Jack Russell Terrior, Agression and Biting

oB1

Hi

I’m deeply troubled and saddened that I find myself composing these words, but feel so conflicted and at a loss as for what to do.

I/We have a Jack Russell Terrior, Ben, who is 5yrs old, good health and very well looked after. We’ve had him since he was a pup.

We adopted him from a local person who’s own JRT had pups. We believe he is and looks like he is a thouroughbread JRT.

I/We are animal lovers, we have two cats also.

Before Ben we had Holly, who was 14yrs old when we had to send her across the rainbow bridge. She was a very sweet and calm collie-mix.

I/We understand that JRT are naturally stubborn and at times aggressive dogs, small-man(dog)-syndrome as they say! So our predicament(s) stem from already having a good appreciation to this fact.

The only way I can summarize in a sentence what it’s like, it’s like living with a bi-polar dog. He’s sweet, lovable and a bundle of fun most of the time but is also very possessive, easily agitated and snappy when he doesn’t get his way. His “mood” can change in an instance.

When Ben was 3.5/4yrs old he developed poor movement in his back quarters and loss of control over toilet movements. We suspected the worst but thankfully turned out to be a very treatable ailment. He had a fluid-cyst on his lower vertabrae which was compressing same and causing nerve damage. He had expensive scans, tests and an operation but lead to a very successful outcome thankfully and he’s back to full health and mobility.

Most of the incidents happen when he’s brought himself to your lap or bed for a nap and then I/We have to move off the bed or sofa, he stirs and launches towards you, snarling and knashing his teeth, rarely does it end up in skin contact, but it has on occasion.

He doesn’t allow you to lift him, without launching at your face in similar context.

If you try leave a room while leaving him behind, like
manouver around the kitchen door while he stands at it, again he launches at you.

Sometimes if you even look at him in a funny way ( yep i know that sounds crazy ) he’ll launch at you with what I’d describe as a “crazy-turn” in his eye.

I’d never trust him around other visitors. Especially never with kids. It makes me sad to say this but he’s unpredictable.

I/we are softies. Giving him up really isn’t on the table as an option. He has such a sweet side.

HELP AND ADVICE VERY MUCH WELCOMED !!

aonb

oB1 wrote: »

Hi

I’m deeply troubled and saddened that I find myself composing these words, but feel so conflicted and at a loss as for what to do.

I/We have a Jack Russell Terrior, Ben, who is 5yrs old, good health and very well looked after. We’ve had him since he was a pup.

We adopted him from a local person who’s own JRT had pups. We believe he is and looks like he is a thouroughbread JRT.

I/We are animal lovers, we have two cats also.

Before Ben we had Holly, who was 14yrs old when we had to send her across the rainbow bridge. She was a very sweet and calm collie-mix.

I/We understand that JRT are naturally stubborn and at times aggressive dogs, small-man(dog)-syndrome as they say! So our predicament(s) stem from already having a good appreciation to this fact.

The only way I can summarize in a sentence what it’s like, it’s like living with a bi-polar dog. He’s sweet, lovable and a bundle of fun most of the time but is also very possessive, easily agitated and snappy when he doesn’t get his way. His “mood” can change in an instance.

When Ben was 3.5/4yrs old he developed poor movement in his back quarters and loss of control over toilet movements. We suspected the worst but thankfully turned out to be a very treatable ailment. He had a fluid-cyst on his lower vertabrae which was compressing same and causing nerve damage. He had expensive scans, tests and an operation but lead to a very successful outcome thankfully and he’s back to full health and mobility.

Most of the incidents happen when he’s brought himself to your lap or bed for a nap and then I/We have to move off the bed or sofa, he stirs and launches towards you, snarling and knashing his teeth, rarely does it end up in skin contact, but it has on occasion.

He doesn’t allow you to lift him, without launching at your face in similar context.

If you try leave a room while leaving him behind, like
manouver around the kitchen door while he stands at it, again he launches at you.

Sometimes if you even look at him in a funny way ( yep i know that sounds crazy ) he’ll launch at you with what I’d describe as a “crazy-turn” in his eye.

I’d never trust him around other visitors. Especially never with kids. It makes me sad to say this but he’s unpredictable.

