The Jack Russel terrier's scraggy face and radiant eyes have made him a popular choice for a family dog, and this is why this breed is so often depicted in television and film. Conversely, while the Jack Russel is somewhat small his will is strong, and an untrained (or poorly trained) dog will most likely end up being the head o

Jack Russell Training Guide From Online Vet Tech University

The Jack Russell terrier’s scraggy face and radiant eyes have made him a popular choice for a family dog, and this is why this breed is so often depicted in television and film. Conversely, while the Jack Russel is somewhat small his will is strong, and an untrained (or poorly trained) dog will most likely end up being the head of the house. If you determine that the Jack Russel is the right dog for you, you must be prepared to spend a lot of time training him to ensure that he accepts you as the dominant one. You should start training your dog as soon as he arrives at the house and continue to teach him until he understands and follows the most basic orders and respects the family members. The following tips and suggestions will help your Jack Russell terrier to become a loving member of your family.

Be consistent

The high energy and natural intelligence of the Jack Russell breed can sometimes lead to a stubborn streak that can make training your pet more difficult. Even if it seems that your pet has learned to correctly respond to your commands, it is not uncommon for these dogs to remain rebellious. Consistency is key to training these tiny dogs and when they do disobey you need to be firm and scold them for breaking the rules, but be sure to give praise when they do what is expected. With time and patience, most Jack Russells will eventually learn to listen to their owners and become loving members of the family. Just don’t ever forget for a moment that the number one rule of your house is that you must be consistent in enforcing the rules of the house.

Understand Natural Instincts

Understanding the breed of dog that you have selected is one of the most important keys to proper training, so you should know that Jack Russells have strong hunting instincts that could compel them to attack small animals or run away frequently to chase down a scent. Instincts are not something that can be eliminated through training, so you need to care for your Jack Russell by ensuring that they cannot get loose and put themselves in harm’s way. Keeping your Jack Russell leashed is an essential part of your owner responsibility, and ensuring that he cannot escape from your backyard or home. Jack Russells are also excellent diggers, so having a deep as well as a tall fence may be in order, and checking your yard for “tunnels” is advisable. Also keep in mind that Jack Russell terriers have been known to chase other small pets like gerbils or hamsters and so keeping them in separate areas of the house may help prevent any unfortunate accidents when these two encounter each other.

It can take more time – and a lot more patience – to train a Jack Russell terrier compared to what’s required with other breeds of dogs, but it is worth every ounce of effort you put into it. These little guys make affectionate and loyal family pets and their antics will entertain you for many years. Your Jack Russell terrier will be a delightful part of your family for a long time.