I'll probably have a new Parson Jack Russell Terrier by the end of next week and I need to know how to take care of them… I mean, I knowhow to take care of dogs, but what do I have to do different for Jack Russell's? Are they more independant? Do they need more attention? How often should I bathe him? How long can he stay home alone without going crazy? Are they stubborn? Easy to train?
THESE are the questions I need help with. (You don't have to answer all of them)
First of all, why is it that you have your heart set on a Jack Russell Terrier? I know they are cute and smart, but this is a very tough breed of terrier to train and you are in for some surprises, so prepare yourself and get this breed of dog for the right reasons. There are too many JRTs who are in rescue shelters because their owners did not do their research on the breed. This is a big dog in a little dog’s body. I have a JRT, but it is more like she has me. She is 8 years old and I am still training her, but she is the smartest, most loyal and loving dog I have ever had and wouldn’t have it any other way!
OK, first… you must buy a copy of, “The Complete Idiots Guide to Jack Russell Terriers.” I am going to type out a portion of the forward of this book, so here goes:
“Training any dog, let alone a JRT, is never easy. You need a lot of patience and an understanding of what make your own dog tick before you can be successful in your training endeavors. Although the JRT is an incredibly smart breed, these dogs also are opinionated and are more than a little odd. They have quirky behaviors not found in other breeds, which makes training them a bit of a challenge. They are notoriously hard to focus and can be quite stubborn when they want to be. They certainly are not the dogs for everyone.
If you decide this is the breed for you, I would urge you to have a solidly fenced yard and to be prepared for a whirl-wind of activity. JRTs are NOT couch potatoes. They love to be active, and strong obedience training is a must for this breed. They are good with children and families, and they love to be surrounded by attention. If you are an outdoor person who loves an active lifestyle, such as jogging or camping, this might be the perfect breed for you. If you prefer a more sedentary lifestyle and you are not sure you are ready for the “Tasmanian Devil” of terriers to enter your home, consider another breed for your doggy options.
If you decide to purchase a Jack Russell, be prepared. You will laugh, you will be amazed and frustrated by your dog’s intelligence and you will have a lifelong friend that will probably go to the ends of the earth to try to please you. In other words, you are about to be owned by a Jack Russell Terrier!”
Hope this helps!!
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May 24th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Jack Russels are very smart dogs but they still need training and the ones i've known are independant but at the same time love their owners and want alot of attention. They are somewhat stubborn but will try and please their owners.
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May 24th, 2009 at 5:09 am
They are a lot like any other dog with the one major exception, they are hunters. If you let it outside free to come and go as it pleases and he gets out of your yard he will go exploring and may get him self into trouble. My cousin has one and he will get loose and be gone all day if not watched.
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May 24th, 2009 at 5:15 am
I have two Jack Russells, one boy and one girl. They need walking definitely or they pack on the pounds quite easily, I find if a female is spayed she tends to have a bitchy personality and is quite independant, but it's nothing to be worried about, they male however are very loyal. Medium to train, the female I really trained and sometimes I tell her to do something like shake my hand and she gets a little mad about it its quite funny but annoying when you want her to stay, male I never trained. They are short haired so bath once a fortnight unless they get dirty, they are quite allergic to some grasses and get allerges quite easily. Their trachea (windpipe) have little bones in them and get clogged up especially when they are old so they need extra attention when they start wheezing for a long time 9take to vet for antibiotics) Jack Russells tend to love their owners, good little watch dogs but most just don't like unknown little kids and tend to nip so make sure you keep an eye on them when walking around parks off lead. hope these random tips help..
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May 24th, 2009 at 5:48 am
i have a jack russell he is one.they need a lot of attention they are hyper and need to run a lot.bathe him every 4 weeks.it depends how long you are gone.stubborn.depends on training.if you have anymore questions please email me @ partyprincess_jessica@yahoo.com
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May 24th, 2009 at 6:17 am
They are just like any other dog - just a little more active. I have one and she loves going for walks AND having lots of attention. My dog can stay alone if i keep the radio on , so she thinks someone is there. You have to bath them at least once a week, but i depends how dirty she get. Puppies are easier to train.
