OTOTOT Canine Behavior

I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs I've
ever seen.


They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.


Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr, who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately is
desirable, but not always possible.


Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.


Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.


Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.


Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.


The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's ever
tasted.


If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.


It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.


I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual behavior
could this teasing be based on?


Cindy

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:07:15 -0500, "teleflora"
wrote:

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.


I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual behavior
could this teasing be based on?


Cindy

The same behavior for the same reason that your bro did it. Just to
get under her skin.
Debra in VA
See my quilts at
http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere

What happens to the other chewy that was on the bed?? I have visions
now of you sleeping on a pile of them! jennellh


On Sep 19, 2:07 am, "teleflora" wrote:
I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs I've
ever seen.

They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.

Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr, who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately is
desirable, but not always possible.

Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.

Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.

Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.

Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.

The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's ever
tasted.

If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.

I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual behavior
could this teasing be based on?

Cindy

I read somewhere that leather type chewies are something that
pooches will fuss over. Try an alternative type treat and see
if that helps.
Think 2 year olds when you think dogs. I don't think I would
try to keep a jack russell terrier. They have way more energy
than I would have a clue to deal with. You are brave.
Taria

jennellh wrote:
What happens to the other chewy that was on the bed?? I have visions
now of you sleeping on a pile of them! jennellh


On Sep 19, 2:07 am, "teleflora" wrote:

I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs I've
ever seen.

They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.

Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr, who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately is
desirable, but not always possible.

Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.

Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.

Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.

Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.

The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's ever
tasted.

If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.

I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual behavior
could this teasing be based on?

Cindy

A little background first- Missy is my alpha dog of The HairyButt Gang
(second only to me, of course!), but since her cancer is getting to be very
advanced, she's slowly and carefully turning over her duties to Simon.
Simon would never openly challenge Missy. He is much too sweet natured, but
he's always let Missy know that he was ready when ever she was.

I have this same problem to a certain extent. When I pass out the evening
chewies to the four members of my HairyButt Gang, Simon will keep his
between his paws until the other three have finished theirs. Then he will
make a BIG show of jumping up on my bed with me and slowly chew his treat.
Of course, the other three didn't pay attention to him while they gnoshed on
theirs, so they think he got an extra chewy. It makes for bewildered, hurt
feelings and Simon feeling like he's special and got one over on them.

I think this is just typical dog behavior- I have no suggestions or advice
for you..... wish I did.

And I agree with Taria- Jack Russells are very special dogs. Not everyone
can deal with their constant movement and boundless energy. I adore my laid
back, easy going Golden Retrievers and sweet, meek little Daisy- the German
Shepherd/Basenji cross.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.


"jennellh" wrote in message
oups.com...
What happens to the other chewy that was on the bed?? I have visions
now of you sleeping on a pile of them! jennellh


On Sep 19, 2:07 am, "teleflora" wrote:
I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs
I've
ever seen.

They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month
longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't
think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.

Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr,
who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites
and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately
is
desirable, but not always possible.

Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied
for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.

Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they
take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.

Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half
hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.

Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.

The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside
Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it
between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog
savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and
close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's
ever
tasted.

If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone
coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to
investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween
stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.

I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual
behavior
could this teasing be based on?

Cindy

That's the one Starr has been guarding and when Maggie is finished with
hers, Starr jumps down and begins eating her own.

She really doesn't want all of it. I often end up taking what's left at
bedtime and throwing it away. Maggie would gladly eat it, but that wouldn't
be fair would it.

Cindy


"jennellh" wrote in message
oups.com...
What happens to the other chewy that was on the bed?? I have visions
now of you sleeping on a pile of them! jennellh


On Sep 19, 2:07 am, "teleflora" wrote:
I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs
I've
ever seen.

They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month
longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't
think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.

Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr,
who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites
and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately
is
desirable, but not always possible.

Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied
for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.

Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they
take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.

Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half
hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.

Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.

The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside
Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it
between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog
savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and
close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's
ever
tasted.

If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone
coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to
investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween
stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.

I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual
behavior
could this teasing be based on?

Cindy

They aren't really fussing, exactly. Fussing I would understand. It's the
teasing part that gets me. I never had a dog tease another dog.

I know that primates tease each other in play. I just never saw a dog do
it.

And you're right - they don't do this with any other treat. Anything else
and they both gobble them right up.

The key to having JR's is simple. Get two. They wear each other out instead
of you. Having a swimming pool helps too. I swear those dogs have used it
more than me.

Cindy

"Taria" wrote in message
news:GfbIi.3449$oc2.676@trnddc04...
I read somewhere that leather type chewies are something that
pooches will fuss over. Try an alternative type treat and see
if that helps.
Think 2 year olds when you think dogs. I don't think I would
try to keep a jack russell terrier. They have way more energy
than I would have a clue to deal with. You are brave.
Taria

jennellh wrote:
What happens to the other chewy that was on the bed?? I have visions
now of you sleeping on a pile of them! jennellh


On Sep 19, 2:07 am, "teleflora" wrote:

I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs
I've
ever seen.

