New doggy mum - please share your tips and resources!

[doggolady]

Hello!

We have recently added a gorgeous Jack Russell girl to our family - we are all so delighted and in love with her (I’ll admit, I am actually quite surprised with how bonded I feel with her!)

We’ve got some experience taking care of doggies, but quite limited experience with JRTs so essentially looking for a list of your favourite doggy resources (YouTube channels especially or similar to watch or read with my 8 year old) or just hit me with your general good advice! 😂 She’s 5 months now if it makes any difference.

They are incredibly intelligent dogs, bred to work but that doesn't mean they're easy to train. They're not like a Cocker Spaniel, or a Labrador, or even a Goldie where they have been bred to please people -to 'retriever' and 'flush' and return to their handlers. JRT's were bred to hunt. That requires a very different type of training.

To avoid the things I so often see in JRTs (destruction, bordem and poor training/socialisation) I would recommend you find some sort of 'outlet' for your dog. Everything dog was bred to serve a purpose; with spaniels, it's scent work and with retrievers, it's retrieving. So you'll read on mumsnet that spaniel owners tend to take their dogs to scent classes. I own Goldies and all of mine have their SGWC and I work them as/when. Sign up for some relevant classes for JRTs and take it from there (someone more knowledgable than me will be able to advice).

So, my No.1 piece of advice is to ensure you meet your dogs needs. Too many JRT (and terrier owners more broadly) fail their dogs because they think that because they're small, a walk is enough. It's not.

And please (for the love of God) do not take the advice of anyone who recommends the resources that 'House of Jacks' tout - they are first, and foremost, a puppy farm and their advice is bloody awful.

Kikopup on youtube is a favourite. Steve Mann has written some excellent books, including one for kids

Thanks for taking the time to put together such a detailed response.

Have you got a licky mat and a snuffle mat? Lots of ideas for safe healthy treats to put on a mat online. If using peanut butter needs to be no Xylitol so check ingredients.
Floppy ear sell lots of natural treats and chews.

https://floppyear.co.uk/?tm=tt&ap=gads&aaid=adaN0xKG1oCIR&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21948043570&gbraid=0AAAAACNRnC-2AJNlEntl-iBowslj3zLmI&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-LWZxcCrjQMVLIODBx2q2y77EAAYASAAEgIkNPD_BwE

Never had a JR but have had the pleasure of 8 dogs in my home over 30 years.
be consistent with training, it may seem hard work but will pay off over time when you have a lovely well behaved dog you can take any where.
if you ask it to do something keep on with the same commands until it understands, be kind never harsh.
Hopefully JR owners will be able to help you more than.