Best Dog Toys For Jack Russells? Top Answer Update

This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. dr Nelson is a companion and large animal veterinarian based in Minnesota where she has over 18 years experience as a veterinarian at a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. This article has been viewed 89,708 times.

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To live with a hyperactive Jack Russel terrier, begin by taking your dog longer and more frequent walks and playing physically demanding games like fetch or hide-and-seek to tire your dog. Your Jack Russell may be reacting to or reflecting the energy you are putting off, so do your best to remain calm and collected when you are around him. Also, try to avoid responding to hyperbehaviour, such as excessive barking or jumping, lest the behavior be reinforced. Since this breed is happiest when it has a job to do, try giving your dog specific tasks to keep them occupied, like digging or hunting. For tips on using aromatherapy to calm your Jack Russell Terrier, read on!

I’ve encountered this question many times, and as a Jack Russell owner, I often wonder on the days when he’s mischievous if I walked him long enough that morning. This is important to know, especially for a breed that seems to have an inexhaustible supply of energy.

How long should a Jack Russell Terrier be walked every day? A puppy (12 months and under) should walk twice a day for 5 minutes per month at his age. An adult Jack Russell requires 60 minutes of walking per day and an older Jack Russell (8 years and older) should walk 60 minutes per day, divided into 2 or 3 intervals.

Jack Russell Terrier Age Length of daily walk (time) Recommended distance (miles) 3 months 15 minutes twice a day 1/4 mile per walk 4 months 20 minutes twice a day 1/4 mile per walk 5 months 25 minutes twice a day 1/2 mile per walk 6 months 30 minutes twice a day 3/4 mile per walk 7 months 35 minutes twice a day 3/4 mile per walk 8 months 40 minutes twice a day 1 mile per walk 9 months 45 minutes twice a day 1 mile per walk 10 months 50 minutes 2 miles per walk twice a day 11 months 55 minutes 2 miles per walk twice a day 12 months 60 minutes 3 miles per walk twice a day 1 year 6 months – 8 years old 60 minutes twice a day Up to 5 miles 8 years+ (depending on physical health ) 60 minutes divided into 2 or 3 sessions 2 miles per day

Why does it matter how long you walk your Jack Russell Terrier?

Jack Russells are energetic, intelligent dogs. It goes back to the old saying: “A tired dog is a happy dog”. They need challenges on both a physical and mental level to stay happy and healthy. When these needs are not met, you can see your Jack Russell become frustrated and bored. This can manifest itself in behaviors such as

Destructive chewing

Excessive barking

aggression

hyperactivity

Emphasize

licking paws

pacing

How far can you walk an adult Jack Russell Terrier?

There are days I thought my legs would give out in front of my JRTs! We are fortunate to live in the country where there are only miles to walk around. Off leash I think 3 or 4 miles would be the maximum my JRTs would be happy with, but maybe that’s more boredom than anything as they also need stimulation. crouching and diving, running through heather on the moorland but that’s another story, I think with a mix of walking on a leash and playing freely they could easily do a 10 mile day.

How many walks a day does an adult Jack Russell Terrier need?

For us, the answer is twice a day. This depends on what other types of stimulation you want to provide. For example, Jack Russells need at least 60 minutes a day to release all that pent-up energy and curiosity. But for every 15 minutes of energetic play you do in your backyard fetching or tugging, I would subtract your total walking time if you feel your dog’s energy is being drained at that amount, but it’s a minimum. I personally walk my JRT for at least 30 minutes twice a day as it suits our family lifestyle and make sure we play lots of games in between such as:

Bring

Flirt Pole (Our JRT loves this and it really gives a mind and body workout as it taps into the famous prey drive Jack Russells have)

Food Puzzles, (These encourage cognitive learning and follow your nose, again a great mental stimulation game)

Go for a run (Slightly more intense than a walk and good for the runner too!)

Playing tugs, my old dog buddy isn’t much of a tug these days, but it’s a fantastic muscle workout for her.

Treat hide and seek, use their favorite treats and hide around the house, let them follow their nose to find the treats, so much fun!

Agility training, this is great for Jack Russell’s for high energy and high mental stimulation.

Swimming, our JRT Bradley was hopping over some stepping stones when a pup at a local beauty spot hopped too far and fell in!! He had to be rescued by our adorable white German Shepherd, Jasmine, who was an avid swimmer! But after that he loved the water and hasn’t had any problems since dipping!

How far can you go with a Senior Jack Russell and what to consider?

Nobody knows you better than you, Jack Russell, but as they get older it’s important not to push your fur baby further than they want, or even if they do want to go, be aware of their limits. For example, now at the ripe old age of 13, Buddy is prone to luxating patella where his kneecap dislocates if he overloads his knee, but being the terrier that he is unfortunately that wouldn’t stop him from running, he would Only show injury when we got home. We tend to do a 4 mile hike or two during the week but generally keep it to 2 miles. So, things to consider before training your older Jack Russell:

Previous illnesses such as patella luxation or allergies

Choose the right time of day, it’s easier for an older dog to become dehydrated or damage their paws on hot summer days

Be aware of the weather as older dogs are more prone to arthritis, make sure they are dry when it’s wet and warmer when it’s snowing.

Split up your walks, I would recommend continuing to walk up to 60 minutes a day as your dog will still need this stimulation but maybe in 2 or even 3 sessions with different routes.

At home, offer more incentives to keep your JRT mentally fit, e.g. B. Puzzles.

Be aware of your dog’s body language that is telling you they are uncomfortable or tired, such as excessive panting or sitting and refusing to move!

Why does my Jack Russell keep stopping to sniff while walking and why is it important?

As a highly intelligent and energetic breed, it’s so important that they’re allowed to sniff while out for a walk. Even though I’m standing there for the fifteenth time in as many minutes, rolling my eyes and trying to be patient while they sniff the same corner they sniff every walk, I’m sure it’s some kind of dog- Facebook newsfeed is! But after a good sniff walk (calm, steady walk on the leash with lots of sniffing), my JRTs are noticeably calmer, almost as if they are at one with their surroundings. It helps them feel more in control and confident on familiar walks, and helps them engage with their surroundings when taking a new walk or hasn’t walked in a while.

Can You Overexert Your Jack Russell Puppy?

Puppies just seem full of life, it’s hard to believe there’s a chance you could over-exert them, but it’s true. So how can you overexert your pup and how does it affect him? As I mentioned before, it’s safe to stick to the rule of 5 minutes a month, twice a day and slowly build from there, puppies’ bones and joints are still developing, pushing them to overuse their tiny legs , as they can potentially damage their joints as they grow. Puppies also tire a lot easier and need a lot more naps to recharge for those zoomies!

What should I avoid with my puppy?

You shouldn’t walk your puppy, he’s too young and as I said his joints just can’t take it. You should also avoid taking short walks all week and then hiking with them in the mountains all weekend, as this type of inconsistency can also be harmful. Try to stick to the two walks and one energetic play session during the day, and make time for plenty of naps!

What are the best tips for walking my dog?

According to the American Veterinary Association, the top tips for walking any dog, not just a Jack Russell Terrier, are:

Jack Russell Terriers are such energetic dogs, they tend to be an extremely athletic breed, they are mentally sharp and therefore require a variety of activities to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Exercise and play are fun for your Jack Russell, so why not incorporate a few fun ways to help you enjoy playtime with them!

1 eating games with your Jack Russell

An extremely mentally stimulating and rewarding activity for your Jack Russell can be found through the art of food games

Before dogs were domesticated, dogs were avid scavengers – they had to work for their food and since they drew their food their meal was well earned.

Now that we feed our dogs ourselves, our Jack Russells don’t have to put in much hard work to get fed. While this makes things easier for our dogs, they lose the excitement, mental stimulation, and satisfaction when it comes to chasing a good meal.

Why not try to get your dog back into his old behavior patterns by playing some food games! There are so many easy ways to do this.

I like to let my Jack Russell find his own treats. I do this by showing him the treat first, then holding him in a room of the house with the door closed.

Then I hide his treat in another room and tell him “Get it!”. Jack Russells are extremely smart, so they’ll always find the treat—but you can’t beat the excitement on their face and tail when they find it.

This can also be done through the use of a Kong treat holder, we have two of these at home and Max loves it when we fill it up with peanut butter – he really has to work his way towards that treat so the reward is a lot more exciting than a regular hand fed one treat. You can find a Kong here on Amazon (affiliate link).

Max and his favorite treat holder Kong

Another way to do this is to get some high value treats like cooked chicken, place many flower pots with the treat upside down under one of the flower pots in the garden and ask them to find it.

This activity is fun for you, mentally stimulating for your Jack Russell and really inexpensive! This is a surefire way to beat boredom in a Jack Russell.

2 Flyball, Agility and Alternative Dog Sports

If you own a Jack Russell I am sure you are no stranger to their ferocious speed and agile nature. Jack Russell Terriers are not only ideal family dogs, but also ideal for dog sports!

Although flyball is open to any breed of dog, Jack Russell Terriers are perfectly built for the sport.

Flyball is a dog sport in which participating dogs are challenged to run through a straight obstacle course with jumps, grab a ball at the end of the course and return across the course to the start as quickly as possible!

Flyball is an extremely competitive dog sport, the sport consists of two opposing teams of at least four dogs and two people – teamwork makes the dream come true!

Flyball is an extremely physically demanding sport and can be incredibly fun and training for Jack Russells. If you’ve never heard of Flyball, here’s a YouTube video of what Flyable is made of:

If your Jack Russell loves fetching balls and is extremely agile then they might be perfect for flyball.

3 Flirt Pole Training With Your Jack Russell

Flirt poles are an extremely useful exercise tool that allows you to train your dog by encouraging them with bait and engaging them in a fast-paced, highly mentally stimulating activity.

