Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Home The Girl The Dog The Chin The Hamsters The Links Pictures Email

More Information
Jack Russell Terrier Owner's Guide

Here I had put up a brief summary about the personality and characteristics of a JRT.  

1. DO NOT BUY a JRT just because you think it looks cute.

Puppies are always adorable, and that is how they get abandoned when they grew up, because they out grown their cuteness.

2. DO NOT BUY a JRT just because the pet shop sells it cheaper than other breeds.

Please do not buy a JRT due to financial constraints.  If there is any financial constraints, a dog may not be right at this point of time.  Dogs need to go to see a vet when they are ill, and these costs cannot be under estimated. Other than that, dog food and daily necessities are not cheap either, therefore, think twice before you decide to get a dog.

3. DO NOT BUY a JRT just because you think the short coat will not shed.

JRT shed everyday.  If you are one who is asthmatic or sensitive to dog fur, you may re-consider if you want a JRT.  If you really would wish to keep one, you may want to keep a Miniature Schnauzer that do not shed at all.  

4. DO NOT BUY a JRT just because it will grow up to be a small dog.

JRT are hyper active and are not suitable for apartment.  Although HDB does approved such breed to be kept, they need plenty of exercise and lots of  attention.  A house with a garden is desirable.

5. DO NOT BUY a JRT, just because you need a companion.

JRT can be a good companion but many times, JRT owners does not know why this breed is bred as such, ie. hyper activeness and  hyper vocal.  Thus they abandoned the JRT or re-home the dog.  It is traumatizing for the dog to be re-homed again.  If you need a companion, and love JRT, do read up and research more before getting one.  

Jack Russell particularly likes to "turbo", off leash them at dog runs or enclosed area for a good run.

Jack Russell likes to roll and dig, if you have a garden and do not wish to be ruin, keep them out of bounds.  They may be let out under your supervision.

They will try all their means to get what they want.  Keep your LV bags and Gucci ties in a secured place!

Look at the picture above.  Evo is socialising with his new friend.  

1. Having a dog is not to keep him at home.  

Having a dog is to built up companionship and a close relationship between you and your pet.  If you are not ready to bring him out for walks every day, think twice before your get your first dog.  

Time, Family Members and Partner opinions should be sought.  Many times one or another family members dislike the idea of keeping a dog.  Therefore, speak to them before purchasing a dog.

2. A bored dog is a problematic dog.

If you asked me what will I do if I am coop up at home 24 hours day, 365 days a year, I could describe as I am staying in a jail.  

So what if the dog gets good food?  So what he gets the best of everything?  Have the owner forgotten about The Great Outdoors?

It is good to have dogs participating in family events and bring them out to socialize with other fur-friends of their family. 

An account of a dog...

I was here for such a long time, each day I get my supply of dry tasteless food.  Although it was an unlimited access, but I have nothing else to do.  Besides sleep, I eat and later sh&%

I wished I could stay longer downstairs, all the time I finished my business, they would take me home.  I would tell myself to poo later. l should endure my poo so that I could walk longer downstairs. 

Well, sometimes I cannot control, whole day coop up at home, I could not wait to release my waste! Once I poo, there I go....back to my home.  SIGH

Once I am at home, I got no new supply of toys, I saw the delicious piece of toy at the place where they keep my food.  I chewed to my heart content.  My owner was angry with me and I was badly beaten up.  

Alright, since I could not chew on things, then forget about it, let me stop using my teeth then.  I called for people walking past me.  I called and called, no one wanted to play with me.  Again my master shouted at me and he gave me two tight slaps.  

Bad enough, so I decided not to call any more and not chew on the furniture, I was feeling real bad after being beaten. 

All of a sudden a gush of wind blew....poooooooooo there I let go a gush of wind.  Oops, I had to sh^*, I must had eaten the ants in my dish.  My master left the food there for the ants and myself to share.  My poo time was over, how could I hold till the next day?  I couldn't hold longer, I poo in the house.....my master yelled at me! I had no where hide and he chased after me with a huge piece of rod.  

I am so frightened.  I hide under the bed almost all the time.  I look at dust and hair flying through the hall, I look at their feet walking past the bed.  Food and water is always there, they top up my dish each day, but I hardly have the appetite to eat.  These days I do my business at home.  They do not bring me out any more.

