Why Does My Jack Russell Follow Me Everywhere? 6 Reasons

Energetic, friendly, and always up for work: I can hardly imagine any dog lover who would not like the Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) puppy.

This dog breed is a perfect choice for anyone who wants a dog that loves adventures and isn’t a fan of a quiet lifestyle.

So, having a Jack means having to be ready to include this dog in all of your activities. One thing the Jack Russell puppy cannot tolerate is being bored. He needs to have some action going on all the time!

These dogs are small but are very energetic and love to bark! So, you might be surprised reading the title of this article, which clearly states that the Jack Russell is actually a clingy dog.

So, if you find Jack Russell dogs interesting and you are planning to become an owner of one, we think that it’s important to understand this particular trait of theirs.

Why does this happen? Why does my Jack Russell follow me everywhere?

Here is everything you need to know about why your Jack Russell follows you everywhere!

Why Does My Jack Russell Follow Me Everywhere?

If you recently became the owner of a Jack Russell and you’ve noticed that this dog does not want to leave your side, you are probably quite surprised by the fact that this dog is actually clingy.

If you have not heard of the expression the Velcro dog, let me just explain it briefly. A Velcro dog is a dog that does not want to be separated from its owner for a single moment of the day.

So, this dog feels good only when its owner is always by its side.

But before you attribute this character trait to your JRT, it would be good to understand a few things.

Puppies require a lot of attention, especially in the period when they have just moved into their new home.

They then go through many changes, they strive to get used to their new owners and new environments, while you try to train and socialize them. So, this behavior of your Jack Russell does not occur without reason.

In fact, there are several reasons why your Jack Russell follows you everywhere.

1. You Are His Person

Maybe your family has several members and your Jack Russell loves you all. His favorite thing is likely being a part of any activity that involves everyone in your family.

However, if you are the only person your JRT follows wherever you go, you might for example, wonder why your dog follows you and not your husband.

The answer is simple – you are the person your dog loves the most and who is it’s true owner!

Perhaps you are the one who most often feeds your dog and most of the time takes it for a walk.

Even if other household members also participate in the care of your family dog, your Jack Russell has recognized you as his person. Therefore, there is a high probability that he will follow you from room to room, all day long.

2. Separation Anxiety

If you are preparing to leave your dog home alone for the first time, you should be prepared for certain consequences. When you return home that day, your Jack Russell will most likely follow you around the house.

Simply, the dog has missed you and it will take some time for him to get used to being left to himself and you not being with him in the house all the time.

In addition to the dog’s refusal to leave your side, additional signs of separation anxiety may appear, such as destructive behavior in the dog.

This can be seen in digging, chewing on your belongings, or loud barking. This period will not be easy for you or your Jack Russell. It’s a good idea to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer or inquire about doggie daycare.

3. The JRT Seeks His Owner’s Approval

The Jack Russell Terrier used to be a hunting dog. Nowadays, he is mostly known as a companion dog. However, he still has a strong hunting instinct and a very high energy level!

One additional trait of this small dog is that he loves to please his owner and is constantly seeking their approval.

Well, in the ideal world of a little Jack Russell, his day would look like this: from early in the morning, his owner will give him various tasks, so he can run, hunt, and have lots of constant exercise.

In addition, his owner will praise him every time that he is a good dog, because seeing his beloved owner satisfied with his behavior makes him happy.

Therefore, if you notice that your Jack Russell is constantly hanging around you, he is likely asking you to share some common activity. This working dog constantly needs action and cannot lie still for long

4. The JRT Is Bored

Your day was filled with obligations, and you hardly had a moment to rest. The same is not true for your Jack Russell. If your dog persistently follows you, it is possible that he is very bored. This energetic dog needs a variety of activities.

If you have neglected this in the last few days, it is possible that your Jack Russell is trying to tell you that he needs something new to happen by persistently imposing his presence.

In order to keep him from showing unwanted behavior, you should ensure that your Jack Russell is never bored.

5. Positive Reinforcement

One common reason your Jack Russell follows you wherever you go is the positive reinforcement method you have been using in dog training. What does this mean?

If you have recently started training your Jack Russell, you most likely use his favorite treats, toys, or praise to reward your dog every time he shows obedience.

This is certainly a good method that most dogs will respond to. But the negative side of using positive reinforcement could be that your Jack Russell is now constantly following you everywhere; he will even follow you to the bathroom.

Your dog has adopted a habit and now expects you to reward him constantly. It would be helpful to wean your dog from this habit in a subtle way to prevent your Jack Russell from being your shadow all day long.

6. Dog Breed Thing

Some dogs are simply more clingy and dependent on their owners than others. Well, Jack Russell is among them!

This dog needs to receive enough exercise, but also enough time with his owner. Sometimes, it might seem that your Jack Russell actually does not need his alone time at all.