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Mee =]
May 24th, 2009 at 7:01 am
PJRs need A LOT of exercise. I'm not talking about a romp in the yard I'm talking about LONG walks and runs and a fenced field to just RUN AND RUN AND RUN in. I own one and she will go crazy if not properly exercised. Take them to a dog park a couple times a week or to a local soccer field if it's fenced in. PJRs are stubborn to train to come back and stay because they are ratters and hunters they love to run and hunt and sniff. If you can find an agility course and teach them how to use it. Don't worry about letting him/her play with big dogs because trust me they hold their own.With exercise, the right training, and the right motivation you can teach them just about anything. my JPR Bianca knows all the basic comand and the "touch" command wich is good for very smart dogs who need too be kept active. The touch training is just teaching your dog to touch diffrent object when you name them you can even teach them to fetch diffrent items whith enough patience, anyway she also knows how to work an agility course and dance on two legs and also knows how to skate board.
I would suggest getting him/her a puzzle ball which is pretty much a ball that they have to figure out how to get the treats out of. You can find one at many local pet stores.
The most important thing is to start training them young. I suggest getting them into a training class and also remeber to ALWAY socialize any dog with many diffrent people, place and animal that is VERY important.
Keep your PJR away any rodents or snakes you have as pets because they WILL kill them that is their nature that is what they ar bred to do. Cats will be fine if the JPR is introduced to them young.
If you have any more questions or ever have concerns you can email me at Terra_Terrible@yahoo.com
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Owns a pure-bred JPR
May 24th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Jack Russell Terriers are very energetic dogs and require more than just your normal "pat and a good word" self attention. I wouldn't call the breed independent as they love human affection and will do a lot towards receiving it… whether it be good or bad.
This is certainly not your beginners dog or for someone who does not know what they are doing. Jacks are mischievous little devils and will show it in all ways possible. Jack Russells climb, which means they can climb over a fence, they also jump. A Jack that stands 12 inches high can easily jump five feet. A fence is a MUST.
All dogs should be bathed once a monthly and brushed weekly. Different breeds may vary but this is the average and what you can expect when owning a Jack. Remember, there is a lot of shedding involved. You as the owner must be very firm and keep the small dog under control as aggression issues and "pack leader" problems can often occur with such breed.
Training is a simple task with this breed but being a terrier means that stubbornness can be an issue with certain dogs. I can teach a dog to sit in five minutes flat. It's really not that hard, being consistent is.. However they are a dog for getting bored and destructive when left alone for long hours. You can expect to come home to a yard full of ripped plants, torn papers and chewed up furniture.
Daily playtimes and walks are a must as with all other breeds. If you didn't know most of this already, you really need to delay this week off and do just that little more research. It will be worth it in the end though. Good Luck.
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May 24th, 2009 at 7:54 am
First of all, why is it that you have your heart set on a Jack Russell Terrier? I know they are cute and smart, but this is a very tough breed of terrier to train and you are in for some surprises, so prepare yourself and get this breed of dog for the right reasons. There are too many JRTs who are in rescue shelters because their owners did not do their research on the breed. This is a big dog in a little dog’s body. I have a JRT, but it is more like she has me. She is 8 years old and I am still training her, but she is the smartest, most loyal and loving dog I have ever had and wouldn’t have it any other way!
OK, first… you must buy a copy of, “The Complete Idiots Guide to Jack Russell Terriers.” I am going to type out a portion of the forward of this book, so here goes:
“Training any dog, let alone a JRT, is never easy. You need a lot of patience and an understanding of what make your own dog tick before you can be successful in your training endeavors. Although the JRT is an incredibly smart breed, these dogs also are opinionated and are more than a little odd. They have quirky behaviors not found in other breeds, which makes training them a bit of a challenge. They are notoriously hard to focus and can be quite stubborn when they want to be. They certainly are not the dogs for everyone.
