Raising our Jack Russell Terrier Puppy: things we've learned

Gumbo is now three month's old.  He's our second Jack Russell puppy.  Both puppies were 8 weeks old when we brought them home.  You would think that after having our first one for almost 15 years, we would be pros at this. Not so!

Here are some new things I've learned with this puppy:

Despite all the toys we bought him at Petco, his favorite "toy" is his upside down stainless steel supper dish that he likes to move around like a hockey puck all over the kitchen floor.

I learned new uses for Vicks Vapor Rub:  it keeps him from chewing on the underside of the kitchen cabinets.  Just dab a little on your cupboards every other day or so.

Speaking of chewing, I learned that a washrag which has been wetted and left in the freezer provides the poor dear some relief while he's teething.

Trying to ward off his bites?  Zap him with a squirt gun when he misbehaves.  It definitely gets his attention.  Never underestimate the importance of "time outs".  Put him in his X-pen and walk away. This is what really hurts his feelings and hopefully gets him to behave next time.

Worried about hawks swooping down and grabbing your little puppy while he's going number one or two?  Here's the answer we found helpful: use garden lathwork over his X-pen to form a protective shield.

It all goes to show that you can teach an old human a new trick.