Pete n Kaye

I forgot to mention that we have only met Jack the once, when he came to our place for us to meet him. We pick him up this w/e. I have blanked off the the lower 1.2m of the cage which might help. We have yet to find how quick a learner he is and we have yet to "bond". Yes, it was all very strange and exciting for him. No prizes were given! I believe being consistent is a key to training and agree that trying to make it fun is also important. Thanks for your reply.

We are in the process of adopting an eight year old Jack Russell cross as company for our other 2 ½ yo dog after the passing of our 15 yo JRX recently. We've met "Jack" and he's great, full of energy and easy to pick up and seems very good natured and compliant and gets on well with our other dog BUT he appears to have had no training. He responds to his name (sometimes) and will sit on command with a bit of help. Nothing else, No "Come" "Stay" "no" or "Leave!" which we consider the bare minimum for safety. He pulls on the lead and goes where he wants and is fixated on getting to our caged parrot. Only way to desist is to physically pick him up, struggling all the way, only to have him run back as soon as he is released. We believe we will be able to train him to answer to the basic commands but does anyone have any idea of how to deter him from fixating on the bird? We have chooks behind wire too but he hasn't found them yet! I know it is in the nature of the breed to run after flapping things but is there any way to moderate this behaviour? Thanks in advance!