Re: Children

In Reply to: Children
Category:   Aggression
Posted by:  sylvia
Posted on:  January 28, 2002 at 16:37:11

: I have a JR that is 1 year five months old I have had her since she was three months at which time my son was two years old they have always seemed to get along fine until recently of course my son loves the dog to death and would sometimes hug the dog a little too hard but the dog never seemed to mind it. The two have always been supervised so I don't understand why all of a sudden a change on the dog's part..

: Recently, the dog has become very agressive around my son actually trying leaping out at him and trying to bite him whenever he comes near to try to pet her. I am actually frightened of the dog now I don't feel like I know her anymore... She is good with me and my husband.

: We all love the dog to death and would like to keep the dog however my son's safety comes first. I am wondering if they will ever get along again or if we need to find a new home for her. This is our first JR. Are they known for not being good with children.

: Advice please.

Response:
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Hi Sylvia,

Your terrier is now mature and what a puppy might have tolerated well from a toddler a mature terrier won't. This is not a very "forgiving" breed when it comes to small children's sometimes rough handling whether intentional or not.

She is probably also trying to show her dominance over him and view him as another pack member. If she has alpha tendencies it would be pretty common for her to view him as someone she might be able to position herself up the chain of command.

I strongly suggest you spend time teaching your son proper dog handling. Get her spayed if she isn't and enrolled in obedience school it is much easier to give a dog a command and have it obey it than to deal with lots of behavioral problems.

Please if you can, try and get a copy of the book I am going to recommend. The title is "Childproofing Your Dog" by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. You can get it in paperback or at least try and get a copy from your local library. The paperback only runs $10 and the entire book is devoted to this subject. It's not a lengthy book and you can probably sit down and read it in one or two sessions. It will be one of the better $10 you will spend.