Terrier Puppy Training - Have Your Puppy Trained Today

By Diana Swanson Diana Swanson
Level: Basic

Author and article writer for training dogs and puppies with a special interest in terriers.


Choosing a new terrier puppy can be an exciting point in an owner's life. While terrier puppies can start out small, some breeds can reach over 80 pounds. Traditionally, terriers were bred and raised to hunt and control small animals such as foxes, rabbits and rats. Larger breeds of terriers were used to hunt badgers. You'll find that your terrier will have a very energetic spirit, a loyal heart and an attitude usually bigger than their size suggests.

Picking Out Your Terrier Puppy

When you're going to pick out a terrier pup, make sure that it's at least 8 weeks old, doesn't display aggressive behaviour and is generally friendly. If you can, have a vet take a quick look to ensure your potential new best friend is in good general health.

Terrier puppy training should begin when you bring your terrier pup to your house, assuming your pup is old enough and has been socialized properly first. If your terrier pup isn't quite ten weeks old or hasn't been acclimated properly with small groups of people or other dogs, you should take some time first to ensure your puppy is used to being around other dogs and people. This will prevent any issues with small dog aggression.

Puppies Training For Terriers

When your terrier puppy is at the right age, I would recommend some basic household training. Certain breeds of terriers such as bull terriers can be especially stubborn when they're young. I recommend that crate training be used and it's really recommended that you're home as much as possible during the house training so you can start establishing pack leader status and correct deviations quickly. While it may seem to take a long time at first to get your terrier puppy properly housebroken, once proper behaviors are established, you will find your terrier puppy will stick to the rules of the house with uncanny loyalty. The time investment up front will be worth it in the end, trust me.

Once the basics are covered, the next step is to build your terrier puppy's surrounding to help establish that you're the clear alpha pack leader. Instruct your terrier puppy not to bite using toys. If your terrier puppy bites you, you can help correct that behavior by letting out a clear whining sound to let him know it hurts. Also, a word about furniture. Don't let your puppy to leap onto the couch and don't let it sleep in the same bed with your. The crate should be used as much as possible in the early stages of your puppy's life. Over time, you'll extend the length of time in which they can stay in there.

When your terrier puppy reaches 3 months of age, it's time to get into obedience training. Try and nail the basics such as getting your terrier to stay, sit, lie down, focus on you, come when called, wait inside doors and not yank on the leash. The emphasis on obedience training should continue until 6 months of age.

Terriers have an especially good knack for picking up motion cues from their owners, though with some breeds of terriers, you'll find that that might not want to follow your lead right away. Be patient, over time, they'll tune will change.

Utilizing Terrier Puppy Training To Protect Them

Since terriers are naturally curious creatures, you'll find that they will want to go out and learn about the new environments they encounter as much as possible. In the terrier's early life, teach them not to chase cars as that behavior is sometimes the first reaction a terrier has when they encounter this new moving object. Also instruct it stop at curbs and to not dash away from you in public settings. Otherwise, they risk hurting themselves by cars crossing the road or by getting lost in a crowd of people. Keep the leash on the terrier while you're out walking it until you can be confident that it'll return to you when called and that it won't venture off too far away from you. Trying to chase a fast terrier can be a very exhausting exercise indeed!

While training a terrier can seem challenging at first, especially to dog owners who've never owned one before, you'll discover that terriers are really a loyal breed. With proper terrier puppy training, they'll start to follow your commands on queue, stay with you when you're out in public without a leash and keep your house free of "surprises". But you have to ensure you set the rules down early and be keen on enforcing them in the critical early years.

All the best in your quest to training your terrier.
Diana Swanson
Founder of http://www.TopTerrier.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diana_Swanson

Getting a Dog who doesn't chase Cats

by Queenie1

You have cats and you want to get a dog. You wonder how to get a dog who won't chase your cats. Are there certain breeds of dogs who are less interested in cats?

From what I have seen there are dogs raised as puppies with cats who usually get along with the cats in their home but the dog may chase someone else's cat that he's not familiar with. If you have a puppy and he chases the cat your cat will get angry or mad at the puppy and will swipe the puppies nose, hiss or growl at him. From this the puppy will learn not to chase the cat again. You can also train your dog when he's young not to chase the cat.

Certain dog breeds have a higher "prey drive" instinct and will instinctively chase cats. Any cat or animal that runs in front of the dog will kick in your dogs "prey drive" as it is fun for him to chase. I just have to look at my dog's face after chasing a cat and he usually has a smile so they enjoy it.

