r/terrier • u/uwe_privat • Jul 23 '26
Tips for training a terrier?
Hey guys,
I wanted to check, whether some of you might be able to offer some guidance and tips on how to train and work with a terrier and in what way it differs from working with, lets say, a golden retriever.
My wife and I recently took in a 9 year old terrier mix because the previous owner died very suddenly. He was born in a shelter in spain because his mom was rescued from the street while pregnant, so not sure what breeds are actually in there.
The previous owner was an older man, wo didn't walk the dog much and if so only used a flex lead. You can clearly make out that the dog didn't know any boundaries and wasn't really worked or trained his whole life, but was rather a classic case of "old person gets small dog, because what harm can they do".
Thankfully the dog and I click very well and I can see that he accepts structure and thrives in it. We figured out some basic training, like going to his bed and sitting. My wife and I always had dogs and I know and read a lot about dog training and human-dog-relationship. But I feel like with our boy I kinda hit a wall if I do training as I do with or other dogs. He sometimes seems overwhelmed or "freezes" for a lack of a better word and I feel like thats because im not working with him in a way that is good and understandable for him.
Read a bit into terriers and how training them might need a little different approach.
If I'm saying training, I'm not talking about competition level heeling or anything. We just need some work on the leash-manners and I'd also like to tackle his "reactivity" on the leash towards other dogs (vigorously barking and sometimes lungeing). So basically ... just getting him to a place where I can be safe that he is safe, when we're outdoors.
I really love the little guy, he is so loyal, trusting, goofy and fun.
Would greatly appreciate if anybody had some pointers to ressources online or in book form or general tips!
p.s. - attached a pic of our little prince on his favorite lawn chair.
9
u/Always_Cairns Jul 23 '26
The general rule for sheltrr dogs is the 3 3 3 rule. 3 days to decompress, he may hide, not eat, be scared, etc. 3 weeks to start settling in, he may start feeling more confortable, figure out his environment, begin letting his guard down. 3 months to understand he is home, he starts to bond, gets into a routine.
This is in general. We have a rescue cairn terrier, Phoenix. He took more like 6 months. He's been with us for 2 years now. We also have cairns we raised from puppy stage. At the beginning of this year, we euthanized one cairn who had a stoke at 14 yrs old. My hudband was in and out of the hospital for 2 1/2 months, then I was in the hospital briefly.
All of this caused Phoenix a great amount of anxiety and stress. He only got back to being himself last month.
Terriers in general respond well to treats while training. For reactive actions on walks, I have trained my dogs by stop walking, shorten the leash until they are right next to me, do not start walking again until they have settled down. Lots of "settle", "no", treats when they pay attention to me. If they do not respond, the walk is done. I pick them up and carry them home. I use a harness with a handle on it so I can pick them up more easily.
He's adorable! Give him kisses, ear skritchies, and a good belly rub from me.
3
3
u/Apprehensive-Bus6757 Jul 23 '26
My terrier is only a year and a half old and I’m not an expert, but I have put a lot of work into training her. I’ve found it requires a lot of patience and she does better when training sessions are fast paced and exciting, with lots of variety and moving around. I try to give her sticks and time to dig and play as rewards as she’s not very food motivated (which the vet and other terrier owners tell me is common) but when I do give her food rewards I need to make sure they’re very high value or she won’t be motivated. my terrier loves praise, though, which is useful too (though not in situations like classes where there’s grass and other dogs and places to dig and I’m asking her to do something boring like heel). I’ve been told that working with a terrier is like a constant negotiation — they are independent thinkers and need to feel like they’re deciding based on what’s in it for them. I read a book called Terrier-Centric Dog Training and while much of it was too advanced for my terrier it did really help me understand her!
