I have just started groundwork with my 1 year 9 month old male Jack Russell Terrier. I wanted to get more detail about the signs that I should be looking for so I know that he is “calm and submissive” in his crate and ready for the next step.

He will normally always be laying down when I enter the room he is in. He then stands and waits for me to open the crate. Before I do I make him sit/lay down and then I open it. I also worked with him so he doesn’t charge out the crate anymore. After he comes out he normally sits and waits for me to leash him to go out. He is already good with sitting and letting me go through doors first and slowing his pace down when we go up and down stairs. My only concern is his barking. I am about a week into groundwork and for the majority of the time he is quiet but then he will start barking for a few minutes and then be quiet again for longer periods of time. I think it is related to the amount of exercise he is getting. I’m trying to do my best but taking him for long walks in the Chicago during the winter is difficult. Should he not be barking at all when he is in the crate in order to move forward to being leashed in the house?

Thanks,

Andrea

An hour a fetch in the hall, twice a day, should tire him out.

Hi Andrea,
Sounds like he is progressing nicely. As long as you do not let him out of the crate when he is barking (ie you are wating until he is calm before letting him out) I think you could probably move on to tethering.(JMO)