Flirt poles are extremely efficient as they offer fast, precision-based activity in a small environment.

In order to use the flirt rod you will need to move the rod so that your Jack Russell chases after the bait, but every time he’s near swing the bait around or flick it away to have your Jack Russell chase him. the bait flirts with the dog hence the name “flirt rod”.

However, you should allow your Jack Russell to catch the bait from time to time or you would not be rewarding him and he would eventually lose interest.

Here’s a great video showing the proficient use of a flirting bar to train impulse control:

The flirt stick is a fantastic tool, extremely useful for channeling your Jack Russell’s prey drive. I have used homemade flirt sticks but they are flimsy and never stand the test of time so I decided to buy the Squishy flirt stick V2 which you can find on Amazon here (affiliate link):

My own Flirt Pole V2 by Squishy

The flirt bar helps to improve impulse control, precision, agility and reduce aggression. It offers both physical and mental stimulation and is a tool I recommend to all dog owners.

The flirt pole is not only a fun activity for your Jack Russell, but also great fun for us owners!

4 Play with your Jack Russell

Fetch is an old school classic to play with your Jack Russell. In my opinion, fetch is the easiest game to play with your Jack Russell that will ensure both physical and mental exercise.

There are so many reasons why I love fetch:

First, Fetch gives your Jack Russell the ability to run back and forth, which is fantastic as he burns energy extremely quickly. Short and long sprints are a great cardiovascular activity to use up your energy reserves and set them down for the rest of the day.

Second, Fetch is very reliable. It’s reliable, if you have a small yard with limited space to fetch, you can do 20 sprints in a small enclosed space while burning large amounts of energy. This is badly needed as Jack Russells often run off to chase things.

It’s also reliable in the sense that your Jack Russell will really enjoy it as long as you change it up with where you’re doing it and what you’re using to fetch.

After some fetching, Max rolls on his favorite ball

Third, retrieving is way too much fun! My Jack Russell loves fetch as he loves chasing fast moving objects across the ground and this is great as it really fulfills them and gives them mental stimulation.

Jack Russells love chasing small moving objects across the ground, so lend a hand and give yours what they love.

5 Hide and seek with your Jack Russell

Hide and seek is an extremely fun activity for Jack Russells and their owners.

Hide and seek can be difficult to play with your dog, as Jack Russells are known to follow their owners everywhere.

Before attempting to play hide and seek, you must teach your Jack Russell the “stay” command.

Tell your Jack Russell to stay in a room while you hide. Call your dog and when he finds him, give him a treat and lots of praise!

Hide and seek is an extremely mentally engaging activity for Jack Russell Terriers, it is free and encourages independence thereby reducing the likelihood of separation anxiety in Jack Russell Terriers.

6 Camping with your Jack Russell

Personally, I recently took up the hobby of wild camping with my dog.

Camping is a great way to bond with your Jack Russell while also introducing him to different new environments and fulfilling his desire for new, weird scents.

Camping can be extremely cold for your dog; Your Jack Russell may need a coat – bring a blanket too to ensure he is adequately warm.

Jack Russells make fantastic adventure companions, providing not only warmth when you sleep but also protection from potential marauders – Jack Russells make amazing watchdogs due to their fierce nature and audible barking.

Trust me, if you enjoy camping, I’m sure your Jack Russell will too. Make sure they have enough food, warmth, and water and you’re done.

Wild camping with olives in Scotland

I never brought Max Camping but I brought my girlfriend’s spaniel and she loves it. I plan to take Max camping next summer when it’s warm enough for him here in Scotland.

7 Cycling with your Jack Russell

Biking is an extremely fun activity that both Jack Russell’s and their owners can participate in.

Riding a bike with your Jack Russell can be a daunting task at first. It’s important to introduce your dog to the bike with positive reinforcement first so that he doesn’t become scared of the bike.

Do this by walking your dog around the bike on a regular leash and giving him treats. This will help create a positive feedback loop in your Jack Russell’s mind and make him understand that the bike is a positive thing.

You should move the bike around and give them more treats to help your Jack Russell get used to the noise of the bike.

When riding your Jack Russell bicycle you should take the necessary precautions such as Consider investing in a custom bike leash like this one from Morn Light. I recommend this product and you can find it here on Amazon (affiliate link).

Using a dedicated bike leash like the one listed above avoids having to hold your dog’s leash while cycling because the leash attaches directly to a mechanism attached to the bike. The mechanism also provides security for your Jack Russell by preventing it from getting too close to the bike.

Using a leash like the one above is one of the only ways you can keep your Jack Russell safer when cycling.

8 Hillwalking with your Jack Russell

Mountain hiking is an extremely popular activity for dog owners and their dogs to do together.

Hill walking/hiking is extremely physically demanding and can bring both you and your Jack Russell a great sense of accomplishment and accomplishment once the hills are conquered.

Hillwalking is an inexpensive activity for you and your Jack Russell. Enjoying the stunning scenery atop the hills is a great opportunity to clear your head from the tiring burdens of work and everyday life while enjoying a sense of calm with your Jack Russell russel.

This is a great activity that allows you and your Jack Russell to spend some bonding time away from other people, vehicles and the usual noise found in urban areas.

Being close to the wildlife, water, mountains and forest gives your Jack Russell a great opportunity to explore their more adventurous side.

You must remember that your Jack Russell is primarily a hunting dog so he will tend to prey on wild vermin – the hills in the abundance of wildlife will keep your Jack Russell fully mentally stimulated but make sure you take him to the keep a short leash Your Jack Russell won’t run away from you to hunt a wild treat.

9 Running with your Jack Russell

Running with your Jack Russell is a great way to bond and burn energy for you and your dog while staying extremely fit.

Running is pretty self-explanatory, it’s easy and it’s totally free!

I go running with my dog ​​Max and the only problem I have is where to continue running but my Jack Russell would rather stop and sniff a certain smell.

If you go walking your Jack Russell, make sure you’re both hydrated and bring some water for them.

You should also play around with chasing your Jack Russell.

10 Swimming with your Jack Russell

Swimming is a great human activity, it engages every muscle group and is a lot of fun.

Swimming is not only fun and physically rewarding for us, but for your Jack Russell too!

We are often asked by people if Jack Russells enjoy swimming, in short, your Jack Russells will not enjoy swimming but teaching them to swim through positive reinforcement will make this an extremely rewarding activity for them to be in!

My Jack Russell Max doesn’t swim, he hates the water and always barks at it when he sees it. My friend is a dog walker and all her dogs love to swim, they often play fetch by throwing a ball in the water – some of the dogs even jump straight into the water like a diver!

For Jack Russell, swimming is a mentally stimulating activity that is also physically demanding and a delight in hot temperatures.

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not jump in the water to swim with your Jack Russell – it’s a great opportunity for some wet bonding time!

11 Skateboarding with your Jack Russell

I have never heard anyone mention that you should skateboard your Jack Russell as it is extremely unusual and potentially dangerous.

However, you would be so amazed at your Jack Russell’s ability to do whatever activity you bring yourself.

Personally, I have skated in the past; I don’t do it that much anymore for professional reasons, but I will always remember the skaters who used to let their dogs drag them around.

A friend of mine drove his Irish Setter to the park and it was fascinating to see.

The most important part of training your dog to pull you to skate is to make sure he isn’t afraid of the skateboard as serious harm can result if proper safety precautions aren’t taken – imagine you are driving your dog and your Jack Russell, startled by the noise of the skateboard, pulls you the other way.

This would be extremely dangerous, problematic and possibly unavoidable.

You need to positively desensitize your Jack Russell and positively empower him to the skateboarding experience. You can do this by slowly rolling the skateboard near her while feeding her treats and praising her.

This creates a positive feedback loop in your Jack Russells mind and makes it seem like a positive experience whenever your skateboard is around.

Skateboarding is exciting, fun and dangerous – follow the precautions, wear a helmet and take it easy!

12 football/soccer with your Jack Russell

Playing football with my Jack Russell Max was a personal favorite activity for me and him when we were younger – it still is to this day!

When I was a kid we didn’t live near many other kids so my Jack Russell Max was my only real playmate.

Playing soccer with your Jack Russell is an extremely fun, physical, and exciting way to get your dog to burn off some calories.

Soccer balls are inexpensive and for these purposes I wouldn’t bother buying a specific specialty ball – any old ball will do!

Now don’t go around stuffing your Jack Russell in a pair of boots and a kit expecting they’ll do a rainbow streak on the first try, that’s not what I mean by playing soccer with your dog.

However, you should ask your dog to stay in one position and kick the ball across the floor towards him – your dog will put his paws on the ball and roll it around, possibly trying to bite it.

One thing to watch out for when playing football with your Jack Russell is to make sure you don’t hit him in the face with the ball. I’ve done this many times, and while it’s fun to watch your Jack Russell go for a 50/50 header, it’s not the most comfortable for your dog.

I remember a time when I was a kid at soccer practice when my Jack Russell kicked the ball through the legs of a submerged teammate and everyone went nuts! It was hilarious and very impressive.

13 Tug of war with your Jack Russell

Tug of War seems to have a somewhat negative attitude in the canine community. Some owners proclaim that tug-of-war encourages aggressive behavior.

The above is completely wrong. Tug of War does not encourage aggression between dogs, it actually helps stop aggression in Jack Russells.

Tug of War helps channel your dog’s aggressive behavior, as Jack Russells were bred to hunt foxes, they tend to have a hereditary aggression towards small animals. Trolling with your Jack Russell will help channel its prey drive and in return quench some of its aggressive energy.

Tug of war is an extremely useful activity to play with rough dogs and puppies as it gives them an opportunity to understand when they are playing too rough by correcting the owner.

Tug of War is also very useful when training as it allows the Jack Russell to learn when to leave objects and when to take their turn.

