Jack Russell Whippet Cross

Jack Russell Whippet Cross

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So you’re interested in getting a Jack Russell-Whippet Cross? Be prepared for a fast, cheeky and lovely pooch! The good news is that a Jack Russell Whippet cross can make an excellent family pet if well brought up and well trained. So what is a Jack Russell Whippet cross really like?

My First Dog was a Jack Russell Whippet Cross

Our first family dog was a Jack Russell Whippet cross called Patch. He was a gorgeous dog – looked very much like a Jack Russell but with much longer legs. We had him from a pup and he was well trained and could go off lead. He was the first of many Jack Russell type dogs that I fell in love with.

What does a Jack Russell Whippet Cross look like?

A Jack Russell crossed with a whippet will probably look like an extremely tall and slender Jack Russell with a slightly longer nose. They often retain the cute Jack Russell markings including patches on the face and a side spot as well as the slim body and long legs of a whippet. They will probably by taller than your average Jack Russell and reach up to around 55cm in height (max heigh of a male Whippet). Their fur is more likely to be on the smooth side as most Whippets have smooth short hair, although it could be scruffier fur if the mother was a long haired Jack Russell! Male dogs are often taller than the females (bitches).

Personality and Temperament

A Jack Russell crossed with a whippet is likely to be a very friendly and loyal family pet. Jack Russells are known to be very loyal and somewhat protective of their owners. Some of them get very attached to their owners and can develop separation anxiety, so it’s important to get them used to it slowly and leave things for them to do when they are left alone, such as chews and dog puzzles. They are very intelligent dogs and will need mental stimulation as well as physical – play Jack Russell games with them that encourage them to use their nose.

Feeding your Jackawhip

Jack Russell Whippet cross dogs can eat a diet of dried food (Kibble) or wet meat dog food. Discuss with the vet and breeder the type of food that will be suitable for your dog. I usually would feed my JRT Whippet twice a day.

Jack Russells and Whippets both have a tendency to ‘guzzle’ their food down at full speed. This isn’t always great for their digestion, so you could consider getting a slow feeder dog bowl or a proper whippet dog bowl.

Exercising your Jack Russell Whippet Cross

As Jack Russells and whippets are both very high energy dogs, they will need a lot of exercise – about 1-2 hours a day including off lead running where safe and possible to do so. In fact, the top speed of an adult whippet running at full speed is actually 56 km/hour – can you believe that?! Needless to say that if they don’t get this exercise they can demonstrate destructive behaviour such as chewing and destroying things around the house.

Training your Jack Russell Whippet Cross

They will also require a great deal of training and socialisation, as with any dog. Positive reinforcement training (clicker training with rewards to mark positive behaviour) works well for encouraging good behaviour and minimising bad habits in these dogs.

You should definitely start out with some Jack Russell Obedience with your dog including sit, down, stand and stay. Once they have mastered that you will be able to move on to teaching your dogs a few tricks. Our Jack Russell Cross Patch used to balance a biscuit on his nose and then only toss it up and catch it when we said that he could! He could also play dead and walk on his hind legs! They are really very clever and training your dog will improve your bond with each other.

Remember that because they are prey driven dogs then they could get snappy around fast moving objects such as bikes or running children, and so it’s important to supervise them, especially around kids.

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Jack Russell Mix Breeds

When is a Jack Russell Considered a Senior Dog

When is a Jack Russell Considered a Senior Dog?

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The great news for Jack Russell owners is that they tend to live longer than the larger breeds.  Plus, they reach seniority later than larger breeds too.  While many of our large breeds of canine companion start to slow down as early as eight years old the Jack Russell as a breed generally remain in the “adult” rather than “senior” category until they are aged 10-12.

Being robust, active little dogs the Jack Russell in particular tend to enjoy good health and longevity. 

Signs that Your Jack Russell is becoming a senior dog

Eyes:  You notice that the eyes develop a blue tinge.  This is something called Nuclear Sclerosis, it’s a normal part of aging and the terrier can still see.  Nuclear Sclerosis is easily confused with cataracts which lead to blindness, so if in doubt get it checked by your vet.  

Colour: There dark patches fade through adulthood and this will suddenly accelerate as they become paler, less distinct and even replaced by grey hair.

