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JRT NEWS AND RESOURCES
About the JRT and Training Tips
 The Jack Russell Terrier
Before you adopt a Jack Russell Terrier (“JRT”)
into your home, it would be best to understand the characteristics and
requirements specific to this breed. Thank you for considering giving a
rescue Jack a place in your home and your heart.
The Jack Russell Terrier is an active, intelligent, sometimes independent,
yet wonderfully loyal, companion breed, and given the opportunity will bond
strongly with their owners. Originally a working/companion breed used for hunting, routing quarry
from their burrows.
Jack Russell Terriers are not your run of the mill
dog. This small terrier breed is known to live life to the fullest, and
if you are lucky, they will let you join in the fun! They can pack more
adventures into one day than most other dogs do in a month. They
require people who are more prepared to cope with the many surprises
that life with a Jack will surely serve up, and their people need more
information than your average dog owner. Of course, there are exceptions
to every rule, but here are some Jacks Facts to give you an idea of
what to expect from this fantastic breed.
The JRT, a small terrier, is similar in size to an Australian
Terrier or Border Terrier. The coats come in three types, Smooth, Rough
Coat or Broken Coat. All types of JRT coats are known to shed. Jack
Russells in Australia are bred to have medium or shorter legs, although
the longer length leg continues to appear through the generations.
For specific information regarding each individual
Rescue Dog, please contact Jill Clinch or the appropriate foster carer,
as listed in the dog’s profile.
Ideal family
The JRT is an ideal dog for active families with
children over 3-4 years of age. Jacks also make excellent companions and
guard dogs for the elderly, although exercise requirements need to be
considered for younger dogs.
History
Russell terriers were first bred in England by the
Reverend Mr. John Russell, a Parson and a hunting enthusiast. Reverend
Russell bought a small white and tan terrier bitch called Trump.
Trump became the basis for a breeding programme to
develop a terrier with high stamina for the hunt, as well as, the
courage and formation to chase out foxes that had gone to ground, but
without the aggressiveness that would result in their harming the fox,
which was considered unsporting. The line of terriers developed by John
Russell was well respected for these qualities, as well as being
excellent companion dogs, when he died in 1883, his dogs were taken on
by other hunting breed dog enthusiasts.
Temperament and training
Jack Russell Terriers make excellent pets for the
right family. Jacks are considered an intelligent, high-energy breed.
Their compact size, friendly and inquisitive nature, and intelligence
make them popular as companions. Built for speed and strength, they will
always be ready to play and interact with their people.
They require consistent training and a good deal of
attention and exercise to maintain their temperament and to occupy
their minds.
Jacks that are not regularly exercised or left
alone for long periods, may occasionally exhibit aggressive or
unmanageable behaviour, including excessive barking, escaping from the
yard, or digging in unwanted places inside and outside the house. They
will bark if startled by a sound, which makes them a good security
system.
All things considered Jack Russell Terriers are an
excellent versatile dog suited to a variety of situations depending on
the individual dog, please see our Happy Adoption Stories, to see just how terrific they can be in the right home.
Jack Russells are a dog that will reward you tenfold for your efforts, but might be unrewarding if left lonely or untrained.
Jack Russell Rescue Training Tips
 Treating separation anxiety
If your dog has separation anxiety, it's because your dog is extremely attached to you. In fact, it's over-dependant.
Separation anxiety should be treated like any
other fear, that is, working slowly. This is done by leaving the dog
alone for very short periods of time and gradually working to longer
periods, taking care to never allow the dog to become anxious during any
session.
When you must leave your dog for long periods
during the conditioning program, leave him/her in a different part of
the house than the one in which the conditioning sessions take place.
This way you won’t undo all of your work if he/she becomes overstressed
by your long absence.
To keep your dog entertained whilst you are away,
provide plenty of toys, or perhaps a bone to chew on. Leaving the radio
on may also help, as dogs can often find the presence of a human voice
soothing.
When you return home, no matter how horrified or
relieved you are at the condition of the house, greet your dog calmly.
Then have him perform a simple trick or obedience exercise so that you
have an excuse to praise him/her. In severe cases, your veterinarian
can prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help your pet deal with being
left alone. It will take a lot of patience, and often a whole lot of
self-control, but it’s not fair to you or your dog to let this situation
continue, as it will only get worse.
Jumping Up
Jumping up to greet you is a normal canine
behaviour, but it can be an irritating or dangerous one. Teach your dog
to sit and stay so that you can kneel down to his level for greeting.
When he does jump up, simply say “No” and step backward, so that his/her
paws meet only air, or lift your leg to block his approach. Teaching
your dog a special command (such as “jump up”) that lets him know it’s
OK to jump can actually help him discriminate the difference.
