Dog Obedience Training Tips

Dogs and digging go together like baseball and peanuts, but that is little consolation when your backyard looks like a minefield! This problem is doubly bad many times when it comes to the Jack Russell terrier because of the breed specifics. You see these terriers have been bred and trained for hunting ground animals such as fox, groundhogs, badgers and more. All of these animals live underground and it is the Jack Russell’s job to bolt them or keep them pinned until the animal can be dug out.

With this type of background you can rest assured that most of your efforts to stop your Jack Russell from digging are going to be in vain. You can manage their digging to a point but for the most part, you are going to be in the business of managing this trait.

Sandbox

One of the best ways to curb your Jack Russell terriers digging fetish is to give the dog his own area. A sandbox is a good tool to use for a special digging area. You can begin training your terrier to dig in the sandbox by half burying their favorite toys in the sand.

Fence

Another reason your special terrier may be digging like crazy is to escape the backyard. Jack Russell terriers are the Houdini of the dog world and many times will work diligently to broaden their territory. Your best option would be to call the fence contractor to come back out. They will need to dig below the fence and poor concrete footers to prevent your fur ball from escaping! Some terrier owners have tried running a hot wire at ground level but most of the time your pet will simply back up a little further and begin tunneling under it as well.

Gardens

For garden owners you will need to either monitor your pet well or put up a barrier to keep the Jack Russell from digging up your plants. Roses planted along the perimeter of your flower garden is a great natural digging deterrent, not even a Jack Russell wants to contend with these prickly plants.

Remember some variety of plants and mulch are deadly poison to pets and children so do not take any chances. It may be that you will have to keep your terrier completely secluded from the garden area for protection.

Holes

If your Jack Russell has already turned your yard into Swiss cheese of course you will have to fill the holes back in. Many people choose to fill the holes with rocks or gravel to discourage further digging.

Conclusion

Jack Russell’s are terriers, a name that literally means go to ground, so the chances that you will ever completely curtail their digging are slim. After all, it is in their nature and generations of training.  You can use direct supervision to slow them down, but you will have to be very diligent to prevent digging. This is something you should really consider long and hard before getting a puppy. If your garden and yard are sacred to you, this is not a breed you want to share your space with.

Puppies are cute and fluffy and all have one thing in common, they love to chew! Jack Russell terriers are no exception to this rule and if you are tired of replacing blinds, shoes and other household items there are a few things you can do to curb their chewing enthusiasm.

Why?

The first question you should attempt to answer is why your Jack Russell is chewing. The clues can be in when and what he or she is dining on as well as your dog’s age. When they are puppies, they are still teething and just like babies desire something firm to mouth to help bring the teeth through the gums.

For young Jack Russell puppies, you will want to have a good supply of chew toys on hand. You can find a great assortment at the local pet store and even many retailers. Rawhide bones and rubber chew toys are a dog’s delight. Unfortunately, this need to chew can become a bad habit as your puppy grows, or they end up chewing on things that are dangerous and expensive.

Deterrents

When chewing goes from a cute puppy issue to a full-blown problem, you may need to take steps to deter them from munching on the television cord or your furniture. There are several things you can do to make the experience very unpleasant for your dog.

Several companies provide a foul tasting spray that you can use on valuables. A few instances of coming into contact with this substance and your dog will decide they should find something else to chew on. If you are not inclined to spray chemicals around your home, you can make your own deterrent from dish soap and water.

In extreme cases, you may have to seclude your pet when you are away for their own safety. Some dogs become anxious or agitated when their owners leave for work and begin chewing up everything they can get the mouth on! A crate or baby gate can be very helpful in this situation.

Anxiety

If you determine your Jack Russell is chewing out of anxiety when you are away you really need to spend more time with them when you are home. It truly is amazing how much like children small dogs can be. Take your terrier for walks, play together in the yard and remember to pet and praise them when you arrive home from work.

When you have tried everything under the sun and nothing seems to be putting a dent in your Jack Russell terriers chewing habits you may want to consult your veterinarian. Your dog may have medical reasons for their constant chewing; it is possible that anti-anxiety medications could make a world of difference.

Conclusion

Jack Russell terriers are pretty much like most other dogs, they chew when they are teething, upset, anxious, bored or out of habit. Your biggest job will be determining the underlying cause. When you know exactly why your pet is exercising their jaw so much you will know better what to do to put an end to it.

