Jack Russell Terriers are very intelligent and can learn just about anything you want to teach them, however, their terrier personality can make training a challenge. For some owners, the challenge becomes “not worth it” and they decide their Jack Russell doesn’t really need to learn how to roll over or fetch. And, really, that’s probably true. Unless you plan on competing in canine freestyle or competition obedience (where you need a retrieve), tricks and behaviors such as these are completely optional. However, there are a few cues that all dogs, even headstrong JRTs, should learn for safety reasons. The following are three basic behaviors you must teach your Jack Russell Terrier.
#1 – Come
A solid recall is important for your Jack Russell Terrier if he is ever off leash in public areas or even to avoid headache in a big backyard. It can also save the life of your Jack Russell if she bolts out the door toward the street. It’s just a good basic cue for any dog to know.
#2 – Leave It
A solid Leave It cue can keep him from chewing your shoe or stealing your dinner. It can make walks more pleasant – you can ask your Jack Russell to leave the grass and the trees he has sniffed for the hundredth time or all the people he wants to greet. Even the squirrel he may want to chase. Most importantly, it can save your Terrier’s life if he is about to eat something dangerous – this includes toxic human foods or maybe something unsafe he comes along during his walk, such as a razor blade.
#3 – Stay
Like Come, Stay can help keep your Jack Russell inside the house when you open the front door. It can be a sit, down or a stand stay – position really doesn’t matter. Stay is also useful if you are trying to get your Jack Russell to not chase the neighbor’s cat, or the bunny that pops out of nowhere. Finally, it helps teach her self-control, which is never a bad thing.
