Any advice before our 1year old JRT arrives?!

[MishMooshAndMogwai]

Hi everyone!

Next Sunday we are getting a new addition to our family in the form of a little Jack Russell! I've owned dogs of all shapes and sizes before however never a JRT, never a female and never one so young so in many ways a new experience for me!

She is very bouncy and hasn't had much time out of her crate, unfortunately. However she is good with children as she's lived with them since day 1, just a little enthusiastic! Her crate is coming with her to allow for adjustment time especially as we have 2 dds to adjust too!

Both girls are experienced and happy around dogs and I'm happy that we've taken the necessary precautions when taking on such a young, bouncy dog.

I'm just looking for advice really on things more specific to the breed, age and sex of the dog! I'm down with the general dog care and training etc just wondering if there's anything extra I need to consider.
I don't know if she is spade or not so first thing Tuesday she will be taking a trip to the vets to be checked over and chipped.

I'm making sure she will have plenty of chew toys and her own Kong ball like my dogs have liked so much before.

She'll be an only dog so plenty of attention and I'm home much of the day so planning lots of walks which will hopefully take the edge off her 'bounce'!

I just want I make sure I'm completely prepared for her and for the challenges that will come with her!

Thanks!

[LimeJellyHead]

They love digging and can jump really high so make sure your fencing is adequate. Our JRT could easily jump a 7 foot fence.

Puppy proof your house and put away anything that matters to you until she is older. Our 14 month old GSD is wrecking everything, lol.

Good luck and enjoy your new addition.

[LimeJellyHead]

Oh, and get lots of challenging toys for her to play with. They are busy, smart little dogs.

[applesareredandgreen]

Hi OP

How is your new dog settling in?

I have a JRT (boy) who just turned one this weekend. He is being very challenging at the moment - Full on teenage mode!!

[LumelaMme]

JRTs are a lot of dog in a small package and think of themselves as bigger than they are. They need more exercise than you think to wear them out, but are a lot of fun.

Hope it works out well for you.

[SuperBeagle]

Looots of energy. They don't "settle down" until they're well over 10yo, IME! Ours used to run around the tops of our sofas when we'd come home. She was a mad thing. So funny, but she was non-stop energy.

I would highly advise getting her as much socialisation with other dogs as possible. JRTs tend to be a bit more stand-offish than some breeds, and if they aren't socialised early, they can be a bit snappy with other dogs (true what a PP said about them thinking they're bigger than they are!)

Otherwise, they're lovely dogs. Have a tendency to get a bit porky if you don't watch their diet, but that's common of many breeds! The one I had as a child was a gem. She let me dress her up and put her in prams. Loved to cuddle, loved people, very very easy aside from the energy levels.

[ElspethFlashman]

Lovely cuddly dogs.

But whatever exercise you think they need, double it. They need to be tired out!

And they can be a pain in the arse with other dogs, so a proper harness is essential to rein them in.

[sadmum2017]

Our JRT bitch could scale an 8 foot mesh fence, like climbed it...

There isn't much point in trying tire her out, that won't happen until she's about 8 But lots of interesting toys between walks will help. Never underestimate the intelligence and stay one step ahead!

Congratulations. They are wonderful bright, affectionate and loyal little dogs.

[weaselwords]

JRTs were bred as ratters/small animal killers and have retained a really high prey drive. They were also bred to be small so that they could get into burrows.

They will prioritise hunting over anything else and go down holes/ burrows to catch things. They aren't being naughty when they run off to do this. It is what they are bred for.

They are tiny, very agile, very active killers and so manage accordingly coupled with the usual teenage dog selective deafness, I would work hard on steadiness and recall and work it's mind as much as it's body to prevent this high prey drive being directed into destructive or aggressive behaviour.

Also, be as consistent in the rules of your house as you would be with a bigger dog if equal feistiness as they can be quite dominant little dogs who will think it's ok to snap/growl to get their own way if they are confused and treated inconsistently.

Enjoy your new pup! You

[SuperBeagle]

Oh yes, ours did kill a friend's chook when we were at a BBQ... Never did trust her again.

[sadmum2017]

It's also worth mentioning when talking about their huge prey drive, they can live with other animals if introduced properly. Our JRTs helped keep the rodent population down at our farm but they also live happily alongside our cats. It can be done.

[goodgirl250]

they moult al year round need a gd run and need a few baths a yr alwaz jumping in mud