When should you start teaching your Jack Russell puppy to go to the toilet outside?

The Jack Russell Terrier is a hunting dog with a highly developed instinct of pursuit and is also distinguished by its stubbornness.

Yes, he can be sweet and affectionate with his owner and his family.

But this does not mean that the Jack Russell does not need to be taught commands.

Rather, on the contrary - only timely and correct training of the pet will prevent many problems associated with the breed characteristics of these terriers.

Are they trainable?

By nature, Jack Russells are very intelligent and quick-witted. Training them is not difficult if, when training a dog, you take into account its breed characteristics.

One of the main problems that arise when training Jack Russells is their irrepressible activity, due to which the dog is constantly distracted and cannot normally perceive the trainer’s commands..

In order for your pet to be attentive and focused during classes, it is very important to interest him in the learning process itself. For example, stimulating good work with a game or treat.

At what age should you start?

It is recommended to begin systematic training when the Jack Russell Terrier puppy is two months old.

But by this time he should already know some of the basic commands, since the puppy begins to teach them from the first day of his appearance in the house.

Where to start education

First, the baby must get used to his nickname, place, and also learn not to get dirty anywhere.

Around the same time, the socialization of the pet begins: the puppy must learn to treat strangers and other animals calmly.

If there are other pets in the house besides the Jack Russell, then the puppy needs to be introduced to them. At the same time, it is very important that a meeting, for example, with a cat, does not leave unpleasant memories for the child.

If the puppy has already had all the vaccinations and passed the quarantine, then you can begin to accustom him to walks on the street, if not, then carry the pet in your arms into the yard so that the baby gets used to street noise, cars and strangers.

It is in the first days after a dog appears in the house that the foundations of its relationship with the owner and members of his family are laid.

It is very important at this time to correctly place the hierarchy in the family, and it is necessary that the puppy occupy the last step in it.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“Of the training methods, the most suitable for the Jack Russell is the so-called “carrot and stick method,” when reward alternates with punishment. At the same time, the dog must deserve both. If he doesn’t obey his owner, if he doesn’t follow a command, he’s punished, but if he does everything right, he’s praised and given a treat. None of the pet’s actions, positive or negative, should go unnoticed, but both reward and punishment should be commensurate with the scale of his action.”

How to get used to a diaper

In order for your pet to do its business in a certain place, it needs to be accustomed to a diaper.

It's done like this:

A diaper is placed near the pet's bed, on which the owner places him every time after sleep and after eating. You need to hold him there, wait until the puppy does his business there, and then praise him.
When the baby understands what a diaper is for, he will begin to wear it himself. After this, you can try to gradually move the diaper to its permanent place. To do this, you need to try to move it 20-50 cm from the bed, and treat the place where it lay before with a special agent that eliminates animal odors.
If the puppy continues to wear the diaper, then after a couple of days you can try moving it a little more. This way, you can move the diaper to where the dog toilet will be.
If the puppy, after moving the diaper, refuses to walk on it, they return it to its original place and, after waiting a couple of days, try to move it a little again.

The fact that a small puppy is trained to wear a diaper does not mean that there will no longer be puddles and piles on the floor.

A pet may get carried away and not have time to reach the diaper - there is no need to punish him for this.

Basic rules for toilet training

Well-mannered pet

Various everyday situations, constantly changing human living conditions may be the reason that a puppy or an adult dog does not consider it a crime to make a puddle in the house. This can be avoided if during the training period you strictly follow the basic rules of training to be neat.

Always take your puppy outside after sleeping, eating or playing. Regardless of weather conditions, the well-being of the pet or the health of the owner. A few minutes outdoors will not harm even a very small puppy, even if the dog is not completely healthy or is in quarantine. Some owners keep puppies indoors until they have completed their vaccination course. This is harmful: the baby learns to recover at home, which is then very difficult to wean him off. In addition, the lack of fresh air and sufficient range of movement has a bad effect on its development.
There is no need to accustom your puppy to a diaper if you plan to walk it outside. The dog cannot understand why he is either praised or scolded for a puddle in the apartment.
The area where the puppy is taken should be quite secluded, without cars rushing past, and away from pedestrian paths. The grassy or gravel surface will subsequently be associated with an approved toilet area.
It is unacceptable to scold a puppy for puddles and heaps, and even more so, to poke his face there.
Some dogs have a weak bladder and can make a puddle during a joyful meeting of the owner or the arrival of guests. This most often goes away with age, but if involuntary urination does not go away after a year, then it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.

