Terrier Breed Toys

Jack Russell Terrier, Wire-haired Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, etc.

Start early training using a knotted rag or rope playing retrieving games. During early training/play sessions you will need a variety of toys to keep your terrier's interest. Start with knotted rags, ropes, working up to plastic bottles and more exciting items once your terrier has learned to retrieve. The goal of all early training is to place those instincts under control. The worst toy to start with would be a soft stuffed toy or a rubber squeaky toy! A terrier would most likely not return to you with the toy but rather would take it elsewhere and crush, shake and kill the toy since terriers were breed to kill small vermin.

Chasing is something most dogs love to do so it’s best to channel that behavior onto an appropriate toy and not cats, rabbits, squirrels, or deer, etc...  Genetics and previous learning gives opportunities for the chasing instinct to develop, but the environment we establish gives the dog the opportunities to practice this behavior. How does the dog perceive their role within the environment and what are the dog’s expectations of how to act? Dogs need to learn self-control and self-modulation before they are free from restraint and restricted access just as in housetraining. So first we need to remove the possibility that the dog can chase cats, rats, rabbits, deer, etc. Remove the practice!  

With a high prey drive dog the focus should be on putting those instincts under our control. The question is, has the dog’s exercise and training been designed to put those instincts under our control? Or has the training been designed to make sure those instincts are completely out of our control?  When we structure activities like chasing things we often do so with the purpose of directing that behavior onto appropriate things which can be great. In reality we often are strengthening that behavior making it completely out of our control. We want to make chasing permission based.

Flirt poles can be a great part of the training. But when using it make the chasing permission based. This must be done in small steps over a period of time. I trained my dogs to stay in a spot while I walked to the other side of the park (300’) all the while having the toy scamper along the ground like a squirrel.  The dogs were given a release command (permission) to sprint to the other end of the park to engage in chase. 

We also want to add brakes on the behavior by teaching dogs a recall off chase, and a running wait/emergency stop or as I like to call it “stop-on-a-dime”.  Additional training should focus on a free running recall, and a recall with a “leave-it” distraction. Ideally we want to teach this by 16-weeks but the majority of dogs never were taught these lessons so it will take more management and time to be successful.

Do not overdo it with young dogs since they are still growing and vulnerable to injury. Check with your veterinarian for guidance.

I also like fetch games but we also incorporate permission based chase. Choose toys based the training and breed type of the dog.  https://www.homeskooling4dogs.com/breed-specific-dog-toys

Your trainer should be able to help you structure fun games for you and your dog to help put those instincts under your control. (Without an e-collar!)

Toys to Entertain: Interactive treat dispensing toys to entertain and keep them busy.

Airedale Terrier

American Hairless Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Australian Terrier

Bedlington Terrier

Border Terrier

Bull Terrier

Cairn Terrier

Cesky Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Irish Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier

Lakeland Terrier

Manchester Terrier

Miniature Bull Terrier

Miniature Schnauzer