Does anyone know how to train a Jack Russell Terrier who won't listen?

Question

I have a 7 months JRT driving me nutz at times what can i do?

Answer 1

If you're under 18 - find your local 4-H dog club first.

If not, or if there isn't a 4-H club, find a local/regional dog training club. They will be able to help, and usually run obedience clinics for members.

As everyone else has said - exercise is a MUST MUST MUST. Honestly, you cannot expect to have a jrt, especially a jrt puppy, and not expect to spend at least an hour a day at the very least exercising the dog. Also, you cannot expect to be able to go to school/work and leave the dog alone all day. See if you can bring the dog to work with you! (Many companies allow this). The dog needs constant exercise throughout the day; if you absolutely cannot bring the dog to work, go home during lunch and let the dog out for at least 15 minutes.

Don't tolerate any dominant behaviors - this includes letting the dog win in a game of tug! the dog sees himself as winning and winning = being dominant. So avoid it and don't play tug altogether.

Start slow, with commands such as "watch me", and slowly progress to heeling, sitting, and downs. Keep in mind the dog won't listen if he has energy to burn! Keep training sessions short, and have many of them. Expect half an hour a day minimum of practice (and you absolutely must teach the dog the very basic obedience commands), but break it up into a bunch of 5-10 minute sessions. Tons of positive reinforcement! I tell kids to practice with their dog while they're watching tv; it's a relaxed situation anyway, and commercials provide a great time to do a few sits/downs/stays.

Answer 2

Well first off what is your JRT doing that's driving you nuts?
If you want to train I could give you some ideas but as for real obedience you need to enroll at a puppy school. Or at least look up some books at your local library.
First rule of training, figure out a reward. If your dog is motivated by toys, get a toy at the store or make one that he/she goes nuts over. One that he/she absolutely loves. If your dog's more like mine it'll be food motivated. In other words every time he/she does something right treat him.
With training tricks and commands, start small. Sit is the easiest and pretty much everythign else branches out from there. You calmly tell the dog to sit, slowly taking a treat and moving it above it. Start in front of it and move slowly over it's head towards it's back. When his bum hits the ground, quickly say good dog and hand him the treat. Keep up with this until he/or she associates the word with the action. Then you can move up.
Most training books will have different meathods. Use what works with your dog.
Your vet may have direction as to which training schools are better than others. Ask them for advice with this. They're your dogs best friend next to you. (though sometimes the pup doesn't show it lol)
Hope this helps, good luck,
~Manda

Answer 3

If your dog wont listen, then your dog has high level of energy due to lack of exercise. Your dog isnt ready to take command with accumulative energy. The simple solution to train a Jack Russell...

is taking him for a walk everyday (a must) for 45 minutes (at least) BEFORE giving him any tranining. Playing and running in the backyard just doesnt cut it. Dogs MUST walk eventhough your dog is a smaller breed. Dogs are preditors. Thats the nature. Fish suppose to swim, bird suppose to fly and dogs suppose to .....
Walking your dog so that it will take the energy away ( well-known for being hyperactive). Then, be consistent (timetable, discipline) and start to train basic commands (come, stay, sit) and house rules (potty, barking, jumping, chewing) as soon as your dog settle down. Ignore his bad behaviour and reward (with treats, affection) good behaviour according to your liking! The most importantly, you must show that you are the dominant one not your dog. Finally, dont forget to neutred or spayed your dog from developing a raging hormone. If you dont have time, take him to classes but dont expect a miracle unless you follow through and consistent with the tranining while at home too.
Goodluck.

Answer 4

OMG, so does my Mom. Her JRT is over 5 months and she's driving me crazy. She won't listen to anything and acts like she's on drugs or something. We try to make her listen and behave, but that's hopeless. She pulls really bad on the leash when we take her outside. I have to pull her back really hard or just hold to the leash tight right beside me so she can't go anywhere except beside me. We don't know what to do for her either. She gets on our nerves so bad, she won't leave you alone at all. People told me to take her to a class. Who in the heck has the money for that? Surely not me or my Mom.

