Jack Russell Terier

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As a dog owner, you will find pride and joy to own a dog that is obedient, loving and one that can provide you with great companionship. However, all these traits that are very much desired by dog owners do not come naturally to their dogs. This is because every dog has a natural animal instinct and he has to be obedience trained, preferably from a young age to achieve the desired traits.

As such, every dog owner should seriously consider dog obedience training for their dog to cultivate good habits and be disciplined. Dog obedience training should be an integral part of your dog’s life. Just like humans that have to go through several years of education before they join the workforce, your dog should also go through his own “education” process to be a good dog.

If you are considering training your Jack Russell on your own, let me share with you the secrets that I learned the hard way through training and owning many Jack Russell and other dog breeds.

Secrets to obedience train your Jack Russell

The Jack Russell terrier was originally bred to hunt foxes. Due to the nature of his “job” to chase and hunt foxes and other small animals that run very fast; Jack Russell has to be small, intelligent, smart, bold, fast, and a hard worker.

As such, each time you face obedience problems with your Jack Russell, you should look back at these traits and see if the obedience problem is in any way related to them. Here are some secrets that I would like to share with you to successfully obedience train your terrier:

• During your dog obedience training, never punish your terrier for something that he has done wrong. Always check and evaluate to see if the mistakes could have been avoided. If the mistake is made by your dog, have your dog repeat the task over again to make sure that the mistake is not made anymore. Sometimes it may take your dog a few repetitions before he understands how to do a particular task right.

• Some people think that by penalizing their dog, their dog will be more obedient. For example, they will jerk the leash sharply when their dog does not want to move. However, this only causes negative feelings in your dog. So instead of jerking on the leash, you can instill a sense of guilt in him by telling him in a firm and stern voice what he did wrong and then ignoring him. Dogs are very smart. When he senses those negative feelings you are directing at him, he will know that he has done the task wrong.

• As with many animals, the “reward” secret always works. If you go to the circus, you will notice the performers rewarding the animals for tasks successfully done and completed. This is their secret to how they can get the animals to perform what they have been taught. I have used this method on my dogs and find that it is one of the more useful methods in obedience training. A reward can be given food, petting him, giving verbal praise, or any other actions that you know your dog likes.

• Another important secret to successful obedience training is consistency. You have to be consistent in every action of your obedience training; otherwise, you are giving mixed signals to your dog and he will be confused and not be able to respond to the way you intended.

Getting your dog to behave and be obedient is not that challenging. All you need to do is to understand the nature of the breed and then apply the secrets I shared and you will find that most times, your dog will respond positively to it.

Jack Russell terriers are generally very active dogs. This is not surprising because they were first bred for hunting small animals that tend to run very fast. As such there will always be the tendency for your Jack Russell terrier to be pulling on the leash when it gets distracted. However, if your Jack Russell terrier has the habit of pulling the leash when you take him out for walks, not only is that annoying and tiring; but if you do not correct this bad habit, it may result in some unwanted consequences. This is especially the case if the leash or collar breaks and your terrier goes out of control.

It is also not good for your terrier to be pulling on the leash for a long time as it may also cause injury to him. This is because great pressure will be exerted by the collar on his neck and this pressure can also cause the collar to cut into his neck. The sudden jerk on the leash will also exert pressure on your hand and hard pulling on the leash also means that you need a greater force to control your terrier.

As such, to solve the problem of your dog pulling on the leash, you will have to first understand the fundamentals. If you already have had a dog for some time you may have noticed that by instinct your dog wants to be the pack leader. As such, your dog will always want to take the leadership position if you allow him. Hence if you do not establish yourself as the alpha leader to your dog early on in his life, you will find that he may be challenging you for the alpha dog position, and pulling on the leash is one of the symptoms of challenging for that alpha position.

Hence, one of the ways to stop your dog from pulling on the leash is to be the alpha leader to your dog. If your dog senses that you are his leader, then a big part of his behavior problem can be easily managed. You can easily command your terrier and he will obey you because you are his leader. You can also consider leash and clicker training. Again this training will also help to establish you as his alpha leader and at the same time instill discipline into your dog.

