[busymilo]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and my name is Nelius. I have a three year old Jackrussel which is dearly loved by our family. Problem is that we have to close him in a room when we have visitors visiting us due to his his angry behaviour. He has once bitten some of our friends while she was sitting on the couch. He jjumped off the lap of my sister in law and approached the couch and bit her 3 times I am afraid that he might bite a child and do not even think of what the consequences would be should this happen:shock:. Has somebody perhaps experienced the same behaviour as this by your dog?

[Lunareclipse]

We did have one person on here who had an angry JRT. I believe he attacked her other dog. There are two that live across the street from me and they are mean also. I don't think I know a nice one. I'm sure there are nice ones out there, but I haven't met one yet.

[cigwyllt]

Jack Russells are my favourite breed of dog. They are extremely intelligent but they can also be very anxious and if they feel insecure they will try and take the initiative and take charge of the situation.

You need to show your dog that you are in control. You need to do this by being calm and refusing to be intimidated by his behaviour. You also need to show your dog that he is not number one in your household - that he is bottom of you family hierarchy.

These things will help you to get your message across:

Greet it last - when coming in to any room or from a trip out the dog should be ignored (no eye, vocal or physical contact) until everyone else has been greeted & you are ready to receive the dog, then the dog should be told to sit & wait, then after a few seconds a happy 'good doggy' vocal command. I don't use treats if I am lowering their status, I found that to be too conflicting.

Feed it last - Regular mealtimes are not a normal aspect of a dog in the wild & I employ this in my daily routine. All the humans are fed first at every mealtime, then if there are any other pets in the house, whilst in the process of lowering a dog down the pack they should be fed next & the dog last. I would also vary the times of it's meals to, so it gets the message that he/she has to depend on you for food completely. Mine get their meals at a different time everyday, they never know when their meals are coming (just like in the wild) it's a great way of maintaining respect (I'm only talking a few hours here or there not starving them until the last minute)

Neutralising the dominance - when another human the dog should be put on the floor (preferably via a houseline -long indoor lead that can be worn for extended periods) totally ignored or if needed put into another room completely(not long though just a minute at the most), let the other person sit down where they want then reintroduce the dog by just opening the door & totally ignore it until it's settled, then just a vocal 'good doggy'

The houseline is essential for you to keep control without risking being bitten yourself. You need to protect your dog from situations that stress him so that he bites and you need to protect your guests and family from his behaviour so a line will give you full control

I have never found these methods a quick solution, it takes a lot of time, effort & commitment on yours & the rest of the households part, but it does have very good lasting results, you get out of it what you put in basically. All of these things can be done in a calm, relaxed manner without behaving in an aggressive way towards your dog.

[busymilo]

Thanks for the advice which i will follow.

[Lara's mom]

Is this behaviour something recent or, has your dog always been that way?

[furryfriend]

How old is your JRT? How long have you had it, and has it had any obedience training?