Jack Russell Terries are so lively and spunky they make any home a fun and exciting place! Maybe you are thinking that if having 1 jack Russell Terrier is so much fun why not have 2?
Adding a second Jack Russel Terrier to your home can sound like a great idea, but if you are seriously thinking of doing it, it’s best to plan ahead and know what to expect.
Your Jack Russel Terrier could greatly benefit from having another dog in the house. Dogs are pack animals and are genetically drawn to be together. It is important that your Jack Russell is well socialized first and you will need to choose the sex and breed of your additional pet carefully.
If your Jack Russell Terrier is not well behaved and you are wanting to get him or her a companion because you think that will help them be less bored or destructive, think again! I’ll explain why that might just add to your problem instead of helping it. We’ll also learn about what the best companion for your Jack Russell might be and how to introduce them to each other successfully.
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Do Jack Russells Get Along with Other Dogs?
Generally, if your Jack Russell is well trained and well socialized then yes it will get along well with other dogs. Because Jack Russells can sometimes be more high energy they get along better when paired with laid-back dog breeds who don’t mind your Jack Russell being in charge.
If your Jack Russell is possessive, has a lot of anxiety, or is not very well socialized it may not be a good idea to get another dog as a companion for your furry friend until you have been able to address all of these problems first.
You will still need to work on training and give the dogs a chance to get to know each other on neutral territory, but chances are they will mingle well and end up as best friends.
Something that you can do to test your Jack Russell’s sociable nature would be to take them to a place that has a lot of other dogs and very closely monitor and observe how they react to other dogs. A good place to try this out could be Pet Smart, or perhaps a dog park. If they are inquisitive and want to be social and get to know other dogs without being aggressive at all that is a great sign that you can proceed to try and find them a companion.
Is your Jack Russell Terrier Lonely?
Your Jack Russell Terrier may be lonely if….
- Your Jack Russell follows you around the house everywhere
- Your Jack Russel howls or cries when you leave
- Your Jack Russell is less interested in playing and sleeps more than usual
- Your Jack Russell licks their fur so much that they start to lose their hair
- Your Jack Russell is destructive and getting into trouble
Why you Should Get another Dog for Your Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers thrive on attention and socialization. They love nothing more than to play and be part of a pack! Getting another dog for your Jack Russell to play with and grow up with can be a great idea for many reasons. Having a playmate can help your Jack Russell from getting bored, and can take some of the pressure off of you to constantly entertain.
Having more than one Jack Russell Terrier can be a lot of fun for you. I can picture the extra loves and snuggles I would get from having multiple little fur balls running around my house. Animals are so fun to watch and their antics are always entertaining. Just think about how many hours you can spend on YouTube watching cute dog videos.
If your Jack Russell has separation anxiety and gets very lonely when you leave him alone getting him a companion to keep him company could be a great comfort and help to him.
Jack Russells aren’t a large breed so they do eat less when compared to larger dogs like Australian Shepherd or the rest of their doggy counterparts that adding another one really won’t be too much of an additional cost, although you do need to think about the cost of vet visits and possible grooming or training that you will need to invest in.
Why You Shouldn’t Get Another Dog for Your Jack Russell Terrier
If you are thinking of getting a friend for your Jack Russell because your Jack Russell is bored and getting into a lot of trouble, think again! You shouldn’t get your Jack Russell a companion dog if your Jack Russell is already not well behaved.
Finding that tipped-over garbage can with chewed-up tissue, or food and treats hidden all over the house isn’t fun for any pet parent, but it will be double trouble if you add another puppy to the mix. You may think that he’s bored and his antics of getting into the garbage can or constantly barking at the neighbors indicate he needs a playmate, but that’s not necessarily true.
Making sure to well train your Jack Russell now will make it a lot easier for you if you do add another pet down the line. Not only will your pet be better able to handle the new transition, but he will also be better equipped to help you train a new dog the right ways to do things.
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If you aren’t prepared to deal with the financial cost of another dog then you shouldn’t get one just for the sake of your Jack Russell to have a friend. Vet visits, vaccinations, flea treatments, grooming, treats, and toys can all add up. You don’t want to feel like you need to get a second job to pay for a second pet, that kind of just defeats the purpose.
Do Jack Russell Terriers Get Along with Each Other
For the most part, Jack Russels get along well with each other and can really benefit from one another’s company. Jack Russell have a pack mentality and are happy to rule the roost with each other, but beware, if you do get multiple Jack Russell Terriers you need to make sure that you are giving equal attention to them all so that jealousy doesn’t start to play a role in how they treat each other.
Training will be essential when having multiple Jack Russells and it could be a little tricky to train your new puppy with your senior dog around watching you give all the attention to the newest member of your family.
What Else You Should Consider With Multiple Jack Russell Terriers.
You should avoid getting littermates as it’s likely you could have to deal with littermate syndrome in the future. I don’t know about you, but I get enough arguing with my kids, I don’t need fighting puppies to go with it!
You also need to consider the age of your Jack Russell, if you have a very senior Dog then they might not have the energy or desire to keep up with a new puppy. Yet some studies show that having a senior dog and getting a puppy can be good for your older dog. It can keep them more fit and active. The puppy may also accept the older dog as the Alpha as well.
What about just getting 2 puppies at the same time? Double the cuteness right! Well, that may work out ok in the long run, but if you haven’t had experience with taking care of and training a puppy I would suggest you start with one. Having one puppy is a lot of work! Two puppies to care for and train at the same time is downright exhausting!
So when is the best time to introduce another puppy to your household? Most behaviorists recommend waiting at least a year before adding a playmate. A new puppy will mirror the behavior of your already established Jack Russell, the good and the bad. So if you have at least a year to do some significant training that will give your Jack Russell a good strong foundation of training and socialization they’ll be ready to help your train the new recruit, which in the long run will make adding another one less work for you.
With Jack Russel Terriers like most other dogs, opposites attract! If you have a male Jack Russell then you should try to get a female, if you have a female then a male could be a good match. There is usually less competition for alpha status between the sexes than if they were the same gender. Of course, remember that you’ll end up with a litter of puppies if one of your Jack Russell Terriers isn’t fixed.
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