You might be surprised by the fact that some dogs need and want to be alone. Learn more on this topic at this link.

So, your Jack Russell will be your best friend, but you probably won’t get to take a break from this friend!

This does not necessarily have to be a bad thing – with proper socialization and training, any dog can learn to become independent and obedient.

However, it is necessary for any future dog owner to know all the important character traits of a JRT, to be able to decide whether this is the best dog for them and their family members.

How To Deal With A Clingy Jack Russell?

It might not seem like a big problem at the beginning that your Jack Russell needs to be around you all of the time.

You are probably thinking: the dog is very young, he has just started living with us, and he needs constant attention. As he gets older, he will stop following me wherever I go. I won’t push him away from me now.

Of course, it is true that you should definitely not force your Jack Russell to leave you alone in a harsh way. This will only create trauma for your puppy.

However, if your dog continues to follow you for a long time it can become very stressful for you.

Before you know it, you won’t be able to turn around without your dog being there! Also, this is not good for the dog either. Every dog should be able to spend a certain amount of time without its owner.

Fortunately, we have some tips that can help you in your efforts to stop your Jack Russell from following you everywhere.

1. Mark Your Personal Space

Is your Jack Russell one of those dogs that sleeps with their bum facing you? We can all agree that this is adorable, but sometimes we can also wonder: Who is the boss around here?

We all love our dogs so much and sometimes, unconsciously, we encourage certain behaviors in them.

For example, the doors of all the rooms in your home are probably open all the time. Even while you are on the toilet, your dog can walk freely. Most of the time he sleeps near your bed and often keeps you company while you prepare lunch.

Sharing moments together with your dog is wonderful, but there should still be certain boundaries.

If you have not marked your personal space in any way, your Jack Russell will not understand that he should not share every moment with you. As a result, you will end up with a dog that constantly follows you.

Therefore, it would be good to let your dog know in a subtle way that you need to spend some moments apart. When he starts following you, close the door of the room and give both you and your dog some privacy.

Too much dependence will not do you or him any good.

2. Start Leaving Your JRT Home Alone From An Early Age

A large number of Jack Russells are pampered by the constant presence of their owner when they are young, so their dependence becomes greater.

In order to avoid this, it would be good to start leaving your dog at home for short periods of time without your presence as early as possible.

After all, we all have to work and be away from home! The sooner you let your Jack Russell stay home alone, the better it will be for both you and him. To begin with, you can start by leaving the dog alone for about half an hour.

First, it is necessary to see how the dog reacts, and whether it shows signs of aggressive behavior. Over time, after your Jack Russell gets used to it a bit, you can start leaving him alone for longer periods of time.

Of course, that shouldn’t mean eight hours! If you’re wondering what to do with your dog while you’re away, read our tips on how to keep your dog entertained while you’re at work.

Dogs like the Jack Russell need plenty of exercise, both physical and mental. Therefore, it is necessary to leave his favorite toys available to him, and it is also useful to leave the radio or television on.

Once the dog gets used to you not being with him all the time, there is a greater possibility that his dependence on you will decrease and that he will stop following you wherever you go.

3. Crate Training

Maybe you have tried this method, but your Jack Russell crying during the night while in his crate was too much for you to handle.

We know this can get tough, but believe us, crate training is something that can make you stop wondering, why does my Jack Russell follow me everywhere?

The best time to start crate training is when your Jack Russell is still very small. When your dog gets used to his crate, it will represent a safe and comfy place for him.

This way, he will have his own spot inside your home, and he will not have to have you around him all the time.

Also, the crate is very helpful for making your dog become more independent.

Make sure that your Jack’s favorite toys and blanket are inside his crate. Make his place to sleep as comfortable as possible. It might take a while, but in the end, this will become your dog’s favorite place in the house.

4. Doggie Daycare

Taking your Jack Russell to a doggie daycare can have a couple of benefits for your dog’s behavior. You don’t have to do this often, but it is useful to give it a try.

You can see how your dog reacts, and, in accordance with that, decide whether doggie daycare should become a more frequent stop for your pooch.

Besides meeting with other dogs and learning how to socialize, spending time outside the house and away from you might significantly decrease your Jack Russell’s dependency on you.

5. Tire Your Dog Out

You just came home and you cannot wait to get into your bed. However, your Jack Russell has other plans on his mind.

Maybe your dog has not had enough exercise that day. As we already mentioned, this Terrier dog breed is highly energetic, so, what looks like a lot of activity for you, might be just a piece of cake for your JRT.

So, what can you do? Tire your dog out! Make sure he has had enough physical and mental exercise. Even if you are away from home, you can try asking some of your family members or friends to pay a visit to your dog friend.

If your dog has had enough activity throughout the day, there is less chance that he will follow you wherever you go.

