Being a cross between the Pug and the Jack Russell Terrier, Jugs are a fairly active breed of dog. This being the case, you need to provide them with plenty of daily exercise – at least 30 minutes once a day.
If you have a fenced yard where your dog can run around, that is great, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a substitute for taking your dog on a walk at least once a day.
If you do not take your Jug for walks often enough, he is more likely to develop “small dog syndrome.” This is especially common in small breed dogs like Pugs and Jack Russell Terriers – they eventually become very dominant and stubborn and may be less likely to respond to commands.
Dogs that don’t get enough exercise are also more likely to develop problem behaviors like chewing, digging, and barking.
Some tips for giving your Jug extra exercise include:
• Play a game of tug-of-war with your dog in the house.
• Engage your dog in a game of hide-and-seek.
• Play fetch with your dog outside in the back yard.
• Take your Jug to the dog park to play with other dogs.
Playtime is important, especially for a dog’s natural desire to chase. Try channeling this instinct with toys and games. If a dog has no stimulation and has nothing to chase, they can start to chase their own tail, which can lead to problems.
Toys can be used to simulate the dog’s natural desire to hunt. For example, when they catch a toy, they will often shake it and bury their teeth into it, simulating the killing of their prey.
Allow your dog to fulfill a natural desire to chew. This comes from historically catching their prey and then chewing the carcass. Providing chews or bones can prevent your dog from destroying your home.
Playing with your dog is not only a great way of getting them to use up their energy, but it is also a great way of bonding with them as they have fun. Dogs love to chase and catch balls; just make sure that the ball is too large to be swallowed.
When picking out toys for your Jug regardless of his age, don’t get anything soft and “shred-able.” Jugs can be regular engines of destruction!
I recommend small chew toys like Nylabones that can withstand the abuse. You can buy items made out of this tough material in the $1 – $5 / £0.59 – £2.97 range.
Deer antlers are wonderful toys for Jugs. Most love them. They do not smell, are all-natural, and do not stain or splinter. I recommend the antlers that are not split, as the split ones do not last as long.
Never give your dog rawhide, cow hooves, or pig’s ears. The rawhide and pig’s ears become soft and present choking hazards, while the cow hooves can splinter and puncture the cheek or palate.
Avoid soft rubber toys that can be chewed into pieces and swallowed. Opt for rope toys instead. Don’t buy anything with a squeaker or any other part that presents a choking hazard.