End Of My Tether JRT Bitch

[Wasrandyra]

You may have read a few posts about my JRT bitch. She is just over 2 years old and is very submissive.

I have had her check by the vet several times and there is nothing physically wrong with her she is as the vet said - an 'under-dog'.

She will submissively urinate if you go to stroke her ?? so I have stopped people from fussing her when she is like this as it only compounds the behavior. She yelps at nothing, then urinates then rolls on her back and submits.

We got a patterdale about 7 months ago as a pup and when he was small she ignored him, would steal his toys and not really want to know him. Having had a few weeks in seperate cages while she has been in season I let them out in the garden together yesterday.

The patterdale was bouncing all over the place desperate to play and all she does is cower, urinate and run away. He hasnt hurt her or anything like that she just seems to be playint the victim card.

I had another terrier before with her and she ran through the same behavior to the poit where it was embarrasing and looked like I had been beating her.

I got rid of the other terrier and sa soon as the the dog had gone she was cheerfull and playing and not really submissive.

I have had enough of her because it is an ACT. She is driving me mad and I REFUSE to get rid of the other dog because he hasnt done anything wrong and its just her.

She spent all day yesterday sulking in her cage because he was out in the garden, wouldnt eat her food and just sits there with a front leg up, trembling.

Any bright ideas please, I am really really FED UP.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I think you ae being a bit harsh on her. My 8 year old GSD is very submissive (thoughnot as much as your bitch), she really doesn't like contact with other dogs apart from those she knows really well, and even with those usually chooses not to play much.
I woludn't make a big deal of it with your JRT, call her out to play and if she doesn't want to come just ignore her, but if she does come make a big fuss of her. How long since she finished season, its worth keeping an eye out for any further discharge in case she has any sort of infection. As your vet says sounds like she is just an under dog and you will have to put up with it, but I wouldn't think it was an act, after all some people are painfully shy and they can't help it.

 

[AmyMay]

OP, this is some kind of wind up, right?????

 

[Wasrandyra]

No it isnt .

 

[AmyMay]

Well, I don't know what to say then really. Other than suggest perhaps that you re-home your timid dog with someone who has a better understanding of animal behaviour.

I'm well and truly shocked at your attitude.

 

[Wasrandyra]

I don't want to re-home her thats why I posted on here - for some helpful suggestions. All I want her to do is stop being so timid and enjoy her life as there IS NOTHING BAD hapening to her.

Why are you shocked at my attitude, at least the other person who has responded has offered me some suggestions.

 

[hellsdarkrose]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I don't know what to say then really. Other than suggest perhaps that you re-home your timid dog with someone who has a better understanding of animal behaviour.

I'm well and truly shocked at your attitude.

[/ QUOTE ]

You have said exactly what I was thinking Amymay.

I don't want to gang up on the OP but you need to be more understanding of your dogs problems. Maybe you need to take the dog to some kind of behavioural therapy.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
I have had enough of her because it is an ACT.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dog's dont operate on this level.

[ QUOTE ]
She spent all day yesterday sulking in her cage because he was out in the garden, wouldnt eat her food and just sits there with a front leg up, trembling.

[/ QUOTE ]

This describes a dog that is very withdrawn and timid.

[ QUOTE ]
Any bright ideas please, I am really really FED UP.

[/ QUOTE ]

Get rid of the patterdale, as she seems to have a problem with other dogs. You described her as happy when she was the only dog.

And if you are not willing to re-home the patterdale - rehome her to a ahome where she is an only dog.

 

[Wasrandyra]

Right.

Thanks a lot then, I dont know why I bothered I shall just get rid of them both because I am clearly a cruel misunderstanding owner who doesnt give a sh*t about my animals.

That way then it will be someone elses problem and I can just wash my hands of it.

Job well done thanks for your help.

 

[AmyMay]

Grow up!

 

[Patches]

[ QUOTE ]
Right.

Thanks a lot then, I dont know why I bothered I shall just get rid of them both because I am clearly a cruel misunderstanding owner who doesnt give a sh*t about my animals.

That way then it will be someone elses problem and I can just wash my hands of it.

Job well done thanks for your help.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know it hurts to hear an answer that isn't quite what you had in mind. It's obvious you enjoy playing with the Patterdale and the interaction you can get with him.

I'm sure you wish you could have that fun with your little girl, as it must be sad watching her not to join in.

However, AmyMay does have a very valid point. If you're not happy with the situation with your timid girl and she's clearly not happy either, then something needs to give.

It's not really fair on either of you to not be enjoying your lives together. I imagine she would make a lovely pet for a nice retired couple. A quiet house, not much goings on and the sole pet. Even though you don't want to have to part with her, surely you can picture the scene and see that your dog would be happy to be in that environment?

If you wanted a second dog, you could then have a new companion for the Patterdale.


Good luck.

 

[Wasrandyra]

May be you just give up on your animals when there is a problem but I do not, hence my request for HELP.