Have you also considered exercising your dog more often? It may sound funny but the lack of exercise may also cause your dog to pull on the leash. This is because like I mentioned earlier, your Jack Russell is a hunter and he is full of energy. If he is cooped up, then he may want to release that energy inside him by dashing about – hence he will pull on the leash.

Another important aspect often forgotten by dog owners is that of acknowledgment. It is also another form of communication between you and your dog. Everyone wants to be appreciated – even ourselves. Remember how happy you were when your boss told you that you had done a good job? Well, your terrier wants your appreciation as well.

As such, once your terrier behaves well during your walks, let him know that he is a good dog. Give him some praise or even a treat. However a word of caution – do not overdo it as it may lead to undesirable consequences.

Are you thinking about buying a Jack Russell Terrier? I have owned one for about seven years since she was about four years old. I bought her from an animal shelter where she broke my heart, crying for an owner to take her home. I named her “Treasure,” and she is a very loving, adorable part of my family. However, if you are thinking about getting one, here are ten facts you need to know about this breed of dog beforehand.

1. Jack Russell Terriers are possibly the most hyperactive and aggressive dogs in the canine kingdom. They are bred to be hunters and can dig a one-foot hole into the ground within a minute.
2. Their bodies “vibrate” when they get excited. This “nervous energy” is their way of communicating that it really wants to go out. When I take mine out on walks, she usually wants to run, so I hold my retractable leash firmly. I often use the entire 20-foot retractable leash’s length when we walk. I’d need a bike just to keep pace with her by my side.
3. They will chase smaller animals, except for smaller dogs.
4. Don’t get a Jack Russell unless you own a lot of lands. I used to live in a wooded neighborhood where there was a lot of space between houses. Treasure could run and play as much as she wanted. However, I now live in a retirement community where all dogs must walk with leashes. Also, don’t get a JR if you live in a condo community, where there’s usually not a lot of space either.
5. I walk Treasure at least three times per day. Each trip takes 20-30 minutes, but it’s great exercise.
6. Always use a strong, retractable leash.
7. If you have to take it out on a leash, be aware of your surroundings. If you walk it right beside a road, keep its leash’s distance, at most, two feet from the handle; they pay absolutely no attention to cars coming and going. So, it’s best to find a fairly wide grassy area to sniff and do its business.
8. Treasure will usually go crazy when she sees a UPS, FedEx, mail truck, or any landscape vehicle that tows large lawn maintenance equipment.
9. Jack Russells don’t make friends easily with other dogs. They tend to become aggressive toward smaller dogs of the same sex. However, Treasure will get along much better with larger ones that are male or female. My general rule of thumb for Treasure meeting other dogs is if the other dog is staring her down, I won’t let her get close.
10. Buy a Jack Russell when it’s a puppy. You will have an opportunity to train it so that it will be a bit more manageable as it grows older. This would also be a good time to let it socialize with other dogs.

If you want to own a dog that is energetic with hunter instincts and you own a lot of land without a lot of distractions, Jack Russell Terriers would be a good choice; They are not the best lap dogs, but they can be warm, gentle and loving. Like a proud Marine soldier who loves his country, Jack Russell Terriers are the most trusting of man’s best friends.

The Jack Russell Terrier was first introduced by Englishman Jack Russell for hunting and for small games. Especially talking about the Jack Russell Terrier breed, then they are strong willed and smart dog. This breed of dog can give their owner extreme happiness and at the same time can make their life very miserable with their hyper behavior. Their habits like digging, chasing small mammals, fighting with other dogs, climbing, disobedience and snapping can irritate their owners. So if someone plans to have one of these JRT, then the proper Jack Russell Terrier training should be given to the dog.

As already told that these dog are the diggers dog, so don’t leave these dog alone in your backyard as they can go on digging the whole lawn. So the proper supervision is must while training Jack Russell. You can select an area where your dog can dig and let your dog to dig at the selected place. But don’t leave the dog alone in the lawn for a week or two. After that they will continue to stick at the same place. If you cannot provide a digging area to your dog, you can scold your Jack whenever he starts to dig.

Snapping is another bad habit of the jack Russell. They can snap at the time of excitement or also at the time of aggression. You have to recognize it carefully. While playing with a snappy dog, a child should be supervised and not let the dog get much excited because they can possibly bite child. Along with snapping, they have an instinct to kill the rodent which can result in killing the family cat too. Raising your dog around a cat can ultimately raise the chances of being friendly with the cat. This will somehow shows the socializing character of your dog. You also can enroll him in some kind of social place like parks or visiting a friend having dogs. This is important during jack Russell Terrier training because they are very much aggressive towards other dogs. So without socialization aggression is common.

