Jack Russell Puppy Training Tips
Teaching Your JRT Puppy to Accept the Leash & Collar
Learning to walk on a collar and leash is the basis of all further training for every JRT puppy. Until your puppy has learned to accept the collar and leash, it will be impossible to perform any additional training.
Your Puppies Collar Should Fit Properly
The first step toward getting your Jack Russell to accept the collar and leash is to find a collar that fits your dog properly. It is important that the collar be neither too light or too heavy, neither too thin nor too thick. A collar that is too light for the dog can be easily broken, while a collar that is too heavy may be uncomfortable for the JRT puppy to wear. It is also important that the width of the color be appropriate for the size of the dog.
Determining the proper length of the collar is relatively easy. Simply wrap a tape measure or a string lightly around the dog’s neck to get an accurate measurement. It is important that the tape measure not be tight, just slightly snug.
Most collars are sized in two inch increments, so you may have to round up to get a properly sized collar. For instance, if the dog has a 13” neck, you would buy a 14” collar, and so on.
After you have purchased the perfect collar, the next step is to put it on the puppy and allow him to wear it around the house. Do not be dismayed if the dog whines, paws at the collar or otherwise tries to remove it. This is normal, and the dog should not be punished for it. It is best to simply ignore the dog and allow him to work out his own issues with the collar.
The dog should be allowed to wear the collar 24 hours a day for a number of days to get used to the feel of the collar on his neck. After your Jack Russell puppy is used to the collar, it is time to start introducing the leash. A lightweight leash works best for this process. Simply attach the leash to the dog’s collar and allow him to walk around the house with it.
A Supervised Puppy Is A Loved Puppy
Your new puppy should of course be supervised during this process in order to make sure he or she does not get the leash caught on anything. Getting the leash caught or snagged could frighten the dog and create leash anxiety that will be hard to overcome.
In the beginning, the leash should only be attached for a few minutes at a time. It is important to attach the leash at happy times, such as playtime, meal time, etc. It is important for the dog to associate the leash with happy things. When the leash is not attached to the dog, it is a good idea to keep it near the dog’s food and water bowls. The dog should be encouraged to investigate the leash, and to discover that it is not something to fear.
“However, if your puppy chews, do not leave him or her unattended with the leash or collar.
After your dog is used to walking around with the leash attached, take the end of the leash in your hand and just hold it. Allow the dog to walk around. If the dog bumps into the end of the leash, just allow him or her to react and move as desired. The goal of this exercise is to simply allow the dog to get used to the feel of the collar and the leash.
It is important to allow your Jack Russell plenty of time to get used to wearing the collar and leash before ever attempting to lead the puppy. It is best to perform this exercise in the home or other environment where your JRT puppy feels safe and secure. After the puppy is comfortable and content walking on the leash in the home, it can slowly be taken outside. It is best to make these outside trips very short at the beginning, and to lengthen them slowly over time. Some puppies take to the collar and leash immediately, while others may require some additional time.
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