Jack Russell Terriers have personalities that are pretty typical for members of the terrier group. They are larger-than-life, often acting as though they are the size of a Great Dane. However, it’s important for JRT owners to understand that sometimes that boisterous outward appearance is covering up anxiety, stress and fear. The following are five signs your Jack Russell Terrier is stressed.
#1 – Whale Eye
“Whale eye” is when the white in your dog’s eye – around the iris – is visible. Sometimes, the eye may actually bulge out if your Jack Russell is very stressed.
#2 – Whining & Barking
Like most terriers, Jack Russells do like to bark. Many times they are barking at things because they are actually fearful or stressed about them. Your JRT may whine and pace, or stay in one place whining or even barking. It’s important to realize that if your Jack Russell Terrier is reactive (barks at things), he may actually be fearful and not aggressive.
#3 – Ears Back
While Jack Russells don’t have fully pricked ears, if they are really upset about something, they will lay them down flatter than their normal ear carriage. It’s a good thing to watch for if you think your JRT is in a situation that makes her uncomfortable.
#4 – Won’t Eat
Another sign of stress your Jack Russell may display is an unwillingness to eat. Whether you are training or just offering him his meal, a stressed dog often won’t eat. Or, they may eat but take the food very hard and even accidentally bite you. In both cases your JRT is most likely anxious about something.
#5 – Cowering
One of the most obvious and universally understood signs of stress is cowering. Your Jack Russell Terrier may try to run and hide under or behind things – even if they are on leash. This is a dangerous situation because if your JRT cannot get away, some will resort to aggression to get the object that is scaring them to go away (fear aggression).