Dragging can get physically demanding and rough, but this is an extremely efficient activity for burning energy out of your dog and helping your Jack Russell calm down.

Max’s personal favorite tug toy is from Kong, they are one of my favorite dog toy manufacturers as their products are very durable and reliable – this is essential for Jack Russell Terriers due to their extremely strong jaws.

This is the tug toy we have for Max, you can find it on Amazon here (affiliate link):

If you don’t want to buy a tug toy, find your alternative in small towels or socks. However, make sure they don’t chew or swallow any torn material.

14 trips with your Jack Russell

If you own a car, you can already participate in this activity by driving your dog to the park or to the vet.

But have you ever really thought of this as a fun activity for your Jack Russell?

If your Jack Russell is well socialized and seems content in the car, he will usually love traveling with you!

Taking your Jack Russell on a road trip is a great way to network and see some new places together.

Early in the day, why not take your Jack Russell by car to a far away park you’ve never been to before?

Just make sure you bring plenty of treats, water and food and make sure your Jack Russell is securely strapped in with a dog seat belt in the car.

Max loves the car

If you don’t already have a seat belt for your Jack Russell, I recommend using this one here on Amazon (affiliate link). This is the dog seat belt that my friend uses religiously at her dog walking business.

Seat belt from Just Pet Zone

The harness simply snaps into the seat belt like any other seat belt and then attaches to the back of your Terrier harness and acts as a pull restraint system in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

You wouldn’t let your child in a car without a seat belt, so your Jack Russell should be no different!

Conclusion

Jack Russell Terriers are extremely agile dogs that tend to require a constant amount of mental and physical stimulation to sustain a quality life.

Jack Russell Terriers need about one to two hours of exercise every day.

There are several activities that you and your Jack Russell can engage in to ensure a high level of mental and physical exercise, including:

Some of these activities are cheap, others are expensive. Some are safe, some are dangerous—the point is, there are activities on this list that any owner/Jack Russell couple can participate in.

I really hope you have enjoyed reading this article and I hope it gives you some new ideas on how to have fun with some exciting activities with your Jack Russell Terrier.

Enjoy the good times while you can.

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It can be frustrating at times owning a Jack Russell Terrier; I hate to say it, but these energy baskets can really be a handful. Having a hyperactive dog is great, but it can be a real stress for some owners. We are often asked, “When will my Jack Russell calm down?”.

Most Jack Russells will settle down as they age. Your Jack Russell will settle down when he enters seniority around the age of 10 to 12 years. Although Jack Russell Terriers are known to be energetic dogs, a frequently overly energetic Jack Russell can be a sign of an underlying problem in their dietary, physical, and mental requirements.

So all hope is not lost.

I know owning a Jack Russell can be so frustrating. When I brought up my first Jack Russell I seriously thought the hyperactivity would never end!

But with experience, I realize how to handle a hyperactive Jack Russell — and it’s easier than you once thought.

This article will help you understand why Jack Russells are hyperactive, how to calm a Jack Russell down through exercise, diet and exercise, and when it’s time to see the vet.

When will my Jack Russell calm down?

To be honest there is no bulletproof answer to this question, Jack Russells have plenty of energy for most of their lives.

And it really depends on what “rest” means to you as a dog owner.

With my Jack Russell he has been hyperactive his entire life. But now that he’s moving into seniority, his energy is much easier to manage.

He can still be an extremely hyperactive dog at times, which is a great sign! To be honest, when the day comes when your dog starts to slow down, you’re going to want the energetic fool back!

He is calm now in his ninth year, but he is still full of energy.

For example, he no longer drags me everywhere, almost choking on his leash with excitement: but he still has the energy to chase a fox and bomb a burrow.

Their Jack Russells energy will peak when they are puppies and as they enter puberty your Jack Russells energy levels should remain high from the age of 1 to 8 or 9 years old.

By the time they’re around 8 or 9 years old they should start to slow down in terms of exercise, but they’re still athletic: meaning they still need a good hour of exercise each day to keep their energy levels up.

But don’t look for your Jack Russell to slow down — you’ll miss the hyperactivity when it’s gone.

And when quiet old age comes, so do health problems, it’s true that a hyperactive dog is a happy dog: so enjoy it while it lasts.

Your Jack Russell will reach seniority between the ages of 10 and 12, and from here you will start noticing a drop in your dog’s energy levels. This is where your Jack Russell will finally settle down completely, and it is sad to see.

But that’s the beauty of having a dog; You must have the quiet times to appreciate the energetic times and the energy to appreciate the quiet.

Why Are Jack Russells So Hyperactive?

Before attempting to manage your Jack Russell’s hyperactivity, you must first understand where it gets its energy from.

Jack Russell Terriers originated as a working dog breed, bred by the Rev. John Russell to hunt vermin, primarily to drive out foxes. These dogs have earned their rightful place as hunting companions because of their bravery, agility, intelligence and strong will to work. As hunting dogs, Jack Russells require significant amounts of energy and when out of work they still have the energy they once needed – often resulting in a hyperactive dog.

These dogs come from the hunting stock and as a hunting dog they require a lot of energy.

This means that certain puppies are selected from successful litters based on traits they exhibit that meet the requirements of hunters.

The result is an extremely successful hunting dog – with boundless energy.

How do you calm down a Jack Russell?

Now that you know why Jack Russells are so hyperactive, you’re probably pulling your hair and wondering how to calm a Jack Russell down.

As I mentioned before, it’s easier to deal with than you think.

To calm a Jack Russell you need to provide them with a constant amount of mental and physical exercise – which I will get into later in this article.

You also need to be mindful of your own habits as an owner and make sure you’re not positively reinforcing unnecessary hyperbehaviour without even realizing it.

It is extremely important that you meet your Jack Russells energy needs as a built up need to release energy can lead to severe anxiety, insecurity and more often than not a dangerous Jack Russells.

Calm down your Jack Russell with physical exercise

Max plays fetch

In most cases I’ve witnessed, an overly hyperactive Jack Russell is the root cause of a lack of consistent exercise.

Most owners these days seem to think that small dogs don’t need a lot of exercise, quite the opposite.

Did you see it right? Senior citizens with Jack Russells who got them as lap dogs due to their small nature and are now afraid of a hypoaggressive dog, an absolute bait case.

It’s a shame, these dogs are primarily hunting dogs.

And a working dog that is no longer working is in dire need of a consistent energy outlet to replace the energy outlet it would have had if it were doing the work it was bred to do.

There are so many ways you can train your Jack Russell, please don’t pester your dog with the only activity of walking – it’s not what he needs.

Leashing a hyperactive dog is not a solution, a hyperactive dog doesn’t want to walk, it wants to run!

Your Jack Russell is one of the fastest dogs ever created, so make good use of that speed.

The schedule I follow to keep my Jack Russell quiet most of the day is our hour-long morning hill walk.

Max on his favorite mountain hike

On this walk he has the opportunity to explore different smells as the multitude of wildlife surrounds the area, which funnily enough can often be a problem when hunting foxes, rabbits and crows: which is a fantastic sensory stimulation for him.

On a safe part of the walk, I’ll let him off the leash and let him burn off his energy as he pleases – this often involves playing fetch with either a stick or a tennis ball, depending on his mood.

I find the best way, in my experience, to burn off your Jack Russells energy is through fetch.

Fetch is great in a number of ways:

First, it allows your Jack Russell to sprint back and forth, which is awesome as it burns off energy quickly. Short and long sprints are a great cardiovascular activity to use up your stores of energy and set them down for the rest of the day.

Second, Fetch is reliable. It’s reliable in the sense that if you have a small yard with just enough space to fetch, you can do 20 sprints in a small enclosed space while burning that much energy. Which is much needed as Jack Russells often run off to chase things.

It’s also reliable in the sense that your dog will usually love it as long as you mix it up with where you’re doing it and what you’re getting it with.

Third, it’s fun! My Jack Russell loves fetch as he loves chasing fast moving objects (clearly due to his hunting disposition) and this is great as it really fulfills them and keeps them mentally engaged. Jack Russells love to chase small moving objects, give them what they love.

There are several forms of exercise that can successfully calm your Jack Russell that you can incorporate; Running, skill classes, swimming, resistance walking, hill walking and biking.

It doesn’t matter what form of exercise you choose to do in particular, just make sure you get at least an hour of targeted exercise each day, this will vary by age and weight, but it’s a good start.

The one hour in the morning is awesome as it usually lulls you to sleep for the rest of the day – which is pure bliss.

If you are looking to calm a young Jack Russell, check out my Jack Russell Puppy Exercise Guide.

Calm down your Jack Russell with mental exercise

Jack Russells are extremely intelligent dogs, so a happy Jack Russell will receive plenty of mental stimulation on a daily basis.

Mental stimulation is important to your Jack Russell’s well-being as it keeps him fit, makes him enjoy life more and through mental exercise lays the foundations that will make your dog a peaceful member of society.

Depriving your Jack Russell of consistent mental engagement will result in a destructive dog. Your dog doesn’t respect you because you don’t provide mental stimulation so he just finds him somewhere else. Neglecting mental stimulation often results in a hyperactive and destructive Jack Russell as they look for an outlet to release pent-up mental energy.

Mental engagement can come in different forms: the two most distinguishable are practice and play:

education

I sit sooo nice for this treat

To keep your Jack Russell mentally engaged, you need to stick to a weekly exercise schedule. This schedule doesn’t need to be construed like an army general, but it does need to be short and consistent.

Dog training requirements can’t always be put in numbers, but what I’ve found most successful has been sticking to short 5 minute sessions up to 3 times a day every other or third day.

Shorter training times are better than longer ones because dogs are more engaged and responsive in short periods of time. Training a dog for a long period of time usually results in your dog becoming tired and then disinterested, leaving the session with a bad impression.

Training your dog every other or third day is also useful as giving your Jack Russell an extra day or two of training will help him retain what he has learned.

