Many of the trainers at Pikes Peak Obedience Club felt that in general, terriers were more of a challenge to train. As for the idea that some dogs within a breed could vary in trainability, our two Jack Russell proved that theory. My daughter’ s dog, Alexis, was very cooperative when it came to training and loved to work for treats. My dog, Cookie, learned just as quickly, but securing her compliance needed a different approach than simply using treats.
Can you guess which one is Cookie and which is Alexis?
but securing her compliance needed a different approach than simply using treats.
A particular problem I had with Cookie’ s sit was that the dog wouldn’ t comply with my command unless I first showed her the treat. I had done research on Jack Russell Terriers and learned they were independent working dogs used to chase foxes out of their dens. Their independent nature and breeding to take charge over another animal appeared to be what Cookie was doing with me— taking charge.
Seeking training solutions with Cookie, I asked different trainers at PPOC. One trainer in particular, Janice Dearth, who went on to be an author of training books and online courses, an AKC Rally and Obedience judge, as well as a lifetime member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors( NADOI), had some ideas. Janice had successfully trained a Fox Terrier for obedience. Janice talked about the importance of the“ watch” cue. But unlike some trainers who verbally gave a watch cue and then lured the dog’ s attention to their face with a treat, Janice taught her dogs to offer eye contact without a verbal cue.
Janis with Danny, her Fox Terrier
Many of the trainers at Pikes Peak Obedience Club felt that in general, terriers were more of a challenge to train. As for the idea that some dogs within a breed could vary in trainability, our two Jack Russell proved that theory. My daughter’ s dog, Alexis, was very cooperative when it came to training and loved to work for treats. My dog, Cookie, learned just as quickly, but securing her compliance needed a different approach than simply using treats.
Janice explained how she began the“ watch” training at home. She’ d slip some food for a treat in her own mouth, and when the dog chose to look at her, she’ d spit out the treat for the dog. I tried this to get Cookie to choose to look at me, and found it helped to create a better, more cooperative relationship with my dog.
However, Cookie still wanted me to present a treat before she’ d comply with commands. To solve this, I began to set treats around the house out of visual and physical reach of Cookie. I’ d stop by a treat she couldn’ t see on the counter, turn toward my dog who now often watched me, and ask her to sit. Since I didn’ t have a treat in my hand, she still would not sit on my verbal cue alone.
I didn’ t say anything about her lack of response, but instead, I’ d pick up the treat and repeated my request for her to sit. Seeing the treat in my hand, she sat, and I verbally marked her correct behavior. But before I fed her the treat, I’ d put the treat down, then pick it up again. If she’ d gotten up from her sit, I’ d ask her to sit again, and again mark the sit again before handing over the treat. Soon Cookie anticipated me picking up a treat and began to sit on cue, without me having to show her the treat. Eventually, I was able to fade the treats altogether.
Cookie had other training challenges. In general, I’ d say she had a“ stubborn streak.” I got to thinking since mules have a reputation for being“ stubborn,” perhaps an accomplished mule trainer could help me solve some of my training challenges. So I called up one of the top mule trainers in the country at that time. I talked to Brad about issues with“ stubborn dogs” and asked him if he’ d share tips he’ d learned to train mules. Brad flatly said,“ Mules aren’ t stubborn.” I rechecked my contact information to make sure I was
Photos: Peggy Swager The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Summer 2025 19