I need help with my Jack Russell puppy?

Question

I have a 6 month old JR puppy and I need help on housebreaking. And why does he alway try to bite my leg and feet? Can this be stopped. Whenever I put him on a leash, he won't walk, but once he's loose he runs like crazy and it's almost impossible to catch him. He's a very aggressive puppy and likes to bite.

Answer 1

Guess you didn't do much research before you got a Jack Russell Terrier, huh? They are hyper and aggressive and very hard to housebreak. Get him neutered immediately.

BEFORE you got any dog you should have read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Go to a training class or hire a professional trainer to help you with this, but let me warn you. Many of the people charging big bucks as "trainers" are not very good and may have no more experience than you do - especially with terriers and aggression problems. Ask you local vet for a recommendation. Make sure you check out references from their satisfied customers. Check with the BBB for complaints. Look for a trainer who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals web site at www.dogpro.org, which allows you to search for trainers in your state. Their requirements for trainers to join are very stringent. And DON'T send your dog away to be trained. It's a waste of money - you can't build a relationship with a dog that doesn't live with you.

Answer 2

Jack R's are a VERY active and intelligent breed. They need to be kept busy both mentally and physically. I suggest you learn about clicker training - join yahoo group Clicker Solutions, and get the book Click for Joy. He's going after your legs and feet because he's a ratter -bred to chase prey - feet are moving, so it's in his nature to chase. When he does that, just freeze and when he stops, then click and treat him to sit. Then move SLOWLY away from him, and freeze again when he chases. You can also tire him out a bit by tying a dog toy to the end of a long line and swing it around so he can chase his prey that way. He should eventually outgrow this. Practice with the leash - put it on him inside the house and let him drag it around for a while. Then hold the leash, also inside the house. Keep doing this till he is used to it. Then transfer it to the outside, the same way. If you have a dog park, maybe take him there to get out some of his energy - or send him to a doggy daycare during the daytime. As far as being aggressive, it is normal for puppies to bite and nip at this age - it is not aggression, though people perceive it to be, but this is the way puppies play with each other, and he is trying to get you to play with him. When his teeth touch your skin, you've got to teach him that we humans have delicate skin, so yelp in a high pitched voice sound you sound like a puppy, put on a hurt expression on your face, and cross your arms over your chest, turn away and ignore him for a few seconds. When he's calmed down, then turn to him and reward him with a treat or play with him. Repeat each time, till he gets it.

Answer 3

I take it this little guy of yours isn't neutered. If you have no intentions of studding him out, get him neutered, the sooner the better. Their personality will remain intact. The same crazy, zany things he does (aside from pissing everywhere, and nipping at your toes) will still be present. Neutering does not alter their unique personalities. But those hormones are the culprit I think.

WOW -- 6 month old and not house trained? My German Shepard was house trained at 2 month -- 8 weeks -- smart dog that one!

You train animals with treats / food. Put him on the leash and when he does something good, give him a reward. Dogs are easily trained this way.

The reason why he runs is because Jack Russells were BRED TO RUN!

Read the following link, and understand your dog, and what he was bred to do! You should not have gotten a pet because they are "cute." Dogs have traits and characters and if you aren't suitable with the dog's (vice versa) you will not have a good fit.

Answer 4

for all the smart buts on this page like the one who said wow 6 months and not trained then you put how long it took for you to train your dog in a smart *** way.

Boston Terrier 7weeks old housed trained . oh did I mention by 10 weeks old she did all of her tricks. Very very very smart dog.

o.k. now to your question. Just had to add it because of the smartbuts congrats on you puppy. it's a puppy patience is the key. It has got to get use to the leash leave it on him for a while let it walk around without you holding the leash. Then after he gets use to it start to pull him a little don't choke untill he walks.

When he bites when it is while you are playing get up walk away as soon as it starts biting ignore him. This will teach it that it is not going to get anymore attention by biting. give it a toy

While you are walking When he is biting you are going to have to startle it to get it's attention. You don't have to whip just get it's attention tell it no. give it a toy. when it plays with the toy praise the dog.

I crate trained my dog. worked great. I put it in there when i left and went to bed. I would take your dog out at least every three hrs. after every meal and every nap and after playing. good luck

Answer 5

slap him hard on his nose every time he bites & say "no bite" when he does this. Leash training is actually very simple. Get a choke chain collar & sturdy leash. Hold him to a short leash walking beside you, not ahead of you. The instant his attention wanders, turn around 180 degrees, let him have the full length of the leash & pull quickly on it so it knocks him off his feet.
This technique sounds cruel, but dogs have very strong necks & you won't hurt him. After several dozen times of doing this, he will learn to walk beside you properly, & you will notice him continually looking at your legs to see if you're changing directions.

Answer 6

I have a Jack Russel, Hes close to 13 years old now. I know what your talking about, with how stubborn he is.
1). you'll want to get some of his poop, and put it on newspaper, in a room in case he cant get outside on his own, show him and make him smell his own poop on the paper.
2).When putting on his leash, get him outdoors to do so. this way he'll know he's going somewhere, or put the leash on him inside and let him do his own thing, like lead himself around.( dont use choker collars)
3). when he starts to bite on your legs and hands, hes telling you he needs more toys to play with,( old socks with holes will do) if he bites you, take a piece of rolled up newspaper, and crack him on the back with it and say NO in a firm voice, then give him a toy.
They love to play tug of war. and they have alot of energy.

Answer 7

GOOOD LUCK! JR pups are the hardest! I had one a while ago! For housebreaking get "wee wee pads" at your local pet shop..they smell like grass to get them use to goin on grass..and put it by the door..after a while move the wee wee pad outside and eventully make it small till its gone! if your pup messes in the house..say "no outside" and take it outside give it a chance to go and if not then cage and feed them! then try to go outside again after about 20 mins.
leashing....watch the pup carefully...but you can leave the lease on and let them drag it around the house and try waking it after a while...its hard to leash train

Answer 8

anywhere you might think he might bite rub chili powder on your clothes or skin.when he bites he will get a very nasty reminder that he isnt suppose to bite.if he is as aggressive as you say he needs something just as strong to deter him from future biting

Answer 9

you got a terrier and didnt train it..Do you have experiance with JRs?? why would you get one ?? or a dog even?

Answer 10

You've answered your own question SEVERAL TIMES! IT'S a PUPPY!!

**YOU** have to teach it EVERYTHING!!! Grow a spine & DO IT!