A study by (Dement et al, 2011) cited by Companion Animal Psychology on the training outcomes of 44 dogs in relation to training frequency and duration found that dogs retain what they have learned more easily and are more successful in training when exposed to shorter sessions for smaller training periods during the week.

This further encourages the idea that training success in your Jack Russell is heavily dependent on consistency and duration of training sessions.

To play

Playing is the easiest and most fun way to keep your Jack Russell up and mentally engaged.

My own Jack Russell loves to play tugboat: it’s his favorite game. Many people have said that tugging can lead to an aggressive dog, which is quite the opposite.

Pulling is important as it teaches your dog when to let go, when to be too rough, and what can hurt people.

When played correctly, the drag can form a much more effective Jack Russell.

Other games that Jack Russells enjoy playing consist of; Get – what I mentioned above, Frisbee, find and hide the treat.

For fetch, you can play with any type of ball, stick, or toy that can be thrown and retrieved: preferably something with some bounce.

For Frisbee, the clues in the name, you need a Frisbee!

To find the treat, you can hide the treat somewhere in your house and task your dog with searching and finding it. First let the dog know you have the treat, make him stay in another room, and then tell him to “get him!”.

Another great way to do this is by hiding healthy treats in a garden area and allowing your dog to sniff them out. This provides mental stimulation and allows your dog to actually work for his food.

You can also use a treat dispenser or a toy like this Kong toy that Max absolutely loves.

These types of toys are great as they can keep your dog occupied and occupied while he is home alone.

In order to play hide and seek with your dog, you need to hold your dog in a stay position in another room. Continue hiding and ask another family member to prompt your dog to find you.

Do not encourage excessive behavior

It’s one of the most basic, yet non-obvious, ways to minimize unnecessary hyper behavior both inside and outside the home for your Jack Russell Terrier.

Most owners don’t even realize they’re rewarding undesirable behavior until someone points it out to them.

When you get home and your Jack Russell jumps at you excitedly, what do you do? You praise him and tell him he’s such a good boy for welcoming you.

And what if he sprints around the house in a hurried frenzy, you laugh and encourage him.

If you show your dog attention while he’s hyperactive, he’ll learn that it’s good to be hyperactive.

Because if this wasn’t good behavior, they wouldn’t get any attention from you.

The easiest way to stop your Jack Russell from becoming hyperactive is to simply ignore him when he is acting unnecessarily hyperactive.

For example, if you come home from work and they jump up, don’t pay attention to them for at least 5 minutes, do a few things around the house before greeting them.

This will help your Jack Russell understand that being unnecessarily hyperactive is not desirable and is not rewarded. Similarly, reward your dog when he starts exhibiting new behaviors to positively reinforce what you want to see.

Dogs don’t exactly know what you want, they go for what they get praise for.

When dealing with an overly hyperactive Jack Russell, the first thing to do as an owner is to make sure you’re not subconsciously teaching him the behaviors you don’t want him to see.

Your Jack Russell Diet

If you’ve followed all the steps above and your Jack Russell still hasn’t settled down, you may need to consider their diet.

The packaged supermarket food we feed our dogs today often results in health effects unknown to new owners. The foods you feed your dog, if they are packaged goods, usually contain additives such as: artificial preservatives, colors, chemicals, coatings, flavorings and sugars. These artificial additives can often lead to hyperactivity in dogs.

The food you feed your Jack Russell has a dramatic impact on his energy levels. Food containing the ingredients listed above can often lead to hyperactivity in dogs.

Therefore, it is important that you consider a more natural eating plan; You may consider feeding your dog raw meat (not just steak and ground beef, but also liver and other organs and fats that your dog would receive in a natural environment).

Here’s a great video where animal behaviorist Dr. David Sans discusses the behavioral effects that food has on dogs:

You can also incorporate some fresh fruits and vegetables into your Jack Russell diet, here is a list of fresh fruits and vegetables your Jack Russell will love:

apples

bananas

blueberries

strawberries

mango

carrots

broccoli

Peas

spinach

Cauliflower

Green beans

celery

There are several fruits and vegetables that dogs cannot eat for toxicity reasons, such as grapes and onions. As such, it’s important to do your research before introducing any new fresh foods to your Jack Russell.

Incorporating these dietary changes should provide your dog with a more nutritionally appropriate diet – I’m not a nutritionist – so consult your veterinarian if you are considering changing your dog’s diet.

Underlying health problems that cause hyperactivity

If your Jack Russell is still hyperactive despite you giving them enough mental exercise, physical exercise, exercise and a proper diet, they may need to see a vet.

There are several underlying health conditions that can cause hyperactivity in dogs that you should consider, including:

hyperthyroidism

allergies

While this is rarely the sole causal factor for your Hyper Jack Russell as they are primarily related to exercise and diet, don’t turn a blind eye if you have the feeling that they may have an underlying health condition.

If your Jack Russell is still extremely hyperactive then you should contact your veterinarian and discuss the issue at hand as nobody is better at assessing this than a veterinarian.

last words

Jack Russell Terriers eventually settle down with age, although these dogs are hyperactive for most of their lives, you should start to see a chronological decrease in energy levels and movement once they are around nine years old.

At this age, your Jack Russell will still be active and energetic but will be much easier to manage. When your Jack Russell enters seniority at around 10-12 years old, you will start to see a significant drop in energy.

The main reasons why your Jack Russell is hyperactive are lack of physical exercise, mental exercise and an unsuitable diet.

The ways to combat and deal with a hyperactive Jack Russell are:

Engage them actively with physical exercise

Engage them actively with mental exercises

Do not positively reinforce hyperactivity

Reward calm, appropriate behavior

Rebalance their diet in consultation with your veterinarian

If none of the above work, you should contact your veterinarian to set up an appointment to discuss the possible underlying health conditions that may be affecting your energy levels in Jack Russells.

I have owned a Jack Russell for a number of years and now I would like to get another dog. What should I look for?

I have owned a Jack Russell for a number of years and now I would like to get another dog. What should I look for?

Same-sex aggression and aggression towards other dog breeds is well documented in this terrier. It is strongly recommended that no more than two Jack Russells (of the opposite sex only) should ever be left together unsupervised.

If you’re getting a second dog, it would be a good thing to introduce him on neutral grounds (if the second dog is just a puppy, avoid the parks and the germs, try the neighbor’s yard where you know the dogs are well vaccinated!). It’s important to discourage any show of dominance or aggression from the start. Give positive reinforcement for nice behavior on both sides (praise or a treat).

If you are willing to keep two females separate when necessary, you may consider getting a second female. However, if you’re not willing to take the steps to protect them both (should you find there are problems as your little girl gets older), then I’d pass. Many owners have multiple females, but we keep those who don’t get along (yes, some are spayed and still fighting!) separate when unsupervised.

Consider the personality traits of the Jack Russell Terrier as this breed is not for everyone. The energetic Jack Russell requires plenty of exercise, is vocal, and has an exploratory nature due to its hunting instincts, which leads to a tendency to wander.

Training cannot eliminate the Jack Russell’s hunting instinct. This dog instinctively sees the family cat or hamster as prey.

The Jack Russell Terrier comes in three distinct coat types: straight, broken, and rough (coarse, longer straight hair). All coats tend to shed. Jack Russells are white with black or tan markings.

The breed has a compact, muscular body. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America standard requires dogs to be between 10 and 15 inches tall, while the AKC standard has a smaller range of 12 to 14 inches. JRTCA show dogs are classified into one of two groups based on size, 10 to 12 1/2 inches and over 12 1/2 to 15 inches.

Personality:

The Jack Russell Terrier is a happy, energetic dog with a strong will to work. This breed is happiest when they have company and a task to do. Digging is normal for a Jack Russell, especially when they decide it’s their job to rid your yard of rodents! ability to hunt is inbred into them; it is their nature. A desire to hunt combined with high energy levels makes training a must for the Jack Russell. You will never win a battle of wills with a Jack Russell.

Because he is a barking terrier, the Jack Russell can be vocal. However, these dogs are alert and make good watchdogs. The breed is assertive by nature and may not tolerate small children or other household animals. They can be particularly aggressive towards other dogs.

To live with:

Given the personality of the Jack Russell, this breed is not for everyone. The hunting instinct cannot be trained away from the breed. These dogs instinctively see the family cat or hamster as prey. Some may be able to learn to get along with other pets by bringing them indoors as puppies, but a potential guardian needs to consider the possibilities beforehand.

The Jack Russell Terrier needs a lot of exercise and preferably a home with a large fenced yard. The Jack Russell has an urge to explore and hunt and will run away; Many have been trapped in underground channels and caves for days. When kept indoors, daily brisk walks are a must!

The Jack Russell also likes to join in on a hike or a long fetch game. This is not the breed for you if you prefer a dog that will sit peacefully on the couch all day.

Story:

The Jack Russell Terrier is a real working terrier. The breed takes its name from the Reverend John Russell, who bred one of the finest working dog terrier strains in England. The Jack Russell is a barking terrier, meaning the dog is meant to track down the fox with its steady bark, but must never kill its prey. The Jack Russell has been bred exclusively for hunting since its inception in the early 1800s.

Because of their broad genetic makeup, there is some variation in the standard of Jack Russell Terriers. In fact, disagreements over leg length have led to the breed being divided into separate breeds in England, where the longer-legged dogs are called Parson Jack Russell Terriers and the shorter-legged dogs are simply called Jack Russell Terriers.

In America, despite the greater popularity of the short-legged dogs, the long-legged dogs are the officially recognized breed as the Jack Russell Terrier. The breed has been popular with the horse crowd for years.

