Re: aggression and fighting by my 6 year old JRT

In Reply to: aggression and fighting by my 6 year old JRT
Category:   Aggression
Posted by:  Cindy Loeffler
Posted on:  April 26, 2002 at 22:54:38

: My husband and I have a male neutered 6 year old JRT. He has had social problems all his life from the day we brought him home. We tried obedience training, which he couldn't attend because he wanted to fight every dog there (when only a few months old) We tried a trainer who came to our house numerous times, but Eddie bit him. The only people we can trust him around were at our home in the first few days we owned him--other than that, we put him in his kennel to keep him from biting people. We keep our gate padlocked so he won't get loose because when he did one time, he chased every neighborhood child around and bit one on the leg. He has been in several fights with my daughter's lab, but lost badly--we still had to pull him off to get him to give up. The good news is that he has always been a sweet and loving dog to my husband and me--there's just the two of us plus our Westie. Our JRT never challenged the Westie before although he's 6 years older than the JRT, until lately when he has twice attacked the Westie--both times at feeding time. The Westie is 13 and frail. I need help and am thinking of having to give up "Eddie." I feel like I'm living with a timebomb until the next time he accidently gets loose. When he is outside and sees a stranger in my house he lunges at the door and attacks like a maniac, not just normal barking. I'm also getting a new grandchild and worry about what might happen. We love our dog and we're very attached to him but it's starting to get too concerning. I also won't stand by and let him hurt my other dog.

Response:

Hi Cindy,

First of all let me assure you that in a dog's world it is not that uncommon for a younger dog to get aggressive with an older and perceived "weaker" dog. This is what happens in wolf packs and in nature generally.

I would suggest at this stage to start feeding these two separately (meaning in separate rooms or crates). This should help to alleviate aggression in this situation. Feeding time is appearing to be a trigger so take the "trigger" away.

As far as your JRT's doggy aggression, the worst thing you can do for a dog that is dog aggressive is to isolate it from other dogs. This only tells the dog it is RIGHT to be this way around other dogs.

You need to find a trainer that can handle this type of situation and keep the dog in a small group class.

I took my Brody to his first basic obedience course last year at the age of 5. We had gotten him over his fear aggression of people but he still had issues with other dogs. So we jumped in with two feet and four paws. I was lucky enough to find a really great trainer. The only thing required was that Brody wear a red bandana in class to let all the others know he had other dog aggression. By the time our 8 week class was over, this dog was doing down/stays off lead between two hulking dogs that were no more than 3 feet away from him on either side.

So it can be done. The more positive exposure a dog like this gets to other dogs the more they realize that there is nothing to fear. Brody now goes to agility school where our trainer insists that all dogs in the class have to be good around other dogs. In fact she forgot Brody even had a problem!

Ask at your vet's office or ask the JRTCA state rep or even the rescue rep if they know a trainer that can help you with your JRT. If you are willing to make the commitment and have the patience required to tackle this, Brody is living proof it can be done.

Regards,
Marie