Good question. House training a Jack Russell puppy is one of the most daunting tasks he will face as a dog owner. However, because Jack Russells are so intelligent, house training a Jack Russell puppy can be accomplished quickly and easily if you follow a few basic guidelines.

Puppies 8 to 10 weeks old

Depending on how old your puppy is, you may be waiting too long. If your pup is too young, physically, he may not be able to hold his intestines. Most dogs arrive at their new homes between 8 and 10 weeks of age. At this stage, they cannot hold their bladder overnight and must be emptied every few hours.

If your JRT is less than 6 months old, be prepared to have less than perfect home training compliance and occasional accidents. Be patient and stay positive.

Starting

First of all, if you really want to learn how to homeschool a Jack Russell puppy, you need to be willing to take at least 2 weeks off work. Why? Because he will have to watch his puppy very carefully so that he can feel when he has to urinate and then intercede.

Designate your own space

Designate a space just for your JRT. Make it a space where the floor is easy to clean. This will be his play and dream area. It should be an area that can be closed off easily and is small enough to be manageable.

This will be your terrier’s “room” until house training begins and until you enter the crate. Get him a blanket, preferably one with his scent, a bowl of water, and some toys, and store them in his new “room.”

Don’t let your home roam free

If you are serious about house training a Jack Russell puppy and want quick results, your Jack Russell may not be allowed free access to the house until he is fully house trained.

I know it sounds cruel, but in the beginning there is a good reason for this kind of rigid restriction. If you give your dog free rein in the house, he will urinate everywhere. You won’t have a chance to intercept him and take him to the appropriate spot you want him to take out, which is outside.

When you are learning how to house train a Jack Russell puppy, you will be asked to do many things that may at first seem cruel to your dog. But you have to trust the process and do what is asked of you if you want results.

Keep your eyes on him every minute

Your job is to watch over your pup like a hawk. If you have to do the dishes, put a leash on him, this way he can only go so far and you can still catch him in the act if he starts going to the bathroom.

During Jack Russell house training, it is important that you catch your dog in the act, pick him up and take him outside so that he associates grass, dirt and cement with going to the bathroom.

Be prepared to make many trips to the bathroom

If you can’t stay home with your puppy for two weeks, find someone who can. The more you can catch your dog in the act and pick him up and take him outside when he has to urinate or defecate, the faster he will be house trained.

buy a box

I know you think it’s cruel to put a dog in a cage. But really, dogs love the idea of ​​having a den. They like to curl up in corners and hide. He comforts them. So a box for them is like their own house.

The purpose of the box

The purpose of the crate is to teach your dog that it is his safe haven and not to make a mess. So how does this help with home training?

Dogs hate sleeping where they poop.

So when your dog is in his crate at night and starts whining, it’s a sign that he needs to go potty. Immediately take him to the backyard and let him relieve himself. Then praise him, even if it’s 2:00 am!

By the way, if you are in the house but you can’t take care of your puppy, you can put it in the crate. But just leave it there 2-3 hours. Then take it out to go to the bathroom.

What size box should you get?

His crate should not be so large that your pup has a lot of room to move around. If that happens, he’ll just go to one end and use it as his bathroom. We want to avoid that. Get a box that is big enough for him to stretch out and stand on.

Don’t leave him in his cage overnight with no way to relieve himself either! Remember, if he is less than 6 months old, he has not yet developed strong bladder muscles.

When should I go to the bathroom?

There are three times when one more puppy needs to relieve itself:

1. When you wake up for the first time

2. After you have eaten.

3. After a vigorous game

If you pay close attention to your puppy, he will notice when he has to go to the bathroom and will start doing so before he shows symptoms.

Your Jack Russell will also need to go to the bathroom just before bed and a couple of times during the night.

Remember, your pup is still learning and doing his best. When he has an accident, and he will, don’t yell at him, rub his nose (that doesn’t work), or hit him. You will only scare him. Praise him for the great job he does when he goes to the bathroom in the right place!