well as males in some cases.  And, even if your female is not a leg lifter then she will still be squatting to mark her territory.  The moral here is do not rule out your female from marking. 

            

                -Have you spayed or neutered your JRT?  If not, more than likely you are experiencing a marking problem as intact males and females are more prone to marking than their spayed or neutered counterparts. 

                -Finding that your JRT may be urinating on new items brought into the house, such as furniture is also a symptom of marking.  Also, if you find they are urinating on items with an unusual odor or might have the smell of another canine or feline, then they are most probably marking in this instance as well.

            

                -If your JRT is not getting along particularly well with another animal in the household they may be resorting to what they would do in the wild.  When one canine wants to exert dominance over another “pack” member, they will urinate and mark what they are claiming as their own. 

                -When you take your JRT for a walk and find that they are stopping frequently to lift their leg or squat, then rest assured they are marking.  The thing about this is they will bring that behavior home with them and will be re-marking their own territory just to reassert their ownership.

            

Okay, so you are pretty sure, from the list above, that you have determined that your JRT is territorial marking.  Now the question is how do you stop the behavior?

                -Spay or neuter your JRT as the earliest time your veterinarian suggests because by doing so you decrease the possibility of territory making to occur.  However, if you wait until too late in life, the very action may be ingrained in your JRT and spaying or neutering may not make a difference.

                -Clean previously soiled areas and make them inaccessible and unattractive to your JRT.  If the latter two are not possible, then recondition your companion to see that particular area in a new light.  Love on them, play with them, and give them treats so that they may see it as a positive area and not one to mark in the future.

            

                -Any articles that are of particular interest to your JRT to mark on, such as guest’s belongings or new purchases, keep these items inaccessible to your companion.  Either place them up out of your JRT’s reach or stored in a closet or closed off room.

                -If there is a new pet in the home, and they are not getting along with your JRT, try to mediate a truce.  Also, keep your JRT away from doors and windows.  If they are able to see other canines or animals they may feel compelled to territory mark as a result. 

            

                -Watch your JRT closely while indoors for signs they may be getting ready to urinate and mark.  If for some reason you cannot watch them, consider confining them to a crate. 

                -If none of the above proves effective, then it may be that your JRT is marking out of anxiety.  Consult with your veterinarian about the possibility of this being the cause, and a short term dose of anxiety prevention medication may help in clearing up the issue.

            

Territorial marking in JRT’s, as with most canine, is common and not unheard of.  There are multiple reasons for the condition, and by determining the root of the problem you may better deter the annoying behavior.  Just keep in mind that most times your JRT is not aware they are doing something you do not like, and it will take time, patience, and understanding on your part to help them to move past this condition.