Chasing squirrels

by Jim Bennett
(Shawnee, KS)

Good afternoon- I could really use some sound advice on working with my Jack Russell and squirrels. I adopted this little fellow back in March from a shelter and he is a very lovable little guy. I lost my best friend Dryfus greater Swiss mountain mix to cancer back in December.

Since we got Bailey in March I have spent so much time taking him outside to do his business and play. Unfortunately, we also have several squirrels who have made the trees in our back yard their home and every time we take the puppy outside, he becomes obsessed with the squirrels and either goes from tree to tree or just sits at the base of a tree and yelps at the squirrels.

I am so afraid that he will "get" one and get hurt, that I go out with him every time, and am constantly following him around. This is making for a not very fun relationship. My son has told me seem obsessed with the problem and perhaps I am; but only because I don't want to see the little guy get hurt. He did actually get over our fence when he saw a cat, and I almost lost him at that time.

I'm thinking about ordering one of those remote citronella collars to see if that might help with the squirrel problem. I really don't feel it's right to go the shock collar route, but am just beside myself on what to do. He was a stray at the shelter, although my vet believes he is a high quality pure bred JR.

I sometimes wonder if maybe his obsession with the squirrels is why he ended up a stray?? The shelter folks said he was a little under two years old and my vet thought that was pretty close to correct. Any advice you can offer sure would be appreciated as I really love this little guy, but all of my time has pretty much been consumed with watching over him. It is probably not any more healthy for him as it is for me. Thanks for your time. Regards, Jim Bennett