In theory, owning a dog is an endless pleasure full of loyalty and devotion.
But, anyone that's ever owned a dog will tell you that this certainly isn't the case and Jack Russell problems do exist! While Jacks are fun and loving, an owner will tell you that a few issues are simply inevitable.
Don't let this deter you, however, as JRT issues are much like any issues you have when raising a member of your family, which your Jack Russell certainly is.
What Sort Of Possible Problems Will My Jack Russell Have? Naturally, Jacks have some universal maladies like itching, gnawing and shedding, but they have other issues that are more unique.
Initially bred to be a hunting dog, the JRT continues to display many of these hunting characteristics, such as aggression and a propensity to chase and dig.
As well as this they tend to be stubborn, they don't get on well with cats and other small animals, they have a very short attention span and have a particular tendency to jump, but all of these things are simply part of who they are and, in fact, totally understandable.
Likewise, there are some health problems that are generally associated with Jacks.
Join and vision problems seem to be fairly common for this breed.
Because of this, regular vet visits are especially important to keep an eye on hereditary ailments.
Taking Care Of JRT Problems It's important to remember that, despite some of the JRT problems that you could come across, no Jack will suffer from every unwelcome trait.
Not all Jacks love to hunt and some are rather friendly toward felines, so exceptions abound.
Prospective owners should also know that many of these problems, aside from medical issues, can be solved through obedience training, so there is certainly hope for you and your dog.
In order to transform your JRT into a problem-free, obedient companion you'll need to start when he is young.
Get them socialising with other dogs, people and animals to get them used to things, and as soon as they start to show any aggressive tendencies make sure to take action.
Operate on a positive reinforcement basis - good behaviour will be rewarded and bad behaviour will be completely ignored.
In time, your dog will believe that anytime he does something well, something positive will happen.
Sound easy enough? This simply requires patience.
Because of their short attention spans, keep these sessions brief, around five to ten minutes, ideally at the same time each day.
Once you've lost your Jack's concentration, he won't be able to learn anything further that session.
Be patient with training and eventually you will yield results, turning your Jack into man's best friend.