You are obviously someone who rubs people up the wrong way for fun without actually wanting to help them and if that is your 'attitude' then Id be greatful if you could keep your opinions to yourself.

Of course dogs cant 'ACT' but I was trying to explain her behavior. Next you will be accusing me of dog abuse.

Meanwhile I will do something constructive and speak to the vets and see if there is a posible infection after her season and perhaps sort out a dog training group where she can build her confidence and socialise gradually.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Meanwhile I will do something constructive and speak to the vets and see if there is a posible infection after her season and perhaps sort out a dog training group where she can build her confidence and socialise gradually.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that sounds like an excellent idea.

 

[Wasrandyra]

Thanks Patches. It's just I would rather come ot a happy medium than just palm her off. I think it was the wording that P'd me off the most.

She loves going for walks with him and then run around together quite happily its just at home the submissive behavior is without 'reason' as such and over the top.

Lets see what happens eh x

 

[Patches]

That sounds like a good plan.

I used to own a Patterdale (well he was the ex-hubby's) and she was quite a dominant, and really aggressive dog. She would turn on my Cocker Spaniel without warning.

I'm not saying yours is of the same mentality, but maybe finding a nice quiet dog or two at a class might help your little girl to see interaction doesn't need to be rough and tumble.

 

[Wasrandyra]

No, he is far from aggresive (unless you are a sock) but he is quite bouncy, but then he is only 9 months old.

 

[Patches]

Yup. How long have you had her? Did I miss that in the previous post?

Some dogs are quite happy to be in their own company. Duncan, my now hubby, had a dog called Jack when I met him. Nice enough dog, but he was quite stand offish. Not nasty or overly shy, but he would rather not be made a fuss of and would get out of the way. Your girl is just very extreme and I'm sure it's disheartening to see her react as though she thinks you're about to offer her up as a sacrifice!

Problem I find is that Jack Russells are quite cute and small and people (well children) often think they are a play thing which can be babied.

 

[Patches]

My cocker used to eat baby socks!

 

[Wasrandyra]

I have had her since she was 6 weeks old, she was weaned early as her mum had mastitis.

She is not pure Jack, she has quite a bot of whippet blood in her but is really small and dainty.

It is really embarrasing when people come round because she crawls up to them wagging her tail low and urinates. She behaves like I have beaten her within an inch of her life.

i have asked people NOT to stroke or greet her until she is out of 'dead possum' position.

 

[Aru]

by the sound of things you dog is just a very submissive underdog..thats her personality and although you may be able to increase her confidence levels with interaction with ppl (as in wait til she has done her submissive display before petting her and let her come to over to greet ppl an her own time) urination when stoked is a common problem with submissive dogs
im afraid shes likely never going to be a "pack" dog.
Shes a submissive who is always going to feel like shes at the bottom of the pack
In someways id say she is afraid of the other dogs as she considers them dominant to her and this will probly only get worse as the puppy gets older and becomes more dominant over her..so shes scared and submissive around him and all other dogs...i no it maight llok like shes "playing the victim" but she cant help her behaviour its just the way she is...

as advise id say if you want this dog to feel comfortable you need to find a way where she wont have to interact with the other dog unless she choses to..
or if you are determint to keep the pattersdale and have no way of giving this girl her own space id rehome her as a sole dog in the household...by the sounds of things shes a happier little dog when shes on her own with her family

 

[skinnydogs]

You won't change he way she is, my friend has a little terrier x who is just the same.
Have you tried rescue remedy in her water? This could help to chill her out a bit.

 

[Wasrandyra]

No I havent, might give it a try - would have to be on her food though .....

 

[nona1]

ACtually i think dogs can act (not that I think this is happening here...)

This bit 'and just sits there with a front leg up, trembling.' made me laugh because it was exactly the act my JR bitch used to put on for strangers when she wanted some fuss and attention. She was a perfectly normal happy confident dog really, but if she caught a sympathetic eye (especially of a little old lady), good lord, you'd think she spent her whole live living in a cellar being beaten hourly. The pathetic little cocked face, the shaky paw being held up, the trembling body (she nearly fell over once) - it was 100% act and very funny.

 

[christine48]

We had a little terrier x bitch who was similar (didn't urinate though). We had 2 other dogs at the time. They would come into the lounge etc but she just laid on her bed and cowered if you tried to fuss her or get her to come into the loung with the others. Out on a walk she was a different dog and would play with others.
It may be that the patterdale isn't the ideal companion as he is quite dominant and she may have been better with another less dominant companion.
Have you ever watched the dog whisperer, cesar milan on tv? He has worked with dogs with problems like yours and done wonders, de sensitising them etc. The main thing he says like you is never show affection when they are in that nervous state as you are nurturing the behaviour.

 

[3Beasties]

I have never owned a Bitch but would spaying her help?

 

[Bens_Mum]

Arrrr my terrier Peanut is exactly the same complete with little puddles! Funny thing is she will happily beat up the two rotweillers given half a chance, steal their food and go for the cat. So yes i'm with nona1 its 100% acting!