Media exposure, particularly the popularity of Moose, the terrier who plays Eddie on the television show Frasier, and Soccer, who stars in the children’s show Wishbone, have catapulted the breed to popularity.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a newer member of the AKC terrier group, but this membership came amid protests from breeders who feared AKC recognition was not good for the breed. The result is that there are two national associations for the breed, the original Jack Russell Terrier Club of America and the newer, AKC-recognized Jack Russell Terrier Association of America.

Many behavioral problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys provide mental and physical stimulation and enrichment. Focusing your dog’s energy on playing with toys can prevent or solve problems like digging and chewing on furniture, shoes, or shrubs.

Toys we recommend

Interactive Toys: These are toys that require your participation:

Retrieving toys – many dogs enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees®. Oddly shaped rubber toys (like Kongs®) bounce erratically, making play more fun. Flying discs come in many shapes and sizes, including soft versions that are easier on the dog’s mouth. And devices for throwing the ball increase the distance the dog has to walk to get the toy.

Rope toys like Tire Biter® toys work well for pulling. See note below for tug of war with your dog.

Distraction Toys: These are toys that keep your dog busy when you don’t have time to play:

Food Delivery Toy: Designed to be used with kibble or small treats, the dog must manipulate the toy with its mouth and/or paws to cause the food to fall out. Some examples are: Buster Cube®, TreatStik®, Tug-a-Jug®, Kibble Nibble® and Everlasting Fun Ball®.

Chew toys: Hard rubber toys that are hollow and have holes at both ends, like Kongs, make good chew toys. To make these toys more attractive, they can be filled with kibble or treats. You can also encourage chewing by adding a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese to the toy. Tooth chew toys are hard toys that are safe for the dog to chew on and pick up small particles. Examples are: Greenies®, Bullie Sticks and Petrodex® tooth chews. You should watch your dog to make sure he doesn’t break off and swallow large chunks of these toys. Chew Challenge Toys are toys that make it more difficult for the dog to eat an edible chew toy. Examples are Funny Bones®, Kong Goodie Bone® and Everlasting Treat Ball®.

Jigsaw Puzzle Toy: Food jigsaw puzzle toy requires dog to solve a jigsaw puzzle to get treats. Examples include the Nina Ottoson® line of dog toys, including the Dog Spinny® and the Dog Brick®. Toy puzzle toys require the dog to solve a puzzle to get to a toy. Examples are the Kygen® line of toys, including IQube®, Intellibone® and Hide-a-Bee®.

Comfort toy:

Stuffed animals are suitable for different purposes, but they are not suitable for all dogs. For some dogs, the stuffed animal should be small enough to carry around. For dogs that want to shake or “kill” the toy, it should be the size that “prey” would be for a dog of that size (mouse, rabbit, or duck size).

Dirty laundry, like an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel, or blanket can be very comforting to a dog, especially if it smells like you! Be warned that diligently shaking, wearing and smelling the item could destroy it.

Getting the best out of toys

Rotate your dog’s toys weekly by only providing four or five toys at a time. Keep a variety of types readily available. If your dog has a favorite comfort toy, like a soft “baby,” you should probably skip it all the time.

Offer toys that have a variety of uses—at least one to carry, one to kill, one to roll, and one to baby.

Hide and Seek is a fun game for dogs. “Found” toys are often much more attractive. Making an interactive game out of finding toys or treats is a good rainy day activity for your dog that uses up energy without taking up a lot of space. For example, if you scatter a handful of kibble in the grass or on a patterned rug, your dog will have to use his nose to find the food.

Many of your dog’s toys should be interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog as he needs active “human time”. By focusing on a specific task, such as B. repeatedly hitting a ball, Kong® or Frisbee® back, or playing “hide and seek” with treats or toys, your dog can release pent-up mental and physical energy and space in a limited amount of time. This significantly reduces stress due to tightness, isolation and/or boredom. For young, energetic and untrained dogs, interactive play also provides an opportunity for socialization and helps them learn appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, such as:

tug of war

Tug-of-war has long been considered an absolute “don’t” in many dog-owning households. However, if you take a few precautions and set some ground rules, it can be a fun game for you and your dog.

Choose a toy that is reserved exclusively for that particular activity. This will help prevent your dog from grabbing and tugging at anything you are holding.

Teach two commands: “Let’s tug” starts the game. Never let the dog go alone and always use your opening phrase when beginning the game. “Give” or “Out” ends the game. Teach your dog to release the toy by offering a treat or better toy in return. Don’t start tugging with your dog until he consistently releases the toy on command.

security

There are many factors that contribute to the safety or hazard of a toy. Many of these factors depend on your dog’s size, activity level, and playstyle. While we cannot guarantee your dog’s enthusiasm or safety with any particular toy, we can provide the following guidelines:

Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s current size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be easily swallowed or get stuck in your dog’s mouth or throat.

Avoid or modify toys that are not “dog-safe” by removing ties, strings, eyes, or other parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.

Monitor your dog’s toys and discard any toys that begin to break or have pieces ripped off.

Ask your veterinarian about the safety of items like bones, hooves, pig ears, and rawhide. Very hard rubber toys are safer and last longer.

Watch out for any toy that has a “squeaker” buried in the middle. Your dog may feel the need to find and destroy the source of the squeak and could choke on it. In this case, squeaky toys should only be given under supervision.

Know your dog’s chewing habits before leaving him alone with a toy. For example, some dogs carry a stuffed animal around with them for years. Others will enjoy “eviscerating” the toy by pulling out all of the stuffing. Still others will chew it apart and pick up the pieces, posing a safety hazard for that dog.

Copyright League of Stupid Friends. All rights reserved.

Many behavioral problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys provides mental and physical

stimulation and enrichment. Channeling your dog’s energy into playing with toys can prevent or cure this

Problems like digging and chewing on furniture, shoes, or shrubs.

Toys we recommend

Interactive Toys: These are toys that require your participation:

►Fetch toys – many dogs enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees®. Odd Shaped Rubber Toys (like Kongs®)

jump irregularly and make the game more fun. Flying discs come in many shapes and sizes, including soft ones

Versions that are gentle on the dog’s mouth. And devices for throwing the ball increase the distance to the dog

must run to get the toy.

►Rope toys like Tire Biter® toys work well for pulling. See note below for tug of war with your dog.

Distraction Toys: These are toys that keep your dog busy when you don’t have time to play:

►Food Delivery Toy: Designed for use with kibbles or small treats, the dog must manipulate the toy with his

mouth and/or paws to prevent food from falling out. Some examples are: Buster Cube®, TreatStik®, Tug-a-Jug®,

Kibble Nibble® and Everlasting Fun Ball®.

► Chew toys:

 Hard rubber toys that are hollow with holes at both ends, like Kongs, make good chew toys. Close

To make these toys more attractive, they can be filled with kibbles or treats. It can also encourage chewing

Put a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese inside the toy.

 Dental chews are hard toys that are safe for the dog to chew and pick up small particles. examples

These include: Greenies®, Bullie Sticks and Petrodex® dental chews. You should take care of your dog

Make sure he doesn’t break off large pieces of these toys and swallow them.

 Challenge chew toys are toys that make eating an edible chew toy more challenging for the dog.

Examples are Funny Bones®, Kong Goodie Bone® and Everlasting Treat Ball®.

►Puzzle Toys:

 Food Puzzle toys require the dog to complete a puzzle to get treats. Examples are the Nina

Ottoson® line of dog toys including Dog Spinny® and Dog Brick®.

 Toy puzzle toys require the dog to solve a puzzle to get to a toy. Examples include the Kygen® line of toys,

including IQube®, Intellibone® and Hide-a-Bee®.

Comfort toy:

 Stuffed animals are suitable for different purposes, but are not suitable for all dogs. In some dogs it is

Stuffed animals should be small enough to be carried around. For dogs who want to shake or “kill” the toy, it is

should be the size that “prey” would be for a dog of that size (mouse, rabbit, or duck size).

 Dirty laundry, such as an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel or blanket can be very comforting to a dog,

especially when it smells like you! Be warned that busy fluffing could destroy the item,

carry and sniff.

Getting the best out of toys

 Rotate your dog’s toys weekly by only providing four or five toys at a time. Hold a variety of

Types easily accessible. If your dog has a favorite comfort toy, like a soft “baby,” you probably should

always leave it out

 Offer toys that have a variety of uses – at least one toy to carry, one to kill, one to roll, and one to roll

“Infant.”

 Hide and Seek is a fun game for dogs. “Found” toys are often much more attractive. manufacturing

An interactive game about finding toys or treats is a good activity for your dog on rainy days and will use up

Energy without taking up a lot of space. For example, scatter a handful of croquettes in the grass or

on a patterned carpet requires your dog to use his nose to find food.

 Many of your dog’s toys should be interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog because

he needs active “human time”. By focusing on a specific task, such as B. Repeatedly returning a ball, Kong or

Your dog can relieve pent-up thoughts and nerves with a Frisbee or a game of hide-and-seek with treats or toys

physical energy in a limited amount of time and space. This greatly reduces the stress due to confinement,

isolation and/or boredom. Interactive games are also ideal for young, energetic and untrained dogs

opportunity for socialization and helps them learn about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, such as

like popping up or being bite-sized.

tug of war

Tug-of-war has long been considered an absolute “don’t” in many dog-owning households. However through

If you take a few precautions and set some ground rules, it can be a fun game for you and your dog.

 Choose a toy that is reserved exclusively for that particular activity. This will help your dog prevent

from grabbing and tugging at whatever you have in your hands.

 Teach two commands:

o “Let’s drag” starts the game. Never let the dog pull alone and always use it

Your opening phrase when you start the game.

o “Give” or “Out” ends the game. Teach your dog to release the toy by offering a treat or

better toy in exchange. Don’t start tugging with your dog until he’s consistent

release the toy on command.

security

There are many factors that contribute to the safety or hazard of a toy. Many of these factors are dependent

depending on your dog’s size, activity level and play style. Although we cannot guarantee your dog’s enthusiasm or theirs

Safety with a specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines:

 Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s current size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be

easily swallowed or lodged in your dog’s mouth or throat.

