Re: Human attacks

In Reply to: Human attacks
Posted by:  Martha H.
Posted on:  November 28, 2001 at 00:14:29

: My one year old JRT recently bit a 4 year old child I was babysitting. The bite required 6 sticthes in the childs hand. The child was only reaching to pet him. Since then, he has tried to attack my adult sons and my husband. He used to be a very friendly dog and now I don't trust him. I hate to have him "put down" because I love him and would miss him. We plan to have him neutered within the next week or so, and also, trained by a professional. Do you have any other suggestions that might help our situation? We want to help him get over this problem. Thank you.

------------------ Response Area -------------------
Hi Martha,

The first thing I would suggest is to get this dog checked over by the vet to rule out any physical problem he may be having.

Any time a normally docile dog that suddenly turns aggressive should be looked at to make sure there is nothing wrong with him, so you can rule out illness or injury.

If your terrier had just bitten the child I may have ruled his aggression to mishandling although you say the child only went to pet him. Most people don't teach their children the proper way of handling a dog and like most terriers, JRTs don't tolerate mishandling well. But seeing that he has gone on to get aggressive with family members this is something that needs to be ruled out or in.

Getting him neutered will be a step in the right direction. Getting him into obedience school is also a step in the right direction but I think it is imperative that you or a family member go with the dog for training. Just shipping a dog to a trainer to train usually gives you a dog that will obey the trainer.

In order for you to establish yourself as the dominant member of the "pack" it will take YOU or whoever you pick to go with the dog and do the obedience work.

Also talk to your vet about a behaviorist if all physical reasons have been ruled out.

I wish you the best of luck in this, and I can understand your anguish. This is not an easy thing to deal with, keep us posted.

Good Luck!
Marie