The Senses Decline: As your Jack Russell goes into seniority his or her senses of hearing, sight and smell gradually decline.  You will notice that these senses get weaker over time.

Stiff When Getting Up: Instead of bounding up with enthusiasm, your terrier now gets up slowly and stretches before greeting the day or the opportunity for a walk.

Less Active:   He or she may jump and leap about less, they may even seem to want shorter walks.  Or you find yourself walking more slowly so that they can keep up.

Cognitive Disease: You may experience noticeable signs of declining cognitive function as they age.   They may be easily confused, stopping and looking around as though lost or staring into space.  Your Jack Russell might not seem to instantly recognise you.  These are all potential signs of canine dementia, it’s a good idea to get him or her checked by the vet.  Confusion can often be a sign of urinary tract infection.

Sleeping More: They sleep more and sleep more soundly.

 Here are some tips of how you should you care for your Jack Russell as they slow down into their twilight years.

Slow down and shortening the walks for your senior Jack Russell, exercise is important, but so is not overdoing it.  Try and keep walks to the same length every time and devise away to carry them some of the time when going on longer walks.

Consider switching to a diet especially for senior dogs.  This is especially important if they suffer any tummy upsets or joint stiffness.  Check that the new diet has added joint supplementation.

They may not find it so easy to jump into their favourite chair.  Place a stool or similar in a suitable place to help them get up and down.

As they age they may feel and suffer from the cold more.  Make sure they have somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep at night.

Talk to the vet if you have any worries about their health.

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Jack Russell Health and Jack Russell Weight

Why do Jack Russells’ Eat Grass

Why do Jack Russells’ Eat Grass?

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Jack Russells seem particularly prone to eating grass.  So your Jack Russell is not unusual or unique in his or her grazing habit!  

There are a few likely reasons, so let’s explore them here:

A Low Fibre Diet

Just like us, Jack Russells’ need fibre in their diet to aid digestion.  In the wild dogs would have taken on berries, grasses and other plant material in small quantities to balance their diets.   Domesticated dogs seem to instinctively know that eating grass will help them.  If your Jack Russell eats grass a lot, take a look at the nutritional information on their food.  

He Feels Sick or Bloated

When you Jack Russell feels sick or bloated, they will eat grass to make themselves sick and alleviate their discomfort.  Frequently, you will notice when there is a choice, when they are eating grass to bring on sickness they choose longer, thicker grass and eat it long rather than chewing it up small as they ‘d do to create fibre. 

If eating grass and being sick is a frequent occurrence, having him or her checked over by a vet is a good idea to ensure there are no underlying causes why he or she is making themselves sick.  

Hunger

Jack Russells are frequently greedy little dogs, they love to snack.  A hungry Jack Russell will eat grass when there is nothing preferable around. 

Habit

Once established as a habit, your Jack Russell may continue to go outside and eat the grass.  This could continue to start with and maybe ongoing after any lack of fibre has been addressed.  Usually they eventually stop on their own.

If it’s a habit that you don’t like and there is no explanation for, using distraction techniques work to break the habit. Just be careful that the clever, wiley Jack Russell doesn’t see it as a way of gaining your attention when out in the garden. 

Pleasure

Have you ever sat in a meadow and chewed on a piece of grass while you enjoy the sun on your face and the beauty of the day?  If not, then you should!  When a Jack Russell who is otherwise fit and healthy, mooches around the garden or park on a beautiful day and picks some grass to chew on, chances are they are doing it for the sheer pleasure of doing so.

Taste and Smell

As well as their very strong noses, dogs gain messages from their environment through their sense of taste.  If you observe Jack Russell closely, they will run the grass through their mouths and not actually bite it off to chew and eat.  They are just experiencing the taste and whatever messages that gives them.

Finally

As I said at the start Jack Russells’ are keen grass eaters.  They just seem to enjoy grazing and if they are otherwise fit and well, then let them enjoy their pleasure.

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Jack Russell Food

What is a Jack Russell Pitbull Cross like

What is a Jack Russell Pitbull Cross like?

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Both Jack Russells and Pitbulls are dogs that have a high prey drive, muscular stature and strong jaws.  Both are intelligent and love people.

As this is a Jack Russell site, I’m going to assume you know a bit about Jack Russells, so I’ll begin by giving a rundown of the Pitbull.