Patience and consistency are the qualities that the owner needs in order to teach the pet to recover on the street. Representatives of some breeds learn to toilet very quickly, others take several months, but in the end there is a dog living at home that controls its natural needs.

The video tells how to quickly train a puppy or an adult dog to use the toilet outside without violence.

How to teach a puppy commands

When teaching a puppy to commands, it is recommended to follow the following rules::

Training sessions must be systematic.
The learning process should bring joy to both the pet and its owner.
You need to study commands according to the principle “from simple to complex.”
Without accustoming the puppy to one command, you cannot move on to a new one.
If your pet is tired, you need to give him a rest.
Punishment should not be too severe, and encouragement should not be excessive.
It is best to conduct classes in a closed area so that nothing distracts the puppy from the learning process.

CAREFULLY!

It is unacceptable to hit or yell at your pet.

How to teach a dog to ask to go outside

The option with a diaper is a temporary method. If you think that the dog is obliged to relieve itself on the street and there is no talk of a home toilet, use the advice of dog breeders:

It is allowed to take the puppy outside only after the quarantine period has expired after vaccination. If you don’t know the exact date, check with the breeder who gave the dog away.
Depending on age, the frequency of walking varies. It is much more difficult to train an adult dog to use the toilet outside the home than a young dog. Try to take your puppy outside five times a day until he reaches 6 months of age. Then it is permissible to take him for a walk three times a day.
The best time to go for a walk is after eating, sleeping or playing. When the animal does things outside, praise the dog. Offer a treat. Games, training and entertainment should begin after the dog has satisfied its natural needs.
When your pet pees outside, repeat the same words, which the animal will later develop into a reflex associated with using the toilet outside. Subsequently, the dog will write “on command” when pronouncing code words.
Agreed actions make the animal understand that the first thing to do is to do “its” business, that’s why walks were invented, and the rest of the things are rewards.
It is advisable to go home only when the dog pees. Try not to leave the street without waiting for the animal to tell you the purpose of the walk.
The diaper should not be removed immediately. Often dogs, returning from a street walk, invariably pee at home. Removing the diaper will lead to the same result: the dog will pee on the floor. And your efforts will be pointless.

Don't lose the trust your dog has. Don't take your anger out on the animal. Try to analyze your own behavior if the process of toilet training an animal does not get off the ground. The dog's behavior is only the consequences of your actions, and not a desire to be punished. Seek advice from the breeder, correct the errors, and the result will be obvious.

There are many types of dog trays:

plastic,
galvanized containers,
special designs with a post in the middle for cables.

It will not be difficult to train a puppy to use such a toilet; the main thing is to choose the right option.

Typically, a home toilet is installed for decorative breeds of dogs. If the weather is bad, you can skip a walk or leave your pet alone for the whole day.

Suitable breeds:

Dwarf Spitz.
Pomeranian Spitz.
Chihuahua.
Dachshunds.
Terriers.
Miniature Pinscher.
Jack Russell Terrier.
Yorkshire Terrier.
Shih Tzu.
Japanese Chin.
Bichon Frize.
Chinese Crested.
Pugs.

Which tray to choose

Regardless of the design, the tray must be stable and not slip on the floor. The main reason for a pet’s refusal to visit the home toilet is the inconvenience and unsteadiness of the structure.

What to pay attention to:

There are two types of dog tray: with a grid or clips for attaching a diaper. Both options are convenient, but a tray with a grid will be cheaper to maintain.
The diaper must be selected exactly according to the size of the tray to make it easier to fix. It is necessary to change or wash it as often as possible to avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
The tray with a column is deeper and wider to make the baby comfortable. The bottom of such a container is made of special porous plastic that allows moisture to pass through. Your pet's paws will remain dry.
An artificial grass covering at the bottom of the tray will help you quickly accustom your pet to hygiene. The surface is easy to clean and pleasant to the touch. This option is more economical than using a diaper, and the clever system retains odor for up to seven days.
It is advisable to buy a tray with high sides and an entrance for male dogs who like to lift their paws when emptying. This will prevent urine from getting outside the toilet, making cleaning easier.