 Avoid or modify toys that are not “dog proof” by removing ties, cords, eyes or other parts that are not “dog proof”.

can be chewed and swallowed.

 Monitor your dog’s toys and discard any toys that begin to break or have pieces ripped off.

 Ask your veterinarian about the safety of items such as bones, hooves, pig ears and rawhide. very

Hard rubber toys are safer and last longer.

 Notice any toy that has a ‘squeaker’ buried in the middle. Your dog might feel like he has to

could find and destroy the source of squeaks and swallow them, in this case should be squeaky toys

given only under supervision.

 Familiarize yourself with your dog’s chewing habits before leaving him alone with a toy. For example, some dogs will

carry a stuffed animal around for years. Others will enjoy “eviscerating” the toy by pulling on all of them

to complete. Still others will chew it apart and pick up the pieces, creating a safety hazard for it

Dog.

Jack Russell Terriers may be small, but they are full of energy and determination.

Originally bred for fox hunting, the Jack Russell Terrier requires constant stimulation to stay mentally and physically healthy. Giving your Jack Russell Terrier a job is one of the best ways to get his needs met.

These jobs may be able to help you find a good balance for your Jack Russell.

Jack Russell Terriers were bred for fox hunting, so field work and forage-based jobs are best suited to them. Consider competitions and sports, hikes and chases based on agility. To safely indulge your Jack’s prey drive, enroll him in Earth Dog classes and competitions.

The following jobs can help stimulate your Jack Russell Terrier.

Keeping them happy and healthy can be easy! You might even want to combine some of these jobs to get the best possible result.

Do Jack Russell Terriers need a job?

Jack Russell Terriers were bred specifically to hunt foxes. As a result of generations of careful training. Even Jack Russell Terriers today are intense, determined, and driven.

Your main task when hunting foxes was to drive the fox out of its den or stay with the fox until its owners arrived to “remove” the vermin.

Because they were bred specifically for these traits, giving your Jack Russell a similar job can be extremely beneficial.

Through a variety of sports, training exercises and game scenarios, their prey drive and hunting instinct can be lived out in a safe and humane way.

However, you don’t have to stick to loot jobs or play. Jack Russells are extremely intelligent and will take on any task you give them, including puzzle toys, command training and more.

No matter how you entertain your Jack Russell Terrier, he’s sure to enjoy the extra stimulation – and he needs a lot of it!

Interested in training your dog but don’t know where to start? Click here to check out my favorite online dog training program.

Following a bored Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers need a lot more stimulation than some dog breeds. They are by no means couch potatoes, so you’ll have your hands full with walks, exercise, and play if you decide to add a Jack Russell to your home.

Stimulation is not an option with this breed. You need to provide them with opportunities to release their energy and stimulate their spirit. They are extremely intelligent and will find tricky ways to entertain themselves otherwise.

Bored Jacks may bark or chew excessively, may chase other animals or smaller animals in your home, and be destructive with your furniture or belongings.

To avoid these consequences, do not leave your Jack alone for too long. Give him a job and provide some entertainment throughout the day.

The following jobs can help you avoid a bored Jack Russell Terrier.

Continue reading: My Favorite Dog Products and Dog Tags

20 Stimulating Jobs for Your Jack Russell Terrier

Because it’s important to stimulate your Jack Russell, you may need to combine several of these jobs and activities to keep him busy. Get creative with this and your dog will have a blast!

Water activities for your Jack Russell

1. Dock diving

If Jack can swim, dock diving could be an important activity for him. Dock Diving is an upgraded catching activity.

Essentially, your Jack runs and launches himself off a dock to catch a toy in mid-air. The higher or longer he jumps, the better his score will be.

Of course, some events and activities just let the dogs have fun. For the smaller, more compact Jack, this might be a more fun activity.

2. Free swimming

Although all dogs are different, most enjoy swimming. Jack’s are no different. Free swimming in a lake or pool can be a great way to burn off excess energy, especially if your dog is enjoying the water.

Bring along some of his favorite water toys. If you visit a chlorine pool, be sure to wash it clean once activity time is up.

3. Kiddie Pool Attendant

If you don’t want to take your Jack Russell to the lake every time he wants to swim, setting up a small area with a children’s pool can be a stimulating activity.

Fill a small kiddy pool with water (about halfway) and put some of his water toys in it. You can try different fetch activities and teach him trying to keep the toys in the water.

Otherwise, he might enjoy splashing around.

Outdoor activities for your Jack Russell

4. Hiking excursions

Although Jack Russell Terriers have small legs, they can enjoy long hikes or other long walks over rough terrain.

Because they were bred to hunt foxes, be sure to keep them on a rather short leash when hiking.

Day hikes can be a great way to keep your dog happy and healthy while also spending some time in the great outdoors.

5. Go camping with your Jack Russell

Just like hiking, camping can be a great activity for select Jack Russell Terriers. Make sure your jack isn’t barking at anything that moves outside and restrain him to avoid mishaps with the local wildlife.

Otherwise, camping and all that comes with it can be great for your Jack.

Indoor activities with your Jack Russell

6. Alarm clock

Energetic Jacks are only too happy to wake up your household when they are ready to play. You can use this energy to get your kids out of bed in the morning.

Make it Jack’s job to run into their bedrooms and set them up. It will be fun for your Jack Russell Terrier and your children.

7. Housekeeping

Jack Russell Terriers are extremely intelligent. You can teach them to perform almost any task or trick.

Getting them to help with chores — even small things — can be a great way to get them involved in something you’re already doing. You can pick up their toys, clean up after your kids, and more.

8. Hide and seek

Jack Russell Terriers love to be close to their humans. It’s only natural that a game like Hide and Seek, which forces them to find you in increasingly difficult “hidden” locations, can help them socially and mentally.

Tell them to sit and wait, then signal them to find you when you’re ready. Your Jack will be happy to search the house to find your hiding spot.

Backyard jobs for your Jack Russell

9. Play Frisbee with your Jack Russell

Frisbee is a classic dog game that your Jack Russell will enjoy. Be sure to throw the Frisbee a little closer to the ground to accommodate your Jack’s shorter legs.

Otherwise, keep throwing it and encouraging him to catch it!

10. Obstacle course

Obstacle courses are fun ways to give your Jack a more challenging running course.

Use sturdy materials like plywood, barrels, and obstacle course kits to create a series of jumps, tunnels, and hoops for your Jack to bounce through. You can time him to see how he improved!

11. Earthdog classes at home

Jack Russells are natural Earthdog competitors, but you don’t have to take him to competitions. You can create an Earthdog course to challenge your pup right in your backyard.

You can use the more expensive wooden inserts or start with cardboard boxes. The important part is giving off an odor and giving your dog plenty of opportunities to dig.

12. Extreme retrieval

Traditional retrieval is a great activity for your dog, but Jack Russell Terriers can get bored easily. Extreme Fetch uses multiple balls at once.

Throw them all away and let your dog sniff out their locations and bring them back to you one by one. He won’t get quite as bored chasing fetch balls!

toy activities

13. Puzzle toy

Jack Russell Terriers love toys, so getting him toys that challenge his mind can be perfect.

Some toys involve hiding small stuffed animals in a tree stump or other tunnel-like plush, which is ideal for your Jack’s earth dog breed.

Other puzzle toys include ruffle mats, kongs, and hidden treats.

14. Lick mats and other mealtime toys

Food toys can be a great way to keep your dog entertained while they eat. Some toys feature spinning cylinders, hidden kibble, and other ways to get your dog guessing while eating.

These can also help you eat slowly if this is a problem for your Jack. Lick mats are a sensory experience that’s a bit more passive, but still calms your Jack’s wild energy.

15. Tug of War

Tug of War is another classic game that you can play with your dog. Jack Russells love to compete in tug-of-war, but be careful with their teeth.

Never over tighten.

You could injure your dog if you pull on the rope with all your might.

Training and sport for your Jack Russell

16. Earthdog Trials

Earth dog trials are events or competitions specifically designed for Jack Russells and other burrowing terrier breeds.

These trials involve artificial tunnels, “caves,” and scent work that allow your dog to find the animal at the end. No animals are harmed, so it’s a humane way to indulge your Jack’s prey drive.

Training might be a bit expensive and most of it cannot be done at home. Still, pursuing this activity can be as easy as peeking into your local exercise scene.

17. Fly Ball

Although flyball is typically a sport for larger dogs, your Jack can enjoy the trials and practice runs. Flyball is a competitive sport that uses jumps, balls, and small hurdles to create an obstacle course.

Instead of being driven by food, the dog is driven by the desire to chase the ball. The catch and retrieve aspect makes it ideal for dogs that need stimulation.

However, flyball requires special training, which must be carried out by a professional. It can be quite expensive to train a dog to flyball, especially if you plan to compete.

Still, the exercise itself can be a great way to keep your Jack Russel Terrier happy.

18. Fragrance work

Since Jack Russel Terriers were bred to find cunning foxes by scent, they could be great candidates for tracking dog work.

Scent Work activities involve special training and patience. A strong scent of essential oils is introduced to the dog. A cotton swab with the scent that the dog has to sniff out is hidden on a course.

It’s a great stimulating activity – and your Jack Russel will be very determined to get the job done!

19. Flying disk

Some Jacks also like flying disc, a sport or activity that is less expensive to train than some of the other sports we’ve looked at so far.

Flying Disc is a natural continuation of Frisbee, although the disc doesn’t bend or return in the same way. With patience, dedication, and understanding for your dog, you may be able to train them yourself.

As with all sports here, you can play Flying Disc at home with your dog. Training is part of the fun, even if your dog doesn’t like the competitive aspect.