Pitbull is a generic term to cover the bull group of dogs in the USA.  The name covers the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, and the American Bulldog.  The term also tends to incorporate cross breeds or those of uncertain parentage who exhibit the visual characteristics of the Pitbull type in USA.

Pitbulls are a type of dog who have suffered a bad reputation due to bad owners, lack of training and breeding programmes specifically for breeding aggression for fighting and baiting.  However, despite their poor press, many Pitbulls love people, have lovely temperaments and are great family pets.  Fortunately there are also people who advocate for them and breed for temperament, health and intelligence.  Good Pitbulls are loving and loyal family pets – just like Jack Russells.

As you probably know Jack Russells too have suffered certain notoriety due to their hunting and fighting instincts.  So putting the two together may not seem a natural progression for either.  However, people do cross them and the results vary.

Appearance

Regarding appearance as with other cross breeds it’s impossible to have any certainty how the pups will look.  The sensible anticipation is for some of the litter to taking after each parent and some being part way between the two.  The average result is a medium sized dog with this cross.

Temperament

 The Jack Pit as the cross is affectionately known has developed a reputation for its loving, friendly temperament, they love everyone!

Just as with other terriers considerate socialisation is required regarding other dogs and other animals.  Once the training is done, they are just like any other socialised dog unless a fight kicks off at which stage they are likely to wade in and get involved.

Because they are intelligent they love training and learning new things.  Regular training helps to exercise them mentally and physically.  However, it is fair to say that they are a mix that easily “forget” what recall means.

Exercise

Pitbulls and Jack Russells are both known for their stamina.  Consequently, your Jack Pit will need plenty of exercise and they thrive on activities such as cani-cross and running and swimming with their owners.  Expect to give an adult Jack Pit at least two x thirty minutes of exercise per day and they will need plenty of outdoor space to roam around.

Take a look at the pictures and there are some really cute Jack Russell x Pitbulls out there and I guess that in America they see the cross as a way of cutifying Pitbulls to help their reputation.  Generally, as long as you are very experienced with high prey drive, high training needs dogs and if you want a medium sized dog that needs a lot of exercise then you may want to consider a Jack Pit.   Otherwise, stick to a Jack Russell at least you can pick them up!

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Jack Russell Border Collie Cross

Rescue a Jack Russell

Rescue a Jack Russell

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If you are thinking about anew family pet, Jack Russells are a bundle of fun – full of energy and very intelligent. They suit an active family who has time to go walking and play with them. For various reasons, people often look for a puppy. Admittedly, they are easier to train from a young age, especially on recall as little pups follow you everywhere! But if you have patience and the ability to rescue a Jack Russell then you definitely should!

Reasons to rescue a Jack Russell

  • You will be saving a dog from the shelter (or even worse being put to sleep).
  • If more people rescue a Jack Russell than buy puppies then the demand for pups will decrease and this will reduce puppy farming, puppy farms are profit driven and they don’t have the dogs best interest at heart and many bitches can be forced to have too many litters.
  • Your dog will love you for life and his eyes will always thank you for rescuing him!
  • Usually skip the puppy stage! (there really are pros and cons to this!)
  • Rescues that come from a charity or shelter usually come microchipped, spayed and vaccinated.

The Challenges of Rescuing a Jack Russell

There are many challenges of rescuing a Jack Russell. Rescue dogs are often more fearful and less socialised than dogs you get as puppies. They often have not had the training that they need and also can have some behavioural difficulties such as snapping or not being toilet trained. You need to consider this carefully and make sure that you have the time and dedication needed to rescue a dog. Consider any children or other pets that you might have. How would it effect them and how will you ensure that everyone in the house is safe?

My first two Jack Russells were puppies and were really great pets. They were great off-lead too and had good recall. When I finally got my own house after university, I decided that I would continue to have Jack Russells but that I would rather rescue than get puppies, because I was upset at how many dogs were in the shelter and didn’t have a loving home.

Then came Milo – he was the cutest and most perfect specimen of a Jack Russell. But there were a few problems when I first got him. He pooped and weed on the DOUBLE BED!!!! He was not house trained at all when we got him! He did actually get used to going outside within a couple of weeks. But the other scary things were that he growled and snapped at me once when I went to stroke him. This really startled me, but he just wasn’t secure enough to be stroke when he wasn’t expecting it. He developed a strong bond with me after that and it never happened again. He also went for another dog quite badly and so we never let him off the lead – he just wasn’t friendly enough to be trusted. But all in all he ended up being the most wonderful and faithful little dog.

