Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) Youth Handler Practice Test

When a Jack Russell begins to show aggression towards another dog, the best course of action is to distract them and remove them from the situation calmly. This approach helps to prevent escalation of the aggressive behavior and keeps both dogs safe. By removing the aggressive dog from the environment, you allow for a more controlled situation where you can manage the dog's behavior and implement training strategies that can alleviate aggression in the future.

Calmly addressing the situation helps to reduce stress for both the dog and the handler, maintaining an environment conducive to positive behavior. This method also reinforces the idea that distancing from the source of aggression is acceptable, promoting a calmer demeanor in the future when similar situations arise.

In contrast, encouraging the dog to confront the other dog could provoke a more aggressive encounter, and yelling at the dog may increase anxiety or fear, potentially worsening the aggression. Ignoring the behavior does not provide any corrective action or guidance, allowing the aggressive tendencies to go unchecked. Therefore, distracting and calmly removing the dog is the most effective and responsible response.