These dogs are very much active one. So they need hours of exercise and play every day. They always seek for challenges and attention. Teach him to play Frisbee at small age. Give them whatever they need or else they will go on doing the bad deeds, incessant barking and find several ways to escape from the fence.

And at last, you can call the expertise if nothing is going well while training your Jack Russell. Training Jack Russell Terrier is lot harder if you are first time owning a dog. But a new fresh face to the dog can do nearly good as that of the expert trainer when it is about Jack Russell Terrier training.

Jack Russell Terriers (JRT’s) are known for their intelligence and cuteness. They are bred to be high-energy dogs so keeping that in mind they need to have some strong direction or a dominate pack leader.

The Jack Russell has a very interesting beginning. The breed was started by a fellow by the name of Parson Jack Russell (mid 1800’s). Parson Jack Russell decided that the current fox-hunting terrier he was using for hunting were unsuitable. The current red-bodied terriers that he used to hunt fox with where to similar to the game he was after, so he decided a better breed was needed. It is assumed that he looked at the English Black and Tan Terrier and crossed it with the English White Terrier, resulting in the breed as we have today a white dog with brown, black, or even light tan spots.

As mentioned the JRT’s were primarily bred for hunting. Keeping this in mind, you need to be aware that those hunting instants are still there. Jack Russell Terriers love to dig and jump; they are breed to be high energy dogs. They are also very territorial with food and toys and love of their masters. You must always be the pack leader and dominant ‘alpha male’ with a JRT’. This should be considered especially if you have children under the age of five who may not understand that the dog thinks he is ‘the top dog.’ You may also want to really investigate the breeder of the Jack Russell. Make sure they are not interbreeding or over breeding, and hopefully breeding with the best qualities that a JRT has to offer.

Training Jack Russell Terriers can be a challenge. They are notoriously obstinate and can be difficult to train but with a little patience it is obtainable. The breed is very intelligent and they enjoy the stimulation – so start training early, and do not assume that just because he is a puppy he won’t understand. It is very uncanny how smart they are. As soon as you receive you puppy start training him, you will be glad that you did. Don’t play any rough games with your Jack Russell (like tug of war) as this is teaching him that it is OK to use his teeth. If you are going to play with a toy-make sure that you always win the toy otherwise he will never give it back and most of all do not allow any snappy behavior. You also may wish to enroll him in a dog training program to get him on the right path.

Jack Russell Terriers are dogs that have been bred to hunt. They are alert and cheerful dogs with lots of energy. They are busy dogs who are always exploring their surroundings, probably looking for their next quarry. They are also very intelligent, quick thinking dogs that learn quickly, but may have an independent streak as well. Like all breeds of dogs, Jack Russell Terriers have tendencies for temperament and instinctive behaviors, but there are always exceptions to the rules. Selecting a Jack Russell Terrier should be a decision that suits your lifestyle and your family.

If you’ve decided that a Jack Russell Terrier is for you, the next step is to locate a reputable breeder. One way to find a breeder is online. An even better way is to go to a nearby dog show, terrier trials or lurecoursing and actually observe the dogs and their owners, trainers and breeders–often the same person. Breeders may have several litters to choose from and only a few pups will actually be considered show or breeding quality. There is no reason to buy a show quality puppy unless you are serious about showing, because the price will be considerably higher than for a pet quality puppy.

The breeder should be willing to answer any questions you may have now or in the future and should accept the puppy back if you determine that a Jack Russell Terrier is not a good fit for your family. They should also include a written health guarantee. Don’t be surprised if the breeder asks you just as many questions to make sure you and your family qualify and are prepared to take home one of his pups. It is a commitment that can last many years!

One of the most important things to look for in a puppy is it’s health. If you were able to locate a responsible breeder of quality puppies, health should not be an issue. Many puppies or their parents have been screened to ensure they are not carriers of any genetic disorders like cerebellar ataxia, patellar luxation, Legg–Perthes disease, primary lens luxation or deafness. With that said, the Jack Russell Terrier does not typically have as many issues as other purebred dogs.

