4 Tips for Training a Jack Russell Puppy

Jack Russell Terrier puppies tend to make excellent companions and have great hunting abilities. Some common characteristics of Jack Russell terriers are their ability to be cheerful, faithful, feisty, bold, energetic, intelligent and hard workers. However, there are some things to consider when training a Jack Russell puppy.

Jack Russell puppies are not a good pet for a first time dog owner. Jack Russell puppies tend to have a short attention span, a problem with digging holes, love to chase things, and can be aggressive using loud barking. There are four tips to consider when training a Jack Russell puppy.

1. Train the Puppy Early. It's important to train a Jack Russell puppy early but not before eight weeks old. The puppy owner should take the lead as head of the household or the puppy will take control. The training should start from the first day of bringing the puppy home. You should train the dog to have an even temperament by using positive reinforcement. Also, do not encourage negative behavior by the puppy.
2. Socialize the Puppy with People and other Dogs. Training a Jack Russell puppy to socialize with others should be done as a puppy. This will allow the puppy to grow into an adult dog being familiar with people and other dogs. Also, this will prevent the puppy from being aggressive towards others. Socializing can begin by taking the puppy to dog parks and meeting the neighbors' dogs. Also, the puppy should be allowed to get to know children, family members, and friends.
3. Substitute Activities to Prevent Bad Behaviors. Many Jack Russell puppies can receive a bad name for being rambunctious but that's really not the case. Jack Russell dogs are bred to be hunters and have a really good nose for picking up scent. Also, these puppies really enjoy digging and this can be a nuisance for some dog owners. The best thing is to teach Jack Russell puppies' obedience and to substitute activities for annoying behavior. Playing a game of fetch, a chew toy, tug games can help with minimizing any annoying behavior.
4. Give Your Puppy Plenty of Exercise. Jack Russell dogs are very active animals and need plenty of exercise. Exercise is important for these types of dogs because the lack of exercise can lead to behavior problems. In addition, Jack Russell dogs like to explore and hunt in their environment. You will need a large fenced in yard for Jack Russell terriers. These dogs should be taken for daily walks and involved in games that require plenty of running.

Many owners of Jack Russell puppies are strong leaders and this will help with training a Jack Russell dog. Also, Jack Russell dogs are very independent and will need to be train to listen to their owners. If you start training a Jack Russell puppy early then the puppy should be on the road of obedience in a short period of time.