Some dogs have no interest in cats. If you want a dog that gets along with cats you can look on this website:  Petfinder

Look for a dog that is cat tested by their dog foster parents. The petfinder has information on each dog. They state whether the dog is good with children, young children and with other animals or whether they get along with cats. The dogs are already tested with cats and they are ready for your home.

You will find a nice dog there for your home as well as a pet dog that will accept your cats without chasing them. You also will be saving the life of a dog who needs a good loving home.

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The Basenji Dog Breed

by Queenie1

The Basenji dog breed was used in the past for getting rats, chasing game into nets and then retrieving them but now they are used as companion dogs.

The Basenji is 16"-17" from his shoulders down and weighs 20-28 lbs. They have a small, muscular build with very little fat. The Basenji breed has a short shedding coat with low maintenance which requires occasional brushing. They constantly clean themselves.

The Basenji are a confident, outgoing, stubborn dog. The females go into heat once a year rather than two times a year like other dog breeds. This barkless dog has a vocalization range from chortling to a wail if he doesn't want to do something.

The breed is harder to train as they are resistant. They may nip or bite strangers or children so they are not good for families. The Basenji has lots of character and personality.

Apartment living is okay if the dog is walked daily but they can be very noisy. Basenji's need a strong, patient owner. The dog is not good with other dogs or strangers. When outside keep the dog on a leash as Basenji's can climb fences.

Beagle Dog Breeds

by Queenie1

Originally the breed was used to track foxes and rabbits because of their great scent. They were used to hunt in packs.

Beagles are a smaller scent hounds and there are two kinds; the one is 13" from the shoulder down and weighs 18 lbs while the other kind is about 15" from the shoulder down weighing 30 lbs. They are a sturdy, high-energy dog with a short low maintenance coat that sheds.

The Beagles strong scent will distract him so he may ignore you at times. The Beagle will need constant training when you get him. The Beagles nose rules their brains but they are a very smart, intelligent, affectionate dog.

Beagles are not a good dog for apartment living because of their howling and barking. The Beagle is good with children handling him so he makes a good family pet and he is also good with strangers as well as other dogs.

The dog is easily distracted if he smells a scent so he will do better in a fenced in yard and when you walk him it's best to keep him on a leash so it doesn't run away. Daily exercise is important for this active dog. The owner of the Beagle needs to have time to train this curious dog.

The Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier Dog Breeds

By Queenie1

The Bull Terrier was used in the past as a fighting dog but today it is used as a great little companion.

The Bull Terrier stands 15"-22" from the shoulder down and weighs 40-75 lbs. The miniature Bull Terrier stands 10"-14" from shoulder down and weighs 10-20 lbs. The Bull Terrier has a very stocky, well muscled body of thick, solid muscle. Their eyes are sunken and their foreheads are more domed. The Bull Terrier's coats are short, hard fur and it sheds so the dog will need an occasional brushing.

The Bull Terriers are very affectionate, playful, active dogs with their owners but not good with strangers. They have a high prey drive towards small animals and can become very aggressive.

The Bull Terrier are not a good family dog. They need early, firm training from a firm owner.

The Bull Terriers can live in apartments but they need lots of exercise and training. The regular sized Bull Terrier does better in an home with a fenced in yard.

The Dachshund Breed Dog

by Queenie1

This breed anciently was used to track badgers but was later bred smaller to hunt foxes and rabbits. The Dachshund has an excellent sense of smell and will fight with it's prey if the prey is difficult. There are 2 types of Dachshunds the standard which stands 9" from shoulder down and weighs 12-24 lbs or the miniature stands 5-6" from the shoulder down and weighs less than 12 lbs. Both types of Dachshunds have one of these 3 coats:

The wire haired coat which sheds is a rougher texture that is medium length.

The long haired coat which sheds but the coat is a silky, shiny medium length coat which needs a couple of brushing a week.

The smooth coat which also sheds but is short and shiny and requires little care.

Both Dachshund sizes have long backs with bodies close to the ground.


The Dachshund dog is a spirited, playful dog with great scenting abilities.

The wire hair coated Dachshund is more active and stubborn then the other 2 coated types.

The long hair coated Dachshund is shyer and shy of strangers.

The smooth hair coated Dachshund are friendly, bold and very alert. They feel the cold so you will need to provide them with a sweater on colder days.

Apartment living is okay for this breed dog but he will need daily exercise. They also are good little watchdogs and can bark loudly. The owner of this breed needs to be firm, consistent and patient with the dog. Children are okay with this breed if they aren't rough with them.

Border Terrier Dog Breeds

by Queenie1

The Border Terrier was used in many years ago to hunt foxes and badgers. They have a lot of spunk, stamina and determination.