A litter tray is needed not only for the period of active potty training. It will replace winter walks for decorative dogs, and will also help during illness or after childbirth.

Playpen for dogs

If your pet is still small, you can consider the option of temporary fencing. For these purposes, they use both a special cage and improvised means, such as a box or an old bedside table. The bottom must be covered with waterproof material. You will have to clean such a shelter more often; it is advisable to immediately install a tray or diaper in order to accustom the puppy to the toilet.

It is necessary to accustom your pet to the street gradually and only after the recommended vaccinations. Until this point, the puppy is in real danger of infections, even if we are talking about a private yard.

What to do to make your dog ask to go outside to the toilet:i

Go out with it regularly, especially after waking up or eating.
Create a memorable ritual, including commands (“walk”), putting on a leash, muzzle, and clothing if necessary.
During the walk, give enough freedom, do not rush. After defecation, praise and encourage the pet.
If a dog asks to go outside on its own, you cannot ignore it even if it is very busy, but take it out immediately..

For successful training, it is also important to be systematic. It is better to take children for walks every two to three hours, gradually reducing the number of times you go out. An adult dog needs two to three walks a day, preferably at a predetermined time.

How to train an adult dog to behave outdoors

If a dog lunges at passers-by and other people's dogs, chases cats or pigeons, and also runs after cars and bicycles, you need to call the pet to you, fasten the leash and scold him.

After this, it is recommended to distract the dog by playing or following a few simple commands. If this does not help and the Jack Russell, despite the punishment, continues to pursue the “object” of the hunt, then you need to take the dog to another place.

It is better not to let your dog off the leash at all on city streets, as well as outside the city near busy highways.

Raising a Jack Russell Terrier Puppy

Before you have such an active baby, you should understand how the Jack Russell Terrier is raised. If you understand how the training process goes, it will help you prepare your pet for dog shows and learn how to quickly instill basic skills in it. It is possible to raise a small terrier on your own, without turning to professional dog handlers for help. Dog breeders know that the peculiarity of this breed is that they are easy to train.

The owner of the animal will be required to show patience and regularity in conducting classes. From the age of 6 months, terriers are taught proper behavior among crowds of people when transported on public transport. The pet must constantly reinforce previously learned commands. While training on city streets, the dog remembers the smell of its owner's clothes, learns to overcome obstacles and follow the scent.

Diaper and litter box training

Before training a Jack Russell Terrier at home begins, you should raise it correctly. It is imperative to train your pet to defecate on the diaper. This can be done quite easily by simply monitoring your baby and swaddle him when he is fussy. You need to repeat this manipulation several times so that the dog remembers the place for the toilet.

First, several flannelette diapers are distributed around the house, since the small terrier does not control the process of bowel movement. A tray or diaper should be placed in one corner so that the animal understands where to relieve itself. You need to establish proper care for your puppy from the age of 2 months; he must be taught to defecate outside. As soon as the pet sits down, it is immediately taken out of the house and released under the trees. To make it easier for him to find a place to go to the toilet, a used diaper is placed under a tree. At an older age, a Russell must defecate only during a walk, so the diaper is removed from the apartment. Puppies of this breed go to the toilet often, so you will have to take them outside every 10-15 minutes, including at night.

Accustoming to a nickname and place

A small Russell is taught his own name before training a Jack Russell Terrier. You need to choose a nickname so that it is short, consists of 2 syllables, and has a sonority. The baby's name is chosen long before he is purchased, so that he can be called by name from the first day. You should not affectionately address the animal, calling it “paw”, “sunny”, “butuzik”. As soon as the dog responds to the name, he is praised and given a piece of treat. Through regular activities, the baby quickly recognizes his nickname and understands that he gets tasty food for it. It is strictly forbidden to start pronouncing the nickname in a threatening or irritated manner; you should call it correctly, without distorting or shortening it.

A puppy can quickly master one name, but not a sea of diminutive variations. There is no need to call your pet if he is playing or running around with other kids.

In parallel with learning the name, the animal learns another command, “Place!” Indoors, the puppy is prohibited from falling asleep outside its own bed, jumping on the table, sofa, master's bed or chairs. The baby should be transferred to a lounger when he falls asleep on pieces of furniture. If Russell leaves, he is held on the lounger and the command is repeated.

