Experienced Jack Russell people - advice please!!

[Lulup]

My mother recently got a JRT from a rescue home. He is approx one year old and on both occasions that we saw him he was a bouncy, happy and beautiful natured little dog.. until a few days of being home! We have had him vet checked, castrated, vacc and dew claws removed so really no physical excuse.

He lives with my mother but I see him most days as we tend to walk our dogs together every evening. He is clearly a little anxious and retreats to his bed whenever my mother isn't around, but at other times he is either very dominant or has fear aggression. He can be quite happy one minute and growling at you the next - sometimes he'll come to me for a fuss and then I'll notice that he is baring his teeth at me (and has bitten me when I didn't immediately remove my hand). When my mother was out for the day I went round to walk him and he wouldn't come out of his bed until he saw his lead - when I let him off the lead in the local fields he became very unsure of me and ran home.

Yesterday we had been out for a walk together in the morning and when I popped round in the afternoon I sat down on the sofa and put a hand down to stroke him as I was chatting to my mother and he flew at me - he was positioned almost betwwen my feet/knees as I had sat down and so he was jumping and snapping very near to my face - I leaned back and calmly suggested to my mother that she REMOVE HIM ASAP!!

I have smacked him previously when he has growled at me and sometimes he has immediately come creeping up to me and started nudging me with his nose as if to make amends - other times he has hidden behind my mother and watched me from behind her legs. We have also tried removing him from the room when he does it.

He is like this with everybody that comes into the property - in fact he is better with me than most other people because he sees a lot of me.

He is fab on walks/great with other dogs/good with our cats and generally adorable but we are all becoming increasingly wary of his cantankerous nature - at this rate he will soon be back in a rescue home which would be very sad.

I know that JRT's are known for big attitude and can be bolshy but this is like treading on eggshells - Suggestions?

 

[Booboos]

I am not an expert, but I would say that JRTs are known for their independent streak not for their aggression. What you describe is or at least potentially could be very dangerous behaviour. What do the rescue centre have to say? They should be able to tell you whether he exhibited this behaviour before and what steps they took to get him over it, or refer you to a very experienced dog trainer to assess the dog and help you deal with him.

Good luck with him and do be careful.

 

[PucciNPoni]

I'm not going to offer you anything of use other than a bit of sympathy. Yesterday I got bit by an older JRT bitch that decided that no, she would rather me NOT do her anal glands, thank you very much. Or touch her feet...and god forbid I do her nails! The bit on my finger didn't seem too bad til last night - so now when I see a JRT (or a post about) I cringe. In the case of the dog that bit me, my opinion, FWIW, is that she's always been allowed a position of dominance. And now at 13, she's very set in her ways. I hope this dog of your mum's doesn't become like this (if she's not already).

Best of luck.

 

[Lulup]

It was more of a local pound really - he had been brought in as a stray. They thought he was lovely - and he was. He was in a kennel so I suppose he hadn't had a chance to become possessive over anyone/anything - it was only once he'd been in a home for a few days that he started to show his less charming side. We haven't actually contact them yet - I imagine that their advice would be to have him PTS - they wouldn't have rehomed him if they realised what he could be like.

 

[WoopsiiD]

It sounds like he is trying to assert himself in the pack.
Small dog=BIG attitude.

It could well be that he is unnerved. When we saw our first ESS in the dogs home she sat at the back looking like a right miserable old cow. As soon as we got her home-well! She was loving and loyal.

You say you have had him a few days? He has been moved from one place to another, poked, prodded and lost his manhood. Hopefully its all just a bit overwhelming for him and he will settle.

In the mean time I personally would keep putting him in his splace with a sharp tongue and if needs be a smack-OMG did she really condone smacking?? Yep. Let him no the ground rules and that stepping out of place is not on.

Then....wait for Cayla to come on line and PM her!!! She is the oracle on all things canine!

 

[CAYLA]

I have experienced this exact behaviour many times over with J.r.t's to be honest, we usually get hand ins like this when the dog has been spoiled to with an inch of their lives and they begin to get above their station upon any chastising, be it an "off the chair" or any command they will challenge, esp as they have been allowed to display a behaviour for so long and then they are commanded or forced to stop.
Is he ok with your mam i.e he never shows aggression to her, and what does she do when he does this to other people?
As suggested smacking will get u bitten in these scenarios? a slip lead will serve u well though, can explain.
You need to do a little work with him maybe training and treats to gain his trust in a more respectful manor (i.e)him having to respect you to get a reward and associating you more positively.

