Milo - strange behavior

[Kizzy]

Ok, for the doggie people out there, do you think this is “normal” and new behavior because of the move and not some abnormal disease?

In the past month, he has lost a few pounds and he is starting to show a cut in his lower body, meaning he doesn’t look like a pickle barrel with legs, but I’m sure the weight loss is due to him constantly running around. This is my concern, Milo has displayed some very strange behavior, we have never seen before. He is hunting for moles, frogs, turtles, snakes, and things like that and he is rubbing his face on the trees, or on his dead or alive prey. I’ve seen cats do this, as a way to mark their territory, and play with their prey the way he does, but I have never ever seen a dog do it. If he finds something and you walk over to see what it is, he will growl and that growl is MUCH more aggressive than EVER before. I am honestly concerned that if I get closer to him, he will bite me. Now, he stands at the door in a pointer position waiting to go outside, stands at the edge of the woods in the same pointer position with his front leg up, I’ve never seen him do this before.

Milo is a Jack Russell terrier and I know that in England, they use these dogs to hunt for foxes, and maybe, in the old house, he didn’t develop his senses or just didn't have the means to, because he was confined to a small back yard and that it is going to take him time to sniff out all the new smells and stuff and maybe he will calm down some as time goes by. :shrug: Milo is current on all his shots, rabies and distemper, and he gets his heartworm medication religiously.

 

[Pete]

Mid-life crisis

He is all of a sudden losing weight to look buff.

Territory marking.

On the prowl.

If he buys a Corvette that will confirm it.

 

[cattitude]

IM4, he's just being a Jack Russell. They are known to be extremely aggressive hunters. He could bite you or anyone else that disrupts what he is doing. Just be mindful of that when you're dealing with him when he's on a "chase."

 

[Sharon]

Originally posted by Pete

If he buys a Corvette that will confirm it.

Beware if he's sporting a shiny new "stud" collar, check for mysterious 900 numbers on your phone bill, and plain brown packages addressed to him in the mail.

 

[SmallTown]

Maybe the dog freaked out when cmdr proposed to him?

 

[vraiblonde]

I just want to point out that I have never been afraid of one of my cats - ever.

Anyway, IM, if he just started doing this after you moved, I'd think it was just Milo scoping out his new turf and establishing the pecking order with his new buddies. Did you call your vet?

 

[jazz lady]

IM4 - Has Milo been neutered?

 

[Kizzy]

Originally posted by jazz lady
IM4 - Has Milo been neutered?

Yes

We are going to take him to Tidewater vet clinic just up the street, just for a check up and so that we have him established, just incase of an emergency. Appy and a few others here have said that vet office is very good. We'll ask the vet about his strange behavior when we get there. I'm sure it is what Catt said, but either he has just learned to hunt like this or now has the prey there to hunt. This all new to us. He has never been THIS aggressive before, so it is something I have warned the kids about. I honestly think he would bite somebody if they tried to grab him when he is on the hunt now. Just the other day, he had a turtle and my youngest walked up on him and he growled at him. Yesterday, he found some animal crap and when I approached him he showed teeth. And before any one does ask, he did eat it.

 

[cattitude]

I have known people who've had Jack Russells. Very few were/are as a nice as Milo seemed to be. The behavior you describe is pretty much what I've witnessed from other Jack Russells. This is an excerpt from a Jack Russell website (and these people like the dogs...)

Is a Jack Russell Terrier the Right Dog for You?

The points made in this Bad Dog Talk have evolved over the years, and represent the worst case scenario of owning a Jack Russell Terrier. Many experienced, as well as inexperienced, dog owners are overwhelmed by the demands of a Jack Russell Terrier, leading to the dogs being abandoned even before they reach adulthood!
Jack Russells ...

... are first and foremost hunting dogs. The traits and skills that make them excellent hunting dogs (i.e., digging, barking, aggressive nature, ability to follow scent) are often interpreted as bad habits that cause people to give them up.

... are bred to go underground, following scent to locate and bark at quarry until they are dug down to or the quarry bolts. If they do not have an outlet for their natural instincts, they will invent new and fun jobs for themselves, which frequently include guardian of the world and/or their possessions and family, chasing cars, hunting birds, bugs or leaves, or endlessly digging in the soil.

... are a big dog in a little body. They have the same need (or more!) for exercise as a much larger dog... and the mentality to match -- they think they are at least 150 pounds, and are fearless, often challenging other dogs three times their size.

... are often aggressive with other dogs. Same-sex aggression and aggression towards other breeds of dogs is well documented with this terrier. It is strongly recommended that no more than two Jack Russells (of opposite sex only) ever be permitted to stay together unattended.

... are NOT a non-shedding breed! All coat types shed! Smooth coats shed the most, dropping hair continuously year round. Rough coats maintain the guard and dead coat, requiring manual shedding a few times a year. The broken coat is an intermediary coat, between the two types.

... require firm, consistent discipline. They are extremely intelligent, continue to test their limits throughout their life. More often than not, train their owners before the owner knows what has happened! This ability to train their owners can include displays of aggressive behavior. Their assertive nature must be understood and handled properly!

