The smart, active Jack Russell is too much dog for many

I'm sure every pet writer on earth gets these emails... hear about Gina's in this week’s Pet Connection syndicated column:

About once a month, I'll get a frantic e-mail from someone who's frustrated to the point of desperation. "Help!" the e-mail will scream. "I have a Jack Russell, and he digs, barks and chews when we're gone. He's too hyper! We can't take it anymore!"



Sometimes, it's all I can do not to write in return: "High energy? Digging? Barking? Chewing? Congratulations! You have an authentic Jack Russell terrier! What did you expect?"



What they expected, of course, was an adorable, low-key and well-mannered small dog, like Eddie on the TV show "Frasier," or Wishbone on the PBS children's series of the same name. What they don't know is that Moose, the dog who played Eddie, had a full-time trainer, or that the role of Wishbone was played by not one but a handful of well-trained dogs.



And what about their cute little hellion? Perfectly normal for any Jack Russell who isn't given the structure and the physical and mental exercise these hard-driving dogs need.

Also this week: the perfect pet for condo life? A rabbit! Plus a famous presidential dog, a mosquito-eating machine, and what royal British horses do on vacation. Tips on working with shy dogs from animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, and the scoop on cat carriers from Gina:

A sturdy carrier makes going to the veterinarian's, traveling or moving safer and easier for your pet and offers you some options for housing your cat in an emergency, such as during a natural disaster.



Ditch the cardboard carrier your cat came home from the shelter in, since it's not really designed for long-term use. (Not to mention, if the cardboard gets wet, you'll have a loose cat on your hands.) Look for a carrier that provides your cat with a feeling of security and the ability to look at the world outside of his cozy carrier.



[....]



A high-quality cat carrier is an inexpensive investment in your cat's safety. Don't put off buying this essential piece of cat gear.

All this and more in our Pet Connection newspaper feature, which you can read on the Universal Press Syndicate Web site.

Comments

[AuntGranny]

Off topic sorry...

Now that they've had over 2 months, so what's coming into the US will be free of the dreaded MELAMINE. The FDA has FINALLY decided to detain all milk or milk containing products from China until it's tested. Alert has long list, includes pet food:



http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia9930.html



IA #99-30, 11/12/2008, IMPORT ALERT #99-30, "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL

EXAMINATION OF ALL MILK PRODUCTS, MILK DERIVED INGREDIENTS AND FINISHED FOOD

PRODUCTS CONTAINING MILK FROM CHINA DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF MELAMINE AND/OR

MELAMINE ANALOGS"

[cheryl]

Why don't people go to the breed club website and read up on the dog they are interested in? They aren't called terriorists for nothing. If you want a lap dog - get a shi tzu. If you can handle and love a dog that has more brains than some humans - get a terrier.



Mom to Seamus the wee fiend (westie)