Question by laur2534: Puppy Training?
I have a 3.5 month old Jack Russell that in the last week has become more aggressive. I know that he is teething and needs lots of toys, he’s got plenty of them. When playing, or when we take him out of the crate, he bites at our hands frequently. We’ve tried redirection, and putting him in the submissive position. Both of these are done frequently.
We’ve been doing all we can. He has to sit and stay before we give him food. We go through doors before he does. He is not allowed on the furniture, etc.
He just got his last set of vaccines, so it’s time for puppy training, which is desperately needed.
1. Does anyone have any suggestions on what else we could try at home?
2. Has anyone tried BarkBusters?
3. What are your thoughts on Petsmart puppy training?
Thanks in Advance.
I do understand that the puppy training is only as good as the trainer. Although we have done a lot of research our breed and training, we still need to be trained, just as much as our dear puppy does.
As for plenty of exercise, he doesn’t like going on walks!!!! I just don’t understand! We do take him on 3 (quite unsuccessful) walks per day. He almost seems anxious to leave our ‘home’ area, and seems easier going once we are away from where he can see home.
Best Answers:
Answer by Brad K
grab him around the nose and slap the end of his snout when he bites. He will get the hint real fast, but you have to be consistent. ALWAYS slap his nose as indicated above when he bites at your hands, and don’t let him bite at your hands “sometimes when you are playing”.
Answer by iloveduyesterday
When I got my chocolate lab, the same thing happend to us, and with our next dog, a pom. What we did is the same as what we did for the barking. Grab his snout and say “NO.” in a stern, but loving voice. It is most important to be stern and loving, because the dog will pick up on this. If the pup continues, LIGHTLY tap his snout, grab it and say again “NO.” this should work. As for the others, no, i’ve never tried BarkBusters, and Petsmart is said to be quite helpful! Hope this helps! Good Luck, puppies are a real treasure!
Answer by JusMe
It depends on your PetSmart store whether the puppy classes are good. It was helpful for my dog and the socialization is very important.
Answer by Ista
Quit putting him in “the submissive position” that’s crap and doesn’t teach him anything other than that his new owners are bullies.
He’s only 3 months old. He isn’t agressive, he’s a jack russell terrier. Have you heard of the word terrier? Some say it’s synonimous with “high energy”. He’s still a puppy, he’s just growing, and feeling more comfortable with his new family in his new home.
You are taking his antics way to personally. Redirection is all that is needed, besides patience and positive reenforcement. You have to understand, he’s still a baby, he’s still teething, and his behavior is still normal. When he goes to chew on you or something else that is inappropriate, simply remove whatever from his mouth, and replace with an appropriate chew toy, he will get the idea, he won’t get it over night. This takes months, not weeks! He will continue to teeth until he is around 7 months old. If you don’t let him do so, his puppy teeth will not fall out, and you will be back on here in a couple of months, asking how much the vet charges to pull out those teeth.
Puppy training is a great idea, as it’s obvious your expectations are too high, and your understanding of the breed you’ve selected is too low.
Quit watching the dog whisperer, and get some books on positive reenforcement training. I promise you, your new pup is not a powerhungry dog out to dominate the world starting with your home and family. He has better things to do, like play, chew, eat, and sleep!
Please, have patience with the poor baby.
Answer by Manda F
Yes my friend tried BARKBUSTERS the fee was a one -off £200 and they come to your home as many times as you need them. They train YOU not the dog.! My friends mini schnauzer had the probs you describe with your JRT. They used chains which they threw on the floor when he mis-behaved also little metal discs. Its the noise that they dont like. Also he pulled terribly on the lead. They had to throw water bombs at his front feet if he tried to pull ahead. ANYWAY I was a bit dubious but he`s completely trained 100% and my friend reckons it was best money she`s ever spent.
Answer by dog lover
When he bites you, don’t wack him over the nose!!! Turn around and shout “OW”, you have to continue to do this, and get your friends to do it too, this will then make him realsie that he is hurting you, not playing!
Terriers, are know for their stubborn traits, try Clicker training him, it will give him the stimulation that he needs!
I’m not sure what you mean by the “submissive” position, but you don’t want to do any negative training, as it can backfire when he is a lot older, you want your JR to be of happy nature rather than aggressive!
You could also try spraying him with water, when he does something bad! Follow that with a firm NO! Also you can use this when he is barking and you don’t want him too, just spray water at him a little!
