My six month old female Jack Russel has frequently started to run off after scents on walks.

by Rebecca
(Wales, UK)

I was wondering if anyone could please help advise me on where I'm going wrong? We have a six month old Jack Russell bitch Lilly who is perfectly house trained and is usually excellent at recall in different situations, but over the past week or so she has started to frequently run off on walks to follow a scent.


We exercise her well with a free run over the mountain in the morning and a long lead walk in the evening, we play with her throughout the day rotating the toys she has and keeping 'special toys' in our possession. I put her food down at different times of the day so it's not always there as I read keeping control of food also helps. We practice recall with her everyday with treats and bonus treats and have also just completed puppy training. We do our very best to socialize her and she's excellent with other dogs and children. But when she seems to pick up a scent all training goes out the window!

If anyone could please help advise me on where I'm going wrong I'd be so grateful. I'm just so worried now that one day she'll run off and onto a road, and I really don't want to stop her free runs as she enjoys them so much.

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Mar 07, 2012
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My six month old female Jack Russel has frequently started to run off after scents on walks. NEW
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for your comment!

Yes I think I'd completely have to agree with that! Lilly is now 16 months old and we've finally come to the conclusion that when she picks up a sent there's no stop in her! We've just learned to be as careful as possible as to where we let her run free now, she also lovely squirrels, and cats! I was secretly hoping that she may calm down in a few years, but as yours is six years old I think I can forget about that! I guess they are terriers after all : )

Mar 07, 2012
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Scents on a walk NEW
by: Anonymous

We've got a 6 year old jack Russell who also does this. Walking with or without the lead he is very well behaved. In the park, meadows or fields, again very well behaved and comes back no problem. However when we take him in the woods, all of a sudden he will pick up a scent and he's off. I've tried treats, whistle, shouting, everything really. It's like he's possessed, nothing gets through to him. I'm sure it's squirrels as he'll yap when he's near the tree. I'm wOrried he'll go into a farmers field, on a road or have a fall because he'll follow the scent anyway. Even up huge steep rocks and ledges. It didn't happen in the summer yet this winter and autum it will happen every other walk. could be down to extra activity on the woodland ground with squirrels?

Apr 24, 2011
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Spayed
by: Rebecca

Thanks for your comments! She's booked in to be spayed in two days time so hopefully that may help.

Apr 23, 2011
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after scents
by: Anonymous

If your jrt isn't fixed,do so

Apr 23, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar
after scents
by: Anonymous

If your jrt isn't fixed,do so

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