Conversely, while the Jack Russel is somewhat small his will is strong, and an untrained (or poorly trained) dog will most likely end up being the head of the house. If you determine that the Jack Russel is the right dog for you, you must be prepared to spend a lot of time training him to ensure that he accepts you as the dominant one. Most dogs can begin to learn basic commands and the proper way to interact with family members as soon as you bring him home from the breeder or store. The following tips and suggestions will help your Jack Russell terrier to become a loving member of your family.
Tip #1 - Be Consistent
A Jack Russell terrier is a very smart creature, but the disposition he carries in conjunction to his "intelligence" may become a hindrance at times in training the Jack Russell. Even if it seems that your pet has learned to correctly respond to your commands, it is not uncommon for these dogs to remain rebellious. Consistency is key to training these tiny dogs and when they do disobey you need to be firm and scold them for breaking the rules, but be sure to give praise when they do what is expected. Even as this particular breed does take little more time and patience to train the right way, most dogs become totally obedient to their owners over time. The most crucial aspect an owner should bear in mind is that the household rules need to be persistently honored to keep your terrier in good order.
Natural-born Instincts
Understanding the breed of dog that you have selected is one of the most important keys to proper training, so you should know that Jack Russells have strong hunting instincts that could compel them to attack small animals or run away frequently to chase down a scent. Instincts are not something that can be eliminated through training, so you need to care for your Jack Russell by ensuring that they cannot get loose and put themselves in harm's way. Keeping your Jack Russell leashed is an essential part of your owner responsibility, and ensuring that he cannot escape from your backyard or home. Due to the fact that these dogs are notorious diggers, it would be wise to assess the borders of your yard to ensure your dog isn't able to run away. Also, it would be bad judgment to keep a Jack Russell in a household with other small animals like hamsters or cats, as there is no promise that the terrier won't try to "hunt" the other pets at some point.
Though it make take more patience and time for your Jack Russell to be completely trained, it is well worth the effort as your pet will reward you with years of love. Jack Russells are one of the most personable and intelligent breeds, and on top of that make excellent companions to their human owners. If you stick with it and train your Jack Russell well, he will become an important part of your family and a joy to be around for the rest of his life.