If you decide this is the breed for you, I would urge you to have a solidly fenced yard and to be prepared for a whirl-wind of activity. JRTs are NOT couch potatoes. They love to be active, and strong obedience training is a must for this breed. They are good with children and families, and they love to be surrounded by attention. If you are an outdoor person who loves an active lifestyle, such as jogging or camping, this might be the perfect breed for you. If you prefer a more sedentary lifestyle and you are not sure you are ready for the “Tasmanian Devil” of terriers to enter your home, consider another breed for your doggy options.
If you decide to purchase a Jack Russell, be prepared. You will laugh, you will be amazed and frustrated by your dog’s intelligence and you will have a lifelong friend that will probably go to the ends of the earth to try to please you. In other words, you are about to be owned by a Jack Russell Terrier!”
Hope this helps!!
References :
My source is a mix of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jack Russell Terriers" along with my own experience.
May 24th, 2009 at 8:14 am
That's so awesome! Congratulations! I have a two year old Jack Russell Terrier and I had NO clue what I was getting myself into–then she turned out to be deaf on top of all that! I got a major crash course, but if I could do it, you can do it. If you are determined and patient and have a sense of humor, you can get through it all. I promise you will not find a funnier, smarter, more energetic little dynamo. You will laugh, you will cry, you'll feel like pulling your hair out–but it's worth it. They may not be for everyone, but they're absolutely wonderful.
First, consider training him/her using both vocal commands and hand signals. Puppies are like kids… the longer you talk, the less they wanna listen. Body language is so important to dogs that obeying hand signals is incredibly natural to them. I ended up training all my dogs with hand signals, though only Ruby (JRT) is deaf.
Make sure you make it very clear, from moment one, that your JRT knows you're the boss. Be as loving as possible, just make clear boundaries. JRTs will be fast to snap up any weakness in the chain of command.
I've had it recommended to me to avoid any games that foster aggression, such as tug-of-war. JRTs are bred to be working dogs so hunting and pouncing and stuff are already in their nature. However, it can quickly become overbearing for their owners. Play games that promote creative thinking like puzzle balls, lining up three cups with a treat under one, an obstacle/activity course that sort of thing! They need tons of active play, the opportunity to run and go on lots of walks. Kongs and any other tough chew toys are a must, as is a tall sturdy fence. My fence is chain link and about five feet high. My JRT can jump to the top of the gate and uses it to climb over. I've been told that's not unheard of.
Never, ever let your JRT run unleashed. Too many of this breed die early deaths because they tend to run bravely into any situation, oblivious to any danger. This can teach them nasty painful lessons with other animals and almost never works out in their favor with moving vehicles. When Wishbone (a famous JRT) starred as Don Quixote in an interpretation of the novel, I thought it was a perfect comparison. These dogs are chivalrous and wonderful but may occasionally attack windmills, thinking they're giants that need to be fought.
They're vey independent, but need affection and will be affectionate in return. They do not deal well with being left alone with no outlet for their boundless energy for more than a few hours. They easily become destructive or develop separation anxiety. They can be extremely stubborn if you allow them to make bad habits, but with patience, it can be overcome. On the plus side, they are smart and WANT to learn. They want to be constructive and make their owners happy. As far as grooming, the smooth coat ones shed a lot more than any other. Daily brushings help (and promote bonding!) and bathing when necessary or once a month works for us. Teach him/her early about nail clipping or that may prove extremely difficult.
Make sure you socialise your dog, early, with any other animal you may want them to interact peacefully with, with children and other adults. When not properly socialised, they can get territorial or nervous/aggressive with strangers.
I'll stop here, though I could go on for days. I left the link for the wikipedia of the breed as well as the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. The Jack Russell Club is not associated with the AKC, by choice, because they believe that dogs should be bred to work, not for show. Good luck! You can do it.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_Terrier
http://www.therealjackrussell.com/index.php