Feeding & Caring for Your Pet Jack Russell Terrier

Taking care of a Jack Russell Terrier is virtually a full time job at least while they are awake. This little dog probably has more energy than any other dog you can find. This energy needs to be channeled into a positive direction because if you ignore them or keep them confined they can become destructive or even agressive toward humans.

A good way to channel this energy is through training. Jack Russell's are very smart and will learn quickly. They will learn a lot on their own which may not be what you want so interact with them as much as possible. They are a good family dog as there will be more people to help burn their energy.

Because the Jack Russell Terrier was bred as a fox hunting dog it loves to play at hunting which translates into running and playing. They especially like to be around children as they usually have as much energy as your pet terrier. Older children will be able to train it to do a number of tricks including retrieving objects. This can occupy both the pet and your child for a long time. I've seen a Jack Russell Terrier push a soccer ball around with its nose for hours on end waiting for someone to play with it.

Keep in mind that they do get bored easy and will chew on things. One of the first things you should teach is which things they can chew on and which they can't. Be sure to have plenty of chew toys for them to hunt and chew on. One thing about a Jack Russell is if you can be very active with it daily it will be more apt to sit or lie quietly when you want it to. They are very energetic so make sure they do get plenty of exercise every single day.

Because Jack Russell Terriers are such active dogs their training need to include significant exercise. While you will need to do some fairly passive training make sure to also include a lot of energy burning activity in order to release your puppy's energy and to maintain its health.

If you get a Jack Russell puppy you need to set up the schedule for it. The main thing to establish is where their food will be and when it will be there. Twice a day you should fill both the food and water bowls so your puppy will start feeling at ease knowing its food and water will always be available.

Taking your pet outside at least 3 times a day is essential. This is not only to let them do their business but it will give you a chance to interact with each other. Take a ball with you and prepare to be surprised at how quickly your little guy will learn to retrieve it. A chew toy will also be a fun thing for you and it to play with. If you have an enclosed yard it will be even more fun as it can run off a lot of its energy. If you have to keep it on a leash it would be good if you could find a dog park close by where you can let your pet Jack Russell run free. Keeping the outdoor schedule may be hard for a single person which why the Jack Russell is a good family pet.

You must feed your new Jack Russell Terrier puppy or your mature pet the best food you can. Because of the high energy nature of these dogs you need to make sure they get plenty of high power fuel food. Ideally a homemade diet of fresh meat and vegetables would be the best food for them. It does take a lot of time to make homemade food and it can cost more than commercial, so many people won't be able to do it. If you can't, just be sure to feed your pet Jack Russell the best food you can afford. Your pet may also need some supplements along with their food. The best way to find out what they need is to tell your vet what the dog is eating and then they can determine what supplements may be required for your pet terrier's best health.

As you can see the care and feeding of a pet Jack Russell Terrier is not all that difficult. The main problem you will have taking care of your pet is the lack of time in both exercising them and preparing the best food for them. If you want a terrific companion who will be ready to play whenever you are, a good choice will be the Jack Russell. If there is any way to make a little extra time for this bundle of energy it will be well rewarded by its appreciation.