[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Are animals self aware? Do they have personalities? Come see my Jack Russel. Sometimes I wish he was a little dumber, because it seems like I live with a 3 year old child.

All animals have characteristics which we would construe as "personality traits", even those who are of significantly limited intelligence. My Borzoi—a dog breed which is not regarded as having any significant intelligence—was distinct in his BEHAVIOUR—a key word in this discussion—regarding certain stimulae and circumstances. He never barked, licked, seldom wagged his tail or "grinned" (somthing my Australian Shepherd does; it is quite hilarious), but would "click" his teeth together as a way of showing appreciation or affection, for lack of a better word.

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

- he eats garbage then runs and hides when I get home 3 hours later

Because like the vast majority of domesticated dogs, he has learned that this behaviour results in a series of negative responses and consequences. This does not mean he knows the difference between "right" and "wrong", he is merely exhibitting a patterned response to a stimulus.

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

- If he's mad at you for not paying attention he'll sneak off and pee on your shoes

At which point I am willing to bet that he receives ample attention. This is hardly a "malicious" response, it is only the employment of a proven effective method for securing your attention. Because dogs are pack animals, and beacuse you have established yourself as both pack leader and nurturer, your dog will always look for you attention (some much more than others, however; again, a very big difference between my [aloof] Borzoi and [neurotic] Australian Shepherd is noteworthy in this regard).

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

- he knows about 9 different commands, but only when it's convenient

It's not a matter of convenience as much as it is a matter of your dog's breeding and intelligence in conjunction with how effective your training and handling has been. Consistency is the absolute most important key to eliciting desired responses and expected behaviour from our dogs. Usually the more intelligent the animal, the more consistent our actions and instructions must be. My Australian Shepherd (a HIGHLY intelligent do much like your JRT) "learns" instructions very quickly and easily, but because she is so well conditioned to respond to patterned behaviour, she also learns undesirable reactions just as easily. The triggers for these are often very difficult to detect, and take MUCH observation before they can be un-done.

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

- I'm beginning to think he's racist, or he's just an a-hole

JTR's are ALL a**holes. My wife—a professional dog trainer—hates working with them because they exhibit certain behaviours and responses which are difficult to work through. JTR's are instinctively an aggressive breed, which results in their appearing especially, mean, selfish, manipulative, devious, etc. Racism, by the way is a social response to a variety of ideological and cultural circumstances; I find it impossible to believe that even a highly intelligent dog like your JTR would be capable of forming any sort of opinions, which are necessary for an attitude of racism.

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

- He thinks that he's about 100lbs heavier than any other dog in the park, and will take away sticks, balls, whatever from any dog around him, not matter how mad they are about it.

Again, JTR aggression and pack instincts in combination with the animals level of socialization. Socialization among pet dogs is particularly important if they are ever to "learn" appropriate behaviour in a pack setting with other animals. I have had MUCH experience with this. My wife and I have had dozens of animals living in our house, and through much pain and aggravation have learned that dogs raised by humans need to be introduced very early on and with significant frequency to MANY other dogs (and cats et. al, depending on its Sitz im Leiben), if they are ever to learn how to integrate with other dogs. This is something that a mother will teach her offspring in the wild, but because most puppies are removed and homed practically immediately after they are weaned, the responsibility rests with the dog's owners.

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Such a wierd, wierd animal.

Not really. Based on your description, it seems to me like he is merely a typical JTR who has picked up some bad habits, and has not been properly socialized. With some professional training, he would probably "learn" to behave more in line with your expectations for him.