Hijacked

Dear Dog Lady,

I just got a note today from my neighbor informing me that my dog Chandi, a Jack Russell Terrier who’s eight months old, has been howling non-stop for sometime. My nosy neighbor is getting frustrated with the situation and wants to tell the management that I have a dog (we are not allowed to have them). I crate Chandi during the day, come back home for lunch, and then go back to work. I leave her toys and chew bones in her crate. What do you suggest I do?

Chai, Washington, D.C.

Chai, my, my, Dog Lady does not know what air-head notion caused you to believe you could keep a Jack Russell puppy crated for long periods in a building that bans pets. Howling chaos is the consequence. Your neighbor has every right to be outraged.

Perhaps you didn’t realize what you were getting into. Jack Russell terriers are compact and cute, but they have conniving minds like identity thieves and an Olympian’s need for exercise. A Jack hijacks its human keepers. You don’t own them, they own you.

Your Chandi howls in the crate because the dog is bored and tres miserable. Forget about the toys and chewies for distraction. Jack Russells are not tricked into believing a girly bone and a sissy short walk are substitutes for a 10-mile run. Your dog needs epic exercise. Grueling workouts are how these terriers cope with their need to be naughty.

You could quit your job to become a full-time gym buddy to Chandi. Or Dog Lady encourages you to find a walker who is up to the challenge and will take the puppy out for at least two hours a day when you’re not home. This will minimally tire out your pet so it might snooze in its crate. You will have to pay $20 or more per day for a responsible walker/aerobics trainer to challenge your Chandi, but it will be a good investment. However, this could all be moot if you get thrown out on the street because of complaining neighbors. Dog Lady further advises you to resettle in a building where your dog is accepted.

Posted by Dog Lady at May 12, 2005 10:35 AM