The Border Terrier stands 9"-11"at the shoulder and weighs 11-15 lbs. They have a compact and sturdy body. The Border Terrier has longer legs so he can run. Their fur is short, coarse and wiry so they shed little.

The Border Terrier is a very active, athletic dog breed with a strong drive. They are a very affectionate breed and like to please their owners. The Border Terrier needs to socialize properly and they need consistent, patient training. This dog has a high prey drive towards small animals. If you are patient with him he will be a great companion for you.

The Border Terrier will live well in an apartment if you make sure he gets lots of exercise. The Breed is a high-energy, playful dog so his owner needs to very active too. If left alone in the yard for long periods of time he will dig. This dog loves to play with children but watch the young children with him.

Australian Terrier Breed Dog

by Queenie1

The Australian Terrier was used in the past as a snake killer in and a watch dog. From the shoulder he stands 10"-11" and he weighs 10 - 18 lbs. This breed has a sturdy body with short legs and a docked tail. The fur is straight and hard with a soft undercoat. This dog sheds little.

The Australian Terrier is a very smart, bright dog aware of things and he has great senses. He is very affectionate with his owners but shy of strangers. This breed responds well to early firm, precise training. This dog breed is good with older children but may not be good around younger children. The Australian Terrier has a strong prey drive towards small animals like cats, rabbits, etc.

Apartment living is okay for this breed but he will need several walks a day. You will need time to train and socialize this breed. If you leave him alone to long he may bark or dig alot outside.

Chihuahua A Very Old Breed

By Queenie 1

The Chihuahua dog is a very, tiny small breed dog which weighs less than 6 lbs. From their shoulder to the ground they're 6"-9". This petite dog originated in Central and South America. There are short haired Chihuahua's and long haired Chihuahua's. The long haired Chihuahua's need occasional brushing of their fur.

Chihuahua's are a very nervous high-strung, spunky little dog but they are very loving with their owners. They don't travel well so they are better left home then go with the family. The Chihuahua isn't good with young children or children playing roughly. They are a very good watchdog as they can bark loudly and continually if they are disturbed.

The Chihuahua can be a stubborn, nippy dog when they feel threatened or annoyed so you need to start firm patient training early. They don't need a lot of exercise so they are a good pet for an owner who doesn't walk a lot. The Chihuahua is sensitive to temperature changes so when it's cool they will need a sweater for the cold weather.

The Chihuahua will do well in a home that is a condo or apartment but they can be a bit noisy. The Chihuahua is a very loving little companion.

Some Home Truths in Choosing a Jack Russell For a Pet

By Dave T Corby Dave T Corby
Level: Basic PLUS

Dave Corby is an Engineering Software Director with 30 years experience including building a successful computer and software business. He has been working in Internet ...


When we decided to go looking for a pet dog we had just two requirements. The dog had to be small and cute for the children but with enough boyish nature that the father would not be embarrassed to take it for a walk. Our first visit to the local dog pound made the decision very easy once we met Billy the Jack Russell.

Now he is quite definitely not fully pure breed but we have since discovered that he certainly has all the common characteristics which make the breed both lovable and sometimes difficult to look after.

Billy is sturdy and tough and predominately white in coloration with tan markings on a rough coat. He is willful and wants to chase anything and everything that moves. In particular he is very much a big dog in a small package.

Like all Jack Russells, Billy is often very hyper. He has good strength and will run like the wind after a ball or a stick or just nothing at all. This breed need a lot of exercise and stimulation which may be difficult for the owner but necessary to calm down the dog and create harmony at home.

These terriers often have problems socialising with other animals and can be quite stubborn and aggressive especially towards bigger dogs and humans. Obedience classes are recommended to keep them under control and these should continue throughout their lives.

Many owners decide to keep their Jack Russell on a lead when outside to avoid confrontation which is a great shame as it restricts them from running and it is quite wonderful to see them charging at full speed across short grass. A good solution is to find an enclosed space where the Jack Russell can be let loose to run. You will find that it will be a good playmate for soccer or hide and seek.

At home, Jack Russells are an excellent companion who will sit by you and rest whenever you rest and play when you want to play. In general they will accept a lot or a little walking although as said before, a good long walk will stop them getting bored and too demanding in the home.

Billy was an excellent choice for a loving and playful companion but we did not realise how willful and energetic our Jack Russell would be.




Dave Corby

For information about looking after a Jack Russell and other terriers come to:

http://www.thejackrussell.info and about how our dog travelled to live in America at:

http://www.squidoo.com/movetoamerica

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_T_Corby