AboutBeth Adams Expertise I have 10+ yrs rescuing Cairn terriers. Ask me about rescue work and re-homing rescued terriers. I am also proudly owned by a Jack Russell Terrier rescue. I am also keenly aware that terriers are significantly different from other kinds of dogs, and often not the best choice for some owners.
Experience 10+ yrs owning and rescuing cairn terriers. Proudly owned by a Jack Russell Terrier rescue. My JRT is active in being a foster brother, and earthdog and agility events and we're having a blast
Expert: Beth Adams Date: 5/28/2008 Subject: Jack Russell being destructive
Question I have an almost 2 year old neutered male Jack Russell. For the most part he is a good dog, until he goes out to the back yard. He, twice now, has eaten the cord on the air conditioner. Since the 2nd time, my husband put up a lattice fence around the air conditioning unit. All has been well for a week. Today I put the dog out back for about 20 minutes and called for him to come back in, he was acting guilty.....I looked outside and saw that in the 20 minutes of him being outside, he had eaten a big hole in the lattice and there are wood pieces in the yard. He has also been chewing on the wooden deck. He has hard chew toys outside, but would rather snack on wood or branches. He doesn't chew on anything except his dog bones in the house and won't chew on anything when we are outside with him. But when he is alone outside he is naughty! What can I do?
Answer Trisha -
My best guess is that he's bored. He would rather have someone out there playing with him or be back in the house with you.
I know my own Jack can be very destructive if bored, but under normal circumstances is a wonderful boy... But left to his own devices and left alone for too long outside and he has dug his way out of my chain link fence, and through a cellar vent into the basement (it's easy to see why he ended up in a shelter).
So, I would let him out and then bring him in once he's done his business unless you are planning to throw a ball for him or something. He's not going to exercise himself left out there - He's just going to think of more things to get into, so you might as well bring him right back in.
Another option that might buy you a little time is one of the learning toys that you hide treats in, or I use a kong stuffed with peanut butter and then frozen. That keeps Connor busy for a few more minutes, and is of higher "value" to him than thinking up trouble to get into.