I just wish I ain't a dog.   

Moral of the story

An irresponsible dog owner bring misery to another life.  If the dog owner who buys the dog because they are cute and later neglect them, a lot of problems will arise.  When they are a young puppy, most bad habit are not developed yet.  However, pro-longed negligence will lead to a problematic dog.  A Jack Russell especially requires more attention then many other breed.

  • Obedience lesson trainer DO NOT train the dog, they train the dog owners to teach their dog.

  • When the dog misbehaves, it is not the fault of the dog, the dog do not know how to determine what is right and wrong.  Higher intelligence mammals like humans should cultivate correct behavior and teach them the house rules.

  • A dog that has no exercise and regular walks will become bored.  When they are bored, they starts to bark and chew on things, as a result, create unhappiness to the owner and family members.

  • A dog must be well-socialize so that he knows how to get along well with other dogs.

STARTER KIT FOR DOG OWNERS

FOOD & SUPPLEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS PRICE
DRY FOOD (KIBBLES) & WATER
  • NUTRO LAMB & RICE
  • SOLID GOLD FISH & CHIPS
  • CANINE CAVIAR LAMB & RICE
  • Feed 3 times a day for puppies below 6 months old.  Feed twice daily after 6 months for small dogs.  Feed once for large breed after 6 to 8 months old.  
  • DO NOT leave the food available all the time.  Throw away left over.  If dog refuses to eat, throw it away, starve it for a meal, they should eat by the next meal.  
  • WATER
  • Provide fresh water for your dog ALL THE TIME.  Keep the water dish/bottle clean all the time.  Scrub it clean before you replenish water for him. If you keep topping up water without cleaning the dish, the dish will accumulate a layer of algae.  
  • 16++
  • $20++
  • $23++
WET FOOD
  • NUTRO CAN FOOD
  • ADDICTION ORGANIC CAN FOOD
  • SOLID GOLD CAN FOOD
  • CANIDAE CAN FOOD
Prices for can food does not vary too much from one another, a standard can food cost about $3 to $4.  Addiction being the best recommended can food.  (Cost: $3.80)
SUPPLEMENTS
  • SOLID GOLD COOKED BONE MEAL
  • SOLID GOLD SEA MEAL
  • EVENING PRIMROSE OIL
  • WILD SALMON OIL
  • VELCOTE (#Must for JRT, helps to reduce shedding and improve coat)
  • $22++
  • $20++
  • Depends on bottle size and capsule size
  • Depends on bottle size and capsule size
  • Two Sizes, $15++ & $50 ++ respectively
GOOD TO HAVE
  • FRESH VEGETABLES (STEAMED)
  • Select: BROCCOLI, ASPARAGUS, ALFALFA, CARROTS, GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLE
  • FRESH FISH (STEAMED)
  • Select: SALMON FISH, COD FISH, high source of Omega 3 & 6
  • FRESH MEAT (Lean Meat)
  • Select: Lamb, Beef, Pork, Chicken Breast
  • FRESH OFFAL
  • Select: Chicken liver, Pig Liver, give sparingly
 
AVOID
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Vegetables that grow under ground, such as sweet potato.
  • Fatty meat
  • Too much offal 
  • High Cholesterol food
 
DANGEROUS FOOD
  • Grapes and Raisins
  • Human Chocolates
  • Coffee and Tea
  • Onions 
 

 