6. Ask A Dog Behaviorist For Advice

Have you tried all the previous tricks at home, but none seem to work? Do not despair, because sometimes we simply cannot solve the problem by ourselves, no matter how hard we try.

Luckily, today we have professional dog behaviorists at our disposal who will likely have a solution. Consult a professional and make your Jack Russell’s clinginess become a thing of the past.

FAQs

Are Jack Russells Loyal To Their Owners?

Yes! Jack Russell Terriers are very loyal, devoted, and protective of their owners. This dog is on our list of small guard dogs, which means that you and your family will be safe with this small protector in your home!

Although this is a small dog, he is so loyal that he will do anything in his power to make sure his loved ones are safe. So, he will welcome any intruder with loud barking and will make it clear that they are on his territory.

Do Jack Russell Terriers Like To Be Held?

Yes! This dog loves to snuggle and cuddle with his human family.

However, one must be careful here. As we mentioned earlier, Jack Russell is quite an energetic dog. He is not one of those lazy types of dogs who will be content lounging on the couch with you.

Also, in order for this dog to allow you to pet him, he must first trust you. So, you shouldn’t rush to pet your Jack, especially in the beginning.

This dog needs a little time to get used to you and to be able to relax in front of you. After that, will come his show of love and affection!

What Is The Most Common Health Problem That Jack Russell Terriers Have?

There are certain health problems that every dog breeds is prone to. One of the health issues related to Jack Russell Terriers is glaucoma.

Glaucoma in dogs is a disorder of eye pressure. Some of the symptoms that indicate this disease in dogs are swollen eyes, obvious pain in the dog, frequent blinking of the dogs’ eyes, etc.

In some severe cases, glaucoma can cause blindness in dogs.

If you notice any change in the eyes of your Jack Russell, you need to visit the vet immediately. Glaucoma is incurable, but can be treated with drugs or surgery.

Some Jack Russell might also suffer from dental disease. Here, it is necessary to emphasize the regular hygiene of your dog’s teeth and oral cavity.

Today we have a variety of dog toothpastes available, which you can find on sites like Amazon.

If you notice bad breath in your dog, and you have not encountered this before, and you pay attention to the hygiene of your Jack Russell’s teeth, it is possible that the dog has a dental disease.

Some of the additional health problems for Jack Russell dogs are joint and bone problems, and liver disease.

We cannot influence the appearance of some health conditions in our dogs, but what we can do is take care of regular visits to the vet, and the diet and exercise of our furry friends.

Why Does My Jack Russell Lick Me So Much?

There are more reasons why your Jack Russell enjoys licking you.

For starters, if your dog licks you, this is probably a sign of affection and love he has for you. Dogs cannot talk, but they can show their emotions perfectly with some gestures.

This dog behavior can also be a sign of separation anxiety: maybe you have been away for the entire day, and, by licking you, your Jack Russell puppy wants to show you that he has missed you.

If your dog suddenly starts licking you, it might mean that he is bored. So, maybe it is time to reward your Jack Russell with a new toy, his favorite treat, or to take a walk to the park.

When Do Jack Russells Stop Being Playful?

In general, we can say that most puppies usually get easier from around the age of six to twelve months. However, this cannot apply to all dog breeds, since every dog is different and does not mature in the same way.

This can especially not be applied with Jack Russell Terriers.

This dog’s energy is not something that will just go away after his first year. Having a Jack Russell means a lot of fun, but sometimes we will all want to have a short break from all that fun.

However, these hyper dogs simply never seem to get tired.

What can we expect? Will our Jack Russell Terriers ever stop being playful? Eventually, yes. These dogs will not be equally energetic for their entire life.

However, in some cases, you will only notice this change in behavior when your dog becomes a senior dog.

This means that there is a chance your Jack Russell Terrier will not calm down until he is, like, eight or nine years old!

In some cases, excessive energy and playfulness in a dog that does not subside can be a sign that something is wrong with the dog. Or it may indicate that the dog lacks proper training and socialization.

Therefore, we encourage you not to be alarmed by this information on Jack Russells. We repeat again, your dog can be a well-behaved dog, provided that it is trained and socialized from an early age.

Summary

Hopefully, you have found your answer to the question: Why does my Jack Russell follow me everywhere?

We can all agree these dogs are amazing. They are great family pets and are always up for action. At the beginning, you even found your new pooch constantly being around you adorable.

However, this has not changed with time and now you have become pretty worried about it.

However, you don’t need to stress over this problem. Your Jack Russell might act clingy, but as we have seen, there is certainly a reason that perfectly explains this behavior.

Also, there are helpful tricks you can use to stop this unwanted behavior.

So, even if your dog currently refuses to leave your side and is constantly following you wherever you go, this can change. Your

Jack Russell can also become one independent and obedient dog, just be patient and tolerant with your small dog friend!