This is from a website on training terriers (all breeds) and it definitely speaks to the issue of using a leash all the time. I have underlined the specific paragraph that refers to this question (I will post a link on a board addressed to the whole website on training):
"Jack Russell owner Dean Williamson shares a few tips from his experience living with this breed as well as other terriers: Dean says that JRT?s are very pack-oriented and need a clear understanding of where they fit in their human family?s pecking order. Without firm rules to follow, they will put themselves in charge of your household. Crate training is essential to successfully living with a terrier, Dean says. Your JRT should sleep in his crate at night, not in your bed. At dinner time, it?s important that your family, and especially your children, finish their meal before the dog is fed.
"If your dog begs or gets into mischief while the family eats, put him in his crate.
"Both Dean and Pam remind owners that no matter how much training they do, their terriers will never be dependable off leash because of their deeply rooted hunting instincts and natural impulsiveness. Their instantaneous reaction to anything that looks like it should be chased or investigated causes them to completely forget their training. Instinct will always override their owners? commands. Therefore, Pam says, a terrier owner should never depend on obedience training when the dog is in a potentially dangerous situation.
"Dean stresses that active terriers need an exercise, play and obedience session every day to keep them manageable. He agrees with Pam that hitting or spanking a terrier just doesn?t work, it only makes them stubborn and aggressive. Instead, use psychology and remember their strongest motivation in life is to have fun ? you must make it fun for them to do whatever it is you want!" |