My next rescue after Milo was Blake – a gorgeous brown Jack Russell Patterdale cross. He came to us from the RSPCA and his file said that he came from a home with domestic violence. He was very weary of strange men and barked at my husband a lot when he first arrived (now he totally loves him!) One of the things that shocked my was how scared he was of raised voices – once I told him off and he was so scared he weed himself there and then! Poor boy! We were kind as possible to him for the first 3 months of having him and he settled well and grew in confidence.

How Long will it take for my Rescue Dog to Settle?

I learnt that it’s important to consider their background and the way that they were treated by previous owners to figure out what is scary for them and what is OK. As a general rule it takes them 3 days to get out of the ‘shell shocked’ stage, 3 weeks to start to adjust and 3 months to finally feel comfortable and build trust. So it is important that you give them that time is you rescue a Jack Russell.

Where to get your Rescue Jack Russell

Go to a reputable charity or dog shelter to rescue your Jack Russell. This will mean that they have had the necessary checks needed to be rehomed. They will have been neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. I have adopted Jack Russells from both the RSPCA and the Dog’s Trust. There are also several websites dedicated to terrier rescue.

RSPCA – These dogs are often rescued from abusive situations or households with domestic violence. As a result, they will need extra patience, love and care. We got our Blake from here and although he has been a challenge, he has an extremely strong bond with us now and we love him so much! The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK.

Dog’s Trust – The Dogs Trust is the charity where I got my first rescue JRT – Milo. You can filter on the website by size and breed which is great if you are specifically looking for a Jack Russell. They have branches all around the UK including Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and Devon.

Oldies – Dedicated to the rescue of Older senior dogs, this is a great website to find an older Jack Russell.

Have you ever rescued a Jack Russell? If so, we would love to hear you and find out how you are getting on! Please comment on our blog below 😉

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Jack Russell Rescue

Jack Russells Training

Are Jack Russells Easy to Train?

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Are Jack Russells easy to train? Well the simple answer is yes because they are very intelligent dogs. They are very food motivated and eager to please which means that they will learn quickly. However, although they are easy to train in the house, you may find that their strong prey drive and distraction makes it a challenge to train them out in the park. As soon as they see another dog or rabbit or whatever they want to chase they can be off like shot!

Let’s take a look in more detail at how east they are to train for all the important things including toilet training, obedience, tricks and recall.

Are Jack Russells easy to toilet train?

Yes – Jack Russells pick up toilet training very quickly. Of course if you are training a puppy you need to have more patience and allow for accidents. It could take a few weeks for a young puppy to learn where to go. For an adult dog, it can be quicker than a week – both of my rescue Jack Russells picked it up in about 3 days with positive reinforcement – treat as soon as they do it in the right place!

Are Jack Russells easy to train for Obedience and Tricks?

Yes they totally are! Start with the basics such as sit, down, stand (here’s our article on Jack Russell obedience training if you want to read that first). They will pick it up very quickly by following the movement of the treat in your hand (and eventually by your hand without the treat!).

Are Jack Russells easy to train for Recall?

The simple is is NO they are not! Let’s be realistic though, if you teach them recall off lead from a puppy they will probably be fine. But, teaching an adult Jack Russell is a whole different ball game. The problem with Jack Russells is that they were bred as hunting dogs and as a result have a very high prey drive. So they might be doing well with training outside, until they see a cat or squirrel in which case they just take off and run in the completely opposite direction!!! This can be very dangerous particularly if they run across a main road or in the path of cyclists. If you don’t have 100% recall on your dog avoid letting him off lead in public spaces until you do. You can hire fields for recall training.

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about:

Jack Russell Rescue

Jack Russell Rescue

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Jack Russell rescue is one of the most awarding parts of my life – you will get an unconditional love like no other from rescuing a Jack Russell! It’s so easy to fall in love with this excitable and energetic breed. So is a Jack Russell the right dog for you? Where do you go to rescue a Jack Russell? And how do you help your new rescue dog to settle into his new home?

Is a Rescue Jack Russell Right for me?

