Bringing a Jack Russell puppy home is very exciting, but you need to ensure that you are prepared for the new member of the family. This means knowing what to buy for the puppy and how to make your home safe. You want your Jack puppy’s first day in his new home to be an easy and comfortable transition for him.
What does your Jack Russell puppy need? Keep the following checklist in mind:
Collar – one that isn’t tight so it will be comfortable for the puppy
Leash – Find a leash that is retractable. This will allow you to control the amount of freedom you give your Jack Russell puppy when you walk him. This leash is also a good tool for training.
Food and water bowls – stainless steel is recommended as plastic bowls can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Dog bed or pillow and/or blanket – you want your new Jack Russell puppy to be comfortable. Just make sure you pick him up the size that is necessary for his breed. Jack’s require small sized beds that are “18x”23, or small pillows “30 – “36.
Crate – If you think it is cruel to crate train a dog, you probably aren’t aware of the fact that all dogs are den animals by nature. This means they are happy in their own cozy place. A Jack Russell puppy that is properly crate trained will be able to fully relax in his own space, will be easy to transport, and stay out of trouble when you are not home. The standard crate size for a Jack Russell is “16 x “22. You may also purchase them a crate one size larger.
Food – While there are many different, good dog food brands available on the market, when you first bring your Jack Russell puppy home, you will want to feed him the same food he was being given by the breeder, rescue shelter, etc. You want to make the transition into a new home as easy for the puppy as possible. Providing him with the same food will help.
Treats – Every dog, regardless of his age loves a good dog treat. Treats can also help keep a new puppy happy. However, you shouldn’t feed your new puppy more than a couple of treats. The object is to make him feel happy, not to buy his love and attention with goodies.
Toys – Purchase a few chew toys, a ball and a small safe and durable plush toy for your new puppy. He may not be interested in the toys at first, but you should show him each one and let him examine them, so he knows they are his.
Hot water bottle – A Jack Russell puppy may find a hot water bottle comforting, especially if this is the first time it has been away from his mother. Place the water bottle under a towel or blanket and put it in the dog bed, so he can snuggle with it.
Name – Before your bring your puppy home, he needs a name. Take the time to sit down with your family and brainstorm dog names until you settle on one you like. Only call the puppy by his new name as soon as you get him, so he will grow familiar with the name.
Now that you know what you need to welcome your Jack Russell puppy into your home, the following are other aspects you should keep in mind to ensure that his welcoming is a smooth, easy process.
Free Your Calendar
The best time to bring home your Jack Russell puppy is at the beginning of a weekend. If you work, it is also a good idea to take off a few days and arrange to have him brought home then. This will give you adequate time to help your puppy adjust to his new home, make friends with him and start his training.
Get Everyone Involved
Make sure that everyone in the family is aware of the day that the Jack Russell will be arriving. Remind children to cool their excitement and make sure they understand that the puppy needs to adjust to his new home and surroundings. Teach them how to play or pick up the puppy gently, and tell them to leave the puppy alone when he is sleeping, or in his crate.
Introduce your Jack Russell puppy to other pets
If you have other pets (dog or cat) carefully introduce them to your new puppy. Let the animals check each other out and watch their behavior closely. You don’t want to overwhelm your puppy or endanger him due to a jealous pet. Note: Remember, Jack Russell’s are not compatible with all domesticated pets. If you own rodents, a Jack Russell is out of the question. In addition, some Jack’s are not cat friendly.
Don’t bring the Jack Russell home during a busy holiday
While the idea of buying a Jack for a birthday or Christmas present may sound like a sweet gesture, it is completely unreasonable and not fair to the dog. Busy holidays will be too much for a puppy to handle. There is too much commotion and people to allow the dog the transition time he needs.
Last but certainly not least, have fun with your new Jack Russell puppy. Pay him plenty of attention and affection. The more he feels like one of the family, the quicker he will adjust.
Jack Russell Training – Are You Up For the Challenge?
Becoming a Jack Russell owner means you are prepared to enroll both him and yourself into a proper training program. While every dog should be enrolled in obedience classes, this goes double for Jack Russell Terriers.
Jack Russell Training…
