Caring for Jack Russell Puppies - Top Tips

Jack Russell puppies can be a real handful to look after. If you've just got a new JR pup, you are probably at a loss about where to even begin. This article will provide you with some useful tips about the most important things you need to know when raising a JRT puppy.
The Crate
Having a crate is going to be an essential part of looking after your puppy. You're not going to be able to keep an eye on your pup 24/7. The crate gives the pup a safe haven when there's no people around. Being alone can be very scary for a JRT puppy - this breed is prone to developing separation anxiety problems. Crate training is a great way to avoid this problem. Once the pup learns to be comfortable in her crate, you can leave her there for a couple of hours at a time when you need to pop out. But don't abuse the crate - it's cruel to leave a dog crated up for too long.
Toilet Training a Jack Russell Puppy
This is probably the most important issue to deal with when you first get your JRT puppy. Remember that toilet training can take up to six months before your puppy gets it right 100% of the time, so you have to be patient.
Take the pup outside after every meal and encourage her to go to the toilet. Use a command word like "Toilet" and reward her with a treat when she does the right thing. Again, this will take patience. It may take ten or twenty minutes for her to go, but if she's just had a drink you can bet it will be coming out again soon. Always take your pup outside after every meal, after sleeping and before bed.
Be careful to clean all accidents thoroughly, as the scent lets the puppy know where the toilet area is - so if you leave the scent on the carpet, that's where she will go next time. Most importantly, never punish accidents - this won't stop the behaviour and will only create fear in Jack Russell puppies. Instead, reward the pup when she gets it right.
Basic Jack Russell Puppy Training
When your pup is young, don't worry too much about training. Any advanced training you try to teach either won't take, or will most likely be forgotten during adolescence. That said, you can start working on some basic commands, such as Sit and Come. These help set a foundation for obedience and build a stronger bond between the two of you. This should also help avoid behaviour problems further down the track.
Feeding JRT Puppies
Finding the right food for your pup is important. You should aim to find a food which is high in protein with plenty of meat content - avoid watered-down dog foods. In terms of feeding times, you should be feeding your puppy four times a day when you first pick her up at 8 weeks of age. At 3 months old you can reduce to three times a day, or two if you feel your pup is ready for that step. Make sure your pup has access to fresh water, but be careful about leaving the water dish lying around as this can lead to difficulties with toilet training since your pup will be drinking whenever she wants.