Jack Russell’s are the epitome of the terrier temperament. They are lively, intelligent, energetic and tough. They tend to be extremely offended at the presence of strange dogs and are afraid of nothing. If they do engage in a fight they won't give in until injury dictates it. He can also be aggressive with people. Despite his small stature he can be an effective guard dog as determination makes up for what he lacks in size. If handled correctly they make good pets, friendly and loyal, always up for a bit of fun. Enthusiasm to the extreme might be a good way to describe the Jack personality.
Jack Russell’s are an excellent example of breed characteristics being a factor in behavior. The job they were developed for, flushing foxes out of their dens, still dictates a lot of their activities. It's nearly impossible to stop a Jack Russell from digging and chasing anything that moves. Hunting and digging is in their blood and if that isn't a fit with your lifestyle you may want to reconsider owning one of these scrappy little dogs.
If you do decide you're up for the challenge you'll want to start early on training your dog and do a thorough job. Due to their high energy and intelligence levels Jack Russell’s enjoy advanced obedience training and competition as well as agility work. This is the sport in which dogs and their trainers negotiate obstacle courses in completion.
Take care to socialize your Jack Russell puppy well. Puppy classes are a good idea as starting point for raising a well adjusted and well mannered dog. No matter how well he's socialized it's a good idea to keep your dog on a lead anytime there's a chance of meeting other dogs. He is determined to be top dog in any situation so take to keep a close eye on things if you have another animal in the house until the social order is well established. If your other dog is also of an alpha mind set there may be problems.
Digging is just something Jack Russell’s do and do well. He'll be out from under most fences in matter of minutes so make adjusts to your fence. To keep random digging to a minimum you can provide your dog with a specified area where he can enjoy this pass time.
In every phase of training your Jack Russell you must be careful to put your alpha foot forward. He isn't a dog to let a little submissive behavior go unnoticed. Engage in regular sessions to help him learn good behavioral habits and also to build bond between yourselves. Jack Russell’s tend to want their own way and be a little on the stubborn side. You have to more stubborn than he is. Keep plenty of treats to reward correct behavior and a good attitude toward the training.
The most effective treatment of bad behavior is to ignore your Jack Russell. Don't be confrontational. Ignoring him will work much better. This training is called Positive Reinforcement Training. Reward positive and ignore negative. Simple. For example, If your dog goes wild barking and jumping and refuses to stop and sit on command you should literally turn your back and ignore him. When he does stop barking and sits you should then reward his behavior with praise and/or a treat.
Repeat the exercise and repeat the reward for the right behavior. On the other side of the coin, if he is quiet and calm while you have your morning coffee reward him with praise or a treat. Jack Russell’s are smart enough to try your resolve. He may be testing to see just how much you'll out up with. Be firm and consistent. Stick to your guns and he'll get the message.
When he decides to simply ignore your command you must step up and reassert your dominance. If he ignores your command to sit or come or whatever the case may be you may need to give him a quick but gentle shake by the scruff of the neck. The goal isn't to cause pain but rather to startle him into paying attention. Only apply this method if you know he fully understands what you're asking for and has simply decided he'd rather not comply. Always remember that your dog is only going to respect you if you earn that respect. Get in touch with your inner alpha. A little Jack Russell Puppy Training and you will be set to go.
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and tough. They tend to be extremely offended at the presence of strange dogs and are afraid of nothing. If they do engage in a fight they won't give in until injury dictates it. He can also be aggressive with people. Despite his small stature he can be an effective guard dog as determination makes up for what he lacks in size. If handled correctly they make good pets, friendly and loyal, always up for a bit of fun. Enthusiasm to the extreme might be a good way to describe the Jack personality.