I haven’t ever heard anything about Petsmart puppy, but go to puppy training classes, one that does socialisation, keep him socialised with other dogs and people, it is very important!!
Good Luck!
Answer by Construction Chick
We have two 5 month old westie pups… when one of them bite our hands we yell “OOOWWWWW!”. They usually stop and look at us, then we redirect them to a toy instead.
You and your boyfriend/husband have to be on the same page with this too – we are and the consistency has seemed to work.
Also try to avoid any “rough play or tugging” because that will increase aggression. Before I got the girls I did a lot of research on terrier training and the biting and aggression seems to be a terrier thing.
Make sure you are giving him plenty of exercise too – if he is worn out then he will be more receptive to training and listening. A good hour long walk works with the girls – and we have a dog walker that does the same twice per week.
I would suggest to find a puppy kinder garden class in your area. In order for the training to work you need to be consistent and do the training every night (BELIEVE ME, with two of them it is hard work but it will pay off for you!)
You should also research some training techniques, and I love watching the Dog Whisperer. His method seems to work well.
Good Luck and don’t give up! 
Answer by princess1705
maybe your puppy has too much energy you should try ad take it out for longer walks. Try putting a backpack on him it may tier him out quicker ! I have a rottweiller puppy and she is the same if she doesn’t get her walks !
Answer by tiff
Your JR is behaving like a very dominant JR who has already learned to successfully use his teeth and even at this young age this is worrying. I’m not sure why he needs lots of toys as just a chew will help the teething and lots of toys means lots of resources to guard. He bites when playing (what sort of play) is it pull and tug or rough housing, or when you want to get him out of the crate (is he guarding something in there or is he just telling you that you have no right to enter his territory).
Be sure his needs are met with regards to exercise etc and definatley enroll in a training class but I would also reccommend that you should get some professional 1-2-1 help (you vet should be able to recommend someone).
In the mean time get rid of the toys, only allow him to play on your terms and stop before he is ready. Also get everything out of the crate he may want to guard. Don’t try put your hands on him to get him out of the crate or to move him anywhere (leave a light, short lead on him so you can move him even if he objects without him being able to bite) and if he does bite don’t let go if you can. Try to keep hold until he finally submits, he needs to learn that biting won’t work but obviously use your common sense with this and don’t allow him to cause serious injury to anyone as JR’s are naturally pretty fearless and can continue an attack even if they are loosing. He is a little dog bred to take on big rats in confined spaces, he has to be.
Answer by Boxer Resq Zealot
Sounds like you are on the right path.
Exercise him more. Even if he has toys, he needs walks to burn off that puppy energy. Jack Russells are energetic dogs and puppies are energetic, so you have energy x 2 there.
Jack Russells are also smart, so give him toys that challenge him… we have some great ones that have to be rolled around before the treat comes out, etc.
Petsmart puppy training, as with lots of things, is only as good as the trainer there. Check out your local one, and see what it’s like. Don’t discredit them because they are a chain store. They should handle Puppy Kindergarten with no problem.
Just remember, that you’ll be ‘in training’ as much as, if not more than, the dog. I’ve seen dogs go away to training facilities for weeks to be trained, only to return to an owner who was clueless, and had no intention of keeping up the routines, and work done and everything fell back apart.
Good luck:)
Answer by Nick’s Mom
NEVER, NEVER grab the puppy by the nose and slap it!!! He will become nervous of you.
His mother would put him in his place (submissive position) if he was acting badly.
He is only 3.5 months old and trying to find is position in the pack. Buy the sounds of it he has chosen to be the leader.
If you ever watched a litter of puppies play they love to roughhouse and bite. But if is too hard they will yelp. By yelling OUCH in a high pitch voice you are letting him know that it hurts and to stop.
We had the same problem with our puppy Maggie. It takes a bit to correct the problem. Maggie is 6 months old and does not bite anymore, but it took a lot of work. We have lots of kids on the street and we did not want them to be afraid of her. Since she loves the kids.
You also can try having his favorite squeak toy in your hand to distract his attention from your hand to the toy when you are taking him out of the crate or playing. He should go for the toy and not the hand then tell him he’s a good boy.
Petsmart puppy training is not a bad program for only $ 99. My brother took is German Shepherd. At least you will receive the basic training and socializing skills. Other programs or private training are a lot more money. We had private training lessons that cost us $ 350.00 for 8 1hour sessions. The trainer came to our house. She also showed my son (10) how to walk Maggie.
You are doing all the proper stuff.
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