 

[s4sugar]

Cayla is correct and a slip lead is an essential tool along with the ability to not re-enforce unwanted behaviour.

 

[tweedette]

I rest my case on rescue dogs , I do not support rehoming and putting animals under such duress, they are better off pts.

 

[reindeerlover]

I rest my case on rescue dogs , I do not support rehoming and putting animals under such duress, they are better off pts.

Uh-oh, can open, worms everywhere......

 

[Brownmare]

I rest my case on rescue dogs , I do not support rehoming and putting animals under such duress, they are better off pts.

All the dogs I've ever had, bar one, have been rescues and they have all been lovely dogs who have given us years of pleasure and companionship. I don't think a little bit of upheaval is worse than pts by a long way - no worse really than older dogs who are sold for breeding. Enough said.

OP - In addition to the advice above (NOT instead of) I would advise getting his back checked. My parents rescue terrier was exactly like this and turned out to have pretty severe back problems, probably caused by being picked up by the tail and / or being kicked / attacked by a bigger dog. Now she just has a grumble if you touch her bum but is much happier and more relaxed than before.

 

[Vikki89]

I rest my case on rescue dogs , I do not support rehoming and putting animals under such duress, they are better off pts.

Completely disagree with this.
We rescued a dog, she was a couple of days away from being pts. She was such a loveing dog, was nervous if we saw any men with sticks out on walks but she overcame this and she had many happy years with us until we sadly lost her a couple of years ago
Months after Sox past away we rehomed a JRT (through a private ad not a rescue home) He was fine with the move and is happy with us.

Would have been such a waste if they were pts!

 

[CAYLA]

I rest my case on rescue dogs , I do not support rehoming and putting animals under such duress, they are better off pts.

What u do not support the rehoming of rescue dogs full stop?

I don't believe in selling pups or dogs 1st hand to ********s, as this is where the dog/pup encounters most of it's lifes stress.

I do maybe support Pts for a behaviour that is not workable or mentally disturbing for a long standing rescue in a certain environment.

What I would love to see is a death sentence for those (humans) who disturb the dog in the first place, something cheap like burning, shooting, battering with a blunt object, starvation.....something like this/along those lines.
That way they can never get another dog, its fail safe, bans don't work

 

[LoopyLouise]

I rest my case on rescue dogs , I do not support rehoming and putting animals under such duress, they are better off pts.

What a load of rubbish name me a breeder that matches pup to owner home checks and is there to help for the whole pups life.

Plenty of rescue dogs find loving new homes and live out their lives being loved and part of a family.

rescue centres test the dogs to make sure they are suitable for rehoming if not then the dog is pts or rehabilitated.

Maybe if the breeders stopped breeding every chance the got or where a bit more fussy about who bought their pups then there wouldn't be so many dogs in rescue centres.

 

[s4sugar]

Actually many breeders do exactly that - they refuse sales if the home isn't "right" and they take back at any age if required.

They also support breed rescues,.
Puppy farmers breed to sell, breeders breed for their breed. I haven't had a litter for 13 years but still do breed rescue.

The Panorama farce (and if was found to be false in parts) played right into the puppy farmers' hands -as if the public wasn't already ignorant enough about how to purchase a puppy & what to look for they got conned that cross breeds are healthier and swallowed it hook, line & sinker.

Sorry for the rant but I've just had another basset brought in - 8 month old and from a place that states;-
"Born on the Premises?
Always check whether the puppy was born on the Breeder’s premises. If it was bought to sell on it may have been bred from a puppy farm. At Little Rascals all our puppies are born on the premises."
- with 23 litters available now. (not all born there)
The owners (marriage break up) didn't think it was a puppy farm as it was smart and the website was professional.

 

[tweedette]

What I would love to see is a death sentence for those (humans) who disturb the dog in the first place, something cheap like burning, shooting, battering with a blunt object, starvation.....something like this/along those lines.
That way they can never get another dog, its fail safe, bans don't work

now!! that sounds like a plan!!! then there would be no dogs in homes which needed rescue - result.

We often refuse even to discuss our dogs if we feel the person getting intouch is unsuitable, spent too many years working with them to let some idiot get hold of one, and yes, we always take back dogs who for one reason or another- divorce, new baby, lost job blah blah .

