Jack Russell Agility Training

The Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) is a versatile and energetic breed with hunting origins, so actively training him to run through, around and over obstacles is usually quite an easy task, provided that you have already trained your dog to understand some basic obedience commands. Having a dog that listens to you is the key to training agility skills, and the way to motivate your dog to be interested in you and the activity is to start by having a clear idea of what you want to achieve and then make everything you do fun, fun, fun! The general approach to initial training is to examine each of the individual agility activities and train your JRT to enjoy and master one at a time.

  1. Basic Training Before Agility

    • Yep! I like the idea of Agility!

      The main commands that you both must learn and practice before you begin training individual agility exercises are:

      "Sit," i.e., Sit down
      "Stay," i.e,. Stay where you are until I release you
      "Wait," i.e., Wait alongside me and relax
      "Close/Heel," i.e., Remain by my side
      "This way," i.e., Change direction by following me
      "Steady," i.e., Slow down

      Once your Jack Russell knows and follows these instructions, you're both ready to begin agility training.

    Plan Ahead

    • Find a safe area free from distractions, like your back garden or an enclosed tennis court or a quiet area of a park, and set up your obstacle--a jump, for example. Depending on your Jack Russell, you may want to place him on his lead before he gets very excited, so that you can maintain control and give gentle guidance and instruction throughout. Use a long lead if you have one, and be positive.

    "Over"

    • Jumping for Joy!

      Guide your Jack Russell so that he is sitting close to and facing the jump and encourage him to jump "over" the obstacle by pointing in the direction you want him to go and saying, "Over," in an excited tone of voice. You can throw a treat or a tennis ball over the jump as you say, "Over," and he should be on the other side in no time. Remember to praise him as he jumps. Alternatively, you can ask him to "stay" on one side; you go to the opposite side and then call him to you asking him to "come" and "over." Repeat the process until he clearly has the basic idea, and then make the game more interesting by introducing a sequence of jumps followed by a tennis ball game.

    "Through"

    • When training the "through" command, you should begin by asking your dog to jump through hoops or rings or any article that you can easily wield and that will prove fun for your dog. Begin in the usual way by asking your dog to "wait" and "sit" near the item, and then encourage your Jack Russell to jump "through" it, using a tennis ball or treat to give him the idea. Combining the "through" with the "over" command will really stimulate your JRT. Once you have trained the "through," you can progress to the agility tunnel at a local agility center.

    Agility With Other Dogs

    • This is greeaaat!

      Training your Jack Russell to learn commands and to follow them in your back garden is a great start, but to get the benefit from your initial training it is then advisable to find a local agility center and practice on some up-to-date equipment with other people and other dogs present. Pre-agility classes and agility classes will reinforce all of your training at home, and you will learn a lot from sessions with like-minded people and their dogs while you explore more advanced agility commands like "table" and "weave."