I/we are softies. Giving him up really isn’t on the table as an option. He has such a sweet side.

HELP AND ADVICE VERY MUCH WELCOMED !!

My tuppence worth. Ive always had JRTs, luckily none have been aggressive/bossy, but with all dogs they like what they like, and if they find they can get away with certain behaviours, why change?

The highlighted line above is probably a contributory factor in Bens behaviour. I mean that in the nicest possible way. You're a softie, Ben knows it, you indicate that the times that Ben has been aggressive is when you are doing something he doesnt want/like - ie moving him off your lap/bed, picking him up, leaving him behind. My completely timid JRT tried growling, showing his teeth when we moved him off our bed at night (he comes sleep on our bed while we are reading) - a very cross NO! and a quick scoot off the bed and walked away from the bed calling him, helped to nip that in the bud. Occassionally he will try it again (he loves our bed so understandably doesnt want to leave) but same thing, cross NO! walk away, calling him. He gets a treat when he goes into his own bed in the family room.

I would suggest that you and Ben need to have a behavioural session, to assess whats going on, how to manage him, and how to change this behaviour.
There are far more experienced people on here who will advise, give your location, and they will recommend behaviourists you could consult.

tk123

+1 for the behaviourist but also a vet check. It sounds to me like he might be in pain? I didn't realise just how much pain Bailey is in until I was tracing around his foot the other evening measuring him for booties - the pen brushing every so gently off one of his toes kept making him pull away it's that painful for him.

DBB

Hi OP,
The first thing I'll say is well done for facing up to this problem. I hope I make you feel somewhat better by telling you that the exact behaviours you describe are pretty common amongst the terrier breeds. They are so damn short tempered that things that would never set a milder-mannered dog off will have a terrier, of any breed but particularly the smaller ones, like a bloody tasmanian devil
There's a name on what he's doing... He's resource guarding, which means that he's using force, and threats of force, to make sure he maintains access to a valuable (to him) resource... In his case, a comfortable sleeping spot. He's also, for all intents and purposes, guarding himself from sudden movements past him, and from being lifted up... An action which he very likely has developed a strong dislike for as it would have hurt him when his back was sore... It may not hurt him any more, but he still has an anticipation of pain when someone goes to lift him up. There's also the factor that lots of terriers just don't like being picked up, full stop. Being carried around puts them in a weak position where they can't feel in control of their own bodily integrity... Can't escape, can't walk away, can't avoid being brought places he may not like etc etc.
You're really looking at management here to minimise the chances of him feeling that he has to retaliate in various situations. My first and most important piece of advice to get started with is... No more allowing him on the furniture. If he can't behave himself whilst he's there, he doesn't get to use it any more.
I'd be inclined to have him wear a light lead around the house so that if you have to move him, say from the furniture or a doorway, you can do so by picking up the end of the lead and moving him... Without conflict, without confrontation, and most importantly with stubborn little terrier feckers, without having to enter negotiations with him. Once you're negotiating with a terrier, you've lost
Never leave a lead on him unless you're there to supervise his safety.
Crates, playpens and/or baby gates when visitors call, him on one side of the barrier, people on the other. Even stick him in a quiet room with a yummy chewy treat for the duration of the visit. But do not let him interact with visitors, it's not worth the risk.
These are just a few standard ways to put the ball back in your court, and to make physical management of your dog easier and safer. I would strongly suggest, however, that you enlist the help of a good behaviourist to go visit you, and to see what exactly is going on... And to tweak ideas and suggest different ways of making your dog safer in your home. As it stands, you should not rehome him... The safest and fairest option is for you and your family to educate yourselves on how to manage him so that he continues to enjoy a good quality of life, but you guys don't have to walk on eggshells around him in certain situations.
If you let us know what part of the country you're in, we can hopefully recommend a good behaviourist... There are some great ones out there, and some awful ones

sillysmiles

As it was a fluid filled cyst, is there any chance that it could be coming back? Refilling? And that he has pain that isn't obvious yet?

To me he seems to be in pain when moved suddenly. He needs a thorough checkup including bloods and X-ray. Good Luck

Ms Doubtfire1

Agree with Maryanne. vet check, pronto. Include a brain scan/eye exam

oB1

Thank you very much to all that have responded, it is genuinely very much appreciated. It's a tough one when talking about a Dog whom you regard as family.

I have taken on board all the advice and have scheduled a comprehensive vet check-up. We do get him checked on regularly considering his past ailment with his back, but they tend to just focus on that and nothing else, so perhaps there is something underlying there.

I do feel though that it's definitely behavioural. The more I read the feedback here and pay closer attention to his behaviour in general, the more I notice signs of same.

He definitely has a dominance over us, his sleeping space(s) and feels threatened when an attempt to pick him up is made.

We've begun leaving him in the Kitchen at night, where he has a comfy bed and full access to food, water and doggy-flap to get outside. He has, for the past number of nights, barked his little head off until he got his way (being brought up to bed!) - but we are trying to be more stern going forward.

We are also looking into behavioural training.

thanks to all again.

DBB

oB1 wrote: »

He definitely has a dominance over us, his sleeping space(s) and feels threatened when an attempt to pick him up is made.

Good for you OP, you're taking steps to get to grips with this!
I will, however, just re-wire you a bit of I may. This is not about dominance or the dog trying to get one over on you. The whole dogs-trying-to-lord-it-over-us dominance idea has long been debunked.
What it is about, with domesticated dogs, is access to valued resources. It's about the dog trying to keep control over stuff he likes, to prevent their loss, rather than him trying to tell you he's boss, or trying to "own" stuff because he views himself as more important or deserving than you.
It's an important distinction... dogs who worry about losing their stuff react out of fear and/or frustration when their stuff is threatened, which is an entirely different set of emotions you'd expect from a dog who's trying to be dominant, a dog who feels it's his god-given right to own the stuff, not yours. See what I mean?
Terriers hide their fear well, I'll give you that... they put up quite the aggressive display which would make you think they're mental, but in fact they're usually panicking underneath.

EPAndlee

I have one of those ar under the same agr and he's an absolute hand up and as moody. Full of energy all the time. If he's on your lap or on the sofa he'll start growling at you if you try to move him or move yourself. He'll constantly be in your face but could randomly launch and nip your face. I did think something was wrong with him but he got a perfect bill of health from the vet. I just assured it's his nature saying I won't change him for the world.

Ashbx

EPAndlee wrote: »

I have one of those ar under the same agr and he's an absolute hand up and as moody. Full of energy all the time. If he's on your lap or on the sofa he'll start growling at you if you try to move him or move yourself. He'll constantly be in your face but could randomly launch and nip your face. I did think something was wrong with him but he got a perfect bill of health from the vet. I just assured it's his nature saying I won't change him for the world.

If that was my dog, I would be getting him out of that behaviour fairly quickly. That's not a happy dog in my opinion.

There is absolutely no excuse why a dog should nip at you and for that to be ok. By saying "oh well its a terrier, that's what they do", does not make it acceptable. You wouldn't be saying that if it was a GSD or a Great Dane randomly nipping at your face but for some reason small dogs get away with this.

oB1

DBB wrote: »

Good for you OP, you're taking steps to get to grips with this!
I will, however, just re-wire you a bit of I may. This is not about dominance or the dog trying to get one over on you. The whole dogs-trying-to-lord-it-over-us dominance idea has long been debunked.
What it is about, with domesticated dogs, is access to valued resources. It's about the dog trying to keep control over stuff he likes, to prevent their loss, rather than him trying to tell you he's boss, or trying to "own" stuff because he views himself as more important or deserving than you.
It's an important distinction... dogs who worry about losing their stuff react out of fear and/or frustration when their stuff is threatened, which is an entirely different set of emotions you'd expect from a dog who's trying to be dominant, a dog who feels it's his god-given right to own the stuff, not yours. See what I mean?
Terriers hide their fear well, I'll give you that... they put up quite the aggressive display which would make you think they're mental, but in fact they're usually panicking underneath.

Thank you! Solid advice.

This is not about dominance or the dog trying to get one over on you. The whole dogs-trying-to-lord-it-over-us dominance idea has long been debunked.

You're definitely right here. I think what I was trying to convey was the fact that it's perceived, to us and to others who hear my story, that Ben is trying to assert dominance over us. But he's not. He is, as you say, trying to protect his

access to valued resources

.

Terriers hide their fear well, I'll give you that... they put up quite the aggressive display which would make you think they're mental, but in fact they're usually panicking underneath.

His little heart beats so fast in situations like this, so I see what you mean!

oB1

Ashbx wrote: »

If that was my dog, I would be getting him out of that behaviour fairly quickly. That's not a happy dog in my opinion.

There is absolutely no excuse why a dog should nip at you and for that to be ok. By saying "oh well its a terrier, that's what they do", does not make it acceptable. You wouldn't be saying that if it was a GSD or a Great Dane randomly nipping at your face but for some reason small dogs get away with this.

I do agree somewhat. When he acts out like this, he does not seem happy. But what I question is, has it been our own miss-management of his behaviour that leads to this position? as in, is it our own fault for not correcting his behaviour and being too nice, in these aspects by letting him sleep where he wants etc etc...

oB1

EPAndlee wrote: »

I have one of those ar under the same agr and he's an absolute hand up and as moody. Full of energy all the time. If he's on your lap or on the sofa he'll start growling at you if you try to move him or move yourself. He'll constantly be in your face but could randomly launch and nip your face. I did think something was wrong with him but he got a perfect bill of health from the vet. I just assured it's his nature saying I won't change him for the world.

This, pretty much in its entirety, is what Ben is like also!! - This is where I revert to it being his breed of dog that certainly aligns his behaviour in this way.

stargazing123

I have a 6 year old male jack russell . This bi-polar thing u say? Ya well he might have it too. I have had him since he was 6 months. To me he is the most lovable dog ever. I can rub him,play with him even grab his paw. I adore my dog but then sometimes out of the blue he gets these days when he just isin't himself. He growls and shows his teeth(that's really scary btw) and then you can't touch him for the whole day cause you are afraid to get bitten. He has bitten my parents several times before, he has never bitten me but he has snapped. I guess you just have to learn what your dog does and doesn't like. Like know he's space and when he wants to be by himself. Know when he just wants to lie down and not be touched or bothered. If you learn those little things about your dog he should gradually become less aggressive. However snappy a jrt may be I think they are pretty good guard dogs and are very well behaved when told so.

dunnerc

stargazing123 wrote: »

I have a 6 year old male jack russell . This bi-polar thing u say? Ya well he might have it too. I have had him since he was 6 months. To me he is the most lovable dog ever. I can rub him,play with him even grab his paw. I adore my dog but then sometimes out of the blue he gets these days when he just isin't himself. He growls and shows his teeth(that's really scary btw) and then you can't touch him for the whole day cause you are afraid to get bitten. He has bitten my parents several times before, he has never bitten me but he has snapped. I guess you just have to learn what your dog does and doesn't like. Like know he's space and when he wants to be by himself. Know when he just wants to lie down and not be touched or bothered. If you learn those little things about your dog he should gradually become less aggressive. However snappy a jrt may be I think they are pretty good guard dogs and are very well behaved when told so.

Seriously you really should get lessons on how to train your dog .

stargazing123

dunnerc wrote: »

Seriously you really should get lessons on how to train your dog .

You think I haven't tried that?? Since you have been on every post I have submitted maybe you would have figured out that we didn't have the dog when he was a pup. We do know one thing though that he was kicked as a pup so that would signal his aggression. When you are finished reading that maybe you should get lessons on respecting other peoples opinion.

deadlybuzzman

When someone says jack Russell this is what I think of!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bclo0-7Byx7/

DBB

Stargazing123, pipe down please. If you've a problem with a post, report it. However, you can see that the poster you're taking issue with has already been dealt with, so there's no need for you to do so.
Thanks,
DBB

dunnerc

stargazing123 wrote: »

You think I haven't tried that?? Since you have been on every post I have submitted maybe you would have figured out that we didn't have the dog when he was a pup. We do know one thing though that he was kicked as a pup so that would signal his aggression. When you are finished reading that maybe you should get lessons on respecting other peoples opinion.

Fair enough but why try to wrongly make out all jack russells are aggressive
and they all hate cats ?

em_cat

Hi OP

It might be worth while asking your vet to do a CBC, Thyroid and Cortisol levels check?