A rescue Jack Russell could be right for you if:

  • You have experience with dogs particularly terriers
  • You are training minded and able to use positive reinforcement dog training methods
  • You have a safe and secure home with a decent yard or garden
  • You have no children (or children used to dogs or old enough to understand how to respect them and treat them)
  • You have no other pets such as cats or hamsters (Jack Russells are prey driven so this could be a recipe for disaster!)
  • You are an active household who enjoys the outdoors and walking/hiking
  • You work short hours or work from home

Where to Look for a Rescue Jack Russell

If you are looking for a Jack Russell rescue, go to a reputable shelter or charity, because this will mean that they have had the necessary checks needed to be rehomed. They will have been neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. I have adopted Jack Russells from both the RSPCA (Blake) and the Dog’s Trust (Milo). There are also several websites dedicated to terrier and Jack Russell rescue.

Certainly avoid puppy farms which are unethical, profit driven and don’t have the dogs best interests at heart. I would also avoid buying online through Facebook or Craigslist because this may be people who are profit driven and have not done the necessary checks needed before rehoming the dog. Facebook now actually bans the sale of dogs and puppies for animal welfare reasons.

Here are some of the best places to look for a rescue Jack Russell:

Dog’s Trust – I got my first rescue Jack Russell Terrier Milo from the Dog’s Trust and he was one in a million! You can filter on the website by size and breed which is great if you are specifically looking for a Jack Russell. They have branches all around the UK including Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and Devon.

RSPCA – Dogs rehomed by the RSPCA are often rescued from abusive situations or households with domestic violence. As a result, they will need extra patience, love and care. We got our Blake from here and although he has been a challenge, he has an extremely strong bond with us now and we love him so much! The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK.

Jack Russell Terrier Rescue – Jack Russell Rescue UK is a non-profit organisation that specialises in rescuing Jack Russells. They never put a healthy dog to sleep and they rehome dogs all over the UK. Their dogs are mainly in foster homes in Wales, North London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Cheshire, & West Yorkshire before they are adopted. This helps them to socialise and get used to family life.

Oldies – Dedicated to the rescue of Older senior dogs, this is a great website to find an older Jack Russell.

A Better Life Dog Rescue – A Better Life Dog Rescue specialises in rescuing dogs from Romania and helps them to get the medical treatment that they need before being re-homed in the UK. Many are large dogs but the often have Jack Russell mix type terriers. It’s an excellent place to get your dog if you want to rescue from abroad.

Bringing your Rescue Jack Russell Home

When your new Jack Russell arrives home, he/she will be quite shocked at first. He/she may not want to eat or drink straight away and may wee or poo in the house. Fill your new pets life with kindness. Have plenty of food and water always readily available and let your new dog eat and drink when they want to and when they feel comfortable to do so. It is important to recognise that they might not want cuddles and strokes straight away – give your new dog space that he needs to settle and when he has developed a bond he can come to you. Don’t do anything that might stress out your dog in his early days such as put him in the bath or leave him alone for prolonged periods. Here are my top tips for bringing your rescue dog home…

  • Stock up on all the dog essentials that you might need including food, bed, lead, treats and poo bags.
  • Make sure that he has a place to go to where he feels safe – his bed or crate is very important in the early days.
  • Don’t use the crate as punishment – if you use a crate keep it open and he can have it as his ‘safe place’
  • Avoid bathing your dog or taking your dog to too many unfamiliar place in the early days.
  • Give him space – don’t approach and stroke your new dog too often in the early days – let him approach you.

Do you have a rescue Jack Russell? If so, we’d love to hear your story! Please comment on our blog below…

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Rescue a Jack Russell

Jack Russell Behaviour

Jack Russell Behaviour

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Jack Russells are a bundle of fun – energetic dogs that have a loyal attachment to their owner. This breed is not for everyone, but if you enjoy the outdoors and are training minded then they make excellent pets. Here’s the lowdown on Jack Russell behaviour – what can you expect from a Jack Russell and how to deal with it.

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There used to be a strong ‘Alpha’ training method that was very based on discipline and their place in the pack under you as the owner. However, these methods are now outdated training methods and positive reinforcement has been proven to be kinder to the dog and have better results. We avoid the used of physical punishment and shock collars – not only is it cruel but not actually necessary.

