Hey, i just got my baby boy Jack Russell. It's our first ever. He was born on the 26th of december 2010 and we got his 3 days ago. I wonder if it was too early. He's had one of 3 shots and will go to have his flees treatment today. He's shewing on his leg because of it, for quite a lot of time.
I wanna know if what i do is actually ok. If there's anyone an expert on dog training please let me know if i'm doing it right. It's just me and my bf, but i'm home all day and he's at work till 4pm.
So we've almost succeeded 80% in making him pee in one place at any time. Sometimes he forgets and pees on the floor in random places. We always say NO and pick him up and take him to the right spot. I read he has short memory, is it why he pees random sometimes? Do i have to always remind him every day? On another hand, he poos differently, in random places, he hasn't found a spot yet. We tried to keep a rag close to the pee zone and he kiiiinda goes in the same place recently. He's been with us for 3 days, is it too soon to expect him to learn this fast?
I know it's written we should teach him to only go outside, but i think he's too young to go out, and it's very very cold, we thought he might get sick. There's still snow on the streets and we can't take him out. Is it bad we teach him indoors first? Will he get used to it on the long run and not go outside? We have to keep him in at least one more month, a month and a half.
We can't however teach him not to bite people. We tried to gently but firmly hold his mouth and say NO. But he just goes on to biting even more like it's a challenge.. Another problem was his hyperactiveness. Usually he calms down by himself if we ignore him. He's in his sleeping place in 10minutes being a good boy. And he's learned to sit on his bum on command and wait. I'm pround of that, it's only been 3 days and he learned that one fast.
Today i got worried he sleeps too much. And he's always begging to sleep on my lap, rather than in his bed. Should i just ignore him ? Won't he feel depressed on the long run and think we don't love him? He plays too little and just loves to bite instead. We have chew toys for him to bite and also chaese round, but he plays only 4, maybe 5 times a day about 20 minutes each. Is it too little?
What can we change to make it better? It's so tricky with him.
Finding Careers in Dog Training
Recommended Answer:Here's a great training site for new puppy owners;
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com
click on "articles" next to the picture.
You have a breed that is known for it's high energy level, and you will be coping with this for the life of your dog. He needs lots of mental stimulation, which tires dogs out far more than physical exercise, so get some training books http://www.dogwise.com , any of them on this site are fine, and get training. Try not to reprimand him with "no", yelling or hitting as a Jack Russell will simply turn off and completely ignore you, and if you get physical with him he will come at you with aggression. Treats and praise work well, as does distraction when he is getting in to something he isn't supposed to. Have lots of hard chewable toys, tug toys (don't tug too hard until all his permanent teeth are in), and good dog toys with squeakers. Don't fall for anyone that suggests watching Cesar Millan, or advocates the old "domination" theory. None of the professional trainers use that "alpha' nonsense anymore either. Have fun with your dog, Jack Russells are a marvelous breed, but they do need to keep busy.
8 Ways to Improve Your Dog Training
- this all most exactly like my problem a year ago, for the biting part you are doing well with chew toys but a puppy as young as yours is teething at this age and biting sooths the gums and also with the toilet training id sudjest put a few sheets of newspaper down and make him go in the laundry. and with bed time make him sleep in the laundry asswell, during the night you will certanly hear barking and howling but this is perfectly normal the pup is just lonley and maybe a bit frightend but you MUST resist going out to comfort him otherwise he will never learn. after a few nights he wil get used to it and sleep out their all night without a peep. about the hyper active part be cautious about taking him for a walk, when me and dad were taking my jack russell named lilly to the beach she ran so fast in one direction my dad accedently let go of the lead and he chased after her, he threw is thong at her and she stopped but if he didnt do that she would have gone. so dont let them find a way out other wise you will never see them again. i dont mean to worry you about that but they are very friendly dogs and if you keep your traning routine he will pick up on it i promise.
- Paper train at the foot of the front door..and then move to bring him outside for his duties..
He's chewing at his leg..?
Try a bath..
Maybe some Aloe-Vera lotion..
He's a month old../its really just paper training..and bonding.
- Dogs are at people and can learn at their own pace. Don't rush them too much but be consistant with their training. Jack Russel's are stubborn dogs and can be quite difficult to train for people who are inexperienced with their breed.
For the biting, holding his muzzle is not the way to go. If he bites, you need to yelp like a pup getting hurt. Should he bite again, repeat the process only this time, walk away. Don't acknowledge him for about 5 minutes. If he comes to face you, turn away. After the given time is up, you can start paying attention to him. But if he bites, again, repeat the process. Eventually he'll see that biting is a bad thing and will learn not to.
Russel's are hyper breeds and need a LOT of playtime. You have to burn that energy and doing so will not only give you a calmer dog but it will also help with reducing his biting issues because he won't have the aggression from being wound up.
- I just calculated that, and I got that you got him at 6 weeks? You're right - too early. Take him back to that filthy BYB. Puppies should not be separated until they are AT LEAST 8 weeks, and very often breeders wait until 9-12 weeks. These extra weeks are important in a puppy's learning skills. Such as bite inhibition, socialization, and of course, the family.
First, the peeing and pooing. You are confusing the hell out of that poor pup. Teach him to go outside. Do exactly what you're doing, but instead of inside, take him outside. 10 minutes outside is not going to hurt him, I promise. Just make sure you wipe off any water when you bring him back in and rub him down with a warm towel, then put him in his crate with the warm blankets.
When he bites, don't hold his mouth or anything like that. Just completely stop playing for 5 minutes. If he tries to continue, walk away and completely ignore him. This tells him if he bites, he gets no play. You will have to continue this for months, especially since he's been taken away so early. As soon as his shots are all complete, you MUST get him out and socialize with other dogs and people. MUST MUST MUST. Otherwise, he will become aggressive towards other dogs.
As for sleeping, puppies sleep a lot. Don't worry about that. 4-5 times a day of 20 minute play actually sounds normal. When he's older, though, you will need to tak him and walk him for at least 2 hours. JRT's are very active, and a poorly bred JRT will likely be twice as active.
<3 VieEDIT;;
Oh, and don't let him in your lap when he begs. He won't feel unloved - he'll respect you more and is more likely to listen to you.EDIT TWO;;
If you can't take him back, then as soon as his shots are up to date, take him outside and set up little meets from other people who have smaller dogs that are dog-friendly. Dogs MUST be friendly. Preferably younger, submissive dogs who are likely to play with him. Don't make the meetings a big deal. Just walk up, say "Say hi" and let them sniff for about three seconds, then walk away. Do this with at least five different smaller dogs. When he doesn't act nervous or scared in any way, you can start to let him play, but try to limit it to only a few minutes, then move on to the big dogs and do the same thing.
Have adults kneel down, with their sides facing him in a very non-threatening way, and let him sniff them. If he looks happy and not cautious, tell the adult to gently pet the puppy underneath his chin. If he seems okay with that, they can move to scratching his ears, and then his head and shoulders. Do the same thing with children.
When people come to your house, tell them to ignore your puppy, so he learns that visitors are no big deal. Until he gets his shots, though keep visitors to a VERY MINIMUM. Preferably none at all. This is to lesson his chances at disease. When the puppy is calm, the people can pet him gently beneath his chin. If he's okay with that, they can move on to scratching his ears and then his head and shoulders.
If possible, have visitors bring some kind of treat(boiled chicken is most desired) and give him one or two SMALL pieces. Same thing with meeting outside.
- Jack Russell's have their own unique personality. Once you know the dog better you'll know the best way to train. but do it quick cos they get stuck in their ways very quickly.