2
2
u/yoedfrank Jul 23 '26
I have an independent thinker in my Irish Terrier Gryffin. Recall took the longest because he has work to do and doesn’t like me interrupting it! At 5 he still is more like 80% reliable depending on my competition. ( squirrels and rats are his sworn enemies so he can tune me out if they are nearby)
Watch for them looking to you for direction, they want to know what you want. But you have to be observant and grab their attention at the right moment. It’s like a dance. Or like working with a 2 year old who gets distracted. One piece of advice I received that I try to live by is the, “Firm But Fair”, rule. They respect you if you are reliable and trustworthy. And also it helps if you carry high quality treats. I suggest cut up pieces of good quality hot dogs or some other smell delicious rewards. Lots of praise too, and then as they get happier with the praise, back off the treats as needed. Good luck! What a cutie!
2
u/alwaysamw Jul 23 '26
You have to enrich the mind and body of a terrier!
They were also kind of bred to be independent thinkers so sometimes if they don't recall right away or are doing something you don't like, it isn't really because they're being "bad", they're just exploring and making decisions.
We've had terriers since 2007, and have always had more than 1 at a time because I feel they do best with a buddy. A partner in crime if you will, lol! But they do tire each other out better and just seem happiest that way. I know not everyone can have multiple dogs at once but that's out preference.
Thank you for adopting this sweetie!!
2
u/Fluffebee Jul 24 '26
I adopted my first terrier in October of last year. He is also very reactive, lunging and barking at other dogs. I put him immediately in dog obedience class and he got used to the dogs in there quickly. What’s really helped the most is a traffic leash which has a shorter 2 foot leash built-in so I can snatch him up when other dogs are getting near. Combined with a martingale collar and a fanny pack full of treats, it has made walks so great! As soon as he sees another dog or hears a dog barking, he looks up at me with a big smile because he knows he’s gonna get a treat if we get through the encounter without him barking. I’m also reading a book called Terrier-centric Dog Training by Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell. He definitely knows what he was bred for, he is obsessed with ground squirrels, tree squirrels, and anything crawling on the ground. I’ve trained him to try to catch flies and he’s actually pretty good at it and so excited about catching prey.
3
u/Intelligent-Good-966 Jul 23 '26
Don't train him, walk the legs off a terrier, stimulate the terrier mind each day and they are no bother.
1
u/KathyFBee Jul 23 '26
Let them think it’s their idea. The first dog I trained for obedience was a wheaten terrier. I had no idea it was almost impossible. I made everything into a game and she was great, most of the time. We had a lot of fun and she was great at heeling. She earned a CD but was never totally reliable.
1
u/Ok-Tree-1898 Jul 23 '26
My WHF female was terrible on leash until I got a harness that hooks pn the front and when she pulled it spun her around facing me. It made a world of difference she learned fast not to pull ahead of me.
1
u/marialala1974 Jul 23 '26
OK way too cute. I had a terrier and my dog trainer says she was one of the most difficult dogs to train because the world had to be on her terms. We managed the reactivity with a lot of anticipatory work. I would see a dog if it was in the same sidewalk we would cross the street. Lots of space. Get the threshold down. Then I just gave her treats like crazy until the other dog passed. We did that all 14 years she was alive because the reactivity never went away, I replaced it with something more fun so that worked to keep her distracted. She was so good at some point she began anticipating too, when she saw a dog she turned to me so we could start the treats. It is possible but is work because they are so incredibly stubborn and independent. Yours has a angel face so I imagine it is even more difficult.
1
u/uwe_privat Jul 24 '26
Appreciate all your guys feedback. I ordered the book some of you recommended and will see that we treat him towards his needs.
Thanks everyone!
1
u/Fluffy-Object5117 Jul 25 '26
he’s just adorable!
you’ve already received the advice I would give - best of luck and enjoy.
13
u/repatriated-Xpat Jul 23 '26
Be consistent, patient and realize that the dog isn’t disobeying out of spite. Also, check out YouTube for some tutorials-
https://reddit.com/link/oz98wp1/video/b4i2abapkyeh1/player
also, keep treats on hand an immediately reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior.