Jack Russell Crate Training

Jack Russell Crate Training

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There is an age-old argument concerning the dog crate. When the crate comes to mind, it’s easy to imagine a little one confined to a jail cell-like cage for most of the day! This is an unfortunate reality for many sheltered or neglected animals around the world.

It’s still only one reality! As long as it is used responsibly, the dog crate can be an extremely useful tool. In some cases, it can even save your pet’s life! Jack Russell crate training is integral.

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Amazon Basics Folding Soft Dog Crate, 36", Tan, 91 cm L x 61 cm W x 61 cm H
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Amazon Prime
MidWest Homes for Pets Newly Enhanced Single Door iCrate 76.2 cm (30-Inch) Long Dog Crate, Includes Leak-Proof Pan, Floor Protecting Feet , Divider Panel & New Patented Features, Black, Model 1530
MidWest Homes for Pets Newly Enhanced Single Door iCrate 76.2 cm (30-Inch) Long Dog Crate, Includes Leak-Proof Pan, Floor Protecting Feet , Divider Panel & New Patented Features, Black, Model 1530
£38.45
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2PET Foldable Dog Crate - Soft, Easy to Fold & Carry Dog Crate for Indoor & Outdoor Use - Comfy Dog Home & Dog Travel Crate - Strong Steel Frame, Washable Fabric Cover, Frontal Zipper Medium Blue
2PET Foldable Dog Crate - Soft, Easy to Fold & Carry Dog Crate for Indoor & Outdoor Use - Comfy Dog Home & Dog Travel Crate - Strong Steel Frame, Washable Fabric Cover, Frontal Zipper Medium Blue
£71.77
-
Amazon Basics Folding Soft Dog Crate, 36", Tan, 91 cm L x 61 cm W x 61 cm H
Amazon Basics Folding Soft Dog Crate, 36", Tan, 91 cm L x 61 cm W x 61 cm H
£86.71
Amazon Prime

Why Use a Dog Crate for Your Jack Russell?

There are several reasons for you to use a dog crate for your Jack Russell! 

Safety

Dog crates are integral for puppy safety while you can’t offer direct supervision. Anyone who has ever raised a puppy will agree- the little ones will find trouble wherever it is to be found! 

You could wind up with all kinds of choking hazards, destroyed wiring, and shredded bedding if you aren’t careful. You’ll want to be aware of any small spaces your pup can get himself stuck in. Not even the paint on your walls is safe from those little shark teeth!

A dog crate acts a little like a crib for a human baby, keeping your puppy safe while you can’t directly observe him.

Potty Training

Your dog’s crate can be a powerful potty-training tool! Dogs are naturally somewhat tidy animals. Unless they have grown used to caged life in a shelter, most dogs will prefer not to eliminate in confined spaces or sleeping areas.

Leashing a puppy directly by your side at all times is the preferable method during potty training. This way you’re able to catch and quickly correct any mistakes. If that isn’t possible, the Jack Russell crate is a second useful option! 

Remember, puppies will need to eliminate at an average of once per hour of every month of age (until about 4 or five months). So, a 12-week old puppy will need to be let outside once every three hours.

Own Little Escape!

If your Jack Russell crate training is done properly, your little one will freely enter the crate. It will serve the same function as a dog den, offering shelter and security when your little one feels overwhelmed. 

At least that is how your pet will view it!

Your dog might escape to the crate if he wants a better night’s sleep, or just wants to be left alone. His crate might make him feel better when fireworks or loud cracks of thunder have him on edge. 

  • For this to work, you don’t want to use the dog crate as a punishment. 
  • Try not to bother your dog while he’s in the crate.
  • Only associate positivity with the crate.

What size Crate for a Jack Russell?

What sized crate is best for a Jack Russell Terrier? You don’t want to keep having to buy dog crates!

You’re buying for a small breed. Your Jack will be a short adult, and shouldn’t weigh much more than an average of 13-17 pounds. He’ll need enough room to comfortably stand up and turn around completely. 

You might want to offer a little bit extra for toys or food/water bowls, but there’s no need to go overboard here! A 24” tall crate would probably be good for an adult Russell.

But what if you want to use the Jack Russell dog crate for potty training? You might not want to start out with an adult-sized crate. At the same time, you don’t want to throw away money by constantly upgrading.

