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Re: Biting

 Posted by:  Heather Reid
Posted on:  October 29, 2001 at 20:25:25

In Reply to: Biting
Posted by:  James Dee
Posted on:  October 29, 2001 at 20:02:05

Question:

: My JRT just recently had to be put down. He had been aggressive since a puppy, even though went spent a lot of time with him loving him, playing , and a great dealof exercise. Within the last year he viciously attacked me in the face and I required stitches to closeupboth wounds. This last time I required 46 stitches and a plastic surgeon. What went wrong with him? He could cuddle upto you and be so loving and yet without warning bite you. Not a growl, no hair standing upon end, nothing. When he bite you sometimes his eyes rolled back even. The vet did a through check over him and found nothing. Has this ever happened to anyone else? I loved him a great deal and miss my companion. He would of been 2 in November.
: Thank you
: Jim

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Hi Jim,
I am so sorry to hear about your boy, and the heartbreaking time you had raising him. It sounds to me as if you did the very best things for him, and despite his aggressive tendancies, I am sure he loves you very much.
Sometimes these things do just happen, and there's nothing we as humans can do. Aggressive dogs are often the product of poor environments, but genetics play a role that environment can not overcome. I would think from what you have told us, that your terrier had some aggressive dogs behind him and unforunately, the result of those genes came out in him.
Fortunately, most JRTs are not like this in the right environment. If you decide to love another terrier, I would suggest you buy from a breeder who breeds for working, confirmation AND temperment, and one where you can spend a lot of time with the parents (grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc. if possible) and litter before you decide to buy. Or adopt a thoroughly temperment-tested adult terrier from Russell Rescue. Those are not guarantees, but they're darn good insurance.
Our thoughts are with you.
Heather