Jack Russell Terriers for Dummies

by Britt-Hay, Deborah

• ISBN13: 9781119675631
• ISBN10: 1119675634
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2019-12-05
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Your guide to a happy life with your Jack Russel Terrier!

With their spunky personalities, endless energy, and remarkable intelligence, it’s no wonder Jack Russell Terriers have become a favorite for television ads and Hollywood films. Performing comes naturally to Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs for short). They love to show off their strange and quirky personalities, and they have more than their share of fun while entertaining you and themselves.

Despite their winsome ways, Jack Russell Terriers aren’t for everyone. It takes time, patience, and an unmistakable sense of humor to tolerate their endless antics and tireless energy. For thousands of dog owners across the country, however, no other breed is worth considering. Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies is the guide for you if

• You're thinking of owning a Jack Russell Terrier
• You just brought a new puppy home
• You are curious about this popular breed
• You already own a JRT and want to know more about its temperament

Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies shows you how to cope with the breed's high energy levels and odd but common behaviors. You'll become acquainted with the breed standard and look at common faults. This book also covers the following topics and more:

• Distinguishing between a pet dog and a show dog
• Deciding if a puppy or an adult dog is best for you
• Puppy-proofing your house
• Understanding guidelines for obedience training and agility training,
• Dealing with behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, aggression, and barking
• Finding a great veterinarian
• Knowing how to care for your pet: Health, grooming, exercise
• Dealing with health concerns specific to JRTs

Jack Russell Terriers are cute, charming, and very smart. They're a big dog in a little dog’s body and are fun, fearless, and funny to be around. Remember, however, that they also are pushy, extremely active, and have a voracious appetite for attention. Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies will help you make sure you’re making a well-educated, conscious choice to purchase one of these little white tornadoes and to give you the knowledge to keep your sanity after the decision has been made.

P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you’re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies (9780764552687). The book you see here shouldn’t be considered a new or updated product. But if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We’re always writing about new topics!

Author Biography

Deborah Britt-Hay has been breeding and training Jack Russell Terriers for years. She finds that her dogs make great companions for her family and her horses.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

How This Book Is Organized 2

Part 1: Personality Plus! The Basics on Jack Terriers 2

Part 2: It’s All in the Details: Tips for Making the Perfect Match 2

Part 3: Setting Out the Welcome Mat 3

Part 4: Creating a Healthy Lifestyle 3

Part 5: The Part of Tens 3

Icons Used in This Book 3

Where to Go from Here 4

Beyond the Book 4

PART 1: PERSONALITY PLUS! THE BASICS ON JACK TERRIERS 5

Chapter 1: What’s a JRT’s Temperament Really Like? 7

Talking about Turbo JRTs 7

Observing Forms of Aggression 9

Hunting High and Low 10

Examining Random, Nutty Behavior 10

Understanding the Napoleon Complex 14

Admiring Their Amazing Feats 15

Chapter 2: The Telltale Signs of a Jack Russell Terrier 17

Looking for Perfection 18

Hunting faults 19

Specific physical flaws 19

Your personal choice 20

Getting Acquainted with the JRT’s Characteristics 22

Basic temperament 23

Intelligence 24

Taking a Look at the JRT’s General Appearance 24

Body fundamentals 25

Tops and tails 26

Coat types and colors 27

Chapter 3: A Day in the Life of a JRT 29

Finding Room to Roam 29

Appreciating a fenced yard 30

Making play dates 31

Living with a JRT in the city 31

Spending Time with Your JRT 32

Appreciating your JRT’s personality 32

Including your JRT in everyday events 34

Understanding the Importance of Patience 34

PART 2: IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS: TIPS FOR MAKING A PERFECT MATCH 37