Invest in a crate with a partition in the middle! You can remove the partition and double your pup’s room as he grows. You’re still able to purchase one adult-sized crate this way, and never have to upgrade.

So, what type of Jack Russell Crate do you want to invest in? You certainly don’t want to continuously spend money on inferior items only for them to break down!

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  • iCrate dog crate measures 76.2L x 48.26 x 53.34 cm and is suitable for medium dog breeds with an adult weight of 11.34 to 18.14 kilograms; If your dog’s weight or measurements are on the higher side for this crate, we recommend the next crate size up
  • Dog crate includes a divider panel, durable & leak-proof plastic pan, protective rubber feet, carrying handle, and customer support team based in Indiana

With over 110,000 reviews, the MidWest Homes for Pets dog crate is probably one of the most purchased crates on Amazon! You’re able to choose between seven sizes, and there is even a breed chart to help you out. 

This is nearly the same build I have for my own Jack Russel mix! Since Loki is a mixed breed, I wasn’t sure exactly how large he would grow and went with a large crate. It was a little costly, but the price was well worth it! Both Loki and my Beagle Vali are able to fit comfortably at once.

If that weren’t enough, this dog crate will probably outlast all three of us! The metal design is extremely durable. It’s the only dog crate we will ever need, so the initial expense was less money than may have been spent otherwise.

  • The metal design is extremely durable
  • Comes with partition included 
  • Easy to assemble
  • Foldable for transport
  • Can use the partition for puppies, remove for adults

Best Dog Crate for Home

2PET Folding Soft Dog Crate

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  • STRONG STEEL TUBE DESIGN - Unlike many other flimsy & makeshift dog crates out there, Fold-A-Crate uses a strong yet lightweight steel tube design that can be folded/unfolded in a jiffy - Includes a top handle to convert it into a fully-functional pet carrier
  • WASHABLE SOFT FABRIC COVER - The steel frame is covered with a water resistant, soft Oxford 600D fabric cover (a nylon variant) that is fully removable & machine washable - The new & improved design includes full frontal zipper that dogs can't easily chew to bits

There is only one real downside to the dog crate listed directly above this one. It can be very heavy and cumbersome to move. 

The 2Pet Folding Soft Dog Crate doesn’t have that drawback! It uses a lightweight steel frame inside an Oxford 600D fabric cover, making it a much lighter option. If you’re looking for a travel dog crate or you take trips often, this is perfect for you!

  • Great for travel
  • Easy to transport
  • Great for outdoor training

Best Dog Crate for Travel

Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Travel Crate

Amazon Basics Folding Soft Dog Crate, 36", Tan, 91 cm L x 61 cm W x 61 cm H
  • Folding soft-sided 36-inch dog crate for large dogs up to 70 pounds
  • 2 doors (top and front); mesh windows and front door for ventilation on all 4 sides
  • Secure zipper closures; fastening straps keep unzipped rolled-up doors positioned neatly out of the way

This dog crate from Amazon is another fantastic lightweight idea! It would work great for things like travel, camping, and just plain relaxing. It’s very easy to set up because your crate is made of a PVC frame and polyester fabric.

  • PVC frame with polyester Fabric
  • 2 doors with mesh windows
  • Installation in seconds with no tools required
  • Folds flat for easy transport & storage
  • Zipper closures & fastening straps

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

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 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:

Jack Russell Obedience training

Jack Russell Obedience Training

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Do you have a Jack Russell Terrier and wish they would obey your commands? Do they bark or growl at people or other animals? These behaviours are not acceptable in a dog. Jack Russell Terriers are, after all, terriers and their personalities have as much to do with their history as a hunting dog as it does from its breeding. The way to get your terrier to obey is through obedience training.

Basic Dog Obedience

The first step for obedience training is obedience classes. Your dog needs to be well socialized with other dogs and people. It also needs to learn basic commands such as, sit, down, stay and heel. The benefits of this are that your Jack Russell Terrier will be more confident both at home and in public.

No Biting!

Your Jack Russell Terrier shouldn’t be biting at your fingers unless it’s for play time. When he does bite, you can say “no!” or scream “ouch” and pull away from him so that he gets the message not to do it again. (You may want to read this article on are Jack Russells aggressive?)