First walks

Training a Jack Russell Terrier on your own at home is quite possible, but you need to periodically consult with specialists. After the hunting dog grows up, the number of walks is reduced to three, but their duration increases to an hour.

It is worth remembering that a healthy dog will never relieve itself on the floor indoors after a walk, so you need to contact a veterinarian. It is strictly forbidden to shout at a sick animal without understanding the reason for such behavior. Walking the terrier is allowed after the deworming and vaccination procedure has been completed.

Leash and collar training

Training and education of the Jack Russell Terrier begins at approximately two months of age. He is gradually accustomed to walking accessories:

tie a ribbon around the neck and leave it to get used to, and then put on a collar;
select accessories according to the size and characteristics of the animal, since they can put pressure on the neck, fall from it, or interfere with active movement;
demonstrate the collar to your pet, let it smell it, prove its safety and ease of use;
the period of wearing this item increases gradually;
After getting used to the collar, you can accustom him to a leash, but only gradually: give him a sniff, hook him up indoors, and only then take him for a walk near the house.

The first walks are short-term, but the active nature of the dog requires that he be played and run around. You should not give up a collar, harness, or leash, even if the owner thinks that the dog is uncomfortable. Accessories can ensure the safety of a pet in crowded places, and the owner is able to control the dog’s behavior during a walk.

You need to be persistent, because at first the dog has a negative attitude towards the collar or leash and tries to get rid of it. With consistent training in these subjects, the baby will definitely get used to it, but with the persistence of his teacher. If something doesn’t work out for the owner, then you need to contact the trainer for clarification of some aspects of training a Jack Russell Terrier puppy.

Basic Commands

Nickname

They begin to accustom a Jack Russell puppy to it immediately after purchase.

When choosing a nickname
for a puppy, you need to remember that it should be sonorous and short: no more than two syllables .

"Ugh!"

This command means an order not to pick up anything from the ground or to immediately spit out what the pet has already grabbed in its mouth.

In order to teach it to a puppy, you need to take the object from his mouth and command “Ugh!” in a stern voice.

NOTE!

It’s not always possible to keep track of a dog, so to make your pet safer, it’s also better to play it safe and buy a muzzle. Read how to choose such an accessory here.

"It is forbidden!"

A prohibitory command means an order to stop some unwanted action.

It is taught in the same way as the command “Fu!”: first the command is given in a stern voice, and after a few seconds there is a sharp jerk with the leash.

"Place!"

You need to take the puppy to a rug or bed after he falls asleep on the floor or on the sofa and, after petting him, say: “Place!”

If the Jack Russell tries to leave, you need to hold him in place and repeat the command more strictly.

"To me!"

The owner shows the puppy a treat and commands: “Come to me!” After the pet runs up, reward it with praise and treats.

"Sit!"

The treat is not raised too high above the dog’s head and the command “Sit!” is pronounced. Trying to get it, the puppy will sit down.

"Lie!"

The treat is shown to the pet, after which it is lowered down and slightly forward. Wanting to get it, the puppy will lie down.

"Near"!

The command “Near!” is pronounced, after which the leash is pulled up so that the pet’s withers are near the owner’s left leg.

If the dog tries to run forward or to the side, then the command is given in a more stern voice, and if this does not help, a harsher jerk with the leash follows.

The first classes to teach a puppy basic commands are best done at home..

Breed-specific training features

There are some points to consider when raising purebred dogs. The question is often what kind of breed this is and what kind of character it has. Active and nimble puppies are harder to spot. It is better to confine them to the playpen, and to release them into the wild during training sessions with the puppy. Calm and people-oriented dogs, on the other hand, require simple actions. Below we will consider some points when training breeds.

Chihuahua, Jack Russell and Toy Terrier:

They have a fast metabolism. They relieve themselves immediately after eating.
A good solution is to take the puppy to the diaper and wet the piece with warm water next to him. Instincts will do their job.
You should be especially careful with punishments. These breeds are good at sensing their owner's mood.

Yorkie, dachshund and spitz - when training these breeds, it is better to use a playpen.

Husky:

They mature late. Up to six months are considered small, unable to control needs.
Initial training to newspapers, which are then placed in a tray, is suitable.
Diapers cannot be used. An adult pet can mark all soft surfaces.