Another important quality to look for is the puppy’s temperament, which can be assessed by watching the puppies interact with their littermates and mother. Early socialization is a major concern for terriers and is necessary because it encourages a stable personality. Selecting a Jack Russell Terrier puppy that is friendly and not overly shy or overly aggressive is important when choosing a pet. The pup should not appear nervous or frightened. Each puppy will have a distinctive personality even at the tender age of 5–6 weeks old, though the puppy should never be removed from the litter before 8–10 weeks old, as they are still learning from their mother.

The breeder will be able to help in selecting a Jack Russell Terrier pup that is right for your family and lifestyle, since he knows the personality of all the puppies very well. Deciding on a male or female is a personal choice, though often the females are more loyal, loving and quicker to learn than the males who may be more protective of their owners.

If the idea of getting a puppy sounds too demanding, consider selecting a Jack Russell Terrier older dog through a rescue agency. Puppies are cute and cuddly, but quite often destructive! If you have a busy lifestyle, your puppy may spend too much time in the crate and not have enough socialization to become the type of companion you had in mind. Adult dogs can hold their bladders for much longer and are less likely to destroy your home or yard while you’re away. Adult dogs’ personality and temperament are obvious and unlikely to change. The same evaluation should be made when selecting an adult or puppy: good weight, clean eyes and ears, and friendly, cheerful attitude.

Selecting a Jack Russell Terrier should be taken seriously since it can be a very long commitment. If you take your time and choose the right puppy or adult dog for you and your family, you will be rewarded with a loving, cheerful, and loyal companion for many years to come.

The following are some of the signs you should look out for:

Cardiomyopathy

This is a condition that weakens the heart muscle. It is characterized by a by a thickened heart and dilation of the chambers. Stiffening of the heart muscles also occurs. Cardiomyopathy exhibits no early symptoms hence can only be detected when more advanced.

Complications include pulmonary edema and pleural effusion. Pulmonary edema is brought about when water accumulates in the lungs or chest cavity. Your dog will experience labored breathing or fast breathing. These are some of the red flags you will notice. Also if your dog shows a reduced interest in exercise activities, have it checked out for cardiomyopathy.

Lens Luxation

Another common health condition that can affect a Jack Russell Terriers is Lens Luxation. It is an inherited disease that can affect either eyes or just one. It is characterized by dislocation of the lens.

In some cases, dog owners hardly ever notice the condition in its early stages. At this point the lens is only partially dislocated. But once full dislocation occurs, the dog experiences pain and the eyes become opaque or have a reddish hue.

Immediate medical attention can eliminate the possibility of blindness. Lens luxation mostly develops in older age. Always be on the lookout for any changes in your dog’s eyes. Visit a vet immediately should you notice a change in color to discuss the possibilities of a lens disorder.

Hydrocephaly

Hydrocephaly is a brain disease that can pose great health risks to a Jack Russell Terrier. It involves the accumulation of fluid in the brain.
At the moment there is no known cure for hydrocephaly. However research for finding a cure is still ongoing. The kindest option available for dogs suffering from the condition is euthanasia.

It is advisable to look into other possible diagnoses for the symptoms exhibited might be as well characteristics of other treatable neurological disorders.

Von Willebrands Disease

Von Willebrands Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by abnormal platelet function. You can notice it if your dog is cut and the bleeding is excessive despite of the cut being not too deep. Bleeding gums, blood in urine and constant nosebleeds are also other symptoms to watch out for.

Von Willebrands Disease has no cure. The most you can do is discouraging and protecting your Jack Russell Terriers from any rough fights with other creatures. Also have your vet suggest ways of reducing the excessive bleeding that may occur during surgery; should your dog be faced with the need of undergoing the procedure.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

During birth, the fetal vessels located between the pulmonary artery and the aorta might fail to close. This normally results into a number of cardiovascular complications. Sudden death is the first sign of the disorder in rare cases.

The disease can be easily detected during a routine checkup. Signs to look for include an unusual heart sound and your dog appearing weaker than how it is supposed to be.

Patent ductus arteriosus should be identified in its early stages. A timely diagnosis is necessary in order for a successful surgery to take place. This might not be the case in older dogs.