Is it possible to train a JRT mix?

[PedigreeBum]

I have a rescue JRT (possible with a tablespoon or so of Chihuahua thrown in). She's about 20 months old. She was originally found wandering and very scared before going to the pound. Since we've had her (6 months) she has run off 4 times. All times have been while we've been out in the garden with her - she's just taken off running and was seen sprinting up the road. The last time she narrowly missed being roadkill. We had been trying to train her not to leave the garden (we live in the country side and she has been escaping through hedges - she's very small and cat-like when it comes to squeezing through tiny gaps) by letting her out and then rewarding her when she comes back - she has been really good at this and for several months was reliable - would come when called and when let out would always come back to the same door for a treat. Out of the blue yesterday she and I were outside pottering in the garden when she ran. An hour later we found her a couple of miles away. I walk her nearly everyday and have children who play with her everyday and she gets loads of attention and generally has a good life I think. SO I wonder after yesterday's escapade whether I am barking up the wrong tree so to speak by trying to train her/expecting her not to run if it's in a JRT's nature to hear and answer the call of the open road. My last dog was a very biddable Golden Retriever who was trained at 6 months not to leave the garden and so I expected the same of this dog but they are two quite different beasts, aren't they? Any JRT advice for me?

[BloodyPlantagenets]

I have a jrt x chihuahua and she has the worst recall of any dog I've ever met. Luckily we have an enclosed garden and she's happy with only ever walking on the lead. My daughter can get her to sit and roll over for treats but she won't for anyone else. She does get down when told and clearly understands but just decides to ignore us when she wants to.

[Springermum1350]

Can you not put something in the garden to cover the hedges? Sounds like she has been lucky up till now but I would definitely make it impossible for her to get out while your working on her recall.

My springers recall is good but open the front door and he is gone.

[tabulahrasa]

The issue is partly at least that staying inside a garden is a pretty abstract concept really, it'd be much easier to secure the garden than it will be to teach the dog which outside space is ok and which isn't.

[Lokibuddyboo]

I have a Jrt cross chihuahua and his recall when a pup was terrible If he got out I would be chasing him for a least 30 minutes.
So I took him to training classes and now his recall is pretty good.
But I think your best bet is to secure your garden so she can't ascape

[PedigreeBum]

She has jumped over a hedge (which I couldn't step over) and down through thick furze and through a narrow crack in a wall so we feel that securing the garden (sprawling border) would be almost impossible so we have built her a run. I just have to change my mindset as to what kind of a life she will have - I thought she'd enjoy mooching around the garden chasing imaginary birds and not being house-bound/run-bound/walked on a lead all the time but I suppose that's probably not actually cruel. JRT's and Chihuahua's

[PedigreeBum]

Oops, didn't finish that last sentence: JRT's and Chihuahua's seem to be a popular combination for Canine Matchmakers!

[Annarose2014]

We had to have a super enclosed garden and even then he'd regularly test for weak spots.

And we could never have him off the lead - ever.

JRTs aren't the easiest dogs, tbh. They have tons of hilarious personality but training is hard and you have to watch them. And they need two walks a day, easy.

I'd get a radio fence pronto. Otherwise he'll be knocked down sooner or later. And if there are any sheep in the vicinity he could be a danger.