Housetraining
You may be lucky and your rescue dog may already be house-trained,
however, it may take a while for your dog to realise where he can and
can’t relieve himself. With some concerted effort, you can speed the
process along. Follow these rules for saving your carpets and creating a
fully housetrained dog:
Restrict your dog’s unsupervised freedom in the house (at least
initially). All dogs have a natural desire to avoid soiling their den
area. The problem is your dog may only consider his bed to be the
equivalent of the den, so he walks a few feet away and relieves himself
in the house. Restricting your dog to a smaller room, such as the
laundry or bathroom whilst you are away may help, so that he won’t soil
in the house in your absence.
Don’t let accidents happen. When your dog has to go, they often
have to go right now, especially puppies as they have less control.
When the dog soils in the house, he labels that area as his toilet and
is likely to go there again. If your dog does have an accident inside,
clean and deodorise the spot thoroughly and block his access to that
area for a while. Learn to predict when your puppy will have to relieve
himself and looks for the signs:
- Immediately after awakening, and soon after heavy drinking or playing, your dog will urinate
- Right after eating, or if nervous
- Car rides often tend to elicit the urge to go to the toilet (even in the car)
- Circling, whining, sniffing, and generally acting worried usually provides a signal that your dog needs to go outside
- Take our dog outside every few hours until they learn where is an acceptable toilet
- Take your dog out before bedtime as they may not be able to hold it throughout the night
Punishment
does not help. Rubbing a dog’s nose in their mess does not work.
Punishing a dog for a mess he has made earlier is completely fruitless.
It only succeeds in convincing the dog that every once in a while for
no apparent reason, you are apt to attack! It is the perfect recipe for
ruining a trusting relationship. Even if you catch your dog in the
act, overly enthusiastic correction only teaches the dog not to relieve
himself in your presence. You can, however, yell “No! Out!” and hustle
him outside, and then reward him for going outside, as long as you catch
him in the act.
Reward correct behaviour. When your dog does relieve himself in the
appropriate area, heap on the praise and let him know how pleased you
are. Adding a food treat really gets the point across.
Barking
Barking is one of the Jack Russell’s natural tools
that helped to bolt foxes during a hunt. It is also a life-saving trait
that helps to locate a dog that is stuck underground and must be dug
out. Don’t begrudge your Jack’s barking; it’s part of his heritage.
That doesn’t mean you should live with non-stop barking, however.
If your dog won’t stop barking when you tell him
to, distract him with a loud noise of your own. Begin to anticipate
when your dog will start barking, distract him, and reward him for quiet
behaviour. You will actually create a better watchdog by discouraging
your dog from barking at non-threatening objects and encouraging him to
bark at suspicious people. Allow your Jack to bark momentarily at
strangers, and then call him to you and praise him for quiet behaviour,
distracting him with an obedience exercise, if need be.
A dog stuck alone in the backyard will bark. Isolated dogs will often
bark through frustration or as a means of getting attention and
alleviating loneliness. Even if the attention gained includes
punishment, they continue to bark in order to obtain the temporary
presence of their family.
The simplest solution is to move the dog’s quarters
to a less isolated location. If the barking occurs when you put your
dog to bed, move his bed into your bedroom, or condition your dog by
rewarding him for successively longer periods of quiet behaviour. The
distraction of a special chew toy, given only at bedtime, may help
alleviate barking. Remember, a sleeping dog doesn’t bark, so exercise
can be a big help.
Escaping
Jacks are very smart dogs. Combine this with their
innate ability to squeeze through narrow spaces and go underground and
you have the perfect escape artist. Ensure that all possible escape
routes are secured – this includes weak fencing, spaces under gates,
chain link fence or trees for climbing, low walls or loose bricks, etc.
Jacks generally try to escape because they want to be with their people
or pack. Providing companionship (another dog) and/or entertainment
when left for long periods of time, can help stop escape attempts.
Recall Rule
Never have your Jack come to you and then scold him for something he's
done. In his mind he is being scolded for coming, not for any earlier
misdeed. Nor should you call your dog to you at the end of an off-lead
walk. You don't want him to associate coming to you with relinquishing
his freedom. Call him to you several times during a walk, reward and
praise him, and then send him back out to play.
Digging
If your Jack is a natural born digger, the best you
can do is provide him with an acceptable place to dig and direct him to
it when he begins to dig in an off-limits area.
Noise Phobias
Fear of thunderstorms is a common problem,
especially in older dogs. To avoid fostering these fears, act cheerful
when a thunderstorm strikes, and play with your dog or give it a treat.
If you can, find a recording of the noise and play it at a very low
level, rewarding your dog for calm behaviour. Gradually increase the
intensity and duration of the recording. A program of gradual
de-sensitisation, is the best way to alleviate any fear.
These training tips have been sourced from “The Jack Russell
Terrier Handbook”, by D. Caroline Coile, and may help as a reference
for settling in your new Rescue Dog.
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"Little Dog in a Big City"
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Links and Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the Jack Russell Terrier Breed?Then see the link here to the
Jack Russell Terrier Club of America Question and Answer Archives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) http://www.terrier.com/wwwboard/forum.php3
Although the JRTCA is in the USA it has a great lot of information to help you with our beloved breed.
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