They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month
longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't
think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.

Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr,
who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites
and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately
is
desirable, but not always possible.

Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied
for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.

Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they
take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.

Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half
hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.

Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.

The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside
Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it
between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog
savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and
close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's
ever
tasted.

If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone
coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to
investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween
stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.

I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual
behavior
could this teasing be based on?

Cindy

Exactly, Leslie! I think Maggie thinks that Starr gets 2 chewies.

And I really don't want to change their behavior. I just think it's funny
that they figured out how to make each other jealous.

Starr is a bundle of energy. She goes from morning till she collapses at
night. She plays by herself if she can't get anyone else to play. She rolls
the ball around on the bed and acts surprised when it falls off. Then she
gets to jump down and chase it. She takes a sock and flings it into the air
and catches it. She needs a 9 year old boy to play with. Her favorite game
is Chase. She's very fast. I wish there were flyball games around here. She
would be a natural.

I go out in the garage in the daytime and Maggie and Holly, the Chessie are
asleep. Starr is out by the (formerly) Koi pond hunting for frogs.

Maggie is lazy. If I take her for a walk, she's liable to lay down and
make me carry her home. She lives for her next meal and the light shows
that play on the wall when you lay in bed reading. The reflection off your
glasses or the book jacket drive her insane. She goes berserk at the sight
of a flashlight beam. I can wear her out running her up and down the
hallway with a flashlight.

I laugh every day at something with them. A few weeks ago, Maggie picked up
a largish river rock out of the rock garden and carried it around for a few
days. She'd lay it down to eat or get a drink, then she'd pick it up again.
I never did figure out what that was about.

Cindy

"Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." wrote in message
...
A little background first- Missy is my alpha dog of The HairyButt Gang
(second only to me, of course!), but since her cancer is getting to be very
advanced, she's slowly and carefully turning over her duties to Simon.
Simon would never openly challenge Missy. He is much too sweet natured,
but he's always let Missy know that he was ready when ever she was.

I have this same problem to a certain extent. When I pass out the evening
chewies to the four members of my HairyButt Gang, Simon will keep his
between his paws until the other three have finished theirs. Then he will
make a BIG show of jumping up on my bed with me and slowly chew his treat.
Of course, the other three didn't pay attention to him while they gnoshed
on theirs, so they think he got an extra chewy. It makes for bewildered,
hurt feelings and Simon feeling like he's special and got one over on
them.

I think this is just typical dog behavior- I have no suggestions or advice
for you..... wish I did.

And I agree with Taria- Jack Russells are very special dogs. Not everyone
can deal with their constant movement and boundless energy. I adore my
laid back, easy going Golden Retrievers and sweet, meek little Daisy- the
German Shepherd/Basenji cross.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.


"jennellh" wrote in message
oups.com...
What happens to the other chewy that was on the bed?? I have visions
now of you sleeping on a pile of them! jennellh


On Sep 19, 2:07 am, "teleflora" wrote:
I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored
them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.

I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs
I've
ever seen.

They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month
longer
than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't
think
Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's
a
constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's
smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand
taller than Maggie.

Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr,
who
is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites
and
takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately
is
desirable, but not always possible.

Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied
for
at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The
other
members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.

Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they
take
off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of
my
bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't
want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.

Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half
hour
to 45 minutes to finish it off.

Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying
between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with
her
head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.

The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside
Maggie
on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it
between
her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When
Starr
catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog
savor
a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and
close
her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's
ever
tasted.

If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone
coming
in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to
investigate,
I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn
chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.

It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween
stash
after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.

I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual
behavior
could this teasing be based on?

Cindy

In article GfbIi.3449$oc2.676@trnddc04,
Taria wrote:

I read somewhere that leather type chewies are something that
pooches will fuss over. Try an alternative type treat and see
if that helps.
Think 2 year olds when you think dogs. I don't think I would
try to keep a jack russell terrier. They have way more energy
than I would have a clue to deal with. You are brave.
Taria

Ditto, Taria. I can't imagine having a JR, but they are certainly
adorable in the right homes, which I'm sure Cindy's is. G Even a
cocker has a lot of energy, but that's about as far as I'd be willing to
go, energy-wise. G

As for the treats, the only time I ever had food issues with a dog, it
was because of rawhide chewies. I finally stopped using them in order to
preserve the peace.

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
sw.foster1 (at) gmail (dot) com (remove/change the obvious)
http://www.sandymike.net

I've never met a Yorkie who would eat a bite unless he was assured that
someone wanted to take it away from him. If we leave Yogi with even a puppy
biscuit while we go shopping, he will wait until we return. He wags that
little tail and stands over the treat until challenged by one of us.
DD's Yorkie is just a wee bit different. George is a rescued Yorkie
and we don't know anything about his puppy days. He will not eat unless
words are spoken over his dish. It can be the simple blessing that little
children do - God is great, God is good - or you can recite the first lines
of the Declaration of Independence; no matter. George will not touch his
meal until the proper traditions are observed. Polly