Sit

Sitting is a pretty natural action for your dog. If you show him a treat and then move it in an upward direction, the ‘sit’ should happen naturally. His head should go up following the treat and his bum should automatically go down. You can then add a short, direct ‘sit’ command. Remember not to overuse the command – your dog should respond on the first go with you unnecessarily repeating it!

Lie Down

If your dog won’t automatically lie down, a good trick is to sit on the flaw and make a tunnel with your legs. How you say the command also plays a big part in how fast your pup responds. Say it in the same tone of voice as you would when you were speaking to another person. You could even use a soft “please” before saying it so it sounds more like an apology than just giving him an order.

do Jack Russells shed

Stand

Once your dog has mastered the sit, he needs to be able to go back from a sit to a stand. Sometimes just taking a step backward will make your dog stand up, because he wants to follow you. Then you can add in the ‘stand’ command and repeat.

Come

This is an easy one, but you must insist on the dog always coming to you when called to do so. This exercise is the closest thing to having a playtime that your dog will be getting when out of his crate from home. Make sure you get him engaged with you and tell him what a good job he did after your play time together.

Jack Russell Terrier Obedience Training Methods

There are several types of Jack Russell Terrier obedience training methods. The two most common are clicker training and positive reinforcement. Both are effective in teaching your terrier to obey, however, it is important that you understand each method prior to training.

Clicker Training

Clicker training uses a small plastic box with a metal tongue that makes a clicking sound when you push the button. You can purchase this at most pet stores or online. The trainer uses the clicker as a reward for the dog performing a specific act or trick correctly. This method is effective because the dog and trainer can easily communicate with one another. Other methods of clicker training include, targeting and shaping. Targeting involves using a flat object held in front of a dog’s nose to teach the dog to touch his nose on a mark. Shaping uses the trainer using food or a toy to entice the dog into performing acts that they desire, such as lying down or sitting on command.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement involves giving the dog a treat when it performs an act correctly. The trainer will offer the treat and give it to the dog when they are performing right. The dog will naturally learn to perform an action by achieving a higher goal or reward. Positive reinforcement is a good method of training for younger dogs as it does not force them to perform a certain action, but rather rewards them for knowing how to do something through positive reinforcement.

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Jack Russell Barking

Jack Russell Barking

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Jack Russell barking is common, but excessive and inappropriate barking from your dog can be a problem. In today’s blog we will have a look at the reasons why Jack Russells bark and how to stop it.

Main Reasons for Jack Russell Barking

There are many reasons why Jack Russells bark and there is usually a cause of stress or there is some kind of trigger. This could be due to guarding behaviour, being left alone or being reactive towards another dog.

Guarding Behaviour

As far as small breeds go, Jack Russells are probably amongst the best guard dogs you can get. Expect to hear barking every time someone walks past your house or knocks on your door. They will go CRAZY when the postman arrives! This is their job – as Jack Russells are very territorial. They are basically protecting you and alerting you to the fact that someone else is there. I remember when I got burgled, I asked the police man about CCTV or home security and he answered ‘Just get a dog, love!’ And so we did!

This kind of jack Russell barking is OK, as long as you are prepared for it and their behaviour doesn’t become aggressive towards visitors. Your dog can guard the house but he or she needs to learnt that when you invite visitors into your home they have to accept that. It may not be ideal however, if you have a job that involves working from home and has a lot of meetings.

Barks of Excitement

Sometimes a Jack Russell will get so excited that he physically cannot control himself! Ours barks incessantly when you show signs of getting ready for walkies! He just cannot wait! But it can give you a bit of a headache, so we recommend calming rituals before walks.

Scared of Strangers

Many Jack Russells bark at people that they walk past in the street, and this kind of barking is usually out of fear. This is often heightened by the tension caused by a lead, and so you might find that you end up with a ‘leash reactive dog’. That’s because their usual natural tactics to deal with fear (fight or flight) are not accessible when they are on a lead and so they resort to more aggressive barking.

When we rescued our Jack Russell Cross, Blake from the RSPCA, he was extremely loud, barking at every single person that went past. It took the enjoyment out of walking him, until we managed to limit it with positive reinforcement techniques.

