Will Jack Russell destroy my house? Facts and myths about this breed

Many myths have grown up around the Jack Russell Terrier breed. One of the most popular is that of the ‘destructive dog’, capable of turning a living room into a battlefield in a matter of hours. But is the Jack Russell Terrier really destructive by nature? It’s time to dispel these myths. Discover the true nature of the Jack Russell Terrier – an extremely intelligent, well-balanced and loyal dog, which, with the right training, makes the perfect companion.

Does Jack Russell terrier bite ?

Before their teeth come through, puppies may sometimes chew on furniture or hands. This isn’t due to aggression, but to the natural teething process. A puppy’s gums are very itchy, and loose teeth are a nuisance for them, so they look for hard objects to help relieve their frustration. From the very start, you should teach your puppy the ‘no’ command and replace your hand with a toy – it really does work. By the time our puppies leave for their new homes, they’ve got the “fe” command down to a tee. 🙂

Another reason why Jack Russells chew is BOREDOM. Jack Russell Terriers are very intelligent dogs that get bored easily. When leaving them home alone, you should provide them with access to various types of games and educational toys – such as balls or snuffle mats. Before being left alone at home, the dog must be walked and tired out, and you should get your little one used to this from puppyhood. It’s worth practising with your puppy even when you’re at home – for example, whilst you’re working in one room and the puppy is resting in its bed with a toy in another. Jack Russells are dogs that form very strong bonds, and you need to nurture a healthy dog-human relationship. Another important aspect is calmness training. A Jack Russell must learn to settle down, sleep and rest. Sleep and recovery are a very important part of every dog’s day.

Kennel cage for Jack Russell terrier

Some people decide to buy a kennel cage for their Jack Russell Terrier. Opinions on this are divided, but it’s important to remember that Jack Russell Terriers are burrowing dogs who love to squeeze into narrow, dark spaces in search of rodents. That’s why they’ll be very happy to stay in cages, kennels or carriers. However, we are opposed to locking a dog in a cage when we are away.

Activities for Jack Russell terrier

Educational and interactive toys: Scent mats, treat balls and Kong-style rubber chews filled with food will keep your dog occupied for ages.
Nosework: Searching for hidden treats around the house is great fun for a Jack Russell Terrier and a huge mental challenge. Fifteen minutes of sniffing is more tiring than an hour of chasing a ball.
Natural chews: Provide your dog with a legal source of chewing (e.g. deer antlers or heather roots). This is a natural way for dogs to reduce stress.
Digging: Jack Russells have a keen sense of smell and are able to sniff out all sorts of rodents even deep underground. Our dogs love digging in the garden and find it very tiring.