Velcro Dog – Separation Anxiety Behaviour

Jack Russells are highly loyal and affectionate towards their owners. They develop a strong bond that can sometimes be so strong that it becomes unhealthy as it causes stress for the Jack Russell to be left alone. This kind of Jack Russell behaviour makes it almost impossible for you to go out and holidays without your dog are off the cards! Separation anxiety behaviour can including constant barking or howling, destructive behaviour (such as chewing or destroying furniture) or weeing and pooing in the house in protest.

Your dog needs to socialise with other people and get used to you being away from him slowly (build it up). When you leave your dog alone do so for short periods of time at first so just 10-15 minutes to the corner shop initially. eave the house and re-enter as if it’s completely normal – don’t make a fuss of your dog when you leave or return. You can then build this up to 30 minutes, 1 hour and finally up to about 3-4 hours. When your dog is left for the slightly longer periods make sure he has a little walk to get ’empty’ before you leave him. You can also leave him with something to do such as a Dog Puzzle or KONG! The medium sized Kong Extreme is perfect for Jack Russells and you can stuff it with something tasty such as Yogurt (and freeze it!) or Mutt Butter.

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If you want to keep an eye on your dog while you are out then I highly suggest a good dog camera such as the Wansview or Furbo dog camera. You can keep an eye on him on your mobile phone and then come straight home if there are any urgent problems (e.g. risk of choking)

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Regarding overnight stays without your dog and even holidays, whoever is going to ‘dog sit’ for you while you are out or away should be welcomed into your home regularly and develop a bond with your dog by giving him fuss and treats.

Prey Drive Behaviour

A Jack Russell has a natural and inbuilt prey drive that is difficult to eradicate. This can also mean that Jack Russells find off lead recall a challenge once this prey drive kicks in. It can be distressing if you see your Jack Russell kill a small animal such as a rabbit, mouse or squirrel, but it is a natural instinct for him and so you cannot discipline him for this behaviour.

The best thing to do is keep your dog in an enclosed space and away from small fast moving furry things! Avoid letting your dog off lead in an area where there are lots of squirrels or rabbits (unless of course he is a working dog protecting a farm from rats!) So that your JRT still gets his exercise you can consider getting a long leash or even a climbing rope (very secure) so that he can run around freely without the worry of him darting across a main road because he’s seen a cat!

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Guarding or Aggressive Behaviour

If trained and socialised well, Jack Russells rarely show aggression to people or other dogs. When Jack Russells do show aggression it’s usually due to fear or guarding behaviour. For fear of strangers or protectiveness of owner, you can use clicker training. The dog first learns to associate a clicker sound with getting a treat (treat must be administered within 5 seconds). Once your dog understands that the click means a reward you can use it when he is displaying the desired behaviour e.g. not being aggressive. Get closer to the person or thing that he is protecting and continue to click treat. As soon as the undesired aggressive behaviour starts turn your back and the click treating immediately stops.

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If your dog is aggressive when you go near his toys or food, you can teach him the ‘trade’ game. When he gives up his toy he gets another toy in return (or a chew or a treat!) Slowly he begins to learn that it is OK to give something up and that there is no need to display aggression.

Digging

Digging is a natural Jack Russell Behaviour, but when it is in the wrong place such as a lawn or flower bed, this behaviour can become a problem. The best way to deal with digging behaviour is to divert the focus and allow him or her to dig somewhere else. For example, you could get your dog a sandpit and encourage digging there for treats and bones. He is then allowed to display this natural behaviour and knows where the digging can take place. If he digs in the wrong place, a simple ‘no!’ or ‘Ah-ah’ will do the trick. Then place him in his allocated digging area and encourage it there.

Leash Reactivity

Jack Russells can develop leash reactivity due to their prey drive and high energy levels. This could manifest itself as pulling, lunging and even growling and barking at things that go past which could include other dogs, scooters and bikes/motorcycles. This is a difficult Jack Russell behaviour to break them out of. Exercise will help – if your JRT is inadequately exercised then you can expect this behaviour to get worse.

Clicker training is an excellent way to correct this behaviour. It may take time and may not eradicate the behaviour 100%, but with every JRT I have done this with I have seen an improvement. They will quickly realise that when you see another dog/bike/whetever then if they don’t bark meat falls from the sky!