Although it’s their attempt to protect themselves and you, it is important to stop this kind of behaviour. Otherwise your walkies are going to be stressful for both you and your dog. It may be worse when you rescue, especially if the rescue dog has been mistreated and is scared of strangers because he or she doesn’t trust them. In this case, you can use some of the positive reinforcement techniques outlined below.

Dog Reactivity

Jack Russells are generally very ‘barky’ or reactive dogs. If they haven’t been socialised as pups, they may display aggression (particularly leash aggression) towards other dogs. This can make walks stressful especially when you witness a ‘slanging match’ between your dog and any other dog that passes on the opposite side of the street!

It’s a good idea to establish weather this is a bark out of aggression (an ‘I wanna kill you!’ bark) or a bark out of frustration (I want to sniff you ass but I can’t!) because a leashed dog cannot easily greet another dog in the street, which is a natural thing to do. You can test your dog with other ‘good dogs’ in a controlled environment such as with a trainer or a with dogs muzzled.

You will need to utilise a combination of socialisation and training techniques to resolve this. Sometime, it is hard to completely stop the barking at other dogs, but you will be able to limit it.

Other Hazards – Bikes, Skateboards and Scooters

Jack Russells can also be particularly reactive towards people on moving objects such as bikes, scooters and skateboards. Pay attention around these hazards and if you know that your dog is particularly reactive to these, keep him on a short leash and walk in the opposite direction if you can.

Being Left alone

Jack Russells don’t fare very well being left alone for lengthy amounts of time. One of my friends who was a teacher had a gorgeous female Jack Russell. But they lived in an apartment and the dog barked constantly while she was at work. The neighbours complained and in the end the council got involved. Unfortunately she had to give her up.

It is not ideal to leave your Jack Russell for longer than around 3 hours. If you work long days and are not able to come to visit your dog at lunch time, then a Jack Russell Terrier may not be the ideal dog for you. Limit the time that your Jack Russell is left alone and ensure that there are puzzles and things to do to distract and entertain your dog while you are out.

How to Stop your Jack Russell Barking

Avoid Shock Collars

We are not fans of shock collars because they are uncomfortable (at best) and painful (at worst) for dogs. Experts tell us that shock collars that are used as a punishment for too much barking don’t actually correct the barking behaviour. All they do is instill fear in the dog and can actually make the barking even worse. They are cruel and ineffective and so we don’t suggest that you use one.

Use Positive Reinforcement Techniques such as Clicker Training

Positive reinforcement techniques are the most effective methods that you can use with your dog. As Jack Russells tend to be very food motivated, these methods work well with them. The treat or reward needs to be released within seconds of seeing the barking stimulus. For example:

  • See a scooter = meat falls from sky!
  • See another dog = chicken falls from sky!

You can also combine this with clicker training. This is when you use a clicker and reward the dog within 5 seconds of the click. The dog learns very quickly that click = treat. Learn this in the house first with plenty of practice and after a few days he or she will know exactly what the click means. You can then click when you see the barking stimulus and instead of barking incessantly, your dog should look at you for the treat rather than going mental at what went past!

Calming Rituals

For the Jack Russells that bark continuously when they are about to go out for walkies, you need to calm them before the walk starts. Stand patiently without looking at the dog. Don’t do anything or go anywhere until the barking stops. Only when the barking stops should you start to leave the house. If barking starts again pause again and wait. The dog will quite quickly learn that the crazy barking means that the walk DOES NOT begin!

You can use such calming rituals for other excitement barking. For example, if barking starts when they are ready to get out of the car, wait for the barking to stop before opening the door. They quickly pick up what makes the walkies start faster!

Socialisation

Doggy socialisation can be great for getting dogs used to other dogs and this can help with dog reactivity on leash.

It is best to start socialising your dog as a puppy with other puppies in a puppy class. Do this as soon as your pup has had his injections and is allowed to mix with other dogs and walk outside. If your dog was not socialised as a pup, or if you have rescued/adopted a dog as an adult it will be more of a challenge to socialise your dog, but it is still possible. Of course, some dogs just HATE other dogs and socialising is a massive challenge for those dogs.

When you are socialising your new dog as an adult, it needs to be in a controlled environment. Do this with a dog trainer present and in a secure area. If you know other friendly dogs you can ask their owners if they can meet. Often it’s a good idea to walk together on the leads first of all. Let them get a few smells but keep the walk going to keep it interesting. This also makes sure that the dogs are not only focused on each other.