20. Trick Orders

Finally, your Jack Russell Terrier’s advanced intelligence and eagerness can create the perfect opportunity for some great trick or command training.

Jack Russel Terriers are great at learning new tricks if you are patient enough to teach them to understand. There are so many different tricks you can teach your Jack – starting with the basic flip, sit and shake tricks.

From there, try increasing the difficulty, jumping through hoops, weaving back and forth between obstacles, and ringing bells.

Conclusion

Keeping your Jack Russell Terrier busy can be a lifelong commitment. However, a busy Jack is a happy Jack! Offering your dog at least some of these jobs is key to having a great life with your four-legged companion. This intelligent, energetic breed will reward you for the extra time you spend entertaining them!

Foods not to give your Jack Russell

Knowledge is the best precaution

Aside from chocolate, there are a whole host of foods that are harmful to Jack Russells that we humans take for granted in our own diets. The foods might surprise you as some of them are not as well known as others.

We covered chocolate in another article and why a specific substance is responsible for its toxicity.

This article aims to make you aware of what research says about certain foods and therefore what to avoid when feeding your Jack Russell.

If you accidentally feed your Jack Russell any of these foods, take him to the vet immediately.

grapes and raisins

Researchers recently found that grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. As little as one raisin can be harmful to a 20 lb dog (e.g. a Jack Russell), initially causing vomiting and then signs of kidney failure within 3-5 days.

onions and garlic

These cause hemolytic anemia, the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, in dogs. Small doses usually do not show any negative effects, but constant daily doses can have serious negative consequences. The culprits are said to be allylpropyl disulfide and thiosulfate.

hops and yeast

Known as an ingredient in beer brewing, hops are known to cause severe cases of hyperthermia in dogs, which is usually fatal. Yeast dough can cause either an intestinal obstruction or internal fermentation leading to alcohol poisoning.

macadamia nuts

These cause hyperthermia, tremors, and abdominal pain, although the exact mechanism is not known. The effects are usually not fatal.

chewing gum and toothpaste

Although 99% of the time you wouldn’t even consider feeding these to your Jack Russell, they do contain xylitol, a sugar alternative known to cause fatal liver damage.

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Learn more about Miniature Jack Russell Terriers

The Jack Russell Terrier breed was established in Devonshire, England in the mid-19th century by a clergyman named Parson John (Jack) Russell. Like many of his countrymen, the Reverend Russell had a passion for fox hunting. The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred not to kill the fox but to make it run from any hiding place so the fox hunt could continue. The Parson Jack Russell Terrier is now more popular than ever as a lively, intelligent companion and a familiar sight in horse stables.

Standard Jack Russell Terriers measure less than 15 inches at the withers and their body length is proportional to their height. The color should be white predominant (must be more than 51% white) with tan, black or tan markings. They either have a smooth, flat coat or a wiry, broken coat. Their tails are docked just long enough to provide a good grip.

It wasn’t until October 2005 that the AKC recognized the “Russell Terrier,” a shorter version of the JRT, standing 10-12″ tall. These are commonly referred to as “Shorty” or “Miniature” Jack Russell Terriers and are distinguished from the larger Parson JRT.

Tanglewood Farm began their basic stock of Miniature Jack Russell Terriers in 1996. The Tanglewood bloodlines can be traced back to the legendary Rushill Kennels of England. Tanglewood Farm breeds miniature Jack Russells that are bred for a calmer temperament and sweeter disposition with an emphasis on health, conformation and correctness of type for the breed. The Miniature JRT breed is not short-legged (like a dachshund) and is not based on the “Puddin” type of JRT with dwarf traits that affect its ability to work efficiently.

Miniature JRTs have a 50/50 body to leg balance. Miniature Jack Russell Terriers are very calm, well behaved, intelligent, devoted Jack Russell type companions who get along well with other animals and children of all ages. They are not the typical “hunters” that hit the ground as many JRTs inherently behave. They make good family dogs that still have the working ability but can turn them “on” or “off.” The Miniature Jack Russell Terrier breed is a conformationally correct Jack Russell standing 10 inches tall and weighing 10 pounds or less. Their average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

Thinkstock Terriers are bred to dig up burrowed animals, which can cause unwanted digging in your yard or garden.

My first dog was a Wire Fox Terrier named Scooter. Like many terriers, she was energetic, determined, playful, and independent. But she was also something of a terror. My early experience with terrier tenacity is largely why I became an animal trainer.

Scooter the Terrier Terror

Scooter wasn’t the devoted dog I dreamed of; She was independent and ran away at every opportunity. She ran through open doors or took off her collar and ran away. She ignored my panicked pleas and ran until cornered.

Scooter destroyed our yard. She was a digger who turned our lawns into a minefield of holes and hills. She also considered it her duty to patrol the perimeter of our fence with such zeal that she also carried a trail around the yard.

The most problematic thing, however, was the barking. Roller barked constantly which caused problems with the neighbors. One night my brother and I were home alone when we heard someone yelling and banging on our front door. I called the police, convinced we were in danger. When my parents got home, they found police cars in our driveway and officers looking for the intruder. It turned out that the man at the door had been our neighbor; he was angry at Scooter’s barking and had come to lecture us about the noise.

Scooter was indeed a terrier terror.

Understand Terrier Personality

Scooter was a pretty typical terrier. Luckily, I learned how to handle her and was able to teach her to be obedient and good. But my experiences with her taught me some important lessons about the terrier breed – and how to work with them.

Terriers are notoriously feisty with other dogs; They were bred to hunt alone and so had little need for socializing. A terrier who spends time with other dogs from a young age can learn to be friendly with them. But even with proper socialization, some terriers do best as single dogs and may not do well in certain situations, like at the dog park.

Terriers are generally friendly but rarely the type that thrive on being held or cuddled. Because they were bred to work independently, terriers are less attached to people than other comparable dogs. Certain terrier breeds tend to be wary of strangers; Extensive socialization with a variety of people, including children, is required for these dogs.

Terriers were bred to hunt and kill small animals, which can make them a danger to other pets, especially smaller rodents. If introduced to other animals early enough, a terrier can learn to adapt and get along well with them. However, some terriers will never be good candidates for homes with small animals because their predatory drive is too high.

Terriers are bred to dig up burrowed animals, which can cause unwanted digging in your yard or garden. A simple solution to this problem is to create a burial pit for your terrier. Terriers are also escape artists, running and roaming. Because of this, most terriers require a secure fence and are best on a leash when outside of their yard.

A busy terrier is a happy terrier

Thinkstock

Terriers need a variety of outlets to unleash their abundant energy, including plenty of exercise. Despite the small size of many terriers, the group tends to be incredibly athletic. They can be ideal training partners for activities such as hiking, jogging and long walks. Many terriers excel at canine sports, including agility, earthdog, lure racing, fly ball, and scenting.

Terriers respond well to reward-based training, especially clicker training, because they are problem solvers and are highly motivated by incentives such as games and treats. Impulse control exercises like waiting at the door are especially important in teaching terriers delayed gratification. Finally, food puzzles can be essential at mealtimes, as the process mimics your terrier’s innate predatory instincts.

Many behavioral problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys provide mental and physical stimulation and enrichment. Focusing your dog’s energy on playing with toys can prevent or solve problems like digging and chewing on furniture, shoes, or shrubs.

Toys we recommend

Interactive Toys: These are toys that require your participation:

Retrieving toys – many dogs enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees®. Oddly shaped rubber toys (like Kongs®) bounce erratically, making play more fun. Flying discs come in many shapes and sizes, including soft versions that are easier on the dog’s mouth. And devices for throwing the ball increase the distance the dog has to walk to get the toy.

Rope toys like Tire Biter® toys work well for pulling. See note below for tug of war with your dog.

Distraction Toys: These are toys that keep your dog busy when you don’t have time to play:

Food Delivery Toy: Designed to be used with kibble or small treats, the dog must manipulate the toy with its mouth and/or paws to cause the food to fall out. Some examples are: Buster Cube®, TreatStik®, Tug-a-Jug®, Kibble Nibble® and Everlasting Fun Ball®.

Chew toys: Hard rubber toys that are hollow and have holes at both ends, like Kongs, make good chew toys. To make these toys more attractive, they can be filled with kibble or treats. You can also encourage chewing by adding a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese to the toy. Tooth chew toys are hard toys that are safe for the dog to chew on and pick up small particles. Examples are: Greenies®, Bullie Sticks and Petrodex® tooth chews. You should watch your dog to make sure he doesn’t break off and swallow large chunks of these toys. Chew Challenge Toys are toys that make it more difficult for the dog to eat an edible chew toy. Examples are Funny Bones®, Kong Goodie Bone® and Everlasting Treat Ball®.

Jigsaw Puzzle Toy: Food jigsaw puzzle toy requires dog to solve a jigsaw puzzle to get treats. Examples include the Nina Ottoson® line of dog toys, including the Dog Spinny® and the Dog Brick®. Toy puzzle toys require the dog to solve a puzzle to get to a toy. Examples are the Kygen® line of toys, including IQube®, Intellibone® and Hide-a-Bee®.

Comfort toy:

Stuffed animals are suitable for different purposes, but they are not suitable for all dogs. For some dogs, the stuffed animal should be small enough to carry around. For dogs that want to shake or “kill” the toy, it should be the size that “prey” would be for a dog of that size (mouse, rabbit, or duck size).

Dirty laundry, like an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel, or blanket can be very comforting to a dog, especially if it smells like you! Be warned that diligently shaking, wearing and smelling the item could destroy it.

Getting the best out of toys

Rotate your dog’s toys weekly by only providing four or five toys at a time. Keep a variety of types readily available. If your dog has a favorite comfort toy, like a soft “baby,” you should probably skip it all the time.

