Terriers fighting

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snurse

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My two Jack Russells have started having serious fights. They are 1) a neutered dog aged 4 and 2) an unneutered bitch aged 18 months. This started recently, and seems like a battle for 'top dog'. Or it could be something to do with me, since they only do it when I'm with them - jealousy? Some people have said to let them sort it out, but it looks too serious - grabbing and shaking and blood everywhere. They don't do it all the time - only 3 times in all - but I'm getting worried. Any advice/similar experience?
 
Either muzzle them, keep them seperated or get rid of one. Sorry to sound harsh but terriers are bred to fight and kill things.
 
I think you need to rehome one..
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Either muzzle them, keep them seperated or get rid of one. Sorry to sound harsh but terriers are bred to fight and kill things.

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Ditto.

Meanwhile if they lock on in a fight please don't try to pull them apart, you'll do damage, get a saucepan of water and throw over them, should seperate them. Try to stop the fights before they start and don't pick one up if you think a fight is brewing...it will make the other more aggressive..just put them in their place even if you have to use a horse whip. Cruel to be kind I'm afraid.
 
If your worried or its common then do as the others say..
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but we occasionally have all 5 terriers together and fur does fly as they sort each other out...
 
Our terriers fall out for random reasons but i can safely say when they are really going for it it wouldnt matter what you threw over them they dont stop for nothing, they are to physically part (usually this is where my blood is drawn!). Luckily it doesnt happen too often!!
 
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Our terriers fall out for random reasons but i can safely say when they are really going for it it wouldnt matter what you threw over them they dont stop for nothing, they are to physically part (usually this is where my blood is drawn!). Luckily it doesnt happen too often!!

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Blood has been drawn on our two boys too but I guarentee a can of cider or beer over them would seperate them!
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Thank you all. I don't want to rehome - I've always had several dogs, but never 2 terriers. I expect disagreements, but these 2 really go for it. The only thing that separates them is dropping the whole bundle in the bath and turning the shower on. I think I'll try just to keep an eye on the situation and not show favouritism to either. And I'll keep something handy like a stick or a whip.
 
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Thank you all. I don't want to rehome - I've always had several dogs, but never 2 terriers. I expect disagreements, but these 2 really go for it. The only thing that separates them is dropping the whole bundle in the bath and turning the shower on. I think I'll try just to keep an eye on the situation and not show favouritism to either. And I'll keep something handy like a stick or a whip.

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I recently fostered a dog, which I'd hoped to adopt, but he attacked my Boston Terrier twice, once drawing blood, and there was no way I could risk him seriously hurting her (he was three times her weight). He is now living it up with two gay guys--no other dogs, no kids--and is progressing well.

Have you tried squirting your dogs with water (with a touch of vinegar added to the mix)? One in 1000 dogs my girl will get into one of those Tasmanian devil scuffles with (all noise, but no intent) so I squirt her in the face. I have also used it to break up scuffles between other dogs, when the owners have being dancing around, trying to grab collars but to no avail. It has worked every time. It seems to snap them out of that attack mode. Another idea is throwing a blanket on them. If the shower works for you, chances are the water bottle will.

As Cesar Milan says, you want to be calm when dealing with "game" dogs--Pits, Terriers etc.-- as they often respond to violent intervention by becoming even more determined.
 
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Just get out the walking stick and they soon stop...and if they dont....woe is them
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Mums would never quit if you smacked or hit them, the water shocks and if that doesn't work cider stings their eyes so they have to stop! Not nice and don't do it unless you have to but with ours the one JRT is twice the size so could do alot of damage to the little one. Having said that we control it now thank god.
 
if they definitely only do it in front of you, just start yelling and growling at the top of your voice the moment they start. if not, separation i'm afraid.
i keep 4 jrts together, both sexes, all ages, and they get on fine. the odd tiny squabble has made me yell at them (as above) and they don't do it again... good luck!
 
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if they definitely only do it in front of you, just start yelling and growling at the top of your voice the moment they start.

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Yep, stop it before it starts!
 
Thanks again, folks. At the moment, I'm trying to stop anything before it starts - poor b*****s aren't allowed to growl at all! The personal alarm sounds like a good idea. I'm happy to use water etc. but they will start in unfortunate places, like my bed. Anyway, I'm keeping a very close eye. My friend told me her mum's terriers fought off and on for about a year, then suddenly became best friends, so I'm hoping..
 
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Thanks again, folks. At the moment, I'm trying to stop anything before it starts - poor b*****s aren't allowed to growl at all! The personal alarm sounds like a good idea. I'm happy to use water etc. but they will start in unfortunate places, like my bed. Anyway, I'm keeping a very close eye. My friend told me her mum's terriers fought off and on for about a year, then suddenly became best friends, so I'm hoping..

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Being that they're having aggression problems, I wouldn't let them on your bed at all. Have you tried doing NILF?

My friend has a warring chihuahua/Jack Russell mix and a Boston Terrier, but has had tremendous success with this approach.
 
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