Training a Jack Russell terrier is extremely hard and requires a lot of energy and patience. Here at California Jack Russell Terriers, we start training our puppies right a way.
They should be trained as soon as they arrive home otherwise they will have a mind of their own.
Training A Jack Russell Terrier
There are a few steps you need to follow if you want an obedient terrier. Following are the basic training steps needed for a Jack Russell terrier:
- Dominant Role
The moment your dog enters the premises of your house, you need to start with their training even if they are the cute jack Russell puppies. In case of the puppies, make sure they are at least 8 months old before you bring them home.
The first thing and the most important part of the training is to make sure your terrier knows who the alpha of the house is. If you don’t claim yourself as the dominant one in the house, then your terrier is likely to steal that role as quickly as they can which can prove to be very troublesome in the future.
Hence if you want a loyal and obedient terrier make sure you let it know that the alpha of the house is you!
- Respect
Teach Your California Jack Russell to Respect You
Imagine the mother of the dogs, she lets her puppies play around but when they do something to annoy her, she immediately growls or snaps. The puppy then plays again but the way his mother like it. Be like that, do not treat your terrier like a pampered baby. Change your facial expressions or the tone of your voice when you see it doing something wrong. This doesn’t mean you start abusing it or lashing out at it, just do it enough so the dog can understand the do’s and the don’ts
- Positive Training
While positive training is highly encouraged, make sure to do it at a minimum because if your dog is used to getting a treat when it does something good every time, you are actually letting it take control of their actions which can be bad because then it will start with its tantrums soon when you ignore giving him a treat.
Pat him, be affectionate towards him but be firm in your commands as well or else you’ll be facing a lot of difficulty. This goes for the Jack Russell puppies too!
- Anxiety Issues
Usually the JRT cause problems when the owner is leaving the house or sometimes it wouldn’t stop barking after you’ve brought it home. The reason is because the terrier is anxious and is not quite used to the separation. For this purpose, remember to be affectionate more than usual, leave it treats also leave the radio on so that the dog remains calm otherwise it will bark and howl and in some cases destroys your stuff.
- Exercise
Take your terrier for walks at least twice in a day for 30 minutes each. These dogs are extremely active and energetic and if you leave them bored, they are likely to start damaging your house. So it is best to take them for walks regularly as well as play with them and let them run around free in your background but make sure the fence is the type from which the terrier can’t jump, dig himself out or climb off!
Final Verdict
Hence if you are an active person in need of an equally active companion, then JRT are just the dogs for you. Their training although difficult can give you some great results. So be patient and loving as well as firm towards your terrier and you’ll have a loyal companion for a lifetime!