When dogs first go off lead together you can try them muzzled if you like the first few times. When the dogs are not displaying aggression the muzzles can be removed. Baskerville muzzles are the best and safest kind. This is because they allow your dog to pant, eat and drink whilst wearing them.

Puzzles and Distractions for Leaving your Dog Alone

When you do leave your dog alone, you can minimise his or her stress by leaving plenty of things for him or her to do. This will focus his energy on the puzzles and finding the treats rather than the stress of you not being in the house. It should therefore limit destructive behaviour and barking. You can make your own dg puzzles such as hiding treats in shoe boxes.

We love Nina Ottosson dog puzzles. You can hide chicken or treats in them and your dog will need to use his paws and mouth to get them out. The ‘Dog Tornado’ is our favourite. Use healthy dog treats or even cooked chicken to hide in the compartments.

We also love leaving our Jack Russells with KONGs. Kong dog toys are very durable and you can stuff them with things like dog peanut butter and dog pate. Your dog will need to lick the middle to get the tasty goodness out. A stuffed KONG will generally keep your dog occupied for around 20 minutes at least.

Of course always make sure that your dog is OK being left alone with these toys – monitor him or her with them in your presence first. We know one dog who actually ate his way through a lickimat when left alone with it. The bits got stuck in his intestines and he had to have surgery to remove them! A good way to keep an eye on your dog while you are out is to put a dog camera on him. Then you can monitor his behaviour and see that he is not doing anything dangerous.

What has helped your Jack Russell?

If you combine these above methods, you should see at least an improvement in your dogs barking. Although it’s not easy to completely stop a Jack Russell barking, limiting it to the odd bark rather than constant barking is a good step.

You can read more about Jack Russell Training here.

What has worked for you and your dog? I’d love to hear from you – please feel free to comment on our blog below.

Jack Russell Games

Jack Russell Games

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A Jack Russell is an all-around active and intelligent breed of terrier, so it’s not unusual for them to enjoy playing games with their people. This post will outline the best games for JRTs, with lots of pictures and video clips of the dogs having a blast! These games are perfect for both families with small children as well as single pet owners.

ubest Dog Snuff Tobacco Sniffing Toy Dog Search Game Corn 24 x 9 x 7.5 cm
beetoy Snuffle Mat for Dogs Food Sniffing Feeding Mat Puzzle Toy, Interactive Game Dog Treat Dispenser Toys for Boredom Dog Stress Release Encourages Natural Foraging Skills for Medium Dogs
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Increased Visibility Dog Toy Throw or Kick Toy for Dogs, Small, 14 cm
Dog Football Toys, IOMOY Dog Fetch Training Toy Durable Interactive Football Toy for Tug Games & Bonding Exercises Suitable as a Puppy Toy
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy, Advanced
ubest Dog Snuff Tobacco Sniffing Toy Dog Search Game Corn 24 x 9 x 7.5 cm
beetoy Snuffle Mat for Dogs Food Sniffing Feeding Mat Puzzle Toy, Interactive Game Dog Treat Dispenser Toys for Boredom Dog Stress Release Encourages Natural Foraging Skills for Medium Dogs
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Increased Visibility Dog Toy Throw or Kick Toy for Dogs, Small, 14 cm
Dog Football Toys, IOMOY Dog Fetch Training Toy Durable Interactive Football Toy for Tug Games & Bonding Exercises Suitable as a Puppy Toy
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy, Advanced
£25.96
Price not available
£16.01
Price not available
£15.06
ubest Dog Snuff Tobacco Sniffing Toy Dog Search Game Corn 24 x 9 x 7.5 cm
ubest Dog Snuff Tobacco Sniffing Toy Dog Search Game Corn 24 x 9 x 7.5 cm
£25.96
beetoy Snuffle Mat for Dogs Food Sniffing Feeding Mat Puzzle Toy, Interactive Game Dog Treat Dispenser Toys for Boredom Dog Stress Release Encourages Natural Foraging Skills for Medium Dogs
beetoy Snuffle Mat for Dogs Food Sniffing Feeding Mat Puzzle Toy, Interactive Game Dog Treat Dispenser Toys for Boredom Dog Stress Release Encourages Natural Foraging Skills for Medium Dogs
Price not available
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Increased Visibility Dog Toy Throw or Kick Toy for Dogs, Small, 14 cm
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Increased Visibility Dog Toy Throw or Kick Toy for Dogs, Small, 14 cm
£16.01
Dog Football Toys, IOMOY Dog Fetch Training Toy Durable Interactive Football Toy for Tug Games & Bonding Exercises Suitable as a Puppy Toy
Dog Football Toys, IOMOY Dog Fetch Training Toy Durable Interactive Football Toy for Tug Games & Bonding Exercises Suitable as a Puppy Toy
Price not available
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy, Advanced
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy, Advanced
£15.06

