Jack Russell Terriers are affectionate and companionable, but they are also stubborn and energetic. If you have a Jack Russell, do your best to take good care of it! Providing proper nutrition, exercising, and taking care of the dog's fur and nails are all important to a dog's physical health. You must also train him properly. Jack Russell Terriers can develop behavior problems if they are not well trained. You will also have to take certain safety precautions with your dog. Take care when in the presence of other dogs and pets and keep an eye out for health issues specific to this breed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keeping Jack Russell Healthy
Step 1. Feed quality feed every day
Jack Russell Terriers need to be fed twice a day. Don't keep food at Jack Russell's disposal at all times, as they tend to overeat. Overall, Jack Russell Terriers need 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ cup of quality feed per day. The amount of calories varies between feed brands, so see the portion-related instructions on the package to not give too little or too much feed.
- Your puppy may need more or less feed depending on his size, age and level of physical activity. If he looks skinny or too fat, consult a veterinarian to adjust feed amounts. If he is overweight, he may need to exercise more.
- You should split the ration into two meals. You can give one in the morning and one in the evening. Don't just feed him one meal or he'll be hungry during the day.
Step 2. Exercise Jack Russell for 30 to 45 minutes a day
All dogs need to exercise, but that's even more important for an energetic breed like this. Exercise must be vigorous. Fast-paced walks and intense play are an important part of your puppy's health.
- If you take your Jack Russell out for a ride, keep the pace fast. This type of walking is beneficial for this breed.
- Play with your dog indoors if you don't have time to walk them every day. Let it run free for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day.
- If at all possible, let your Jack Russell Terrier run in an open space without a leash. If you can, put a fence around your yard to loosen it. If he is calm in the presence of other dogs, take him to a closed dog space in a nearby park to play.
Step 3. Brush Jack Russell regularly
All Jack Russell Terriers need to be brushed regularly to maintain health. At least once a week, brush your dog's fur to remove the loose ones.
Avoid bathing your Jack Russell. They rarely need to shower. Only bathe if it is very dirty or covered in dirt
Step 4. Trim the dog's nails twice a month
Jack Russell terrier nails get big pretty quickly, which makes the dog uncomfortable and increases the risk of the nails getting caught in something. Cut them twice a month, more or less. If you hear his nails hitting the floor, it's time to cut.
- Use a nail clipper made for dogs. Gently take a paw and cut one nail at a time. Give the dog a reward for standing still during the cut. If necessary, have someone else hold it while cutting.
- Cut only the ends of the nails. Try to make a quick, straight cut so the process doesn't take too long.
Step 5. Keep the dog's teeth clean
Buy a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs. Brush his teeth at least two or three times a week. This prevents a build-up of bacteria in his mouth.
Part 2 of 3: Training a Jack Russell
Step 1. Begin training while he is a puppy, if possible
It is generally easier to train dogs when they are in early life. This is especially true of Jack Russell Terriers, as they tend to be stubborn. The sooner the training starts, the better. If you've got the puppy dog, start training him right away.
Step 2. Maintain consistent training
Jack Russell Terriers do best when they maintain a routine. Since they tend to be stubborn and get bored quite easily, the key to successful workouts is to do them consistently. Try to do the training every day. Since they have a lot of energy and often get bored, it's very important to teach them some basic commands like "sit" and "stay" to keep the dog under control.
- Train the dog a little every day. You can start with the basic commands and go from there.
- Being consistent is essential. Jack Russell Terriers are very intelligent dogs and will be confused if expectations of what they have to do suddenly change. Make sure your dog knows which behavior is acceptable and which is not during training.
Step 3. Reward good behavior
Jack Russell Terriers, like most dogs, want to please their owners. They will respond better to rewards than punishment. When your dog behaves properly during the day and during practice, give him a reward. Gradually, he will learn which behaviors are right and which are not.
- Jack Russell Terriers respond well to treats and treats. You can also play with Jack Russell as a reward, as this helps him get the exercises he needs every day.
- Reward good behavior immediately. Dogs live in the immediate present. If you don't immediately reward him when he does something right, he may not understand why he is being rewarded.
Step 4. Be patient
Training for Jack Russell Terriers will take longer than for other breeds. They are stubborn by nature and tend to resist training. Things like needing in the right place, not climbing on furniture or basic commands can take a long time to learn.
It takes six to eight months for a dog to learn to behave, so don't be discouraged. As long as you're being consistent and giving the rewards at the right times, you're not doing anything wrong. This breed just needs a lot of time to assimilate the training
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Problems with a Jack Russell Terrier
Step 1. Keep an eye out for common health problems in this breed
Jack Russell Terriers are generally healthy and long-lived, but are prone to hip problems, deafness, and dislocated knees. If your dog appears to be sick or in pain, take him to the vet right away. If the breeder was good and serious, your dog will be less likely to have this type of problem.
Step 2. Keep your dog entertained
You need to play with your Jack Russell Terrier regularly. Give him various toys to entertain himself. Jack Russell Terriers need a lot of mental stimulation to be happy. If they're not entertained, they'll rebel and mess things up indoors.
- Give the dog several toys that he likes to use. If he doesn't seem interested in the toys he already has, drop by a pet shop or pet center and buy a different one.
- It's quite common for bored Jack Russell Terriers to start destroying things at home.
Step 3. Take care of other pets
Not all Jack Russell Terriers get along with other animals. They are often territorial and can even kill smaller animals such as cats. Slowly introduce a Jack Russell terrier to other animals. Don't take him to a place where he's going to have other animals if you don't know how he's going to react.
- Jack Russell Terriers can be quite aggressive towards dogs of the same sex.
- Some Jack Russell Terriers do better if they are the only pet in the house. Many of them are very aggressive towards other animals.
Step 4. Avoid adopting a Jack Russell if you have kids
They can freak out or bite if someone catches them the wrong way. Very young children shouldn't be alone with a Jack Russell Terrier. Adult supervision is essential.
Teach your kids to interact safely with the Jack Russell Terrier. Tell them not to mess with the dog when he's eating or sleeping
Step 5. See if the fences are secure
Jack Russell Terriers have a gift for escape. If you are going to let your dog stay in the fenced yard, make sure the fence is secure. There should be no gaps in the fence and it needs to be high enough for him not to be able to jump over it.