Any ideas on containing an escape artist terrier?

Question

My Jack Russell is four years old and will not stay in our yard or even our house. We rent, so I can't change the fencing options, and an invisible fence doesn't phase her. She breaks or chews through or pulls out of coated chains and teathers or whines, barks, and bellows like crazy. We put a shock collar on her, and that only modifies her behavior for about the first three minutes when she's pouting. Then it's back to the same thing. She escapes our house, and I'm not sure exactly how she does that. I've put up baby gates and have tried confining her to more secure parts of the house. We live near a beach where she runs off to, and people usually pick her up and take her to animal control within the first few minutes of her escape, which costs me over $130 each time. This is expensive and frustrating. We take good care of her, but I don't know how to keep her contained. Any other ideas? And she's a crybaby about everything, which is very frustrating - squirt bottles don't work ... nothing works, but crying is better than running away. (Fortunately she's not been hit by a car.) She's so clever, but I need to do something.

Answer 1

how often do you exercise her?

try some obedience training and activities like agility or dog dancing. arraign play dates with your friends dogs if that is possible. leave toys like kong balls with treats around for her. My jack was the same way and when I started competition obedience and a hour long walk a day he calmed right down. like a child you need a routine for her that helps a lot as well. Exercising and obedience is most important, you can teach old dogs new tricks but it takes a lot of effort and time. good luck with your jack.

Answer 2

You gotta love her spirit even if she drives you nuts and endangers herself.  Have you crate trained her? If not, look into it.  She also sounds bored and looking for action which occurs with most of JR's to some extent or another. Not a dog for everyone....they are wired for sure and require LOTS of daily activity.  As well, contact your local humane society and ask if they can recommend a dog behaviorist.....she's really acting out and there is a reason(s) which you need to find out in order to modify the behavior. Another avenue may be a JR breeder....these people have a wealth of info on their particular breed and may be able to help.

Answer 3

Terriers are VERY smart!  Sounds to me like she is bored.  I'd try changing up her routine, playing with her, and taking her on outings.  It sounds like she likes adventure and people so maybe the dog beach, flea market, or local park would be some good field trips for her.  Also, have you ivested in one of those toys that you stock with dog treats and the dog has to figure out how to get her treats?  Petco sells a bunch!  Check em out here:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_ProductL...

Hopefully that type of toy wil hold her interest and she'll try and escape less!

Answer 4

Jacks are very strong willed and will press their boundries their entire lives.  She sounds like she needs firmer training.  Buy a crate.  When you aren't paying attention to her crate her.

The invisible fence works for my terriers, but they had to be trained to turn back towards the yard when they heard the beeping otherwise they would also just run through it.  Refresh the training on the fence.  Put her on a leash, approach the boundry, when you hear the beep turn back toward the center of the yard urgently yelling no, no, no. Once you are in the center praise her.  Do this 10 minutes a day, twice a day.