Some JRTs like to use their minds while others like to focus more on their physical coordination skills. Regardless of which type your pup is, finding the right game can help you bond in a fun way that also keeps your dog healthy and happy. The following games will help you to activate your dog’s brain while also keeping your dog happy and distracted.

My Favourite Jack Russell Games

Sniffing Games

My Jack Russells have all love to play ‘find it’ where you show the dog a treat (let him/her sniff it) then shut the dog out of the room and hide a treat somewhere. When the treat is hidden, and he has had a sniff so knows what he is looking for he will use his nose and start searching. My Jack Russells usually find the treat between 15 seconds and 3 minutes depending on how well hidden the treat is and how smelly the treat is! This is one of my favourite Jack Russell games as it’s fun for all the family to watch.

ubest Dog Snuff Tobacco Sniffing Toy Dog Search Game Corn 24 x 9 x 7.5 cm
  • The main fabric is soft, durable and safe polar fleece, filled with PP cotton.
  • Hide dry food in it for dogs who eat too quickly, so you can reduce the quick entwined without chewing.
  • Safe TRP toy in corn, dogs can bite it or grind their teeth.

If you want to take this a step further you can actually buy snuffle mats for dogs, which are rag mats that have lots of places to hide treats in – these work wonders when you go out and want to leave your dog something to do.

Fetch

Most Jack Russells love to play fetch and tennis balls are the most popular choice. First you need to assess whether your JRT is interested in balls – some are, some aren’t, but you will see instantly when you get the ball moving if he loves it! Sometimes you can have a Jack Russell who loves to fetch the ball but won’t give it back!

Sale
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Increased Visibility Dog Toy Throw or Kick Toy for Dogs, Small, 14 cm
  • FUN FOR PETS AND PET PARENTS: This 7.5 Inch diameter kick ball, satisfies your dog's natural chasing instincts. Pet parents can kick, throw or punt this fetch toy, allowing for hours of interactive fun for your pet
  • FLOATS IN WATER: Canvas, rubber and foam construction of this Chuckit fetch toy allows engaging playtime on land or water while being gentle on your pet's teeth and gums
  • EASY PICK-UP: Featuring deep ridges, dogs can easily grab the Chuckit durable dog toy for quick retrieval and pet parents can just kick it, without having to worry about pet slobber

With Milo, we used to have two balls on the go on rotation, because he would bring and release the first ball when he saw the second one ready to throw! It helps them to spend their energy and is great fun for both the dogs and their owners. Depending on the size of your house (and whether you have breakables!)

you can also check out this article on Jack Russell toys to play games with.

Jack Russell Exercise

Football

Yes it’s true, I’ve had two Jack Russells in my lifetime that were absolutely brilliant at football – Patch and Milo. Make sure that it is a sturdy football and that they are supervised with it. Then you can take them into the garden or to a safe enclosed field and have a kick around. They will get a lot of energy out when they chase it.

Interactive Dog Puzzles

We love to use Nina Ottosson dog puzzles for our Jack Russells. Your dog has to learn how to twist and turn them to get to the treats. It stimulates them mentally and physically. These puzzles have different levels from 1 (easiest) to 3 (hard) and so you can start with the easy and when they have mastered that one increase the difficulty by progressing to the next level.

Sale
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy, Advanced
  • Level 3 Advanced dog puzzle great for dogs who have mastered Level 2 dog puzzles; requires dogs to complete a series of actions in order
  • Provides mental stimulation for dogs; 15 minutes of mental stimulation is equal to 30 minutes of physical activity
  • Helps reduce dog anxiety and redirect unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, and digging in a fun and exciting way

You might also want to read: Why does my Jack Russell follow me everywhere?