The Jack Russell Kennel or Crate Training

According to the Dog Breed Info Center, the Jack Russell Terrier is an upbeat, friendly, and loyal dog. Jack Russells are intelligent dogs that can become restless or destructive if not sufficiently exercised. Crate training protects your house from a rambunctious Jack Russell left alone and helps speed up the housebreaking process.

  1. Benefits

    • According to Lynn Grimsley and Liz McKinney from Falling Branch Jack Russell Terriers, the benefits of crate training a Jack Russell are many. Crate training makes it easier to house train a dog or puppy by preventing accidents before they occur. Crates can also make a secure place for a Jack Russell to eat, sleep, or rest. A crate-trained Jack Russell is easier to transport as it will not make a fuss in the crate.

    Considerations

    • The Humane Society states that a crate must be introduced gradually and used correctly or the dog will feel frustrated or even fearful. According to the ASPCA, there are certain scenarios when an owner should not crate her dog. These include a dog with separation anxiety, during a thunderstorm for a fearful dog, and for punishment. The idea is to make the crate a positive place for your Jack Russell.

    Time Frame

    • According to the Humane Society, a dog might become anxious or depressed if crated too long, due to a lack of exercise and a lack of human companionship. Young puppies have small bladders and cannot hold their urine as long as older dogs; therefore, a puppy should be let out of its crate at least every three or four hours for a potty break.

    Size

    • Grimsley and McKinney recommend that a Jack Russell Terrier must have enough room to stand up and turn around in its crate. According to the Humane Society, an owner might choose to buy his puppy a crate big enough for an adult Jack Russell and then block off a portion to prevent the puppy from sleeping at one end of the crate and urinating and defecating at the other end.

    Misconceptions

    • According to the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA), many owners are under the impression that crate training is similar to caging a Jack Russell and is therefore cruel. The JRTCA maintains that a crate can offer a safe haven to a dog. The crate can be a place for your Jack Russell to escape from other dogs, if you have any, if it is tired, a place to hide if it is frightened, or a place to take a nap during the day.