Scent Marking

As Jack Russells are very intelligent, they tend to toilet train within just a few days of being treated when they do it in the right place. However, some Jack Russells display ‘scent marking’ behaviour when they wee in the house a small amount to leave their scent. It’s like them saying ‘this is my gaff!’ This behaviour is particularly bad with male Jack Russells who just love cocking their leg! To stop this undesirable and very stinky behaviour you need to catch him in the act every time. This means that your JRT won’t be able to be left alone until he has been trained out of this behaviour. As soon as you see him go to cock his leg you need to firmly tell him ‘no!’ or ‘ah-ah’ and then immediately place him outside. When he does it outside it should result in lots of immediate praise and treats. He will soon get the message!

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Jack Russell Personality

Jack Russell Tricks

Jack Russell Tricks

Jack Russell Tricks

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You will be pleased to know that Jack Russells are highly intelligent dogs that are very food motivated. This makes it quite easy to teach them how to do tricks. They really enjoy learning and aim to please, so they are great little dogs for this! In my experience Jack Russells learn very quickly in the comfort of their own home. It’s the outdoor training that they tend to struggle with more because of their alertness and inbuilt prey drive. So what are the best Jack Russell tricks that you can teach your dog?

Best Jack Russell Tricks

1. Shake a Paw (and the other one!)

If you put your Jack Russell in a sit and then tap the back of his front leg while you have a treat in your hand, he will lift his paw. You can treat this to show it’s a desired action. Then, you can start to shake it and only offer the treat once he has allowed the shake. Before long, ‘paw’ will be instant! You can then repeat with the other leg and ask for ‘paw’ and then the ‘other one!’ It literally took Blake a couple of hours to get this!

2. Spin Round

Spin round is very easy with a food motivated dog. You can simply let him smell the treat to create interest and then make the circular motion with it. His body will naturally follow the treat and you an get him used to that motion with the ‘spin round’ command. You can then make the circular motion a little higher and repeat the instruction. Quite quickly, your dog will be able to spin round on command and even on the circular hand motion alone!

3. Stand Up

This is another one of those easy Jack Russell tricks for food motivated dogs. Simply hold a tasty treat high in the air and he will automatically stand up to try and reach it. When he does it the first time let him have the treat straight away. The second time hold it a little higher and introduce the command ‘up’ (not to confuse with ‘stand’ because the ‘stand’ command can be used to get your dog standing on four legs – not two – from a sitting position!).

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about:

Having a Jack Russell as a Pet

Having a Jack Russell as a Pet

jackrussellworld.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Affiliate links may be used on this page and in jackrussellworld.co.uk articles, but they do not impact on the price that you pay.

Anyone who’s ever owned a Jack Russell knows that they require a lot of special care. Besides being energetic, Jack Russells are notoriously stubborn, and can be highly-strung. They need a lot of exercise in order to stay healthy, and they can have trouble living peacefully with other pets if not properly socialized. Plus, they have strong genetic prey drive and herding instincts which means they often try to chase small animals and herd humans for fun.

My Jack Russells have all had their own little personality and funny quirky things that they do – and I’ve now owned 4 during my lifetime. So I feel well placed to answer your question about being a Jack Russell owner. So what’s it really like having a Jack Russell as a pet?

Having a Jack Russell as a Pet

A Jack Russell is not the easiest pet to own — but if you have the time and dedication needed for this unique breed of canine friend, owning one is truly an unforgettable experience to enjoy with your best furry pal as your sidekick. There are pros and cons to having a Jack Russell, so it’s just a case of making sure that it will fit in with your life and that you have the time and energy to give him (or her) what he needs.

Having a Jack Russell as a pet has got me through some really bad times including relationship breakdowns, deaths in the family and a severe bout of depression. To have that cute furry face looking up at you and asking for his food or walkies gives you a routine and a strong sense of purpose.

My last Jack Russell terrier, Milo came everywhere with me – to the pub, on the bus and even to work! I was so heartbroken that I said I could never have another one, yet 2 years later Blake the Jack Russell Patterdale cross came into our life to fill the furry void left behind! He has bought us so much joy and certainly got us through the last year of Coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns.