 

[echodomino]

What a load of rubbish name me a breeder that matches pup to owner home checks and is there to help for the whole pups life.

Actually me for one, and I've become even stricter after being unfortunate enough to have had 2 puppies from separate litters returned to me. All my puppies go to their new homes with information folders, as much history as I can provide and on the proviso that for what ever reason, big or small, I will take puppy back at what ever stage of it's life.

It is also a load of rubbish about rescues too. I grew up with a rescue Staffie x and she was one of the best dogs we've had.

I have Jacks but mine have all been with me from puppies (I bred 2) so not had the problems OP mentioned. Unfortunately don't have anything else to add, it seems covered

 

[MurphysMinder]

As above, there are plenty of breeders who do this Loopylouise. And if people only bought puppies from such breeders I reckon there would be a lot less dogs in rescue, I wish people would realise that.

 

[MurphysMinder]

S4sugar, think little rascals have been discussed on here before haven't they. Just looked at the website, suprise , suprise another "breeder" where you can pay by paypal.

 

[tweedette]

If the person who was purchasing a pup from us and they were suitable owners, I would refuse nothing but blows in payment , paypal, cheques or whatever, does it really matter how they pay, its who they are buying form that the issue and what happens to the pups after wards which is a concern. I like owners to keep in touch, any problems get in touch with me, cant keep it any longer, send it back . I dont want my babies passed from pillar to post.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I would say always be careful of towering over or overcrowding a JRT, if you think of how big you are to them, looming about them can be very scary for them, especially with a rescue dog whose history is unknown. The most important thing I found with my jacks, was socialisation - from when they were old enough they were taken out doing things, meeting people etc and that means I trust them implicitly. However I still wouldn't let a stranger crowd them, they are hot wired to make snap decisions and in a position of fear their response is almost guarenteed to be attack.

I would give him more space and be very careful with your reprimand as IMO jacks are tough as old boots and you wont teach them anything with a cuff..

 

[Lulup]

Thank you very much for all your replies - threw up some interesting points!

Having lost my beloved GSD in September after 13.5 years my mother and I both decided we would like to have another dog each. I opted to buy a pup from a breeder and my mother decided that she wanted to rescue an unwanted dog. It is no surprise that my 4 month old Border x Cairn pup is a brilliant natured and obedient little chap because he came from a very sensible breeder who was careful over temperament and I have been able to tailor all his experiences in life so far to help him become a confident and happy dog. The JRT is not so lucky and has undoubtedly had a rough time of it in his short life.

We did think long and hard about these decisions and decided to buy one/rescue one. It became very apparent while scanning puppy ads that a lot of those breeding were clueless amateurs just trying to make a few £££'s and it is fairly predictable that a percentage of what they produce will end up in undesirable situations because they were bought without due research and consideration. The rescue homes that we looked at were full of staffs/mastiffs and other big dogs that were unmanageable because they had no doubt been cute pups bought by people with no idea how to bring them up correctly. It is breeders AND buyers that are at fault - good breeders can spot the idiots buyers and won't sell to them and good buyers can spot the idiot breeders and won't buy from them. Take a bad one of each and that is where the problems arise.

Anyway - with regard to rescuing a dog I think you have to be prepared to deal with some issues, but you have to decide which issues you are happy to accept and work on before you take the plunge. My mother was happy to accept housetraining/lead training/general training/socialising but we said no to aggression because she is not a particularly 'dominant' person and it would worry her. Typically the JRT has proved to be ideal in every other way but does have aggression issues!

He has been with us for 6 weeks and he is pretty much exactly as Cayla describes - challenges you when he feels threatened or is asked to do something he does not want to - and if I smacked him I think I would get bitten on some occasions - and I am not sure that it would change his opinion that people are sometimes a threat. I have given my poor mother some very strict guidelines on how to assert herself as his pack leader as I think that is the key - he is pretty good with her. She does tell him off or send him out when he threatens people but she is not used to dealing with it and is not always quick/consistent enough with her reactions but she is determined to try because she would like to keep him. Can you please explain the slip lead idea to me?

 

[paddi22]

we took on my parent's jack russel when she became too much for them. she had started growling, snapping and being too dominant as they spoilt her. it didn't take too long to change her behaviour, we just set down really strict rules on what she was allowed to do, like she couldn't walk in front of us, or go through doors before us, we made her sit and wait for food. We got some tips on good body language to use with dogs to reassure your dominance. After a while she settles down, and is a much happier dog now she feels like she doesn't have to be in charge.

