Firstly if you have a Jack Russell Terrier, you know he is your best friend, as is my JRT. He follows me everywhere, like my little shadow. But along with following us around. Are you wondering why a Jack Russell Terrier stares at you? Let’s find out why! I can answer this for you from an owner’s point of view.
Jack Russell Terriers have a special bond with their owners. They look to their owners with pure devotion and express their affection. They stare through approval and love. It’s built into a Jack Russell to be loyal, and their whole world revolves around their human companion. Your Jack Russell Terrier will also be getting his dose of oxytocin, and so will you.
How a Jack Russell Terrier acts by staring at us certainly does reflect their loyal personalities and the longing for us to communicate with them. They crave their owner’s attention, but within reason, they are still very much independent dogs. Jack Russells do a great job reading their human companions more than we think. They are intelligent dogs and very alert. Along with starring, they won’t miss any movement from their owners. A trip to the kitchen or off to the bathroom, a Jack Russell never wants to miss out. They often will commence following when they see you leave the room.
Humans can benefit from staring at their dogs (Oxytocin)
Did you know that when you gaze into your dog’s eyes, your brain automatically releases a chemical called oxytocin into your bloodstream? I kid you not; Oxytocin plays a role in social bonding between you and your dog. Dogs are the only species that this happens outside of human-to-human bonding. Oxytocin helps lower stress and anxiety. It can regulate our emotions, trust, and empathy and even result in positive communication.
Recommended Read: Are Jack Russell Terriers Good With Kids?
Other reasons a Jack Russell will stare
Hungry
Perhaps your Jack Russell is hungry and is staring at you for food, or maybe you are eating, and they want a taste of your dinner.
Playtime
Jack Russell terriers love to play, and perhaps your Jack Russell is staring at you, waiting for you to pick up their favourite ball or throw their teddy at them.
Gaining knowledge
A Jack Russell terrier has an inquisitive outlook. They love to be in the know-how and keep up with what’s happening around them. It even shows in their face. Their puzzled look is a good sign that they want to learn and be a part of your life. When they start to head tilt as well, they are at their most inquisitive, as per my image below of my Jack Russell dog.
Time for walkies
Your dog could be suggesting it’s time for a walk, staring, waiting for you to pick up the leash or saying those magical words, time for a walk.
Waiting for direction
Jack Russells love to learn, and they love to learn from their owners. Training a Jack Russell is simple, as they know how to read their human companions well. Perhaps you have started training with them, and your JRT is eager to learn more and for a chance to earn a treat.
Toilet time
Your Jack Russell terrier is trying to tell you that they need to go to the toilet. Perhaps they have moved towards the back door and commenced staring, which would indicate they need to go to the bathroom.
Aggression
Dogs will stare at you when they are in an aggressive mood; however, the stare is not the only sign of aggression that a dog will show. A dog will also display a dominant manner, like standing tall, holding its ears back, showing teeth, growling, or barking.
Jack Russell terriers follow you because they are loyal and have nothing but pure devotion for you. They love being around you and want to be with you every second they can. This trait makes the Jack Russell terriers one of the best human companion breeds. You should be very proud that they choose you to follow, and secretly we all love it.
Dogs do this because they love you and want to be around you. Also, they may get extra food! After all, dogs evolved from the grey wolf by hanging around humans to get what they wanted.
Conclusion
If you would like to know more about your Jack Russell, I have written here an ultimate profile of a Jack Russell Terrier. As you can see, there are many reasons why a JRT would stare at you; however, I think the main reason is pure devotion and the love that a Jack Russell has for their companion. Remember, if you gaze back nicely with love, you will get a boost of oxytocin. So, enjoy it, and no need to feel self-conscious. Just have many happy memories with your dog.
Happy JRT dog parenting
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