Whether you’re an experienced dog owner or new to the game, Jack Russell Terriers are a very rewarding breed to train. But what exactly does it take to train a Jack Russell? This breed is incredibly energetic and intelligent, so they usually catch onto training quite quickly, but you need to be patient and persistent.
Below, we explore the main things you should be focusing on when you get a new Jack Russell and highlight some of the best training practices you should follow.
Absolutely! Training your Jack Russell, as with other dogs, has a host of benefits that you won’t want to miss out on as a dog owner. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that training your dog is all about giving them rules and discipline.
In truth, this is far from the whole story. Perhaps most importantly, training is incredibly stimulating for Jack Russell Terriers. Jack Russells are intelligent dogs that love to learn new things. This is true for puppies and adult dogs alike.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a super intelligent breed that picks up new tricks very easily. For this reason, training your Jack Russell shouldn’t be too much of a problem, even if you have limited experience.
The incredible energy of a Jack Russell can sometimes manifest itself in destructive behaviour. It’s not uncommon for Jack Russell puppies to attack furniture and shred your best cushions. One of the main aims of your training will be to channel your dog’s energy away from destruction.
The first types of training you should use with your Jack Russell puppies are:
Of course, this process is a key part of any puppy training. Teaching your Jack Russell where and when to go to the toilet is a relatively straightforward process that they should be able to adapt to quickly.
Toilet training should start as soon as you get your puppy home. The best way to approach toilet training is to get your whole family involved. This way, there will always be someone with their eye on your Jack Russell that knows what to do when they show signs of needing the toilet.
Toilet training should be one of the first things you teach your Jack Russell puppy.
Crate training your Jack Russell is all about giving them a safe haven that they can retreat to and feel safe in at night. It’s important not to overuse the crate, as this may make your pet feel trapped rather than being in a space of their own.
A Jack Russell that has a good relationship with their crate will understand that it’s a place to relax and sleep in. As a result, your dog will be able to be confined in the crate for extended periods without getting stressed or restless.
Just like with toilet training, crate training should start as soon as possible. The quicker you get your Jack Russell acquainted. If you have just got an adult dog, crate training will be more difficult, but it can still be possible.
Crate training doesn’t have to be a complicated feat, but it does require owners to have a lot of patience and be gentle with their pooch as they get used to their own little space. No part of the crate-training process should be rushed, and here is the best way to do it.
The first step is to gently introduce your Jack Russell to the crate. One of the best ways to do this is to place food or toys inside to encourage them to explore. Wait until your dog is fully comfortable in the space before closing the door for 5 to 10 minutes.
After the first session, you should aim to slowly increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate at once. Be sure to keep these initial sessions short to prevent your pet from ever getting claustrophobic and stressed.
The ultimate goal of crate training is to get your pet as comfortable as possible inside the crate. When you’ve achieved this, your Jack Russell will be happy to spend extended periods of time in the crate without distress. In many cases, this means sleeping inside the crate overnight.
When leaving your pet in the crate at night for the first time, try and leave nearby doors open so you can hear them if they start to get distressed. Hopefully, your crate training will have been effective and taught your dog that the space is nothing to be afraid of.
Crate training can provide a number of benefits for you and your Jack Russell. Not only does the process hone your dog’s den instincts, but it also ensures they are kept safe at night and can help out with toilet training, too.
On the other hand, crate training can indeed be distressing to dogs, especially if the crate is not the right size. It’s super important to be respectful of your pet’s needs and never push them to stay in a space they don’t want to be in.
Absolutely! We’ve said this a lot of times, but Jack Russells are highly intelligent animals with an intense active streak. This is the perfect combination for quickly learning tricks.
The biggest difficulty you’ll have is getting your dog to give you their full attention. Jack Russells can be quite stubborn, but with the right approach, you shouldn’t have too many problems. Let’s take a closer
When training your Jack Russell, it’s best to have a few treats up your sleeve. But above all else it’s best to stick to these four tips.
With any type of dog training, consistency is essential. Teaching a pet tricks or new processes is all about building habits. Without regular training, these habits will never be cemented, and your dog will quickly lose interest in your sessions. There’s no tougher dog to train than a bored dog.
Punishing your dog for failing to keep up with training is never the right approach. It’s been shown that animals respond most effectively to positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your dog when they do something correctly.
Treats can be a very useful tool during a Jack Russell’s training session, but it’s important not to overuse them. Not only is this bad for your dog’s health, but expecting a treat after every success could lead to problems in the future.
Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement that associates a clicking sound with doing the right thing. Jack Russells are known to respond well to clicker training so it could be worth a try.
In summary, although the Jack Russell Terrier is a relatively easy-to-train breed, it’s common to have issues with attention and boredom. Our number one piece of advice is to try and keep your sessions as fun and varied as possible. If you’re enjoying yourself, then your dog will be too!
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