Peanut's Place ~ Training 101

Within a pack there are:

RULES
Dogs learn much faster when the rules stay the same
Dogs learn much faster when they know what to expect
BORDERS
WORD + ACTION = COMMAND
If you treat your dog like a human she will treat you like a dog.
Every time a door is open the first rule is WAIT
GUIDELINES
Dogs respond to 3 emotions
facial expression and voice tone are important
60% even tempered and unemotional
39% happy and upbeat
1% angry, upset or firm
Never stay angry or upset with your dog for more than 2 to 4 seconds.
Dogs live in the moment and can not relate to something that happened a minute ago
STRUCTURE
Dog Training is about teaching not discipline

PARAMETERS
P ~ Persistence 15 minutes sessions 2 to 4 times a day
P ~ Patience (need help? Call John)
P ~ Praise 5 types of pleasure

happy or upbeat voice
touching or stroking
food or treat
toy or object
play time

Training must always end on a positive note with 1 or a combo of the 5 types of pleasure.

PEANUT'S SCHEDULE

7 am take outside
7:20 inside food and water 15 minutes after take outside
12:00 - 1:00 water ~ take outside
5:30 food and water ~ take outside
8:30 - 9:00 water ~ take outside
1/2 hour before bed ~ take outside

Until your dog is successfully trained and after each food and water session you must take up/remove the water and food so that the dog gets used to eating and drinking only when you say.

As Peanut is in the *act* of doing her business we are to softly speak the chosen potty words for her to learn and associate those words with actual act. Remember... WORD + ACTION = COMMAND

PEANUT'S WORDS

Come (make a kiss sound)
Sit
Stay **
Down (lie down say it as you see it) **
Heel (I want you at my side with a loose leash) **

Chow Time	Inside	Outside
Upstairs	Downstairs	Go for walk
Go for ride	Go to your place	Go pee
Go poop

We may use Peanut's name before the above commands

Demand Commands require a firm voice and facial expression

OFF! ~ (get off) *, **
WAIT! ~ (before going through any door that leads outside) **
LEAVE IT! ~ (leave it alone) **
MOVE AWAY! ~ (not in the mood at this time) then totally ignore
HUSH! ~ (to stop barking/whining) **, ***
NO BITE! ~ (no teeth or pulling on clothes) **

We may NOT use Peanut's name before these commands as they are NOT negotiable. Remember... WORD + ACTION = COMMAND

* use your leg to shoo away to enforce
** use collar, leash or spray bottle to enforce
*** surprise factor ~ toss a rolled up bath towel rubber banded ready for this purpose.

House Breaking

Q: I'm having trouble housebreaking my Jack Russell Terrier puppy. Help!

A: Housebreaking in theory is very simple. It is finding a means of preventing the puppy from doing his duties in the house and giving him only an opportunity to do it outside. A dog is a strong creature of habit and because he learns by association, he will soon know there is no other place to relieve himself but the great outdoors.

Determine if it is physical or a mental problem. To check if physical problem, see your vet (especially if your previously well-behaved dog has begun house soiling)
Give your Jack Russell plenty of exercise. Exercise is not a luxury to a JR, it's a MUST.
Examine the type and quality of the food you are feeding your terrier. Is it a good quality food? It may have too much soy or corn.
Are you allowing free choice feeding (i.e., is there always food out?). This is usually not a good practice. Feed puppies three times a day and adults twice a day. After 10 to 15 minutes, withdraw the food.
Do not give the puppy any food after 6 P.M. It takes a dog about 6 hours to digest his food and have an elimination as a result of that meal. Any food after 6:00 PM may give him an unexpected urge after he is put to bed.
Always get your dog outside after feeding!
Are you using a crate to help to train the puppy? Take advantage of a very natural instinct of the dog -- his desire to keep his sleeping quarters clean - ie: not to mess his bed.
Always have fresh clean water available during the day. If your dog is inclined to night soil or urinate in the house, use a crate for the night. Do not over crate or use the crate for punishment. Make it comfortable for the dog.
Get your dog outside to relieve itself on a regular basis. Don't forget how important it is to praise a Jack Russell. They are very praise oriented.
Are you giving the dog the complete run of the house? It might be better to restrict the area of the house free to the dog.
It helps to train a JR to soil and urinate in the same small area. Have a specific area that the dog is taken to relieve itself. They will catch on more quickly.
The first thing in the morning pick the puppy up and take him outside to relieve himself.
In spite of a rigid routine, your pup may have an occasional accident during his periods of freedom. Here is where correction is necessary. If you catch him in the act, with a loud "NO" put him outside at once. Remember, a dog learns by association and in connection with any act of wrong doing, he must receive some form of discomfort in order to learn that he has done wrong. However, you must catch him in the act - it does absolutely no good to punish him for a mistake he has made an hour or even five minutes earlier.

Housebreaking a Puppy

Info obtained from JRTCA