Pros of Having a Jack Russell

  • Will ensure that you get daily exercise
  • Gives you a routine (feeding, walking, playing)
  • Social life of walking the dog and mixing with other dog owners (dog owners always talk to each other!)
  • A sense of purpose
  • Cuddles and companionship (they are very loyal and loving towards their owner)
  • Easy to train for tricks
  • Healthy dogs – they are happy and energetic

Cons of Having a Jack Russell

  • Difficult to train off lead due to their strong pray drive
  • Can be snappy without socialisation and training
  • Need to be at home majority of the time – can’t really leave them more than 3 hours
  • Destructive behaviour when left alone too long
  • Difficult to have a holiday without family members to look after them – they don’t do well in kennels and being apart from their owner
  • Need to be able to spend at least an hour a day walking them
  • Cost of having a dog can be high – need regular worming and annual injections and vets checkup plus food
  • Can be leash reactive and reactive towards other dogs and fast moving things such as bikes and scooters.

Having a Jack Russell as a Pet – What will my day look like?

AM – Morning walkies and Food

Firstly, don’t expect a lie in if you have a Jack Russell – not even on the weekend! You will need to get up early with your dog around 7am to let him out to the loo. Walking him last thing at night and getting up early to let him out will minimise accidents in the house. After letting him/her to the loo at 7am you can then have half an hour for your own breakfast and getting ready. Then you will need to take at least half an hour for a walk in the park with your dog.

You can feed your dog when he gets back from his morning walk – Jack Russells like to eat after they have been out because it mimics the result of the ‘hunt’ from when they were in the wild. Also, the exercise works up their appetite.

PM – Afternoon loo or walk and snack

If you work from home, fantastic, but if you don’t you will need to come back home at lunch time to let your Jack Russell to the loo. If you cannot do this, ask a family member or friend to help you out. Otherwise, you will need to budget for a dog sitter for a 20 minute lunch time visit for a short loo trip or walk plus treat. It’s nice to leave them with a chew in the afternoon.

Evening – Food, Last Walk ad Cuddles/Play Time

After work you will be feeding and walking your Jack Russell for the second time. It is essential that they get at least 2 walkies and extended walks on the weekends (read more on Jack Russell exercise).

In the evenings expect lots of cuddles while you watch TV! They are very affectionate dogs when you have developed a bond together. However, there may be an hour of hyperactivity (well call this ‘happy hour!’) around 9pm-10pm when they get a spurt of energy and want to play. You can play fetch, tug-o-war and rough and tumble play with your JRT – they love rough housing!

Weekends

On Weekends plan for training sessions with your Jack Russell and also extended walks with the family. Ideas for weekend getaways include Snowdonia, Peak District, Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.

Going on Holiday when you have a Jack Russell

Holidays abroad will be more of a challenge because many Jack Russell owners find it difficult to leave them. But if you have a car or van and your dog has a passport you can consider travelling with your Jack Russell within the EU.

They have a Strong Prey Drive

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small terrier that has an energetic disposition and strong hunting instincts….They require a firm owner who can display leadership. If your Jack Russell has a particularly strong prey drive and doesn’t have good recall due to this, then it can be difficult to let him off lead in public areas.

There are things that you can do to ensure that your Jack Russell still gets the exercise off lead that it needs. It is possible to hire enclosed fields for dogs to to online and on Facebook – we use Mutts off Lead in Maghull. You can also purchase a long 30m leash or climbing rope to allow them to run around while you still have control.

Jack Russells need Socialisation

They also require extensive early socialisation to help them get along with other dogs, because they are prone to fighting with dogs twice their size.

Additionally, they should not be left alone for extended periods of time; without sufficient companionship, the Jack Russell is likely to engage in destructive behaviour. They can be prone to separation anxiety which could result in crying, howling and barking when you leave the house.

Training your Jack Russell

The Jack Russell Terrier is a smart dog who is quick to learn, with a high degree of trainability. All of my Jack Russells have been very food motivated and eager to please. As a result I have been able to teach them a number of party tricks including spin round, roll over, beg and play dead. My second Jack Russell Suzy was so disciplined that she could hold a biscuit in her mouth or on her nose and wait until you told her to eat it!

As well as doing tricks, you will also need to teach your Jack Russell to be ok with strangers and to behave well on walkies. Clicker training is a great option for Jack Russells as they respond very well to positive reinforcement. You can read more about training a Jack Russell here.

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