Though Jack Russell terriers can be high maintenance, they are actually a wonderful breed of dog. They need exercise, enrichment, and attention – a lot of attention!
With the right sort of management, you and your dog will have many years of fun together. These dogs are intelligent and you will need to channel that intelligence through fun activities in order to keep them feeling like pets and not prisoners.
So after some consideration, here are some of the great things that you and your Jack Russell can do together.
1.) Take a walk
Like just about any dog, a Jack Russell will enjoy taking walks. There are a few things that you will need to do in order to make sure that the walk is fun for you and your dog.
Always keep your dog on a leash – unless you are in an area that is designated as being okay for dogs to be off-leash – and train him or her to walk by your side. This not only keeps the dog safe but also keeps people and other animals safer as well.
Walk them regularly every day, preferably at the same time each day in order to make it part of their schedule.
2.) Training
A Jack Russell will thrive in a training environment. As long as you can make them feel like they are a part of the process, they will enjoy following your commands and doing tricks for you.
Start off with basic commands such as sit, stay, and down. Once they have mastered these commands in a quiet setting, you can then start to add distractions to really make it interesting for both of you.
Add some distance between yourself and the dog and see how far you can get him or her to listen.
3.) Hide and Seek
This is a great game for any breed of dog. Simply hide behind a door or under a chair and let your dog come find you.
You can even hide from him or her behind the door or under the chair as well to really get the full experience.
This will not only help to teach them how to be more observant, but it will also build their confidence levels and help them to feel more secure with themselves.
4.) Tug of War
Tug of war is an excellent way to build up your dog’s muscles and keep them from getting bored. This is a good game to play during the winter when it is too cold for them to go outside.
5.) Scavenger Hunt
This is a great game for just about any breed of dog. You can find items around the house or even buy new things specifically for this game and spread them throughout your house or yard.
6.) Swimming
Many breeds of dogs love the water whether it be a pool, a lake, or even just a bathtub. This will help to keep your Jack Russell busy on hot days and will also be a good way to help them relieve any excess energy that they may have built up.
7.) Chase
Chase is one of the most fun games that you can play with your Jack Russell. To play, all you have to do is show your dog a toy or something else that he or she would like to chase and then run away from him or her.
As long as you do not make eye contact and run away from them, they will continue chasing the item until they can no longer continue because of exhaustion.
8.) Fetch
This is a fun game that you can play with small dog toys such as a tennis ball or a Frisbee. Simply throw the toy into the water for your Jack Russell to chase it, retrieve it, and play with it – or throw it out again for him or her to retrieve again.
9.) Hiking
This is a great outdoor activity that you and your Jack Russell can enjoy together. Make sure that you wear proper hiking attire as well as bring water for yourself and your dog to drink as it can become very hot during the summer months.
10.) Take a Drive
Jack Russells enjoy riding in the car. This can be a great way to keep them occupied while you are driving around or running errands. Make sure that you bring along some of their favorite toys and also make sure to have a dog car seat ready so that they are safe and comfy.
11.) Play with a Toy
Just about any toy will work as long as you properly train your dog to play with it. You can also use this game to teach some basic obedience commands as well.
12.) Take a Vacation
After the end of the summer months, take a vacation somewhere fun for you and your Jack Russell. Pack up stuff for both of you and check out new places together. This will be a great bonding experience that they will always remember fondly.
13.) MasterChef
Bring your Jack Russell to the kitchen with you while you are cooking dinner and let them watch you cook. This will help to keep them occupied while they wait for dinner and will also be something that they will enjoy watching as well.
14.) Invite a Jack Russell companion over
This is a great way to get your dog some company as well as have your Jack Russell socialize with other dogs. You can do this with a friend’s dog or even go to the local dog park and play with other Jack Russells.
15.) Grooming Time
One of the best ways to keep them occupied is to brush them because this helps to remove any excess hair and tangles. It will also keep your Jack Russell healthy and clean.
Conclusion
There are tons of activities you can do with your Jack Russell dog that will be a blast for both of you.
Of course, having a dog is not all fun and games; it means bringing a life into your home and being responsible for their safety and welfare. You have things to take care of, aside from just playing around and spending time together with your pet dog.
There’s something really special about having your Jack Russell around, giggling, making funny noises, and snuggling with you on the couch. The bond you share with your Jack Russell is unique and special, but it’s easy to forget what your Jack Russell really needs when it comes to their health.
Luckily for you, we’ve put together this list of fun activities that will help keep your Jack Russell happy and healthy.
Of course, there are many more things that you can do for your dog that are outside of this list – but these 15 suggestions stand out as some of the most enjoyable that even the most forgetful pet owner can remember.