 

[EAST KENT]

What a load of rubbish name me a breeder that matches pup to owner home checks and is there to help for the whole pups life.

Plenty of rescue dogs find loving new homes and live out their lives being loved and part of a family.

rescue centres test the dogs to make sure they are suitable for rehoming if not then the dog is pts or rehabilitated.

Maybe if the breeders stopped breeding every chance the got or where a bit more fussy about who bought their pups then there wouldn't be so many dogs in rescue centres.

Excuse me..but I do!! I am told it is difficult to buy one of my puppies,but once owners are approved they get life long back up;the puppies are NDTR tattooed..so the breeder(ME) gets told if they go astray and I can then pick up from any shelter etc.
AND I do my bit with Bull Terrier Welfare as well,picking up the blameless ones that other not so fussy breeders have sold.At the moment we have nine here..ANYONE??...so PLEASE DO NOT put all of us breeders in the same box!!

 

[EAST KENT]

AND BREATHE!!
As to the little JR,it lacks leadership! That is why it is so nice and apologetic after an incident.Watch some Cesar Milan vids..use the training,wear leather gloves if needs be,be silent but dominate by rolling it over onto it`s back during an incident..hold it there until it goes limp,say nothing.It is only little,you hold it down by it`s throat and sternum,it must NOT be allowed up until it goes submissive limp.Once up ,ignore for five minutes..then call it to you for a rub. It will not take much to make this little one heave a sigh of relief for finding a pack leader to respect,it takes the whole family to be involved..but by golly it works!
But watch those vids,it is training I have always known..sort of join up for dogs..but this man explains it so well.

 

[kerilli]

I'm not even going near the can of worms up there about rehoming. Ugh.
I have lots of JRTs, all with great temperaments, all different but none has ever been aggressive, so, I don't think it's a characteristic of the breed at all.
It sounds as if he's trying to be dominant. I'd use my voice loudly and sharply on him if he did that to me, then praise when he's nice again. I'd probably get a gauntlet or similar to impress him with, so that IF (god forbid) he tries to bite you again, he grabs the gauntlet and does you no harm...
If he's defensive/aggressive (frightened, so trying to assert himself quickly etc) I'd ask visitors to give him a little treat and gentle fuss immediately, as long as he's being good and nice.
I wouldn't pts, poor little guy is just misunderstood and confused imho.

East Kent's advice is excellent, btw.

 

[prosefullstop]

I would say always be careful of towering over or overcrowding a JRT, if you think of how big you are to them, looming about them can be very scary for them

I agree with this. While Stella (my Boston) hasn't met a person she didn't adore, she is much more receptive if they come down to her level.

The dog sounds a little like the rescue Golden/Cocker I had for a while. He guarded me, and was aggressive to larger women and dogs, especially in his space. He attacked my Boston and bit two female guests to my home. He'd been a stray for about a year and obviously abused by a larger woman before that. He loved men, though, and largely in the interest of protecting my small dog, I gave him back to the rescue--with a very heavy heart, believe me--and they found him a home with no pets with a gay man. He is doing very well. Does the JRT show aggression to men and women?

Edited to say: My experience has not put me off rescuing. In fact, my pug (a re-home) has been an absolute joy. It HAS put me off the rescue we used, but there are many incredible groups in NYC that do thorough behavioural assessments, and that is what I'd use in future.

 

[MurphysMinder]

If the person who was purchasing a pup from us and they were suitable owners, I would refuse nothing but blows in payment , paypal, cheques or whatever, does it really matter how they pay, its who they are buying form that the issue and what happens to the pups after wards which is a concern. I like owners to keep in touch, any problems get in touch with me, cant keep it any longer, send it back . I dont want my babies passed from pillar to post.

My point about paypal was why would anyone need this method. Surely they visit the breeders several times before they take the puppy, so why not pay face to face. To me paypal smacks of "mail order" puppies.
Sorry to hijack OP, hope some of the good advice can help you. Re the slip lead, I think what the people who mention this mean is that you should use a slip lead rather than put your hands to him and risk being bitten, e.g. you want the dog to move off the furniture, pop a slip lead over his head and move him off, he cannot argue and he is less likely to snap than if you picked him up to move him,.