Offer toys that have a variety of uses—at least one to carry, one to kill, one to roll, and one to baby.

Hide and Seek is a fun game for dogs. “Found” toys are often much more attractive. Making an interactive game out of finding toys or treats is a good rainy day activity for your dog that uses up energy without taking up a lot of space. For example, if you scatter a handful of kibble in the grass or on a patterned rug, your dog will have to use his nose to find the food.

Many of your dog’s toys should be interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog as he needs active “human time”. By focusing on a specific task, such as B. repeatedly hitting a ball, Kong® or Frisbee® back, or playing “hide and seek” with treats or toys, your dog can release pent-up mental and physical energy and space in a limited amount of time. This significantly reduces stress due to tightness, isolation and/or boredom. For young, energetic and untrained dogs, interactive play also provides an opportunity for socialization and helps them learn appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, such as:

tug of war

Tug-of-war has long been considered an absolute “don’t” in many dog-owning households. However, if you take a few precautions and set some ground rules, it can be a fun game for you and your dog.

Choose a toy that is reserved exclusively for that particular activity. This will help prevent your dog from grabbing and tugging at anything you are holding.

Teach two commands: “Let’s tug” starts the game. Never let the dog go alone and always use your opening phrase when beginning the game. “Give” or “Out” ends the game. Teach your dog to release the toy by offering a treat or better toy in return. Don’t start tugging with your dog until he consistently releases the toy on command.

security

There are many factors that contribute to the safety or hazard of a toy. Many of these factors depend on your dog’s size, activity level, and playstyle. While we cannot guarantee your dog’s enthusiasm or safety with any particular toy, we can provide the following guidelines:

Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s current size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be easily swallowed or get stuck in your dog’s mouth or throat.

Avoid or modify toys that are not “dog-safe” by removing ties, strings, eyes, or other parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.

Monitor your dog’s toys and discard any toys that begin to break or have pieces ripped off.

Ask your veterinarian about the safety of items like bones, hooves, pig ears, and rawhide. Very hard rubber toys are safer and last longer.

Watch out for any toy that has a “squeaker” buried in the middle. Your dog may feel the need to find and destroy the source of the squeak and could choke on it. In this case, squeaky toys should only be given under supervision.

Know your dog’s chewing habits before leaving him alone with a toy. For example, some dogs carry a stuffed animal around with them for years. Others will enjoy “eviscerating” the toy by pulling out all of the stuffing. Still others will chew it apart and pick up the pieces, posing a safety hazard for that dog.

Copyright League of Stupid Friends. All rights reserved.

Many behavioral problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys provides mental and physical

stimulation and enrichment. Channeling your dog’s energy into playing with toys can prevent or cure this

Problems like digging and chewing on furniture, shoes, or shrubs.

Toys we recommend

Interactive Toys: These are toys that require your participation:

►Fetch toys – many dogs enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees®. Odd Shaped Rubber Toys (like Kongs®)

jump irregularly and make the game more fun. Flying discs come in many shapes and sizes, including soft ones

Versions that are gentle on the dog’s mouth. And devices for throwing the ball increase the distance to the dog

must run to get the toy.

►Rope toys like Tire Biter® toys work well for pulling. See note below for tug of war with your dog.

Distraction Toys: These are toys that keep your dog busy when you don’t have time to play:

►Food Delivery Toy: Designed for use with kibbles or small treats, the dog must manipulate the toy with his

mouth and/or paws to prevent food from falling out. Some examples are: Buster Cube®, TreatStik®, Tug-a-Jug®,

Kibble Nibble® and Everlasting Fun Ball®.

► Chew toys:

 Hard rubber toys that are hollow with holes at both ends, like Kongs, make good chew toys. Close

To make these toys more attractive, they can be filled with kibbles or treats. It can also encourage chewing

Put a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese inside the toy.

 Dental chews are hard toys that are safe for the dog to chew and pick up small particles. examples

These include: Greenies®, Bullie Sticks and Petrodex® dental chews. You should take care of your dog

Make sure he doesn’t break off large pieces of these toys and swallow them.

 Challenge chew toys are toys that make eating an edible chew toy more challenging for the dog.

Examples are Funny Bones®, Kong Goodie Bone® and Everlasting Treat Ball®.

►Puzzle Toys:

 Food Puzzle toys require the dog to complete a puzzle to get treats. Examples are the Nina

Ottoson® line of dog toys including Dog Spinny® and Dog Brick®.

 Toy puzzle toys require the dog to solve a puzzle to get to a toy. Examples include the Kygen® line of toys,

including IQube®, Intellibone® and Hide-a-Bee®.

Comfort toy:

 Stuffed animals are suitable for different purposes, but are not suitable for all dogs. In some dogs it is

Stuffed animals should be small enough to be carried around. For dogs who want to shake or “kill” the toy, it is

should be the size that “prey” would be for a dog of that size (mouse, rabbit, or duck size).

 Dirty laundry, such as an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel or blanket can be very comforting to a dog,

especially when it smells like you! Be warned that busy fluffing could destroy the item,

carry and sniff.

Getting the best out of toys

 Rotate your dog’s toys weekly by only providing four or five toys at a time. Hold a variety of

Types easily accessible. If your dog has a favorite comfort toy, like a soft “baby,” you probably should

always leave it out

 Offer toys that have a variety of uses – at least one toy to carry, one to kill, one to roll, and one to roll

“Infant.”

 Hide and Seek is a fun game for dogs. “Found” toys are often much more attractive. manufacturing

An interactive game about finding toys or treats is a good activity for your dog on rainy days and will use up

Energy without taking up a lot of space. For example, scatter a handful of croquettes in the grass or

on a patterned carpet requires your dog to use his nose to find food.

 Many of your dog’s toys should be interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog because

he needs active “human time”. By focusing on a specific task, such as B. Repeatedly returning a ball, Kong or

Your dog can relieve pent-up thoughts and nerves with a Frisbee or a game of hide-and-seek with treats or toys

physical energy in a limited amount of time and space. This greatly reduces the stress due to confinement,

isolation and/or boredom. Interactive games are also ideal for young, energetic and untrained dogs

opportunity for socialization and helps them learn about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, such as

like popping up or being bite-sized.

tug of war

Tug-of-war has long been considered an absolute “don’t” in many dog-owning households. However through

If you take a few precautions and set some ground rules, it can be a fun game for you and your dog.

 Choose a toy that is reserved exclusively for that particular activity. This will help your dog prevent

from grabbing and tugging at whatever you have in your hands.

 Teach two commands:

o “Let’s drag” starts the game. Never let the dog pull alone and always use it

Your opening phrase when you start the game.

o “Give” or “Out” ends the game. Teach your dog to release the toy by offering a treat or

better toy in exchange. Don’t start tugging with your dog until he’s consistent

release the toy on command.

security

There are many factors that contribute to the safety or hazard of a toy. Many of these factors are dependent

depending on your dog’s size, activity level and play style. Although we cannot guarantee your dog’s enthusiasm or theirs

Safety with a specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines:

 Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s current size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be

easily swallowed or lodged in your dog’s mouth or throat.

 Avoid or modify toys that are not “dog proof” by removing ties, cords, eyes or other parts that are not “dog proof”.

can be chewed and swallowed.

 Monitor your dog’s toys and discard any toys that begin to break or have pieces ripped off.

 Ask your veterinarian about the safety of items such as bones, hooves, pig ears and rawhide. very

Hard rubber toys are safer and last longer.

 Notice any toy that has a ‘squeaker’ buried in the middle. Your dog might feel like he has to

could find and destroy the source of squeaks and swallow them, in this case should be squeaky toys

given only under supervision.

 Familiarize yourself with your dog’s chewing habits before leaving him alone with a toy. For example, some dogs will

carry a stuffed animal around for years. Others will enjoy “eviscerating” the toy by pulling on all of them

to complete. Still others will chew it apart and pick up the pieces, creating a safety hazard for it

Dog.

Hunting is something most dogs love so it is best to direct this behavior to an appropriate toy and not cats, rabbits, squirrels or deer etc. Genetics and prior learning provide opportunities for the development of the hunting instinct but the Environment We provide the dog with the opportunity to practice this behavior. How does the dog perceive its role in the environment and what expectations does the dog have of the behavior? Dogs need to learn self-control and self-modulation before being free from restraint and restricted access, just like with house cleaning. So we must first eliminate the possibility that the dog can hunt cats, rats, rabbits, deer, etc. Remove the practice!

With a dog with a high prey drive, the focus should be on getting these instincts under our control. The question is, are dog exercise and training designed to bring these instincts under our control? Or is the training designed to ensure those instincts are completely out of our control? When we structure activities like chasing things, we often do so with the goal of directing that behavior toward appropriate things that can be great. In reality, we often reinforce this behavior and do it completely out of our control. We want to do permit-based hunting.

Flirt poles can be a great part of training. But if you use it, make tracking permission based. This must be done in small steps over a longer period of time. I taught my dogs to stay in one spot while walking to the other side of the park (300′) while the toy scurried across the ground like a squirrel. The dogs were given a clearance order (permission) to sprint to the other end of the park to join in the pursuit.

We also want to curb the behavior by teaching dogs to back away from the chase and a running wait/emergency stop or what I like to call it a “stop-on-a-cent”. Additional training should focus on a freewheel recall and a recall with a “don’t” distraction. Ideally we would like to teach this at 16 weeks but the majority of dogs have never learned these lessons so it takes more management and time to be successful.

Do not overdo it with young dogs as they are still growing and prone to injury. Get advice from your veterinarian.

I also like fetch games, but we also incorporate permission-based chases. Choose toys based on the dog’s training and breed type. https://www.homeskooling4dogs.com/breed-specific-dog-toys

Your trainer should be able to help you structure fun games for you and your dog to get these instincts under your control. (Without E-Collar!)