Jack Russell Terrier’s are very popular dogs today; a glance at pet sales in your local classifieds will likely have several ads for these vivacious animals. They are small dogs not usually measuring more than 15″ at the shoulder, white bodied with brown and black markings around the face. Their small size, energy and looks have made them the number one pet choice for many people. The problems come in when your Jack Russell becomes aggressive.

If you are having problems with a Jack Russell that bites or otherwise shows aggression it is a problem you need to nip in the bud early. In order to properly challenge this behavior it is a good idea to know a little more about the breed and some potential reasons the dog may be acting out.

Breeding

Originally bred as working dogs the Jack Russell Terrier has boundless energy and focus. The dogs were trained for fox and other ground animal hunts. Their job was to find the animal and either bolt it or keep it in place until the ground critter can be dug out. To do this the Jack Russell must constantly bark and work the animal. This requires a lot of energy and stamina on the part of the dog.

Boredom

When their energy has no outlet, such as in the case of house pets it can quickly turn to restlessness and aggression. In fact, most behavioral problems in Jack Russell terriers can be attributed to lack of companionship, discipline, stimulation and exercise. The first rule of owning a Jack Russell is exercise, exercise, and more exercise.

You should take your terrier for a walk on a regular basis, if you do not have the time for this exercise look for a service that can help you out. Walking your dog on a leash does several important things, it gives them exercise, companionship and discipline.

Training

The best method to stop a Jack Russell from biting is prevention. From a young age, puppies of all breeds will explore the world with their mouths and this leads to nipping and biting if the habit is left unchecked. Training your terrier from a young age that biting or even nipping is inappropriate behavior is your best course of action.

Just Say No!

Dogs still have a few characteristics of their wild ancestors the wolf, in the wild there is a chain of command set up with the alpha male in complete control of the pack. Anytime your dog is allowed to nip and bite you or others many times they are establishing dominance, and this is not the relationship you want to have with your pet. Establish yourself as leader of the pack by firmly telling them no when they bite. In a firm, loud voice communicate to your dog that biting is not acceptable.

Final Thoughts

Dog’s are a humans best friend, most of the time! When it comes to Jack Russell terriers the key to keeping the relationship congenial is to understand the breed and be consistent with discipline and exercise.

When you have a Jack Russell terrier there are two things you are going to find out he is really good at that is digging and barking. These dogs have been trained and bred for years to do exactly that during hunts for ground animals such as badgers, fox, and groundhogs. That being said it is possible to calm their enthusiasm to a degree, however you should know that stopping a Jack Russell from ever barking is practically impossible.

In order to slow down the barking you need to first find out the reasons, beyond breeding that are causing exuberant barking sprees.

Boredom

Dogs that are bored will often seek to alleviate this feeling through barking. They will bark at the floor, walls, squirrels, leaves and the neighbors! Do you have to be gone for long periods of time leaving your dog alone or crated? It is quite possible that your dog is simply craving some interaction with human beings! Set aside some play time each day for your Jack Russell, especially if he is barking at everything in sight.

Fearful

As a general rule Jack Russell terriers are fearless little dogs, however there is always an exception to the rule. Signs of fear include ducking behind you when new situations come up or when new people come around and general skittish behavior. Frequent walks in the neighborhood to familiarize your dog with many sights and sounds will do wonders to alleviate these types of fear.

Aggression

A more natural trait of the Jack Russell terrier is aggression, in fact this can be so bad that most experts recommend that you have no more than two Jack’s at the same time and then preferably of the opposite sex. Your best bet for addressing this type of behavior is through training and socialization. Do not keep your terrier secluded from the world and work with a professional trainer.

Positive Reinforcement

If your terrier is barking nonstop at the window when people or other animals pass by you may need to become creative. Instead of instantly punishing your pet, try distracting him from the area and then as soon as all is quiet praise and treat your dog. Over time, the dog will begin to associate quiet with special treats. You have now effectively positively reinforced behavior that you wish to see.

Finally

Remember that a dog’s primary mode of communication is through barking and some breeds are more vocal than others are, the Jack Russell terrier being a great example. You can slow it down but stopping it entirely is not an option. Some “trainers” will advise you to use training collars to curtail barking, however before you go that route, you might want to place the collar on your arm and experience the correction for yourself before applying this training method to your beloved pet. It is important that you spend as much time as you can with your pet, provide them toys, entertainment and exercise to stop excessive barking.