Answer 5

Training Tips

* Begin training your Jack Russell Terrier early (not too early - your puppy's breeder should not allow you to take a puppy home before it is 8 weeks of age).
* You must be the dominant member of the household. If not, your terrier will assert itself as the head of your household. Do not let this happen.
* Start training when the puppy comes home for the first time
* Be consistent! If not, you will confuse your terrier.
* Use positive re-enforcement techniques if possible; reward good behavior; ignore bad
* Attend a obedience (i.e., puppy kindergarden) class (to socialize your puppy)
* Teach your terrier to listen to you. It may save it's life.
* Teach your terrier bed manners - don't allow a JR to growl or snap at you if it sleeps with you in your bed. This is a display of dominant behavior, often misinterpreted as a rude bed dog. Make your JR sleep in its own bed for a few nights if it exhibits this behavior.
* You might try using a ticking clock in the puppy's bed to simulate the heartbeat of its mother. This helps it to sleep until it gets used to the new surroundings.
* NEVER keep more than two Jack Russells in one area when you are not home to offer leadership and protection to them.
* NEVER keep puppies with adult dogs who may grow tired of their youthful exhausting mouthy play

HOUSE BREAKING TIPS
* Determine if it is physical or a mental problem. To check if physical problem, see your vet (especially if your previously well-behaved dog has begun housesoiling)
* Give your Jack Russell plenty of exercise. Exercise is not a luxury to a JR, it's a MUST.
* Examine the type and quality of the food you are feeding your terrier. Is it a good quality food? It may have too much soy or corn.
* Are you allowing free choice feeding (i.e., is there always food out?). This is usually not a good practice. Feed puppies three times a day and adults twice a day. After 10 to 15 minutes, withdraw the food.
* Do not give the puppy any food after 6 P.M. It takes a dog about 6 hours to digest his food and have an elimination as a result of that meal. Any food after 6:00 PM may give him an unexpected urge after he is put to bed.
* Always get your dog outside after feeding! Crate
* Are you using a crate to help to train the puppy? Take advantage of a very natural instinct of the dog -- his desire to keep his sleeping quarters clean - ie: not to mess his bed.
* Always have fresh clean water available during the day. If your dog is inclined to night soil or urinate in the house, use a crate for the night. Do not overcrate or use the crate for punishment. Make it comfortable for the dog.
* Get your dog outside to relieve itself on a regular basis. Don't forget how important it is to praise a Jack Russell. They are very praise oriented.
* Are you giving the dog the complete run of the house? It might be better to restrict the area of the house free to the dog.
* It helps to train a JR to soil and urinate in the same small area. Have a specific area that the dog is taken to relieve itself. They will catch on more quickly.
* The first thing in the morning pick the puppy up and take him outside to relieve himself.
* In spite of a rigid routine, your pup may have an occasional accident during his periods of freedom. Here is where correction is necessary. If you catch him in the act, with a loud "NO" put him outside at once. Remember, a dog learns by association and in connection with any act of wrong doing, he must receive some form of discomfort in order to learn that he has done wrong. However, you must catch him in the act - it does absolutely no good to punish him for a mistake he has made an hour or even five minutes earlier.

Aggression in Jack Russell Terriers

* For a Jack Russell that is very aggressive with other dogs, a technique is to squirt the terrier in the face with water whenever he growled at other dogs. No scolding or other action is required in this instance - just a surprise squirt.
* A Jack Russell Terrier that bites can be a big problem. You must stop this behavior before it becomes dangerous.
* Don't allow your Jack Russell to win any games of aggression. The outcome could certainly send the wrong message to him.
* Exercise, exercise, exercise! A tired dog seldom want to pick a fight.
* For serious canine aggression and/or canine behavior that causes you to fear that you or someone else is in danger, contact a qualified animal behaviorist
o AVMA's American College of Veterinary Behaviorist (800-248-AVMA)
o The Animal Behavior Society (912-752-2973)
o The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (913-362-2512)
* Never put your hands between two fighting terriers
* Jack Russells are often aggressive with other dogs. Same-sex aggression and aggression towards other breeds of dogs is well documented with this terrier. It is strongly recommended that no more than two Jack Russells (of opposite sex only) ever be permitted to stay together unattended.
* Jack Russells require firm, consistent discipline. They are extremely intelligent, continue to test their limits throughout their life.
* Jack Russells can become very possessive of their owner or a favorite member of the family or of what they consider to be their personal property if allowed to do so to the point of showing aggressive protective behavior that must be controlled from an early age.
* Jack Russells can be very destructive if left unattended and unemployed! Most behavioral problems are due to a lack of companionship, discipline, activity and exercise. If you've only seen perfect, well-behaved JR's, they are ones that were lucky enough to be exercised, well socialized, and trained.

Answer 6

I have one and he sometimes does that all I can say is give it all the excerise you can give it. I mean at least one hour a day and at least three walks a day.

Answer 7

OMG people!!! It is not the breed of the dog!! IT IS YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU!!! My gosh. OK well, go to doggie classes-they help! Give me an e-mail if you need more help :o)

[e-mail]

Answer 8

that's their temperment!!!!!!!!! trust me you just have to be consistent ( they'll get it their really smart) and you have to establish who's boss ( you) amd possibly give your dog more play time