Labrador and bulldog:

They are smart and easily learn to go to the right place.
Whenever an attempt is made to do one’s job in the wrong place, the command “fu” is pronounced, and the puppy is taken to the diaper.
If the process is effective, you should praise it, this will help reinforce the desired skill.

Puppy in the playpen

How to stop biting?

From the very first day a puppy appears in the house, you need to stop all its attempts to bite its owner.

You cannot provoke or tease a dog . It’s better to completely exclude all games in which the dog grabs the owner’s hands or feet.

If the puppy, having played out, bites the owner, then you can simply switch his attention to another game, for example, give the pet his favorite ball so that he runs after it.

If the aggression was intentional, you need to act differently:

Ignore. The owner stops playing, goes into another room and does not pay attention to the puppy for 15-20 minutes. Thus, the dog is unambiguously given to understand that no one will play with such an aggressor.
If a Jack Russell bites and growls, the owner can grab it by the muzzle and hold it there until the dog stops growling.
An adult terrier can be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and pressed to the floor until he lies down completely. The dog should not be allowed to rise until the owner himself releases it.
For bites, you can lift the dog by the collar and shake it slightly.

All forceful methods of weaning off aggression must be used with caution so as not to harm or frighten the pet.

Errors in education

The main thing in teaching a dog to relieve itself at home is not to spoil its psyche and not lose its trust. Often, due to lack of patience, a person may not be able to succeed in this. But it is necessary to remember that a puppy is a small child. He needs constant attention and care. He wants to go to the toilet at odd hours.

Raising puppies

In the first days, the entire space where the puppy is located should be covered with diapers. He is small and not fast enough to run from one part of the room to another. You should also be careful. Any dog shows its desires by behavior. Perhaps she will spin around in one place, sniff a lot and crawl into hard-to-reach places. This is where you need to pay all your attention.

We suggest you read: How to choose the right Jack Russell Terrier puppy and how to care for him

Note! A small pet still has little control over its natural body needs, so it is recommended to remove all diaper-like items from the floor: things, rags, soft toys.

Without understanding and trust, a puppy can be easily intimidated. You should not use physical punishment against a small child. It is enough to show dissatisfaction with the tone of voice. It would also be nice to introduce the “fu” command into everyday use. Owners often forget that the dog simply will not understand why he is being scolded if the punishment occurs too late. You should scold your pet only within a minute after the dirty deed has been done. The same goes for praise. But praise will only make the dog happy.

If you accidentally make a puddle in the wrong place, you need to remove it with a diaper, and only then wash it with detergent. Since dogs navigate more by smell, this will help them reinforce the skill. Cleaning and changing diapers must be timely.

It is impossible to force a puppy to wear a diaper against its will. Therefore, if the puppy wanted to go to the toilet, and then suddenly didn’t want to, you should wait again until he starts to sit down. The main thing in education is the dog’s trust in the person. Walking, playing together, etc. will help with this. If the pet has not mastered diapers in one way, you should move on to another.

Using diapers is a good way to toilet train your puppy, but it should not replace walking. After all, spending time in the fresh air strengthens the trusting relationship between the dog and the owner.

What to do if things get damaged?

As a rule, all “destruction” and damage to things occurs during the absence of the owner.

How to prevent such sabotage from a four-legged animal?:

When leaving for work, the owner must leave enough toys for his pet.
You can leave your pet some “long-lasting” treat before leaving, for example, large beef cartilage, but in no case bones.
You cannot give old slippers or boots to a Jack Russell to be torn to pieces: the dog will not be able to distinguish old from new and next time he will tear to pieces new shoes.
If the dog chews furniture or walls, they can be treated with special products that have an unpleasant smell and taste for the pet.

IMPORTANT!

You should not leave your pet alone for a long time without first walking it and feeding it.

The inability to release energy and hunger will only strengthen the animal’s desire for destruction.

Jack Russells are friendly and obedient dogs that are easy to train..

They easily and willingly learn new commands and carry them out with pleasure. Problems can arise when there is no trusting relationship between the pet and its owner.

To prevent this from happening, the owner must devote enough time to his pet from the very beginning, be strict but fair towards him.

Only in this case will the Jack Russell recognize him as his master, whom he will obey impeccably and whose commands he will carry out.