This is a quick guide to Jack Russell pups, designed to give you an overview of the most important things you need to know about your new puppy. Owning a new puppy is a big responsibility, so it helps to know you're on the right track.
There's a variety of things you will need to provide for your new pup to help ensure she settles in to your home as easily as possible.
Dog crate. This is an incredibly useful item to have because it provides a safe haven for your Jack Russell pup when you're not around, it helps prevent destructive chewing and it can be really handy for housebreaking. You can read more about crate training puppies here.
Puppy pen. A puppy pen is similar to a crate but it's larger and provides more room to move about. If your lifestyle means you will have to leave your pup alone for several hours at a time, you will need a puppy pen (although if possible, it's better to re-arrange your schedule to allow yourself to be with your pup as much as possible in the first few weeks.) read more about puppy playpens here.
Collars. It's best to buy two collars when you get your pup - one small, lightweight dog collar or cat collar, and a larger, solid collar for when the pup grows up.
Leashes. It's a good idea to have two different leads - a five- or six-foot lead for walks, and a 15-foot lead for training. Find out more about leash training a puppy.
Bowls. A water dish and food dishfor your pup.
Bed. Make sure you get a bed made of a solid, sturdy material. Chances are your pup will try to chew it - make sure it's something she can't break pieces off and swallow. Basket beds are not a good idea for a pup. Also, make sure it's big enough to hold her when she grows to full size.
Helping Your Jack Russell Pup Get Comfortable In a New Environment
There are a few things you can do to help the pup settle in when you bring her home, although don't expect this to be a smooth process. It's normal to experience some crying and whining on the first night. Remember - the pup has been sleeping with littermates for the past 8 weeks or so.
It can help to provide a heated pad or microwave bag, to simulate the heat of another body. It can also help to leave a ticking clock near where the pup sleeps as this simulates a heartbeat.
"Begin training your Jack Russell Pups as soon as possible... It will save you a lot of trouble later!"
Decide where your Jack Russell Terrier pup will sleep right from the start and stick with it. It's important to start forming routines right from the beginning.
Important Things To Do In The First Week
Here are a few things you should do with your JRT pup in the first week after bringing her home:
Take her to the vet to discuss vaccinations and worming. This first visit should be purely social - you don't want the first visit to the vet to be a bad experience with big pointy needles. This can make future visits a hassle.
Introduce her slowly, in a controlled environment, to any other pets she will be sharing the house with.
Introduce her to all family members.
If you have children, lay down very clear ground rules for how they must behave with the puppy. Make sure they understand not to be rough or try to play with her too much - young pups need a lot of rest.
Start a training routine. This includes beginning the housetraining process. More on training below...
Early Training Tips
You can start some simple training as soon as you bring your pup home, such teaching her her name and getting her to come on command to get her food.
It's very important that you use this time to establish good habits, because as your Jack Russell pup grows older she will start to become more independent. At this stage, she is very responsive to you and wants to please - as she hits adolescence, she will develop a mind of her own. The usually happens between 6-12 months, but can start as early as 4 months.
My ebook, The Jack Russell Lover's Ultimate Guide To Training, is a comprehensive training guide that is written in a simple style that any new owner can understand. It covers basic obedience commands in detail, as well as how to deal with problem behaviors. It also contains a chapter specifically for new puppy owners. Click here to learn more and download your copy of the e-book.