... can become very possessive of their owner or a favorite member of the family or of what they consider to be their personal property if allowed to do so to the point of showing aggressive protective behavior that must be controlled from an early age.

... are commonly known to harass, injure or kill other small pets, such as cats, birds, rabbits, mice, rats, etc., simply due to their strong natural hunting instinct. Raising a puppy with a cat does not guarantee the cat's life-long safety!

... remain active well into their 15-year-plus life span; their need for activity and desire to hunt continues for their entire lifetime. Untrained, unsupervised dogs rarely meet their life expectancy.

... require at least basic obedience training. The dog's life may depend on it! Even well trained dogs will be tempted to chase something interesting, or even disappear into a hole while you are not looking. Off-lead is always a dangerous situation for a Jack Russell unless in a safe environment with experienced JR owners.

... absolutely need a securely fenced yard! Jack Russells will roam due to their hunting instincts.... even if left in an unsecured for a few minutes! You can let them out every day for three years with no trouble....but one day they will disappear and may never come back. Many JR's have been killed by cars by darting into the road in pursuit of a squirrel, cat, etc. They can also dig under, climb or jump over fences; some can climb trees and any height chain link fencing.

... can be very destructive if left unattended and unemployed! Most behavioral problems are due to a lack of companionship, discipline, activity and exercise. If you've only seen perfect, well-behaved JR's, they are ones that were lucky enough to be exercised, well socialized, and trained.

... are country dogs. When made to live in a city or suburban-type environment, their needs and instincts do not change. It would be unreasonable to expect them to be anything other than what they are genetically bred to be -- a serious hunting dog. Your lifestyle must be adjusted to meet their needs; they must have jobs to perform -- an outlet for their considerable energy and intelligence.

... are NOT recommended as apartment or condo dogs. They need a great deal of exercise and outdoor activity, and are usually too loud for such high-density living. They need room to run; leash walking does not satisfy their boundless energy. Unless your schedule permits many hours at home and a lot of outdoor activity, with a safe place the terrier can run, this is not the dog for you. MANY rescues come from apartments, condos, or homes where the owners work away from the home for long periods of time.

...will NOT TOLERATE even unintended mistreatment from a child. They will not put up with typical child handling such as pulling of ears, tails, etc., or taking or "sharing" of the dog's bones, food, toys, etc. They are very assertive and demanding, and never still... jumping all over whoever will allow it. Jack Russells are not recommended for households with children under the age of six unless you are previously experienced with this feisty little bundle of energy.

... are NOT as they are portrayed in the movies, on TV, or other forms of media. Those dogs are professionally trained and handled, and are very obedient only for VERY short periods of time. Celebrity dogs have their needs met by the trainer, and perform their jobs accordingly.

... require a long-term commitment to obedience, activity, exercise and entertainment... their unique character, intelligence and high energy level can frustrate you, will undoubtedly entertain you, and can bring you great joy (when they're happy!) or great grief (when they're not!). If this type of relationship does not appeal to you, then consider another breed. Jack Russell Terriers are always a work in progress!

Please remember... Russell Rescue is very
busy with displaced terriers because
MANY PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE LIFE
WITH A JACK RUSSELL TERRIER!


Reprinted with permission from the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc.

 

[vraiblonde]

I've only known two JRTs and they were exactly as described in Catt's article. But Milo isn't a puppy, is he? I was under the impression he was an adult dog and therefore this isn't just "puberty" but a true behavior change.

 

[cattitude]

You assumption is correct Vrai. My guess would be that he has more freedom now than he previously did and his true JR colors are beginning to show...just a guess. I love him, he is the sweetest thing. I hope the vet can offer some help.

 

[Kizzy]

Believe it or not, Milo is now 2 years old. Even with his newfound hunting behavior, we will still love him just the same. We have made sure the kids understand that it is his nature and to back off when he is doing one of two things, hunting and sleeping. He has a low tolerance if disturbed doing either thing. Catt, thanks for the article, it sounds like this is just his nature and something that is just becoming more heighten with the move, since they are known hunters.

 

[Ken King]

The move is probably what caused the change, all of his "normal" scents have changed and he has to stalk out the new territory and critters. He'll get used to it eventually as the new home becomes familiar.

 

[Kizzy]

Just an update. Milo went to the vet this week for an ear infection; he has lost nearly 2 lbs., 1.8 lbs. to be exact. The vet said this hunting behavior is normal and developing at this time. Like Catt said already, the vet warned us to be careful and not to pick him up when he is hunting, that it is the nature of the breed and it has everything to do with the move. My av picture goes to show just what end of Milo we see a lot of these days.

 

[Vince]

Beware if he's sporting a shiny new "stud" collar, check for mysterious 900 numbers on your phone bill, and plain brown packages addressed to him in the mail.

 

[Vince]

JR's are great hunting dogs. Used to hunt with a friend and his dog. Pheasant. That dog was a fantastic bird dog. IM, wait till he finds something nice and dead and rolls on it. They love to roll on dead birds, etc. or something they've just killed. He'll come home stinking so bad you won't want to get near him except to give him a bath.