NECESSITIES REMARKS PRICE (If any)
NESTING NEEDS
  • FERPLAST DOG BED
  • CRATE
  • Dog usually like to sleep in a darker place, provide him with a crate to sleep if you do not intend to get a bed for him
  • Carry your dog around 
  • Put him in the crate during car rides
  • CUSHION
  • Provide your dog with towels/cushion this will prevent him from getting joints problem at old age
  • NEWSPAPER
  • Provide news paper in the play pen for your dog to eliminate
  • PLAY PEN
  • It is good to have a play pen (6 feet by 3 feet) to confine your dog during the initial period.  Confining for the first few days helps toilet train your dog.  When your dog misbehaves, confining him in the play pen helps him to understand that what he did was wrong.
  • WATER BOTTLE
  • You may want to hang a self-dispensing water bottle for your dog.  It prevents water from getting dirty and larger amount can be left for the dog when you are out of home for long hours.  
  • FOOD DISH
  • A non tip dish for dog can be used to feed your dog.  Plastic or metal, both are desirable.  Do not use a bowl that gets topple over easily.  
  • Range from $30 - $200 depending on quality and size
  • Range from $30 - $ 100 depending on brand and size
GROOMING NEEDS
  • BIOGROOM APPLE/PEACH SHAMPOO
  • TOWELS
  • ZOOM GROOM
  • Zoom Groom helps to remove dead hair and especially useful for a JRT
  • EAR CLEANER
  • Clean the dog ears with cotton wool during each shower.  You may stuff his ears with cotton wool to prevent water from getting in during shower.  
  • EYE CLEANER
  • This is useful to clean away debris and eye discharge.  It can also lubricate the dog eyes and helps to prevent cornea ulcer.
  • NAIL CLIPPER
  • Get a dog nail clipper, clip his nails at fortnightly.  You may shower him with warm water, soak his paws in warm water, cut it while the paws are still damp.  It reduces the impact when nail breaks thus eliminating phobia for nail cutting.
  • TOOTH BRUSH & TOOTH PASTE
  • Brush your dog teeth everyday, ideally before morning walks.  He will thus associate brushing teeth with going out.  Dogs LOVE to go to the great outdoors.
 
CHEWING/PLAY TIME
  • CHEW TOYS
  • Puppies go through teething stage like humans, their gums will be sore and painful, thus they chew a lot.  Provide them with soft chew toys like rubber bones, raw hides, dental bones.  Many owners are ignorant about the chewing behavior.  Some dogs chew when they are bored. They display such behavior to attract attention even though they know they would be punished. 
  • BALLS
  • Provide your dog with ball, throw and teach them fetch. 
  • ROPES
  • You may use rugs to tie them into pleats, allow your puppies to drag them around the house, shake their head with it.  Let them indulge in fun like this.  You may also buy dental ropes, but I find them too short.  These dental ropes helps to clean your dog teeth.
  • SOFT TOYS
 
PREVENTION
  • TICKS AND FLEAS PREVENTION
  • Dogs tend to get ticks and fleas especially if they are let out to grass often.  Spray FRONTLINE on your dog to prevent ticks and fleas.
  • ANNUAL VACCINATION
  • Bring your dog to the vet, fix an appointment, get the vaccination done annually.
  • DEWORMING
  • Get de-worming tablets off shelves or from vet.  This helps to remove worms in the dog's stomach. 
  • HEART WORM PREVENTION
  • Heart worm infection is fatal.
  • Preventive medicine are given all year round.  (i.e. monthly dosage)
  • KENNEL COUGH PREVENTION
  • Front Line: $22 (Small Bottle)
  • Vaccination: $30-$60
  • Drontal Deworming Tablet: $3/pill (5kg - 10kg pet = 1 pill)

 

OTHERS
  • LEASH & COLLAR
  • Provide your dog with a nylon collar or leather collar. 
  • A walking leash is necessary.  Keep your dog leashed in the public.
  • Avoid choke chains as a collar for young puppies.  Do not leave choke collars on the dog unattended.  Choke chains are often used for training.  Remove choke chains after training session.
  • BODY HARNESS
  • If you do not like the idea of dragging your dog in his collar, give him a body harness. 
  • ID TAGS & AVA REGISTRATION
  • Get your dog registered with AVA. 
  • Engraved dog's registration number and name on the ID TAG. Most importantly add REWARD and your contact numbers.
  • Wear the tag for your dog ALL the time.
  • DOG SHOES (if injured paws)
  • If your dog has a cut in the paw, wash the cut thoroughly, apply antiseptic cream or animal cream.  Put on dog shoe for him. 
  • If the wound get worst, bring your dog to the vet. 
  • Try not to wear shoes for your dog if there is no cut.  Dog need to release body heat through tongue and paws.  You may kill the dog by wearing shoes for him!  They may die of heat stroke.
  • Emergency Antiseptic Cream
  • Get a bottle of antiseptic lotion or animal cream in case he suffer from rashes or cuts. 
 

Copy Rights 2002

Cookies n Creme Workshop

No part of the website can be reproduce.

No graphics in the web page can be used.