Question:We just got 2 Jack Russell pups..one female and one male and we are going to have the male neutered but at what age can you do this...also I must say I only wanted ONE but we ended up with both..and before we took them I was under the impression they were paper trained but I guess they were when they were a little younger (they are 10 weeks now) but the people had them outside most of the time. So me and the kids are chasing 2 pups around constantly trying to watch so they dont pee but as soon as you are looking one of them goes and no one knows which one so I cant do anything. The only other problem Im having is what is the best method for getting the dogs to come..like they will run around and for the most part stay right here but once in awhile they start running down the drive or up in the field and dont come so you chase them which just makes them run around some more...help!
Answers:
Oh, I saw something on a talk show about this and teaching a a dog to come when called. You're supposed to call it's name, and everytime you say it's name you give it a treat. Then you start going farther away and if it comes when you say it's name, give it a treat. You keep doing that over and over until he associates whatever his name is with something good, and then you won't always have to give him a treat anymore. It takes a lot of patience though.
As for getting them neutered, I'm not sure how long it is. Three months? Possibly six? You should just call up the vet and ask and they'll tell you how old the pups should be before getting them fixed.
Good luck with your new dogs.
Being a JRT owner sucks. ^.^ Get used to it. Anytime after 4 months and before 6 months is a good time. I think spaying your female would be a good idea as well.
You can have him done at 5-6 months. You may also want to spay the girl too, as she'll bleed at every heat cycle.
BTW what your describing is typical jrt behavor, they are balls of continus energy, they need constant actvities, ie chasing a ball, digging, jogging, dog parks ect.
the earlyest u can get them neuterd is 3 or 4 months!! i know this cuz i as well had to get my puppy neutered n the vet wanted to wait intill he was at lest 3 or 4 months
the usual time to neuter a dog is about 6 months. however, you can talk to your vet about having it done sooner if you want to. it can be safely done on dogs as young as 6 weeks.
training a dog to come to you is necessary. in your case, I think it would be best to go to a puppy obedience class, because terriers, esp. Jack Russells are very strong personalities, and have their own opinions. and when you are trying to deal with 2 of them, you are really going to have your hands full.
I know about house breaking, but all I can suggest is that the pups weren't paper trained at all. why would they be if they were kept outside? so, for now, it's probably best to keep them confined in the kitchen (that's what people usually use, since the floor is easy to clean) while they are inside. you can use pee pads, or newspapers if you really want to, but my opinion is that if you can teach the dogs to go outside from the start, it will save a lot of comlpications later.
proper use of crates would be advantageous in this matter.
Some vets will do pediatric spay/neuter. Your vet can tell you the best age for their size and health. I would recommend getting the male dog neutered by 4 months of age and the female done by 5 months. This way you won't run into any early heat cycles or premature maturation of gonads and have puppies on your hands.
Get them into puppy obedience class when they get their rabies shots. And try crate training them - leave them in the crate for most of the day - they can come out to play for an hour or so, potty outside, eat and then back into the crate. This will help get them on a schedule.
alot of peole are giving you false information - talk to your vet - it is not safe for yourdog to be fixed at 3 onths - to young for the anesthesia - 6 months is good but before 9 months if it is female cuz they can start their cycle and it is harder for them with the increase of blood vessels once they mature to that point.
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