Jack Russell Terrier Forum:
Separation anxiety and JRTs

My boyfriend and I adopted an almost 2 year old Jack Russell in July named Larry. He is SO attached to my boyfriend that if we start to hug or cuddle up, he will come running from across the room, squeeze up between us, and growl!! When he comes home from work, he jumps up on him and starts licking him and will not leave him alone! My boyfriend is very easygoing and doesn't discourage this clingy behavior. When he is at work, Larry follows me around sometimes but not the extent he follows him. Also, when we are at a strange place like someone else's home, he will whine or bark until my boyfriend returns. We went to the lake with his family over Labor Day and when he would be out of sight, Larry cried for him so much that it sounded like he was talking...his bottom lip even quivered! At home, he follows him everywhere and even waits outside the bathroom until he returns. Also, I am extremely ticklish. When my boyfriend tickles me, I start laughing. That really sets the dog off! I think he feels threatened because terriers are very protective. On one occasion, instead of pushing Larry off and telling him no and even though I was the one getting "attacked', he snapped at me and almost bit my face! It really scared me! I don't know if it is a Jack Russell thing or not. I grew up with a Fox Terrier and I remember the protectiveness but not this type of behavior. To complicate it further, I am not sure if his severe separation anxiety is because his former owners were forced to give him up! I would love to know if any other JRT owners have experiences like this.