Chapter 4: Knowing What You Want in a JRT 39

Knowing Whether You Want a Pet or a Show Piece 40

Selecting a show dog 40

Choosing the perfect pet 41

Deciding between Youth and Wisdom 42

Looking at the pros and cons of puppies 43

Evaluating the pros and cons of adult dogs 43

Considering Jack Russell rescue 45

Chapter 5: Finding Your Soulmate 47

Understanding That Cost Is Only One Factor 48

Reviewing the Take-Back Policy 48

Asking Questions 49

Using your breeder as a resource 49

Looking at health issues 50

Getting ready to get grilled 50

Choosing perfect parents 51

Reaching maturity milestones 51

Picking the Perfect Puppy 52

Watching the litter interact 52

Checking out your choice 53

Assessing temperament 53

Aiming for the center 54

Taking a family poll 55

Determining whether looks matter 55

PART 3: SETTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT 57

Chapter 6: Dog-Proofing Your Home 59

Puppy-Proofing 101 59

Avoiding the zap attack 60

Looking out for tower terrors 60

Looking for friends in high places 61

Dealing with doors 61

Keeping your JRT away from garage doors 62

Protecting your Jack Russell from perilous poisons 62

Taking a Look at Outdoor Safety Tips 65

Using Sanity Savers from the Start 67

Introducing Your JRT to Her New Home 69

Mixing babies and Jack Russells 69

Mixing tiny tots and terriers 70

Introducing your JRT to another dog 73

Being cautious with feline foes 75

Chapter 7: House-training Your Jack Russell 77

Getting Started 78

Selecting an indoor confinement area 78

Making a lot of potty trips 78

Using a crate 79

Making Adjustments 80

Spotting the patterns 81

Recognizing bathroom body language 82

Getting caught in the act 82

Avoiding common house-training mistakes 83

Becoming Perfect with Practice 83

Chapter 8: Obedience Training Your JRT 85

Establishing Boundaries and Rules 86

Becoming the leader of the pack 86

Being consistent in your training 87

Perfecting your timing 88

Setting Your Sights on Obedience Training 88

Teaching Commands 89

Sitting pretty 91

Come hither yon terrier 92

Staying in one place 93

Down and out 94

Heads and heels 95

Recognizing the Power of Praise 98

Nixing Negative Behavior 98

No — more than just a two-letter word 99

Using diversionary tactics 99

Creating a United Front 100

Chapter 9: Dealing with Behavioral Problems and Concerns 101

Taming the Terrorist 101

Giving Time-outs 102

Dealing with Digging Demons 106

Chewing on This 107

Barking Up a Storm 108

The Chase Is On! 109

Managing Separation Anxiety 110

Dealing with Aggression 113

Puppy aggression 113

Dog-to-human aggression 114

Dog-to-dog aggression 115

PART 4: CREATING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 117

Chapter 10: Keeping Your JRT Safe and Sound 119

Doctor Jekyll or Mr Hyde? 119

Judging bedside manners 120

Understanding vet’s fees 121

The Lowdown on Shots 121

Managing Bumps and Bruises 122

Knowing When You Have an Emergency 123

Taking your dog’s temperature 124

Leaving some things to the pros 124

Keeping Out Those Nasty Pests 125

The JRT flea circus 125

Tick, tack, oh no! 127

Watch out for the creepy crawlies 128

Jack Rabbits or Jack Russells? 130

Breeding is for pros 130

The benefits of spaying or neutering 131

Chapter 11: Feeding Your JRT 133

Finding the Right Food for Your JRT 133

Understanding Your Puppy’s Feeding Needs 135

Making Adult Dinners 136

Watching for weight loss 137

 And for weight gain 137

Playing dinnertime hijinks 138

Looking at Options for Older Dogs 138

Chapter 12: Exercising Your Jack Russell 141

Bouncing Balls 141

Frisbee Fun 143

Running, Jet Setting, and Other Amusements 143

On the run 144

Biking 145

Swimming 145

Horsing around 150

Dog Parks 151

Nature at Its Best 152

Winter Wonderland 153

Laser tag 154

Toys for tugging 156

Chapter 13: Grooming Your Jack Terrier 157

Bathing Beauties 157

Preparing for the bath 158

Finding a shampoo and using it 158

Coat Care 158

Tough Teeth 159

The Ears Have It! 161

The Pedicure 162

Chapter 14: Competing in Trials 165

What’s a Terrier Trial? 165

Conformation critique 166

Only obedience 167

Get down and go to ground! 168

Russell Racing 170

Racing particulars 171

The steeplechase 171

Getting ready to race 172

Agility Angles 173

Agility for kids 174

Teamwork at its best 176

Chapter 15: Dealing with Special Concerns 177

General Genetics 177

Disabilities Demystified 180

Elegant Elders 181

Fitness for seniors 181

Weather woes 181

The elder appetite 182

Other aging issues 182

PART 5: THE PART OF TENS 185

Chapter 16: Ten Things to Know about the JRTCA and the AKC 187

The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) 187

The JRTCA opposes registration with the AKC and UKC 188

The JRTCA registers JRTs one by one 188

The JRTCA operates a Russell Rescue 190

The American Kennel Club (AKC) 190

The AKC registers many breeds of dogs 190

The AKC researches pedigrees 191

The AKC helps with ownership issues 191

The AKC offers ingenious identifications 192

The AKC extends research resources 193

The AKC sponsors the Canine Good Citizen Program 194

The AKC established the Canine Health Foundation 194

The AKC awards scholarships 195

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Take a Vacation with your JRT 197

Go to the Vet Before You Leave 197

Plan Ahead 198

Pack Your Pooch’s Suitcase 198

Take a Travel ID 199

Travel Comfortably by Car 200

Make Rover’s Home Away from Home Comfortable 201

Fly Away 203

Leave Your JRT Home 204

Home alone 204

Pet sitting 204

A stay at the kennel 204

Chapter 18: Ten Great Web Sites to Visit 209

JRTCA Official Site 210

The American Kennel Club (AKC) 211

JRT Classifieds 211

Dirt-Dog.com 211

The Dog Zone 212

Canine Connections 212

The English Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc. 212

Other Organizations 212

Appendix: Recommended Reading And Resources 215

Index 217