we just rescued a 6 year old Jack Russell from a breader. she had been cagged for the six years. How do I get her to eat, drink outside the cage. She is not used to a lead so taking her outside has not been working, she has been going in her cage as well. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

Aw! Bless you for your rescue! Being a JRT owner, I'd say that it's just going to take some time and consistency from you.

I'd try working at one thing at a time...like setting her bowl of food outside the crate door and see how she does. Then move it a bit further away a little bit at a time until you get it to where you'd like to have her eating and drinking.

The potty training is going to be the same...LOTS of consistency. Taking her outside often and routinely for a while until she figures it out. Offer up lots of praise and love when she does something that you want her to do. Jacks are really smart dogs (and VERY food motivated) so with some love and maybe a few small treats, it won't take her long to figure it out.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by alicjah

we just rescued a 6 year old Jack Russell from a breader. she had been cagged for the six years. How do I get her to eat, drink outside the cage. She is not used to a lead so taking her outside has not been working, she has been going in her cage as well. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

You are going to have to treat her like she is a puppy and doesn't know anything because she really doesn't. But being that she is older she will learn faster than a puppy. I suggest mixing canned food with hard food to get her to eat. You might even have to go out and get canned cat food, the smeller the better. As for getter her use to the lead I would start her with running around the house with the leash behind her to get use to it. Believe me all the time is worth it she will be the best dog once she figures out her live has changed for the better. I foster dogs for a rescue and once you get though to them, they are the most loving dogs ever.

We just got a rescue lab/terrier mix 2 months ago. She was 10 months old when we got her and she was not house trained what so ever!! She still isn't. As for her food...if she is hungry/thirsty she/he will come out of it's crate. When you take her out of the crate does he/she drink any water that is left outside of her crate? Or is the food/water still in her crate? Take it out - the dog will go to it. It might take a little time but he/she will not starve him/herself. As for crate traning..your guess is as good as mine. We never had a dog that old to begin with. We always bought 8 week olds - very easy to potty trian. We have our little Bella in a crate that was way too big. She poos/pees in it constantley! I have been reading alot of topics on this site and came to the understanding that the crate can't be too big for your dog. I just went out today to Home Depot and bought mesh wiring for her crate. We made sure that she only had enough room to turn around and lye down. Her crate was huge where she would just walk around her mess. I am hoping this does the trick! Never had a small dog before. I hope this is of some help to you.